Addictive (The Houston Defiance MC Series Book 2)

see him, and we need to do it sooner rather than later.
Kevlar begged his brother to help us, and I’m sure Kevlar’s done some kind of deal with his lieutenant brother. I have no idea what Kevlar had to sacrifice, but I appreciate it. I wanted Kevlar with me because if anyone understands how to work the judicial system, it’s an ex-cop. And who better to bring attention to us, to let the cellmates know we mean business than someone who’s going to grab the prisoners’ attention.
Even though Kevlar may not have put these fuckers in here, criminals are criminals and some of them are hardened, which means they’ve been in and out of jails for years. Some of them are bound to know Kevlar. If we need people to talk to, Kevlar’s going to know the best inmates to bribe.
Will they want to talk? Probably not. But Defiance has pull, and we can offer deals.
My goal is mainly to check on Zero. Get anything I can from him.
Finley is with us, to help if we need to discuss any legal shit. We need a voice of reason in all this fucked-up shit.
As we walk the halls, Kevlar’s body is extra tense.
“You good, brother?” I ask.
He dips his chin but says nothing.
Coming in here is hard for him. He’s going to have shit flung his way from the inmates. It’s inevitable, but he’s been through worse. Much, much, worse.
We stop at the entry to the meeting room where a guard eyes Finley up and down and states categorically, “This is not a conjugal visit. It’s an open room with other inmates, so keep your hands to yourselves.”
I raise my eyebrows as Finley scrunches up her face, anger seeping off her in waves. “You will want to watch your tone and your accusations. Not every female who steps foot in this jail is here to fuck her baby daddy. You see this outfit I’m wearing?” He eyes her again, then shrugs. “This is a two thousand-dollar Michael Kors skirt. You think I’m coming in here to fuck? Not on your life. But if you speak to me like that again, I will fuck you up through the legal system so fast you won’t see me coming. Now open the damn doors and let me get to my client.”
His eyes widen, swallowing a lump down his throat. “Y-You’re an attorney?”
“I am. I bet there’s a bunch of women out there desperate to file sexual harassment cases against you, isn’t there?”
The guard spins around, opening the door real fucking quick.
Finley stands taller. “Keep your nose clean. Your hands to yourself. Then maybe we won’t be seeing each other in the future. Deal?”
He grumbles some shit under his breath.
I walk past him patting him on the back. “Don’t mess with her, man. She scares the hell out of me.” We keep walking, following Finley into the large room. Tables with bench seats line the room which is set out like a cafeteria. Some visitors are already here as we move to an empty table, sliding onto the bench. Finley is in the middle with Kevlar and me on either side protecting her.
A loud buzzer sounds, making me pay attention to the door at the far end. It opens to two guards who walk in, followed by inmates. My muscles tense as I wait for Zero to walk through the door. I’ve never been more anxious in my life.
Inmates stride in, walking to their loved ones.
Some study Kevlar, their faces turning sour.
One inmate walks past Kevlar turning up his lip. “You’ll get yours, dirty blue.”
“Keep walking, asshole,” I grunt loudly.
The inmate chuckles as he saunters past Kevlar, who inhales deeply, while trying to ignore the dickhead.
“Don’t react Kevlar. Don’t give them anything,” Finley whispers.
“I know, and I won’t.”
I can’t even begin to imagine what this must be like for him.
“Zero will be here soon, and we can forget about these other douchebags.”
“It’s pretty shitty that Zero will have to put up with the taunts because he knows an ex-cop,” Kevlar states.
“Pfft, Zero’s been in the company of a lot of worse people than an ex-cop, Kevlar,” I tease him.
He smirks as we all turn back to the door, where more inmates are filing in, then finally Zero rounds the corner. His tall frame is hunched over, his arm gripping onto his stomach as he hobbles into the room. The guard shoves him which makes Kevlar and me both stand abruptly.
“Keep your head guys,” Finley mumbles quietly.
Zero spots us, his head lifting. He doesn’t react. He just shuffles over, his badly beaten face coming into view. My jaw ticks as I assess his injuries. His eye is swollen, his bearded lip is cut and bloody. His nose is crooked, it’s obviously broken. The way he’s hunched, he’s protecting his ribs which I’m sure he’s sporting a couple broken ones.
My fists ball at my sides as he slides into the table, gingerly taking a seat. Sweat pricks at my temple as my body flames. Anger rages inside of me as I take in the sight of not only my president, but my best fucking friend—a mess, a wreck in front of me.
“Jesus Christ, Zero. Why didn’t you tell me when I called you last night this was happening?” Finley berates.
Zero winces as he brings his bloodied knuckles up on top of the table. “Didn’t want to worry y’all.”
“Worry?” I grunt through my teeth. “I’m not fucking worried, Zero. I’m fucking fuming!”
He exhales, his swollen eyes leaving mine. “I can handle myself, Wraith.”
I snort. “Obviously.”
“Who did this to you? The guards?” Kevlar doesn’t hesitate.
“No. There’s a guy in here. My cellmate. Think he’s been paid off by the Baron.”
“Name?” I demand.
“Pretty sure he’s part of the