Page 18 of Nick

“Where were you during the fight and cleanup?” The other agent asks.

“Fighting for my life. There were at least 50 people there in an all out brawl. Artur told me I had to take over for Patrick because he was dead, then I was under guard by two of Artur’s men. I couldn’t even piss alone.”

“How did you escape?”

“You’ll find Artur’s two guards in Patrick’s bedroom closet if they haven’t escaped yet. I knocked them out and tied them up. Took Patrick’s truck and drove back to the bar to break Cash and his sister out and then drove here.”

Mr. MacLeod joins us about an hour into my questioning, letting us know Summer and Z are at Alex's house. I lose track of time after that as they compare my information with what Cash sent them. Because I don’t know what they received, it takes forever. I list all the names and businesses I can remember, describe the Friday night fights and then Tuesday nights, and I make sure they know about the young teens. It seems the symbol on the train station crates is new information Cash didn’t have, so I explain about the dead guard and draw the symbol I saw on the crates. No one seems to know whether the salon supplies were legitimate or had hidden drugs in them.

At one point, Kinsley gives me a stack of photos to look through. I write the names of those I recognize and any information I have about them.

Someone brings lunch and coffee in at some point while we work through all the information. By late afternoon, I’m barely functioning, and Mr. MacLeod insists we stop until tomorrow morning. There’s talk of locking me up tonight, but fuck that. Mr. MacLeod produces the informant paperwork from the local FBI office to prove I was on the right side of things. It turns out the local office never filed it because Troy’s buddy was a corrupt asshole. Troy tells me Eddy stole his phone and tried to lure Z and Summer out of the safe room, and that Z shot him in the leg. Good.

Kinsley agrees to let me go after we assure him, I’ll go straight to Alex’s house and return at 8am tomorrow morning. The other agent argues with him about his decision, but Kinsley is the senior officer, so I get to leave. I’m fucking exhausted.

Z is waiting for us outside. I get a hug from him, and then he drives us to Alex’s house, where everyone is staying tonight.

Alex greets us at the door, asking us to help carry dinner upstairs. I get a bro hug from him and E, and then we trudge upstairs. I hear a Gabby squeal as soon as we walk inside. Holding the dish to the side, someone grabs it as Gabby tries to tackle me. I hug her back for a minute before setting her down. Seb gives me a bear hug, and I get a bro hug from Bay. It’s damn good to lay eyes on everyone again. They all look well and healthy.

My eyes zero in on Shortie standing beside the table, watching us. I quirk an eyebrow, and she comes right over. I step towards her and pick her up under her butt, burying my face in her neck again. How the strong, fierce, damaged little thing buried herself so deep inside me, I’ll never understand, but I’ll be forever grateful she did. My body shudders at being home and safe in her arms.

Setting her down, she scrutinizes my face before asking if I’m really okay. Nodding, I pull her over to the island and hand her a plate before filling one for myself. Damn, I missed E’s cooking. Gabs is fussing over Troy, cutting his food up for him while he scowls.

We sit around the living room to talk afterwards. Gabs and Summer take seats on either side of me, leaning close.

“It’s still early, but the FBI thinks they’ve gotten all the important people from Tennessee and the crooked FBI agents. Nick and Cash helped them identify several key players. The man in the suit at Z’s house was the boss, Mr. Fitzgerald,” Troy begins.

“Who's Cash?” Seb asks.

“Hacker working with Patrick. I got him and his sister out when I left. Artur and Fitzgerald kidnapped his sister to keep him in line, and she lived with him in a room at the bar. He got the evidence Fawx released to the FBI yesterday. That’s why they came,” I reply.

“What about Patrick?” Shortie asks.

“I killed him,” I answer.

Leaning forward, she looks into my eyes. “You’re safe now,” she whispers, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“Shit, man,” Seb remarks, shaking his head. “I’m still sorry you had to do that. So, what now?”

“One agent wanted to arrest Nick for being part of the crew, so we had an issue leaving. Mr. Macleod and Agent Kinsley, who’s in charge, stepped in. They weren’t aware Nick was technically working with the FBI because he didn’t have contact with the offices in Tennessee, and Eddy didn't file the paperwork. It’s a grey area because we knew they had corrupt people in their offices, so it wasn’t safe for him to reach out. We think it’s cleared up now, but Nick will probably spend a few days with the FBI working it all out. Mr. MacLeod, Agent Kinsley, and I will be with him.”

“What happens to Cash and his sister?” Shortie asks.

“We don’t know yet. They’re staying at a hotel with guards. This whole mess will take a while to sort through,” Troy answers.

“How did you get shot?” Gabby asks Troy.

“Z texted that one of the guys had gone outside, so Jensen and I crept through the woods to check it out since the FBI hadn’t shown yet. We were approaching either side of the garage when he must’ve spotted us. He shot me before we had eyes on him. Jensen took him out.”

“That’s enough questions for today,” Zander speaks up. “Troy and Nick both need sleep.”

“Can we stay here tonight?” Seb asks.

“There are several guest rooms on the floor below, or we can squeeze everyone in here,” Alex offers.

“That would be appreciated, Alex,” Zander replies.

“Gabs, do you want to stay up here or down below?” Troy asks her.