Page 17 of Nick

I stop two more times for gas, fast food, and coffee to keep me awake. Cash and his sister don’t speak again for the rest of the drive.

When we get home, I drive straight to Shortie’s house. I figure whatever happened is already over since the sun rose a few hours ago. There’s a police cruiser at the end of the driveway, so I pull over and get out, telling Cash to do the same. Luckily, I see a familiar face. “Sean,” I yell.

Turning, his eyes get big in surprise before he motions me over. Cash and his sister follow closely behind me. “Good to see you, Nick. Z and Summer are still inside. The FBI killed or apprehended everyone who was here to kidnap Summer.”

I see a commotion at the front door, so I quickly explain who Cash and his sister are. Sean allows them to get in the back of his vehicle before walking me past the police tape. We’re stopped by an FBI agent, but I see Shortie walking towards a black SUV, so I tell the agent to fuck off and shove him out of the way, making a beeline for her.

As she climbs into the back of the SUV, I stop her door from closing, and the next thing I know she’s in my arms. “Shortie.” I bury my face in her neck, pulling her completely out of the vehicle. Thank fuck she’s safe.

Loosening my grip, I kiss her hair. Fuck, I missed her. A huge smile breaks over her face until she notices I’m banged up. “Nick?” She questions, her brows furrowing.

“Glad you’re safe. Talk later,” I say before lowering her to the ground.

I get a handshake from Z before Troy pulls me into a bear hug. “What the fuck happened to you?” I ask Troy. He’s got his arm in a sling.

“Got shot, but the other guy is dead,” he smiles. “I’m good, Nick. Glad you’re home safe.” He turns to the FBI agent who was watching us. “This is Nick Bouras,” Troy introduces. “The one who got you the evidence.”

I shake hands with Kinsley quickly before stepping back beside Shortie. “I’ve got 2 people with me you need to meet. Cash and his sister, Amy. He gathered evidence for me, but his sister has PTSD. No men allowed near her.”

“I can make that happen,” Kinsley agrees, questions in his eyes, but thankfully he seems to realize now isn’t the time to ask. “Agent Martin can accompany you to the station.”

“They’re with Sean. She can ride with him,” I reply, no room for argument.

Kinsley arranges for Agent Martin to go with Sean, while I usher Shortie into the back seat and slide in beside her. My hand automatically goes to her thigh while she lays her head on my shoulder. I missed her smell and never realized it until now. Fuck, it’s good to be back.

My mind has been wandering back to Artur all night. I hope I made the right decision coming here. I wasn't going to take Patrick's place and run drugs, and the sperm donor is finally dead. Artur might become an issue quickly, but with any luck, he and Fitzgerald were dealt with tonight.

The police station is a mess of too many bodies, but Sean leads us through the crowd.

Kinsley gives us a minute to call our lawyer before Troy and I are moved to a separate room for questioning. The agent with us tries to question me right away, but Troy shuts that shit down. I have little to hide, but I’m not stupid enough to say anything without a lawyer present.

Troy requests a doctor to come and check me out, but I assure him there’s nothing seriously wrong with me.

Mr. MacLeod enters with one of his partners and Kinsley. I insist he stay with Shortie so he leaves his partner, Mr. Morrison, with us.

Before the agents can start asking questions, I tell him about Artur and the office building in Knoxville. Kinsley assures me that a raid happened in Tennessee last night to capture all the major players.

I insist on ensuring Fitzgerald and Artur are dead or behind bars before I agree to talk about anything.

"You're not in a position to demand anything," the second agent tells me.

"I'm the reason you have the evidence you do, so don't give me that shit. My family's safety is the most important thing, so either prove to me they are out of play or you can fuck off," I reply.

Agent Kinsley holds up a hand as the second agent opens his mouth to reply. "Nick, while we appreciate your efforts to bring down the operation, we were already working towards that goal."

"Are you fucking serious right now?" I reply.

"Agents," Mr. Morrison interrupts. "I understand the FBI has been monitoring Mr. Fitzgerald for 5 years now. Nick got you more information in 8 months than you were able to gather in those years. You have enough to prosecute all the players, and the operation has ceased. That is because of my client and not your resources. I suggest you provide the evidence he requests immediately."

Kinsley eventually agrees and shows me mug shots from last night. Artur's mug shot is from Tennessee with today's date. The other man looks to be about the same age as him and not at all what I was expecting. Fitzgerald really flew down here to get Summer, and Artur was caught in the basement where Friday night fights happen. “How do you know this is actually Fitzgerald?” I ask.

“The FBI has had his identity for several years now, and Cash verified it was him. Why don’t you know what he looks like?” Kinsley asks, suspicion clouding his features.

“Hadn’t met him yet. I only dealt with Artur and Patrick.”

“Where is Patrick?” Kinsley asks.

“Dead from a shootout at the bar. I don’t know where his body is. His crew cleaned up after the fighting.” No way am I implicating myself in his killing when they're already being difficult.