burst across his thin facial skin, highlighting the myriad of early dark spots. He’d definitely spent some time in the sun to have aged his skin so badly so young. “Opiods? What in the world are you talking about?”
I bit my lip. “He’s really not a good liar.”
“No. A jury will hate him,” Nick agreed.
Pierce leaned forward. “Work with me, Melvin. I can protect you from these guys. Tell me about the manufacture of Beast, give me the location of the lab, and fill me in with the distribution plans. For all of that, I’ll give you a deal you won’t believe.”
“Immunity from all,” Melvin said evenly, dropping his chin.
Pierce sighed. “Not a chance. Plead guilty to manufacture, and you’ll only serve five to ten years. That’s a phenomenal deal, but you have to tell me everything.”
Melvin studied him. His shoulders dropped.
I held my breath.
“I want a lawyer,” Melvin said.
Nick snorted. “You owe me twenty, counselor. Told you.”
Darn it. I thought we’d have him. Well. Maybe Pierce would get more out of Aiden. I kicked back to wait for the next show, my heart battering my rib cage.
Aiden walked in before Pierce; his hands cuffed behind him. Even so, he looked dangerous, and once again, bored. When Pierce uncuffed him, Aiden pulled out a chair and winked toward the window.
My breath caught and my abdomen performed a slow roll.
“What a jerk,” Nick muttered.
Pierce sat in the same place as before.
Aiden cocked his head. “The bulletproof vest and gun at the waist don’t impress me, Pierce. You might as well get comfortable for this one.”
Pierce didn’t move. “You ever worn one of these?”
“Nope,” Aiden said.
“They’re far more comfortable than you think.” Pierce dropped a much heavier case file on the table than he’d had for Melvin.
I swallowed. “Double or nothing, Nick? I bet Aiden doesn’t give up a thing.”
Nick studied Aiden through the glass. “No bet. He’s been through this before. He’s not gonna talk, and he’s not gonna ask for a lawyer. We don’t have enough to hold him, and he knows it.”
“Then why did we bring him in?” I asked.
“The Lordes are getting nervous. Antsy. They know we have Devlin, and while he’s in an important position, he’s only been with them for two years. They have to wonder how he escaped being charged with the other Diablos. I have no doubt Pierce will have Spider in here at some time and hint at that very thing.” Nick’s long legs reached the floor.
Mine dangled in the air. Wouldn’t that put Aiden in even more danger? “Pierce is just applying more pressure?”
“Yeah, and he’ll put Melvin in hot water. Soon.”
Pierce tapped the table. “Melvin Whitaker gave you up, Devlin. Completely.”
“See?” Nick said.
Aiden flashed a quick smile, and while I’d like to say it didn’t do something funny to my abdomen, I’d be lying. “Not gonna discuss other people with you, Pierce.”
“Smart,” Nick muttered. “Didn’t lie, so we can’t cross-examine him on his statement. Man, I hate this guy.”
I should, too. In ordinary circumstances, I probably would. But not Aiden.
“What about pretty Anna Albertini?” Pierce asked, his voice lowering. “Want to talk about the spunky lawyer with the green eyes?”
My jaw dropped, and I shut it.
“He’s just trying to get into Devlin’s head,” Nick said quickly.
Aiden looked around Pierce to the window, somehow zeroing in on me again. “Her eyes are more gray than green. Obviously, you haven’t been that close to her, or you’d know that.”
“Have you been that close to her?” Pierce asked.
“Fourteen years ago, she was all eyes,” Aiden rumbled. “Skinny little thing with tons of brunette hair and big eyes. You know what she was doing the first time I saw her? Really saw her?”
I couldn’t breathe.
“No, what?” Pierce asked.
Aiden focused back on him. “She was swinging a cast-iron skillet that weighed more than she did at a monster. That’s what she was doing.” He leaned forward, threat in every line of his body. “She’s not somebody you use in an interrogation, in any manner. Say her name again, and I walk. Instantly.”
My lungs protested, and I forced myself to exhale. Air in. Air out.
Pierce leaned back. “Those are some strong emotions, Devlin.”
“Moments define us,” Aiden said softly. “Anna and I shared one. An important one that probably shaped us both in ways you can’t imagine. Years later, here we are.”
There was something poetic about his words, and his meaning shot right to my heart.
“She’s a lawyer and you’re a criminal,” Pierce snapped. “In fact, she’s been