but I guess I am too. We were only young when we were in juvie together. Now he’s a tall, strong-built man. The scar on his neck is still as prominent as his dark eyes when they meet mine.
Damir stalls as he comes through the doors.
“Fuck,” I murmur under my breath.
Damir walks casually over to the table behind us where a couple of people are waiting. They were there for our whole conversation. They could have overheard everything. His eyes don’t leave mine as he takes a seat, rolling his head around on his shoulders like he owns the joint.
“Zero, you need to find someone in here you can align yourself with,” Kevlar whispers across the table.
Zero chuckles. “I’ve tried. Everyone’s in the Baron’s pocket. I’m screwed.”
I turn to Finley. “We gotta get him out. Now Damir knows I’m tied to Zero…”
“I’ll be dead by morning,” Zero finishes my sentence.
Fear rushes through me because the problem is, Zero’s absolutely right. The second I leave, the second the guards are out of the cellblock, they’ll be on Zero like a moth to a flame.
And this time it’ll be my fucking fault.
“Zero,” I mumble.
“It’s okay… let Cherry know I love her. We may not have had a long time together, but she’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Tell her. Tell her she means everything to me.”
My face scrunches as I hear his goodbye to his Old Lady.
It breaks something deep inside of me as I sink back into the seat. I simply nod. “I’ll tell her.”
Zero clears his throat. “Tell Neon I’m sorry for all the shit that went down between us. I let Anna ruin our friendship, and I wish I had time to fix it. He’s a great friend, and I lost sight of that fact.”
“Jesus Christ, Zero, you might not even—”
He interrupts with, “Tell Prinie…” He stops having to take in a deep breath. “Tell Prinie I love her so fucking much. All I ever wanted was our family back together. Tell her to move on, to live her life. To make sure Koda grows up living the best life he can. He’s a good kid. He deserves everything this life can give him.”
This is fucking bullshit!
“Zero, stop! I don’t even think I’m taking this—”
“And you, Wraith…” I tense, my heart hammering in my chest as I stare at my president, my best friend, the man who saved me from so fucking much. “You’re gonna make a fucking awesome president.” My eyes widen. “It’s in you, it always has been. You have ways about you that are… not… all good, but beneath all that, you have a strong heart. A loyal heart. Someone who would take the shirt off his back and his fucking pants, too, if I needed them. You have an addiction, and I know it controls you, but brother, I’ve seen you manage it. I’m not sure what it will take for you to live your life happily, but life in the club doesn’t call for quitters. It’s like having someone who’s addicted to drugs, they can, and do seek help. Think of it like that, Wraith. See your damn therapist, I know she helped in the beginning. Put her on our payroll. If you’re going to be around my family, and the club, I have to know you’re gonna get the help you need.”
“Time’s up! Back to your cells,” a guard calls out.
Fear cripples me.
This could be the last time I’m with Zero.
“I’m so fucking sorry. For every messed-up thing I’ve ever done. For every time you have had to save me from my fucked-up ways.”
Zero exhales. “Just promise me you won’t fuck-up with Prinie, and we’re even.”
“I promise, man.”
“Good luck, brother. Thanks for e-everything,” Kevlar’s breaking voice murmurs.
“Walker… hurry it along,” the guard calls out.
“Good luck, Zero,” Finley offers.
He dips his head, then turns to walk off. Anxiety almost breaks me, I can’t let him leave, so I reach out grabbing his arm and pull him back. I take him in a back-slapping man hug.
He chuckles, embracing me.
“Hey,” the guard calls out, but I don’t give two flying fucks as I hug my best friend saying my goodbye.
I can’t place the emotions flowing through me.
I can’t fathom a world without Zero in it.
So, I hold him tight.
A guard grabs me, yanking me back. Another seizes Zero, pulling him away faster than I have time to think.
“Tell everyone I love them,” Zero calls out as he’s rushed through the door, and it’s