He moves to the back of the room to confer with Hudson out of earshot. Smiling to himself, Blaine returns his attention to me. Those eyes seem to speak a million words without ever opening his mouth.
The memory of the countless scars that litter his body float back into my awareness. Small, circular cigarette burns. Whip marks that match my own. A collection of shiny slashes, mirroring the path of countless knives.
So I stare back.
In acceptance.
In understanding.
When the two brothers retake their places, both wearing matching solemn expressions, I know their next words will hold groundbreaking ramifications.
“We are willing to negotiate a plea deal, Mr Madden.” Kade grimaces. “In exchange, we require your full and unequivocal cooperation until Antonio Gael, Nolan Madden and their accomplices are safely apprehended.”
“No!” Hyland erupts.
“That’s final.” Kade cuts each of us a stern look. “The decision has been made.”
I have to shrug the trunk-like arm from around me before Hyland cracks my bones. He’s tensed up into an iron band that holds terrifyingly extreme strength.
“By apprehended you mean…”
“Alive,” Hudson supplies.
Nose wrinkling, Blaine looks physically offended. “Is that negotiable?”
“We serve justice, Mr Madden.” Kade stares at him evenly. “Not executions.”
“If you insist. But I doubt there is a prison in this world that could contain my father. You do not know him like I do.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Kade dismisses with a hand wave. “Do you accept?”
“Hm.” Blaine flexes his shackled hands. “I should consult my legal counsel.”
When his joke falls flat, he exhales through his nose.
“Yes. I accept.”
Hands braced on his hips, Kade bobs his head in confirmation. “We will have our legal representative draw up the terms of this clemency agreement… When he shows up.”
“Wonderful. Mind removing these cuffs now? I’d quite like my blood circulation back.”
Seeing Warner grit his teeth and move to release the man he’s openly called his enemy feels like a double-edged sword. Part of me wants this. Another part has no clue how it will ever work.
Releasing the ankle shackles first, Warner moves to release Blaine’s wrists. The pair share a silent exchange in long, searching looks. When Warner nods tersely, Blaine sobers enough to dip his head in return.
What exactly are they agreeing?
“Forfeit this deal, and you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Hudson watches the scene unfold with a grim look. “That’s a damn promise.”
Stretching his long legs out, Blaine massages his swollen wrists. “Understood.”
“The Anaconda Team will be your babysitters,” Kade adds around his own uneasy frown. “Try not to bite the hand that feeds you.”
“Oh, hell no.” Hyland abruptly stalks forwards. “He isn’t joining our team.”
Blaine lays a hand over his heart in a dramatic fashion. “I’m wounded.”
“You’re a psycho murderer and scumbag!”
