Chapter-71

I’d dealt with Casey quite a few times over the years and she always had a way of making me feel like I was the most dangerous man in the room, even when she had a whole squadron of cops at her back. When she finally pushed through the locked door leading from the offices and into the lobby, her eyes scanned me like a hawk eyeing its prey.

"What do you want?" she asked, not bothering to hide her disapproval.

"I got some information you'll be interested in," I told her, holding up the USB for her to see.

Her gaze flickered to the thumb drive, then back to me. "What kind of information?" she asked, her voice suspicious.

I hid a grin, knowing she didn't trust me. "The kind that will take down the whole Cartel operation," I replied, holding the thumb drive out to her. "Everything my uncle had on all his enemies, his partners, his dirty dealings."

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't reach for it. "What's the catch?"

"There isn't one," I replied. "Just take them down."

Casey's eyes searched mine, then she took the USB, her fingers wrapping around it tightly before turning she stated, "Follow me."

I didn't argue. When we reached a cramped, gray interrogation room, the fluorescent lights flickered as we entered the room. Pulling out a chair she gestured for me to sit.

"So, what's on the drive?" she asked as I sat down.

I leaned back against the cold metal chair, my arms crossed over my chest. "Bank accounts, shipments, names, dates—it's all there."

Walking across the room she picked up a laptop, then returned to the table. Sitting the computer onto the scarred tabletop, she pulled out a chair and took a seat. Her eyes never left mine as she plugged the USB into the laptop.

As the files came up, her eyes widened slightly as she began clicking through them, but her expression remained unreadable. I couldn't tell if she was surprised or skeptical.

"You do realize that you're handing over a treasure trove of evidence that could get you killed, right?" she asked, never taking her eyes off the screen.

"I know," I replied. "I need you to keep a woman named Marlow Mills safe. I don’t care what happens to me."

Casey's fingers paused on the keyboard. "What did you do, Torin?" she asked, looking up at me sharply.

I met her gaze, not flinching. "I did what I had to," I said, my voice tight. "But I need your word that she'll be protected."

Casey leaned back in her chair, eyeing me with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "I'll do what I can," she finally stated.

I nodded, accepting my situation.

With the USB in Casey's hands, the evidence was out there, and I could only hope it was enough to bury Lucien and my uncle's empire.

Casey leaned back in her chair, peering at the files as they flashed on the screen.

"This is...a lot," she murmured, shaking her head.

I nodded. "Yeah. Even I didn't realize how fucked up my uncle w...is," I muttered, stumbling over the last word at realizing I'd almost revealed I knew Carlos was dead.

Casey leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "Why are you giving this to me?"

"Because I want this shit to be over," I said. “And I want Marlowe safe. She’s innocent in all this crap and got unintentionally sucked into it."

"You love her," Casey stated, a hint of understanding bleeding in her eyes.

"More than my own life," I told her, my voice low.

For moments, her eyes held mine, weighing me, before she turned back to the laptop. "Alright, I need you to come clean---tell me everything."

I began to recount the events of my parents murder. My time with the club, my training as a SOG, the stolen USB, ending my tale with what Lucien had done to Marlowe. I laid it all out in detail—all except for my hand in some of the mob members, and my uncle's death.

Casey listened as I spilled, but her face remained unreadable.

Finally, she leaned back in her chair and stated, "Alright. I'll take your information to the DA."

"Thanks," I murmured, following my gratitude with, "Just take them down and keep Marlowe safe, okay?"

"I'll do my best," she promised.

I nodded, but remained mute, there was nothing else to add.

Casey stood. "You'll be placed in witness protection. No bullshit, no running. Got it?"

I nodded, feeling the weight of the decision I had made.

"Good," Casey said, then standing up, she motioned for me to follow, tossing over her shoulder. "Now let's get you somewhere secure."

Minutes later, as we walked through the precinct, the stares of the other officers bore into me, a mix of curiosity and contempt. Some knew who I was, and what I represented, others just saw a biker. But none of them knew the full story, and none of them ever would.

Once we were in a secure office, Casey made a call, speaking in hushed tones about the USB and the information it contained.

After hanging up, she turned to me. "We're going to arrange a meeting with the DA. I want you to tell him everything you've just told me, alright?"

I nodded, feeling a mix of dread, at the same time a wash of relief. "And Marlowe?" I questioned.

Casey's gave me a soft smile. "We'll get her into witness protection too.”

Within minutes, I was following Casey to an unmarked cruiser. As she opened the back door and gestured for me to get in, she murmured, "I’m taking you to a safe house. You'll be briefed there."

Sliding into the car, I heaved a sigh. I’d been guaranteed Marlowe would be safe. But the fear of what could happen if anything went wrong, wouldn’t let go of me.

The drive to the safe house was made in silence, only broken by the occasional murmur from the radio and the hum of the car's engine. When we arrived, Casey led me into a nondescript apartment.

"Someone will be here to brief you in a few minutes," she said. "The DA will be in touch."

I had just possibly signed my own death-warrant.