Page 63

“Thorn wasn’t fucking there!” I shout. “He’s been with me and Mark the entire time. He never left our side.”
“We know.”
“Then we bail him out.” I move toward the door when a strong hand grips my shoulder, halting my footsteps. “Take your hand off me,” I growl, spinning around, ready to punch whoever dared to stop me.
Mark holds up his hands and steps back.
“You can’t go out there half-cocked,” Abyss says calmly. “None of us like that Thorn’s in jail.”
“Get him out,” I grit through my teeth.
Why are they still standing here?
“He’s being charged with murder. It’s not that easy. Thorn’s arraignment hearing is scheduled for three days from now.” Carmella hands me the court assignment. “Jez and I are gathering everything I need to file a motion to dismiss. You need to trust me.”
I drop my chin. “I’m going to enjoy squeezing the life out of that son of bitch, Phantom, once I get my hands on him.”
Abyss grins. “You’re gonna have to get in line.”
After three long agonizing days, the four of us gather outside the courtroom to wait for the bailiff to announce Thorn’s case number. Jez and Carmella worked tirelessly to gather everything Carmella needs for the hearing. The knots in my stomach tighten as I think about everything that could possibly go wrong.
Carmella smiles at me sympathetically as if she knows I need a moment to gather myself. I refuse to let Thorn see how worried I am. Eventually, the bailiff opens the door, calls the case number, and allows everyone inside.
“I’m gonna go use the restroom.” I nod toward the bathroom across the hall.
“We’ll be inside.” Carmella picks up her briefcase and winks. “Hurry, I’d hate for you to miss all the fun.”
What in the hell could be fun about this?
CHAPTER 29
THORN
“The defense motion to dismiss the charges is granted. Mr. Gruber, you’re free to go.”
Grinning, I throw my arms around Carmella as the judge bangs the gavel. For three days, I’ve done nothing but pace my cell and hope that she and the club could get me out. The prosecutor requested that I be remanded into custody until the trial, but Carmella was able to pull enough together before arraignment to prove I was nowhere in the vicinity of Brittany Cragen at the time of her death.
“Thank you,” I say sincerely. “When you told me that the DNA found on the body was a match to mine, I was worried.”
“I had your back,” Carmella says, smiling.
I nod as I step back and scan the courtroom. Abyss and Mark are in the first row behind the defense table, but I don’t see Delaney. My insides twist with panic.
“Where is she?” I ask Abyss. “I thought she’d be here.”
“Relax, brother. She went to the restroom just as your case was called. I’m sure she’s in the hallway, waiting.”
Relief washes over me. We trickle out of the courtroom, and when I step through the door, I sweep my gaze from side to side. Still, Delaney is nowhere in sight.
“I hope she’s okay,” I mutter. “She’s been in the bathroom for a while.”
Carmella rests a hand on my arm. “I’ll go check on her.”
She walks to the women’s bathroom and enters. Not two seconds later, she rushes back out, her expression full of concern.
“What is it?” I demand. “Where is she?”
Carmella shakes her head frantically. “I don’t… She’s not… There’s blood, Thorn.”