Page 22 of Desert Loyalties
SKYE
Watching my old man get hauled out in cuffs is a gut punch I never saw coming. One second, we’re discussing babies, the next feds have him in restraints like he’s already convicted.
There’s nothing I can do but watch as they take him away.
For a moment, none of us move. We’re too stunned. Lehi breaks the silence first, cursing under his breath.
“We gotta get him a lawyer. Now.”
Suddenly, the brothers snap into motion. Voices start flying, yelling suggestions, names, old lawyers, new ones. Everyone’s talking all at once.
Then Ranger yells, “Quiet!”
We all shut up.
“Church. Now. Skye, you too.”
Good, cause if they think I’m gonna let them shut me out, they got another thing coming.
Everyone drops their phones in the metal bucket outside the church room. I follow, heart pounding. I’ve never been inside.
It’s smaller than I expected. No windows. No walls, just dark panelling. One vent up in the ceiling. A few old light bulbs hang from the beams, the one in the corner barely lights the room, but honestly, it fits the mood.
The brothers take their seats, I’m sure they’ve done this a hundred times. Ranger nods at the empty chair beside him.
“Skye.”
I get it. It’s Drake’s seat. I sit, trying to pull strength from the spot, trying to feel close to him.
Ranger starts.
“First off, we’re getting him a lawyer. Not just any lawyer. We need someone who can handle the feds. This case ain’t staying local. I’m guessing it’s going to be heard in the federal Courthouse in Southern Nevada.”
He pauses, looking around the room.
“I put feelers out when the feds first started sniffing around. I’ve got a name. Christina LaGuerta. She’s out of D.C., part of LaGuerta & Associates. Woman’s never lost a case to the feds. Not once.”
Murmurs ripple through the room.
“She’s expensive,” Ranger adds. “Real expensive.”
Caine shrugs like it’s nothing. “Fine. Give her whatever she wants.”
Ranger looks at him. “Glad you said that. ‘Cause the only reason I haven’t called her yet is this: she’s slammed. Full caseload. And she’s not gonna come out to Nevada for just any case.”
He leans forward.
“But Mickey dug around. Turns out, she comes to Nevada once a year. Always on the same week, your wife’s birthday.”
Caine freezes. All the colour drains from his face.
“I don’t know what the connection is,” Ranger says. “But there is one. I’m guessing one call from Alecia will work in our favour.”
Silence.
“I’ll talk to her,” I say. My voice sounds steadier than I feel. “She’ll do it.”
Caine exhales. “Alright. Why don’t you go have a word with her. We’ll move some things around. Free up some funds.”
I nod and get up.
We don’t say it out loud, but we all know: this is going to cost us. Maybe more than money.
But whatever it takes, we’re getting him back.
Leaving the chapel, I nearly run straight into the women. They’re all here. The old ladies. The lifers. My sisters.
Kate steps forward first. “We heard what happened,” she says. “Are you okay?”
Before I can answer, Kelly grabs my hand. “Of course she’s not okay, her man just got arrested.” Her British accent makes it sound like a lecture, but there’s concern under every word.
“I’m holding it together,” I say. “We’ve got a plan. I’m going over to Alecia’s. I need her help.”
Rani speaks up fast. “We’ll come with you.”
I shake my head. “I appreciate it, really. But I’ve gotta ask her for a big favour. Don’t think ambushing her is the right play.”
They nod, understanding. Still, Kate says, “Is there anything we can do?”
“Not right now,” I tell them. “But I appreciate you being here. All of you.”
I squeeze Kelly’s hand before letting go, then turn and take off down the hallway.
Time’s burning. And if Alecia’s the key to LaGuerta, then I need her to open that damn door.
Pulling out of the lot, I hit the throttle harder than I should. The tires spit gravel behind me as I tear out toward Alecia’s place. My hands are shaking. Not from fear but from the weight of everything .
Turning onto the main road, I glance at my phone on the seat beside me. No messages. No updates. Just the silence.
I park crooked in front of Alecia’s duplex, kill the engine, and just sit there for a second.
Breathe, Skye. Get it done.
I knock firmly on the door. It’s barely a second before it cracks open. She looks good, nothing gets a woman out of sweats faster than a husband who can’t keep it in his pants.
Alecia opens the door wider looking shocked to see me. “Skye? Is everything okay?”
“Can we talk?” I ask.
Nodding without hesitation, she ushers me in. “Come in.” I step inside. Her place is the kind of home I wanted growing up. It’s homey and clean. I don’t have time to appreciate the drawings on her fridge right now, but dammit they’re cute.
Rather than beating around the bush, I get straight to it. “How do you know Christina LaGuerta?”
She freezes, dumbfounded. She sputters a few words until finally getting out, “What did that motherfucker tell you?”
“Huh?” now I’m confused.
“Caine. What the hell did he say?” She looks pissed.
“Nothing. This isn’t about him. I need your help, for Drake.”
Taking a deep breath, I steady myself.
“Drake’s been arrested. By the feds. LaGuerta is the best federal defence attorney we could find.”
Alecia nods slowly. “She is really good. But what’s that got to do with me?”
“Ranger tried her office,” I explain. “She’s busy. Full caseload. We were hoping you would make a call.”
She takes a few steps back. I follow.
“Please, Alecia. He’s being charged with serious crimes. I could lose him forever. Please. ”
I’m begging now and I don’t care.
She stares at me for a long moment, face unreadable. But I know. I see it in the way her shoulders drop, in the shift behind her eyes. Before she even says it, I already know.
“I’ll do it,”