Page 51 of Savage in the Streets

I downcast my eyes, trying to puzzle together how everything could seemingly come together, only to fall apart in an instant.

He leaves, and a minute later, two uniformed men walk into the room, barking orders at me.

“Ah, would ya look at this?” A police officer holds up the pamphlets I had set down on the kitchen island.

“Looks like a flight risk to me,” his companion says.

“Fuck,” Ashton grinds out.

“No!” I plead, very aware of how it must look to them. “They aren’t mine!”

“Sure,” one of them snickers, then closes my wrists in handcuffs and pulls me by the forearm to the elevator.

“Don’t worry, Bailey. I’m gonna get you out,” Ashton shouts at me.

I want to believe him. I want more than anything for him to be my knight in shining armor.

But the truth is, nothing has ever really worked out for me. My days are numbered, and if I keep clinging to hope, I’m only going to be met with more heartbreak.

Chapter 14

Ashton

“Bailey Savage is innocent,”I insist, “and keeping her locked up isn’t justice.”

Judge Fischer exhales audibly. “Ashton, if it weren’t for the love you bore for my daughter, I’d have had the cops come to haul your ass from my home the moment you started making your demands, drunk as all hell like you are.”

I pace in a tight circle, frustrated that I can’t force his hand. “Why won’t you listen to me?”

“Because this isn’t you.”

“Tell me what they found.”

“You’ll find out at the discovery hearing.”

“I can’t wait a damn—”

“You won’t have to. I’ll expedite the discovery hearing. It’s the least I can do for you. Expect to be in court late Monday afternoon.”

“Will there be bail?”

“I can’t discuss that with you.”

“Come on, Robin.”

“It’s Judge Fischer to you.”

“Jesus Christ, I’m not asking you to let a hardened criminal out on the streets. The only thing Bailey is guilty of is being born into a fucked up family.”

Blinding lights shine at the head of the driveway.

“You called the fucking cops?” I shout.

“You mean, did I do the right thing?” The judge shakes his head. “No, I didn’t. Don’t make me regret it.”

The car rolls to a stop, and I hear a door open, but the lights are so blinding, I can’t see a thing.

“Ashton, you asshole!”