Chapter 22

Devon laughed. “Or is that all part of the master plan, Ray? Are you fucking him so he’ll make sure things go our way? Why bother? Cops are all the same. They stick together, Ray. He’s probably laughing behind your back.”

The ugly words and accusations swirled around Nick’s head. This is why he didn’t do families. Families were cruel and vicious. He backed up a step. Two steps. He was aware that Ray was speaking, maybe someone else was, too, but he’d ceased to listen to them. He had to get out of there. Had to leave. Get away.

Nick turned and hurried from the living room and for the front door. He couldn’t breathe. He wrenched open the door and ran outside, trying to catch his breath. He bent at the waist, heaving great gasps of air.

“Nick!”

He shook his head and hurried the rest of the way to his car. He unlocked it and opened the door. Ray followed him to the street. Fear and sadness filled Ray’s dark eyes.