Brutal Read Online Free Page B

standing there? Uh oh, this can’t be good.
    “Venessa Cross, you are under arrest for suspicion of murder. Spread your legs, and put your hands behind your back,” says the officer. The crowd hears it via the mic, then all hell breaks loose.
    “What?” I yell. “I can’t spread my legs! Have you seen my skirt?”
    “Hands behind your back and you’ll walk out of here peacefully,” says officer number two.
    I’m speechless, to be honest. Under arrest for suspicion of murder? Huh? I haven’t even killed anyone lately. Then, it hits me. Briggs, you mother fucker. Shit. I knew I put myself on their radar; taking down police will get a girl noticed. At least I’m wearing clean underwear.
    “Where the fuck are you taking her?” demands Max after he cuts the music. “Don’t say a word to anyone, Venessa. I’ll have the attorney there within minutes. Not a fucking word, you feel me? I’ll fix this.”
    “Yeah, okay Max,” I say, because what else can I say? I am sort of a murderer.
    “We take care of our own. I got you. We got you,” he says, nodding to a lot of VIPs and a very pissed off Tony.
    “I know, Max, thanks. You know I’m solid, right?” I ask, needing his reassurance
    “You’re a fucking angel in this hell hole, baby, no doubt you’re solid. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promises.
    I get out a quick “I trust you Max,” before my hands are cuffed behind my back. I’m led from the platform onto the floor, headed toward the exit, but the employees and a shit load of our regulars aren’t having it. We’re stopped repeatedly. The police are getting pushed, threatened with death, and various other things. Everyone is rooting for me, and it’s a little disconcerting. They think they know me based on my reputation here. If they only knew the real me, they’d run in the opposite direction. Oh, who am I kidding, they’d probably love me more…
    It’s straight up riot ready in here, and as much as I don’t like being touched by strangers, let alone handcuffed, I know these men are just doing their jobs so I dial it down. Focusing on the fact that I’m headed to the station, I rack my brain to figure out where I went wrong. Even after I do this, I still can’t understand why. But before I can get to the exit, I’m stopped again, this time by Anthony Gallo. A very pissed off Anthony Gallo. That’s never good.
    Looking at both officers, Anthony levels them both with his hard eyes. He rubs my cheek gently and I allow it. Anthony has always been good to me. I know a lot of his secrets, and he isn’t someone I’d ever take down. He isn’t a bad guy, he just isn’t the most ethical guy. He’s also beautiful; deadly, but beautiful. He’s right around six foot, with perfect hair, a perfect jaw, perfect teeth. Even his eyebrows are perfect. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, olive skin, and a killer dresser, he’s pretty much the definition of the perfect looking man. Too bad he doesn’t do it for me, at all.
    “You harm one hair on her head, and you’ll get a visit from me personally,” he calmly says to the officers.
    He looks at me with warmth, and maybe something else? I’m not sure, but I’m not in the frame of mind to make out what it is. He leans in, but speaks loud enough for both officers to hear. “We won’t stand for this, baby. Detroit’s finest has made a lot of enemies tonight. I will be seeing you soon.” He made it a statement.
    “Okay, Tony. Thanks for caring about me,” I reply, slightly confused.
    “I care, baby. I also protect what’s mine,” he says, and he knows I’m totally shocked.
    I’m sure the shock of that statement is written all over my face. He doesn’t explain, just smiles and whispers that he’s coming for me. Whatever that means. Tony and I are around each other a lot, and granted I’ve never actually seen him with women, I assumed he had someone. Hell, with his looks, several someones. We’ve been tight for years, so this turn of