Page 31 of Iron Will
“He won’t,” Rourke smirks. “I know a guy on the police force.”
“Wait, what?Youare friends with a police officer?” I say, amazed. “Now I’ve heard everything.”
Rourke laughs. “We went to school together. We ain’t buddies or anything exactly, but… yeah. I’m pretty sure I could get him to just coincidentally be here at the hospital when he needs to be.”
“So… your plan is to actually get Mickey arrested.” Now it’s my turn to be amused.
“Yeah. Hell, it’s not like my cop friend is gonna say no to arresting someone who actually commits a crime, right? Joe can put the guy in a cell for a few days. Until Paisley is out of the hospital, probably longer. No way Mickey’ll be able to post bail, right.”
“And after that?”
“After he gets out, I’ll make it so Mickey understands it’s in his best interests to stay the hell away from that little girl and her mom.” His eyes gleam. “And Ironwood. And southern Ohio, while we’re at it.”
From the determined look one Rourke’s face, I have no doubt he’s dead serious about all of this. I shake my head in grudging admiration. “Unbelievable.”
“But it’ll work. I’ll make sure it does.” He gives me a conspiratorial grin. “So, what do you say? You in?”
13
Laney
There’s a little voice inside me saying,This is crazy, Laney. Don’t do it. Don’t get involved. You could risk your job.
And for a second, I listen to it.
But the thing is, there’s another voice that’s louder. And that one says: The only way that little girl is going to be safe is if Mickey goes away.
It’s better if Bethany doesn’t suspect anything. I know she kicked him out once, but he came right back. Who knows how long it will be until she has the courage and the strength to get rid of him for good? And what could happen to the woman and her daughter in the meantime?
I feel a little guilty for interfering in their lives. But knowing she’s already tried to get rid of him once makes it seem a little less bad.
Besides, Mickey will only get caught if he actually does try to steal something. Right?
“I’ll think about it,” I say slowly. “And if I can figure out a way to make this work, then… yes. I’ll do it.”
“Really?” Rourke raises a brow.
“Yes, really,” I shoot back, a little defiantly. “You didn’t think I would?”
“Honestly? No. I didn’t.” The corners of his lips tilt upward.
“Then why did you ask me?”
“Because doing it with your help would be easier than doing it without.”
Am I crazy?I ask myself as Rourke looks at me with an impressed smile.Have I lost my mind, here?My heart starts to race as I contemplate what I’m planning to do. I realize I’m stepping over a line right now. A line I can’t cross back over once I’ve done it.
I’m not sure how I got here. But somehow, I still know that if I could replay the last thirty minutes, I’d end up in the same place. I know I’m not going to back out.
“I want Mickey out of Paisley and Bethany’s life,” I say simply. “And I know in my heart, both of them want him gone, too.” I suck in a deep, shaky breath. “And honestly, if this way stops you from beating Mickey senseless in the parking lot and going to jail yourself,” I say, trying to sound like I’m joking, “then I’m in.”
He leans forward some more, until his face is just inches from mine. “Don’t do this for me, Laney,” he warns in a low murmur. “I’m not asking you for that.”
The sound of my name in his mouth makes goosebumps pucker the skin of my arms. This is the first time he’s called me just by my name alone — notLaney the social worker, orhey you, or evendarlin’.
The deep rasp of his voice is almost intimate. Almost like a caress from his rough, callused hands.
“I’m not doing it for you,” I say, looking down. But I’m not sure if it’s the truth.