“You see, I understand that you want to believe this is Bishop’s baby, and you know what, maybe my contact was wrong. You and Bishop are always together, but he’s not here now. In fact, I know he’s probably fucking his way through a bunch of club women.”

“For a cop you really do have bad language.”

“Well, I have to dumb down for criminals to hear what I’m saying. I can’t go around using big words.”

She didn’t say anything, staring at him, waiting for his threats to disappear.

“You don’t have to protect him, you know. I can help you.”

“I’m not protecting anyone.”

“Did you know how much of a bad liar you are?” He suddenly reached over and grabbed her arm. She let out a gasp but didn’t want to draw any attention to their table.

“You’re hurting me.”

“Let’s get one thing straight right now, his little club, it’s going down. By the time I’m through with it, there isn’t going to be anything left. You got it? If you don’t help me, I will make sure, you and your baby go down with it, or you can help me, and I will protect you.”

“Get your hands off her,” Preacher said.

Robin had never been so grateful to hear his voice. With him here, O’Klaren wouldn’t hurt her.

He let her go, and she pulled away, holding her arm close to her chest, not wanting to get too close to him.

“It was nice of you to show up,” O’Klaren said.

“I’m starting to think this is harassment. You keep throwing big words out there like minor and other such legal jargon. I wonder if you even understand it yourself. I get the big words, bud, but do you know what else I’m seeing?” Preacher stepped up close, and O’Klaren got to his feet.

“What’s that?”

“I’m seeing a bad cop who is going to make a mistake. Like, hit his wife in the wrong place, or hurt his son just too much that it can’t be explained away.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Preacher laughed. “Maybe not, but I can see with my own two eyes, and what I see is a cowardly cop who gets his shit and giggles from beating on a poor, defenseless woman and his kids. Pictures lie, and I see you, O’Klaren. You keep your hands off my family or you may take on a fight that won’t end well.”

“Good talk,” O’Klaren said.

He didn’t stick around, and the moment he was gone, she collapsed.

“How did you know?” Robin asked.

“I have eyes and ears everywhere. Are you done studying?”

“Yes, I really am.”

She gathered her books up, thankful when he helped.