11. Chapter 11
June 27, 2011
12:46 am
Much to Hailey’s irritation, Sara refused to tell her where she’d disappeared to after they watched the video in the interrogation room, only to reappear nearly forty minutes later. Hailey was selfishly curious as to the whereabouts of her twin’s mysterious disappearance, but Sara was a vault.
Figures.
Of course, lunch was awkward as Hailey, Trey, and Sara tried and failed at making conversation. Trinity would be annoyed to find out Hailey went to lunch without her, but maybe tonight’s sleepover with Cecilia would make the sting of betrayal less painful.
Hailey was thankful Genevieve brought her granddaughter around. It kept Trinity occupied while Hailey did…whatever it was she was doing. Even though her daughter was busy spending time with her friend, Trinity was becoming suspicious of Hailey’s whereabouts and had tried to convince Hailey to let her tag along.
No surprise there.
Trinity thought she was a private investigator and didn’t know the meaning of ‘mind your own business’...not that Hailey did either. The poor girl was just too curious for her own good. Hailey prayed it didn’t get Trinity into too much trouble, much like it did Hailey and Trey.
Another knot found its way to the pit of her stomach.
She needed to tell Trey about their daughter. She was actually surprised he hadn’t said anything at the wedding or in the car. It was obvious Trinity was his. Hailey wondered if he was too dense to put two and two together or if he just didn’t want to overstep.
Hailey guessed he was too dense because Trey wouldn't know a boundary even if it hit him in the face.
They were waiting on their refills when Sara became rigid, and her eyes widened. From Sara’s seat, she had a direct line of view of anyone who came into the restaurant, a fight Trey begrudgingly avoided despite wanting a seat facing the door. He noticed the change in her body movements and instinctively placed a hand on his holster as he turned to look at who walked through the door.
Alarmed, Hailey glanced, too.
She wasn’t prepared to see the man who walked through the door and apparently neither was Sara.
Her sister sat motionless, making eye contact with the man who stood in the entrance of the restaurant, his body mirroring Sara’s. But instead of shock, it was rage that burned in his eyes.
Before Sara could muster the courage to say something, she watched in silence as Chase Renner turned around and left.
“What was that about?” Trey demanded. No doubt he hadn’t appreciated Sara’s reaction to seeing Chase, as if he was somehow dangerous.
Sara didn’t respond. She simply looked away, and picked at her food, content to keep her secrets.
Trey looked at Hailey for answers. She put her hands up in front of her. “She wouldn't tell me anything when they broke up and I don’t think she’s going to now.”
Not knowing what else to do, he grumbled and went back to eating his tacos while Sara pushed her plate away. Hailey nibbled at hers, ready for lunch to be over.
The three continued to eat alone until a group of teenagers came in toward the end of their meal. The bunch stared briefly at Sara, probably wondering if they were seeing the woman who killed her mother. Sara stared back and they quickly turned their heads, whispering as they did.
Hailey’s heart hurt for Sara. She was still a person. A person with trauma and demons and pain that went far deeper than the cuts she had received during her time in prison. She was a person who needed to be reminded of what it felt like to be loved and cared for.
Had she ever been truly loved or cared for? Hailey didn’t think so. They lived in the same home where love was nearly nonexistent and the only care you got was materialistic. Even Hailey and Morgan were reluctant to love her unconditionally, both afraid of the havoc Sara always created.
As Trey was waiting for the check, Hailey reached for her wallet as well. She glanced down to see it wasn’t with her. Sighing, she said, “I think I left my wallet in your truck. Can I have your keys?”
Trey shook his head. “I can get lunch.”
“No, that’s okay.” She awkwardly added, “Thanks, though.”
Hailey could see that he wanted to argue, but instead, pulled out his keys and handed them to her.
Once inside the truck, she quickly found her wallet between the seat and the middle console. She ran her hands through her hair and tossed her head back, annoyed with her absent mindedness. The fact that Trey still made her feel like she couldn’t think straight really bugged her.
She turned around to walk back into the restaurant when she saw Ryan standing on the sidewalk near the door, arms crossed, staring at her. “Must be my lucky day, running into you here.”
Hailey froze.
He sensed her fear and smiled. It was the same wicked grin plastered on his face when he taunted her, harassed her…hurt her.
She tried to command her body to walk to the safety in the restaurant, but he was in front of her before she could make it to the door. He invaded her personal space, his presence reminding her that he was much bigger and stronger than she was; that he was in control now.
Hailey took a step back and nearly tripped on a crack in the sidewalk. Every alarm in her body was going off, telling her to run. She looked around for Trey and Sara, neither having exited the restaurant yet, nor seeing her through the window.
Suddenly, adrenaline kicked in and she felt the urge to defend herself. She refused to give him what he wanted. She wouldn’t cower away, and she damn sure wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Hailey jutted her chin, looking him directly in the eye. She ignored the panic that was surging through her as her body recalled the day he tried to kill her. “Get away from me,” she demanded.
“Awe, come on, Princess. Don’t you want to have a little fun again? It was cut short at the wedding.”
“Get away from me or else-”
“Or else what, Hailey? You’re gonna tell Trey?” He laughed. “I don’t recall him saving you thirteen years ago.”
Fear gripped her. Every alarm in her body was screaming at her to get away from him. But as she moved past him, he grabbed her upper arm and slammed her into the brick wall of the restaurant. She let out a yelp as the wind was knocked from her lungs, her heart racing as her body responded to the impending danger. She tried to control the panic that was rising inside her, but she knew it would soon be a losing battle.
She heard a siren in the distance and hoped it was for her, but it quickly disappeared.
He smiled again as he got within inches of her face. Just like all those years ago, the sharp scents of liquor and nicotine were on his breath. She fought hard against the nausea that was now worsening as the smell nearly transported her back in time to her worst nightmare.
“Let go of me!” Instinctively, Hailey’s hand connected with his cheek.
Rage flickered behind his dark eyes.
Before she could bolt, he let go of her arm and grabbed her by the hair. She screamed, as he yelled, “You stupid bitch!”
Then, he jerked back, his body hitting the ground with a loud thud as Trey tackled him.
Shaking off the impact, Ryan stood quickly and returned with a punch to Trey’s jaw. Trey stumbled back but ducked as Ryan’s fist barreled at him. Trey swung hard, aiming at Ryan’s eye.
Ryan threw an uppercut, blood gushing from Trey’s nose. He came back, his fist landing a blow to Ryan’s stomach. As Ryan crumpled to the ground, Trey climbed on top of him, blow after blow connecting with Ryan’s face.
Restaurant staff and onlookers crowded around the scene as Hailey screamed, “Trey, stop! You’re going to kill him!”
With a raised fist, he looked from Hailey to Ryan. Panting, Trey stood as blood dripped from his nose and above his left brow. He rolled Ryan to his stomach and quickly placed handcuffs around his wrists. Trey pulled Ryan to his feet. “I’m going to enjoy putting you behind bars.”
“You know, the last time this happened you threatened to kill me.” Ryan chuckled. “Look at that, Trey Harbor’s gone soft.”
Trey clenched his jaw and started dragging him toward the truck, but Ryan stopped and turned to Hailey. “This isn’t the last time you’ll see me, Hailey. I'm coming for you.”
Trey opened his mouth to reply, but it was Sara who responded. “I just got out of prison for killing my own mother. If you so much as look at my sister the wrong way, I’ll kill you.”
With that, Trey shoved him into the truck and dispatched another patrol car to come take Ryan to the station.
After she had a chance to calm down, Hailey said to Sara, “You probably shouldn’t have said that since you’re trying to convince people you’re not a murderer.”
“He doesn’t have to know that.”
Hailey smiled and shook her head, thankful for Sara’s protective instincts and dark humor.
A few moments later, another police cruiser pulled into the parking lot. The officer parked on the opposite side, hoping for some privacy from the crowd. After assessing Trey’s wounds, the officer retrieved an icepack and gauze from the trunk of his car and handed it to Trey. Though Trey didn’t look nearly as hurt as Ryan, he still sported a gash on his left cheek and a bloody lip, nose, and brow. Trey winced at the cold that stung the lacerations now decorating his handsome face.
Hailey felt the need to run to him, to make sure he was okay. But instead, she held his gaze, stunned and scared.
Then the two men exchanged words as the officer took note of Trey’s recollection of what happened. No doubt they’d have to give a statement later. Satisfied for the moment, the officer climbed in his car and drove off with Ryan.
Once they were out of sight, Trey quickly made his way to Hailey and wrapped his arms around her. Though she tried her hardest not to, tears streamed down her face.
“You’re okay. I’ve got you," he said.
Sara ignored Hailey’s tears, awkwardly looking at the sidewalk.
After a moment, she was able to compose herself and quickly pulled away from his embrace.
Trey said, “I meant what I said all those years ago about protecting you from him. If I ever see Ryan even look at you wrong, it will be the last thing he ever does.”
Hailey wanted to cry again but held her breath.
“Why did he attack you?” Trey asked.
“I don’t know,” Hailey said. She looked at Sara, pleading with her to not tell Trey about Ryan.
Sara raised a brow, surprised by Hailey’s secrecy. “Don’t lie to him, Hailey.” She said it as if to warn Hailey, as if to protect her. Hailey found that rather curious.
“What is she talking about?” Trey asked.
Hailey looked from Sara to Trey. Despite the kindness in her sister’s eyes, Hailey felt betrayed. Out of everyone, Sara knew what it was like to have your vulnerability used against you and the fact that Sara would corner Hailey into telling Trey her secret had Hailey seeing red.
“Nothing. Sara thinks Ryan has to have a reason to attack me, but we all know he doesn’t.” She looked away. “He’s been harassing me without a damn reason since I was a teenager.”
She prayed Trey didn’t ask any more questions. She didn’t want to be humiliated all over again and relive that nightmare as she told her story.
Hailey just hoped Ryan didn’t make good on his threat like he had last time.
Because if he did, Trey wouldn’t be around to stop him.
And this time, they’d bury her next to her mother.