Chapter Six.
Hallie
King had just left to fetch a new cell charger as he’d broken his when the hotel door opened. I was lying on the bed on my front, as my back was too painful to sit up.
“What did you forget?” I called over my shoulder.
“Nothing,” a voice growled out, and I was yanked off the bed and slammed against a wall. I yelped in sheer agony as the action was repeated. An angry, snarling face was shoved into mine as I gasped for breath through the pain rolling through me.
“Listen up, cunt, this is your only warning. Stay the fuck away from Rascal, or you’ll disappear for good. Pack your shit and get the hell out of our town,” the guy continued. I recognised him. Bear, VP of Hellfire MC.
“Go screw yourself,” I hissed. The hand around my throat tightened, and I was slammed against the wall again.
“You don’t strike me as dumb. Not with the games you’re playing. Now, I know you’re clever. You wouldn’t keep getting away with shit if you weren’t. Heed our warning. If you don’t, you and buddy boy will disappear for good. We’ll bury you, and they’ll never find your body,” Bear snarled.
“You’ll pay for this.”
“You really aren’t grasping this.” Bear’s grip tightened further, and I scrabbled at my throat as he began cutting off my airflow. My head snapped back, and I hit the wall and saw stars. Bear let me go, and I collapsed to the ground. His face pushed into mine.
“Last warning,” he growled and turned around.
I glanced up through teary eyes, seeing several men. I took note of each one. They’d pay.
Noticing Hawthorne approaching my room, I yelled. “I’m not talking to him; he’s with them. I want a cop who isn’t related to Hellfire MC. No doubt that asshole’s here to cover for them.”
King stood by me and hulked out. His gaze was deadly as he focused on Emilio Hawthorne. “Get the fuck out,” King rumbled.
“I’m here to investigate—”
“You’re here to cover up for Hellfire MC. That ain’t happening. I’ve called the State Attorney General. He’s sending some people over,” Harry stated.
“Look, I’ve had a call about an assault…” Hawthorne said, worry on his face.
“Yeah, and you’ve come to threaten me as they did. Don’t bother. I had the entire thing on film, and Harry’s made lots of copies. You won’t be able to lose this evidence,” King snarled.
“Six men to threaten one woman is criminal. No doubt the Attorney General will agree.”
“Look, let me take your statement,” Hawthorne stated, alarmed.
“Detective Emilio Hawthorne?” a man asked.
“Yes?”
“Lieutenant Jonas Richards, Internal Affairs. I’d like you to accompany me to your station, please,” he replied.
Hawthorne looked shocked. “What?”
“We’ve received some very serious complaints against you. You need to accompany me back to the station,” Lieutenant Richards stated.
Slowly, Hawthorne turned and began walking off. Lieutenant Richards faced me. “Miss Milton, we are incredibly sorry for your injuries. I understand someone is on their way to interview you. I will ensure that Detective Hawthorne understands he’s to stay away from you.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant Richards,” I replied.
“I would wish you a good day, but I feel that’s rather inappropriate,” Lieutenant Richards stated.
“Just a bit,” I agreed. He nodded and walked off.
“I’ll apply for injunctions against those who assaulted you,” Harry said.
“Okay.” Harry’s eyes settled on my neck where Bear had left finger-marks. He shook his head in disgust.
“We’ll deal with this. In a language they’ll understand.”
Rascal
I was shocked when cops burst into the clubhouse. “What the fuck?” Chance demanded, standing up from the bar. Old ladies gathered children and moved them out of the way.
“We’ve warrants for the arrest of…” the lead detective said and began reading out names. Bear, Tiny, Pyro, Levi, Banshee, and Diesel were all cuffed within minutes.
“What’s the fuckin’ charges?” Chance growled.
“Assault, battery, criminal threat, harassment, witness tampering and intimidation using death threats,” the officer replied.
“Oh, let me guess, that bitch Hallie Milton has made up more stories,” Chance drawled, appearing amused.
“If a camera lies, then yes. It appears Miss Milton was so frightened of her safety that she had cameras in her room, which recorded everything. Find your boys a lawyer; they’re looking at doing time,” the cop replied and led our brothers out.
Chance grew still, then quietly spoke. “Get our lawyers now, Big Al.”
He turned to me and shook his head. “She hasn’t won this yet.”
From where I was standing, it appeared as if she had. “I’ll fix this.”
“How?”
“I’ll tell Hallie that if she drops the charges, I’ll inform the cops that I was mistaken. Let Hallie come after me,” I replied, my hands shaking.
“Did you make a mistake?” Chance asked softly.
“No.”
“Then shut the fuck up, prospect. We’ve faced worse than this and overcome it. Hellfire has clout; we’ll use it.”
Hallie
I was kept in overnight. My bruises had bruises now.
They drugged me with morphine, and King remained by my side all night.
Harry stayed in touch with updates. The six assholes who’d visited me had been arrested, charged, and then bailed.
I’d given my statement, and Harry provided the camera footage.
Hellfire had a snake in its belly, and it either removed him or paid the price.
It was perfectly simple. Harry had filed for injunctions and got them, and they were being delivered tonight.
I lay on my side, staring at the door. Shane had gone too far.
Bad enough he sent me down for a crime I had not committed, but Shane was still trying to fit me up for shit.
I didn’t know what his problem was, but I was done with it.
I glanced up as Harry entered. “How are you?” he asked.
“In a whole lot of pain,” I said, rubbing my throat.
“Well, the hospital is discharging you soon. And Kingston has rented a house. He’s hiring security guards.” Harry sat down and picked a piece of imaginary lint off his trousers.
“Is that safe? From everything I’ve heard, half the people around here are linked to Hellfire MC.”
“The safest option, Hallie, would be you and Kingston packing up and leaving. But you started this, and I know you well enough that you won’t leave.
And to be honest, the way these idiots are racking up civil suits, I’ll be able to retire soon.
Nonetheless, the security team comes from another state and is highly recommended,” Harry said, smirking.
“Told you, you’d make your money with me,” I quipped lightly. However, I felt anything but that. “Did King track that woman?”
“He’s working on it, but he cleaned the picture up. No matter who this is, or who created this, they did a good job. If you had no witnesses, I’d say that was you.” Harry reached into his briefcase and pulled out a picture.
I’d thought it was uncanny when I first saw it, but once it was cleaned up, it sent shivers down my spine. The image and I were identical. I peered closer at the picture. “I can’t tell that’s not me. If I didn’t have the bruising, I’d think it was me,” I admitted.
“It’s surreal.”
“Hallie. This is probably the culprit who stabbed Shane,” Harry drawled.
“The thought crossed my mind. But as she’s nothing to do with me, Shane is the one who set this up. But why? If I wasn’t enough for him, why didn’t he end things between us? Why go to this elaborate scheme? That’s what I can’t understand,” I replied.
“Maybe we should arrange a mediation,” Harry suggested, and I shook my head.
“Hell no. That would tip him off that we’re onto him. Leave it for now. When can you spring me from here?”
“Soon. You’re not leaving until we’ve two guards on you and the house is protected.
Kingston is there handling all that. The house is furnished, and King has the hotel packing up your belongings for a small bonus.
We’re going to minimise the risks to you.
You’re not invincible, despite what you think. ”
“I hit lucky finding you,” I murmured, and Harry laughed.
“Hallie, you’re padding my retirement fund very well.”
Rascal
“Hey, there’s a woman here to see you,” Sailor called, and I glanced up.
“Who?”
“Says the matter concerns Hallie,” Sailor stated. I swapped glances with Bear and Chance.
“Bring her in,” Chance ordered. Sailor nodded and opened the door. It took a few moments before I recognised her.
“Elise?” I asked, unsure.
“Hi, Shane!” Elise replied.
“This was Hallie’s best friend. She testified against Hallie,” I explained.
“That’s why I’m here. The state attorney wants to talk to me, and I’m scared,” Elise answered.
“Just give him your testimony again,” I responded, not seeing the big deal about it.
“It’s not that easy,” Elise said, and I was confused.
“You lied on the stand. Perjured yourself.” Chance grasped what Elise wasn’t saying quicker than I did.
“No!” I gasped. “Elise, what did you lie about?”
Elise looked away and then returned her gaze to me. “I did it for you!”
“Did what?” I roared.
“They asked if Hallie told me she was going to the mall and if she had sent me a picture from there,” Elise mumbled.
“I remember; you said no on both counts,” I replied through stiff lips. “What weren’t you telling the truth about?”
“Hallie had told me, and she forwarded me a photograph of some cufflinks for you,” Elise admitted miserably.
“You’re fuckin’ kidding me? What time did Hallie send it?”
“Three p.m.”
I closed my eyes. Smack bang in the middle of the stabbing.
She whispered, “Shane, perjury comes with a five-year prison sentence. I can’t do that! Hallie lost her phone, so she couldn’t prove otherwise!” Elise exclaimed, wringing her hands together.
“You lied on the stand! Why?” I yelled.
“For you. You were so adamant Hallie had flipped, and we all wanted to support you,” Elise cried.
“You were supposed to be Hallie’s best friend!”
“I was for years. But you didn’t do what you were meant to!” Elise bizarrely said.
“She speaking English?” I asked.