Chapter Eight. #2
“You treated me like scum and turned everyone I loved against me. Guess they didn’t really know me either.
That or they let public opinion sway them.
You know who didn’t? King. He was the only one who gave a shit about me.
King didn’t back down, didn’t care what people’s opinions were.
He had blind faith, and look where it led.
I’m fuckin’ innocent. Whoop-de-doo. You don’t get to celebrate that with us or insert yourself into our affairs. King and I will handle Jane.”
There. That told Shane. In about ten seconds, he’d stand up, look downcast, mutter an apology, and slink out with his tail between his legs. I waited.
Fifteen seconds passed, and Shane stood up. Triumph rushed through me, but there was a thread of disappointment too. Coward.
To my complete surprise, Shane leaned over me. “Nice try. I failed you once, I won’t do it again. Get used to seeing me, babe, because I’m not going anywhere. And all this attitude, yeah, I like it—a lot.”
I spluttered in sheer anger, but Shane smirked and tossed King the key. “When Hallie’s calmed down, let her out. Keep that; I’ve a spare.”
With that, Shane sauntered out. What the fuck had that been?
Rascal
I’d pushed as hard as I dared, and Hallie had been magnificent.
She remembered the man I’d been; she’d no idea who I actually was now.
Sure, Hallie had changed, but so had I. While I’d stayed clear of women, I’d learnt to take what I wanted because life was damn short.
I deeply regretted everything I’d done, but it didn’t change the past.
And I’d feared her. With good reason, or so I’d believed.
That fear had sunk deep into my bones because of Hallie.
Hallie’s supposed betrayal had destroyed me, which coloured my reactions.
If someone I really loved could do that, then a stranger wouldn’t blink.
But now that thought process had been flipped entirely.
The woman had turned on its head. Someone I loved hadn’t tried to kill me. Instead, I’d betrayed her.
Logically, it was understandable. Jane was the image of Hallie.
It was clear I’d mistaken Jane for Hallie, but now I knew the truth—Jane would pay.
The man I’d become was kicking in, and rather than reacting with fear, I acted with confidence.
That had been gained through sheer willpower and strength.
Hellfire had helped, accepting me and my fears at first. Chance had seen potential in me; I didn’t know how, because when I had applied, I’d still been a mess.
Since joining them, I’d grown in leaps and bounds.
These men would never betray one another.
That was something I couldn’t understand.
How could they trust so deeply? But Hellfire did, and after watching them, I finally understood what I’d miraculously found.
After I discovered Hallie had been freed, it turned me into a frightened bitch again, no more. Hallie was about to meet the real me.
“Looks like someone’s making a serious decision,” King said from behind me. I was standing by my bike.
“What if I am?” I demanded, my chin lifting in defiance.
A huge fist thudded into my jaw and rocked me back. “Kick his ass, King!” Hallie shrieked from inside the house.
“She’s still chained up, or Hallie would be down here beating the crap out of you,” King said casually.
“Nice.”
“I don’t like you, Shane. You were an arrogant son of a bitch and thought you were God’s gift.
You had a disturbing tendency of looking down your nose at people.
Yeah, you weren’t good enough for my girl back then.
Hell, you didn’t even look into it when Hallie kept insisting she had an alibi. Would you now?”
“Yes. I think I would.”
“You’re still an asshole, and I really can’t stand you. You broke my girl, and I put her back together again. No way do you deserve Hallie, and if I get my way, you won’t have her. Because that’s what this is about, ain’t it? You want Hallie back.”
I held King’s gaze. “I don’t suppose I ever stopped wanting her.”
“That’s not my problem; that’s a you issue. You gutted Hallie, splintered her into tiny pieces because you were so far up your own ass…”
“In my defence, I’d seen someone who was the image of Hallie drive a knife into my chest…”
“But you never asked, did you? Not once did you have a smidge of doubt? The woman you’d been with all those years, suddenly stabbing you? You didn’t question it or anything,” King snapped.
“No. I didn’t. That regret I’ll take with me to the grave. It’s never going to leave me. But I want her,” I finally admitted.
“Now she’s innocent, you want her. Again, ain’t exactly reassuring me.”
“I wanted her when I thought she was guilty!” I spat out.
“And that’s what drove your hate. You desired the woman who tried to kill you,” King retorted.
“Bullshit!” Hallie yelled from the house. “I’ve been proven innocent. But I’m gonna murder you both if you don’t un-cuff me.”
“Take a walk, Shane, because nothing I’ve heard changes my mind about you.” King gave me a shove.
I squared up to him. “Hallie makes that decision, not you.”
“It’s not even been twenty-four hours, and you’ve decided you want Hallie back. Just like that, you flipped a switch?” King taunted.
“As you stated, I never stopped wanting her. Which fucked my head up even more. Who the hell desires their wannabe murderer? Made me one sick man. You know what?” I grinned. “I enjoy being a sick fuck.”
With that comment, I swung up onto my bike and left King standing there. I meant what I said. I might be messed up, but I intended to get Hallie back.
Hallie
King had thrown the key at me and bolted.
Damn coward. I’d kick his ass when he returned.
My phone pinged, and I looked down and frowned.
A social media notification had come through on my old account.
It hadn’t been active since I’d been in prison, and I’d made it private when all the hate was spewed at me.
I opened it curiously, realising it was from an unknown person, and paused after reading it.
Are you the girl who was imprisoned for attempting to kill her boyfriend?
I was a witness and served you at the mall that day.
I contacted the police, but they never came to take a statement.
Then I noticed you were imprisoned, and I thought they had the right suspect.
I’m sorry; I’ve recently learned you were framed.
It’s all over town. I’d be willing to give my statement, please, if it helps you. Sandie West.
I’d no idea who Sandie West was, but fingers crossed, she was what I needed. I messaged her back and waited. Did I call the cops and let them know? Who did I trust? I dialled Spearfish PD and asked for Lieutenant Richards.
“Hello?” his voice came on the line.
“It’s Hallie Milton. A witness has contacted me,” I said.
“Why are you contacting me?” Lieutenant Richards sounded genuinely concerned.
“Because I’ve no idea which cops I should trust.”
“And you called me. Guess that means something. Give me the address,” he said.
“No. I come too.”
Lieutenant Richards laughed. “You don’t trust me that much, then.”
“Nope. Either you take me, or I go alone,” I replied.
“I’ll pick you up in half an hour. But I ask the questions, okay?” Lieutenant Richards said.
“Fine. You got my address?”
“Yes, Hallie. I’ll see you soon,” Lieutenant Richards responded and cut the call. I headed outside to the yard to tell King what was happening.