Page 24 of Rascal

“Nope. But shit comes for us all. We’re just getting yours now. What with Fanatic and Harlequin, I’m guessing you prospects are about to add to my grey hair. And that’s with brothers claiming their old ladies. Ain’t ever no peace for the wicked,” Chance complained. But beneath the grumpiness was a smug tone. Chance was pleased his brothers were settling down.

“Well, old lady drama won’t come from me; I ain’t settling. Can’t trust a woman,” I stated.

Chance nodded. “Give it a couple of years. Bury this cunt, and then we’ll see.”

“Gonna be waiting a long time, Prez,” I said, closing my eyes.

Chance didn’t say a word but squeezed my shoulder, which made me wince, and then left.

Hallie

I gingerly took the hand offered to me and let Hawthorne help me out of the cop car. I slowly shuffled towards the police station doors and, wincing in pain, climbed the few steps. At the top of them, I staggered, and Hawthorne reached out and steadied me. He didn’t say a word, but I heard his teeth grind. No doubt he thought I was putting this on. Well, Hawthorne could get ready.

Harry should be on his way, as King had immediately picked up the phone when Hawthorne told me he was taking me to the station for suspected assault. In agony, I shuffled after Hawthorne, who hadn’t actually arrested or cuffed me. I spotted the chair and sank into it with a sigh of relief.

“Lawyer,” I said firmly. “And a cup of water.”

Hawthorne nodded and left. I sighed and hunched forward, releasing the tension in my shoulders.

Ramirez

“What do you think?” I asked, staring at the slight figure sitting in the room.

“I ain’t sure about this one, brother. Hallie has evidence on her side, but Rascal won’t budge. He’s adamant she stabbed him, and now he’s absolutely certain she attacked him. She’s either a very good actress or another factor is at play here.”

The door opened to the observation room, and Phil Gold, Lio’s partner, entered. “I got something interesting. CCTV outside Bernard’s caught this.” Phil pulled some footage up on the camera, and I nodded grimly. Well, that changed everything.

“Time to go,” I remarked, nodding towards the room.

“She won’t talk without a lawyer,” Lio replied.

“That’s fine, we can sit there and make her sweat.”

Hallie

I eyed the two cops. Both were good-looking bastards. Shame they were assholes. Harry had arrived, and I’d spoken to him; now we were waiting on their opening play.

“Shane Morris was attacked today. A woman beat him to hell with a baseball bat. So hard she broke the bat in half,” Ramirez said.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“Because it happened in my jurisdiction, Rapid City. Where were you this afternoon at one pm?”

“At the hotel.”

“Anyone who can prove that?”

“Yup.”

Ramirez cocked an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate?”

“King.”

“Your best friend?” Hawthorne sneered.

“Yeah.”

“Just come clean, Hallie. We’re aware you attacked Rascal,” Ramirez said.