Page 38 of Rascal

“No. And we’re back to Hallie won’t forgive me.” I sighed and took another long swallow.

“Why’s Hallie here?” Big Al asked.

“For truth and revenge.”

“So, help Hallie get them. Show her you really are remorseful. You wanna know why you hated her so much? Because you still care for her. You loved that woman with everything you had, and then you assumed Hallie betrayed you. You were wrong, prospect. Own it. You can sit here and wallow or get off your ass and assist her to get what she wants. Which is stone-cold revenge against the bitch that stole her whole life from her. Hallie doesn’t want platitudes or pats on the head. She needs blood.”

“Five years ago, that would have appalled Hallie.”

“Not now. The woman you loved is dead. She died the moment you accused her of trying to kill you. What was left was raw, and it moulded who Hallie is today. Don’t go looking for your former girlfriend. You’ll never find her. Accept this version and hunt that cunt down and make her pay,” Big Al said.

“I will,” I promised. “But tonight, I’m wallowing in all these shitty feelings. I plan to get hammered, and then I’ll start on that.”

Big Al tipped his whiskey to me. “Sounds like a plan, prospect. Get to it.”

Hallie

I stared, stunned, at the wreck in front of me. Jesus, Shane had hit the bottle hard last night.

“What do you want?” I demanded.

“To talk.” He even sounded rough.

Before I could say another word, Shane swept in and picked me up. He carried me upstairs to the first bedroom he found, slapped a pair of handcuffs on me, and cuffed me to the bed.

“Shane!” I shrieked with astonishment.

King erupted from the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. “What the ever-loving fuck? This is my room,” he growled out.

Shane shrugged.

I yanked on the cuffs, rattling them. “Make him un-cuff me now.”

Shane shrugged again. “We’re talking.”

“Talking?” King repeated in disbelief. His gaze raked Shane over. “I’m impressed. Looks like he finally found his balls. Play nice, my queen.”

With that, the traitor headed back into the bathroom, leaving me gaping.

“Did he just do that? Did King abandon me?”

“Stop being so dramatic. I don’t recall you being a diva,” Shane said as he sat down.

“Let me the fuck go!” I yelled, and Shane smirked.

“I like this,” he replied.

“Are you for real? I’m about to rip your head off and shit down your throat,” I threatened.

“Gross, but apt. Hallie, I’m not here to fight. You want Jane’s head on a platter. So do I. She took several precious things from us. We can’t get them back; we can make her pay.”

“I’m going to do that,” I replied sharply.

“And I’ve a right to help.”

“No, you don’t! You sent me down. This is my revenge.”

“And I’ve contacts around here you don’t,” Shane retorted.