Page 40 of Rascal

“That’s very graphic,” I replied, amused.

“Jesus,” King muttered, shocked.

“Jane’s unravelling,” I added.

“Should we leave state?” King asked.

“No, I ain’t running,” I said as Shane also spoke.

“No, that bitch stole five years from Hallie; she pays for it. Jane doesn’t get to win.”

King looked between us. “Are you willing to risk Hallie’s life?” he demanded of Shane.

“It’s Hallie’s choice, and she doesn’t want to leave. I’ll support her decision,” Shane replied.

“How sweet. For five years you assumed I tried to kill you. Where was that level of support back then? I’m fully capable of standing on my own two feet.” I glowered at Shane.

“Not saying you ain’t. I owe you, Hallie, and we both know I can’t ever make up for what I did to you. But you can let me have your back,” Shane replied.

“I don’t trust you,” my words landed, and Shane flinched.

“Can’t blame you for that. Guess I earned that,” he murmured.

“Yeah, you did. What do you think? That because you’ve learned I was framed, and I was innocent, I’d forget? I ain’t ever going to forget, Shane. What I went through in prison destroyed the person I used to be. Charity? Fuck that. Be kind. What and get shit on? Be polite. Get the fuck kicked out of you. Those are my new lessons, and ones I took to heart. This, whatever this is, doesn’t appeal to me.

“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?”