Page 41 of Rascal

“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.