Page 28 of Rascal

“I would wish you a good day, but I feel that’s rather inappropriate,” Lieutenant Richards stated.

“Just a bit,” I agreed. He nodded and walked off.

“I’ll apply for injunctions against those who assaulted you,” Harry said.

“Okay.” Harry’s eyes settled on my neck where Bear had left finger-marks. He shook his head in disgust.

“We’ll deal with this. In a language they’ll understand.”

Rascal

I was shocked when cops burst into the clubhouse. “What the fuck?” Chance demanded, standing up from the bar. Old ladies gathered children and moved them out of the way.

“We’ve warrants for the arrest of…” the lead detective said and began reading out names. Bear, Tiny, Pyro, Levi, Banshee, and Diesel were all cuffed within minutes.

“What’s the fuckin’ charges?” Chance growled.

“Assault, battery, criminal threat, harassment, witness tampering and intimidation using death threats,” the officer replied.

“Oh, let me guess, that bitch Hallie Milton has made up more stories,” Chance drawled, appearing amused.

“If a camera lies, then yes. It appears Miss Milton was so frightened of her safety that she had cameras in her room, which recorded everything. Find your boys a lawyer; they’re looking at doing time,” the cop replied and led our brothers out.

Chance grew still, then quietly spoke. “Get our lawyers now, Big Al.”

He turned to me and shook his head. “She hasn’t won this yet.”

From where I was standing, it appeared as if she had. “I’ll fix this.”

“How?”

“I’ll tell Hallie that if she drops the charges, I’ll inform the cops that I was mistaken. Let Hallie come after me,” I replied, my hands shaking.

“Did you make a mistake?” Chance asked softly.

“No.”

“Then shut the fuck up, prospect. We’ve faced worse than this and overcome it. Hellfire has clout; we’ll use it.”

Hallie

I was kept in overnight. My bruises had bruises now. They drugged me with morphine, and King remained by my side all night. Harry stayed in touch with updates. The six assholes who’d visited me had been arrested, charged, and then bailed. I’d given my statement, and Harry provided the camera footage.

Hellfire had a snake in its belly, and it either removed him or paid the price. It was perfectly simple. Harry had filed for injunctions and got them, and they were being delivered tonight. I lay on my side, staring at the door. Shane had gone too far. Bad enough he sent me down for a crime I had not committed, but Shane was still trying to fit me up for shit. I didn’t know what his problem was, but I was done with it.

I glanced up as Harry entered. “How are you?” he asked.

“In a whole lot of pain,” I said, rubbing my throat.

“Well, the hospital is discharging you soon. And Kingston has rented a house. He’s hiring security guards.” Harry sat down and picked a piece of imaginary lint off his trousers.

“Is that safe? From everything I’ve heard, half the people around here are linked to Hellfire MC.”

“The safest option, Hallie, would be you and Kingston packing up and leaving. But you started this, and I know you well enough that you won’t leave. And to be honest, the way these idiots are racking up civil suits, I’ll be able to retire soon. Nonetheless, the security team comes from another state and is highly recommended,” Harry said, smirking.

“Told you, you’d make your money with me,” I quipped lightly. However, I felt anything but that. “Did King track that woman?”

“He’s working on it, but he cleaned the picture up. No matter who this is, or who created this, they did a good job. If you had no witnesses, I’d say that was you.” Harry reached into his briefcase and pulled out a picture.