Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
And me.
I drew in a deep breath. “Officer Gallagher, could I ask you for a favor?”
“Um, sure.”
“Would you drive me to the hospital?”
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I want to visit an old friend.”
“I don’t advise that.”
I leaned over the table. “I have to try. I have the one thing he wants, which means nothing to me. But the people he is threatening do.”
“You would give him your photos?”
“They’re just pictures. I can take more.”
She pursed her lips. “Off the record, he deserved what he got and more. He should be in jail, not Mr. Conner. And I think you’re a brave, incredible woman.”
“So, you’ll drive me?”
She stood. “Yes, I’ll drive you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Brett
I crossed my legs, leaning my head back on the cold cement wall. The throbbing behind my eyes was constant, and my hand ached like a bitch. The holding cells were all full, and I had a feeling I wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight. The last spot was the vacant bench across from me, and I had a feeling I’d have company soon.
I flexed my sore fingers, remembering how it had felt to hit Carl. The satisfaction of driving my fist into his face and gut, hearing his pain-filled gasps. He deserved every drop of agony for what he did to Kelly.
I wasn’t worried about the charges. I had lots of witnesses. I was worried about Kelly, though. How she was handling all of this. What would happen after tonight. I regretted my earlier anger. I should have done a better job of dealing with it. She was right—I never let her explain. I assumed it was the same situation as last time. She was going to leave me behind.
I had been making so many plans. Moving ahead with what I thought was a future for us. It all came crashing down when I saw the excitement and hunger on her face as she talked about this new opportunity.
I had to face reality. Kelly needed to be free. She was never going to be happy tied down for long. I couldn’t give her what she needed. I had to let her go once and for all.
I sighed as I heard footsteps approaching. I opened my eyes, meeting the sympathetic gaze of Officer Gallagher. I glanced behind to see if she had another person with her who would be joining me in the holding cell. I was shocked to see Maxx.
“What are you doing here?”
“Springing you.”
“What?”
Officer Gallagher opened the door. “The charges have been dropped. You’re free to go.”
“Dropped?” I repeated. “How?”
“Does it matter?” Maxx asked. “I’m taking you home.”
“Where’s Kelly?”
“With Charly.”
“Take me there.”
Officer Gallagher smiled. “You have quite the lady on your side.”
“She isn’t mine,” I denied, the words almost painful to get out.
She laughed. “I think you need to rethink that.”
I followed her and Maxx, mystified.
What the hell had happened?
We pulled up to Maxx’s house. Charly was on the porch, and she bounded down the steps, flinging her arms around me. “Holy moly, Brett. Are you okay? Did you get roughed up in the slammer? Become anyone’s bitch?”
I had to laugh. Only Charly. I set her on her feet. “No, I’m good. I was only there a few hours.” I glanced behind her.
“Where’s Kelly?”
“She went to her place a while ago. She was tired.”
“I need to talk to her.”
Charly grabbed my arm. “Are you going to listen this time?”
“Yes.”
“She has a lot to say.”
“So do I.”
“Don’t make me wish you were back in the big house, Brett.”
I pressed a kiss to her head. “Thank you for being brave and resourceful today.”
She shrugged. “You park your car in my driveway and leave the keys in it, I am going to look around. Not my fault a few SD cards fell out of the trunk and I stepped on them. It was an accident. And all I did was shut his laptop. I have no idea how the files were erased.” Then she lifted up on her toes. “As soon as the coppers left, I dug up the pieces and burned them. They are gone. Completely gone.”
I pressed another kiss to her head and walked across the yard. I knocked on Kelly’s door, waiting until she opened it. She was wan and tired-looking, but she seemed pleased to see me. Relieved.
“You’re out.”
“I am.”
For a moment, we stared. “Did you want to come in?”
“As long as you’re up to it.”
She stepped back, waving me inside.
I stopped as I went past her. “I’m ready to listen.”
Her smile was tremulous. “Okay.”
I sat on the sofa, listening to Kelly move around. She sat beside me. “Here.”
I opened my eyes and took the plate she offered me, piled with sandwiches.
“Charly sent this home with me so when you got out of the clink you’d have something in your stomach.”
“Has she spent all evening googling prison slang?”