Page 57 of Rascal

“I disagree,” Bear folded his huge arms.

“Good for you. Rascal can send you to prison…oh wait, he might have done that depending on the DA,” I sneered.

“We’ll get a slap on the wrist. We’re fuckin’ heroes, and nobody’s gonna piss us off,” Bear stated arrogantly. Before I could retort, Bear groaned. “And I’m being an asshole. I am sorry about that day. After what the club suffered, we’re all trigger-happy. I acted on what we believed we knew, which, yeah, sucked for you. I’m well aware. You came at Rascal talking about revenge and making him pay. We protect our own in Hellfire. Nobody comes at us and walks away.”

“How nice for everyone in Hellfire.”

“Hallie, I hate you got hurt and were innocent. If I get sent down, I’ll do my time. I earned that. But don’t hold it against the club.”

“Why would that matter?” I asked, confused.

“Because the prospect is crazy about you…”

“Stop right there, Bear. I’m not interested. Rascal sucked up to me to ask me to drop the case against his brothers. The answer is no. And as for today…whatever. Just leave me alone, okay? Hawthorne and Detective Gold have the information, as they were present when King disclosed everything. I don’t like you,” I said as King parked up, “and honestly, I don’t want to be around you.”

With that, I climbed out of the car and headed inside. I needed a bath, headache tablets, and then a damn stiff drink!

Chapter Twelve.

Rascal.

Tati slapped a large, stocky bandage across my stomach after cleaning it and handed me some antibiotics. I laughed at what the club kept in its medical supplies. They never messed with anyone’s health. The rest of Hellfire remained at the fair with Wraith and Smokey, with me. Big Al and Tati had come away early as Tati had felt ill.

“Did you catch her?” I asked as Chance entered.

“That damn bitch has nine lives,” he cursed. “She disappeared into the crowd.”

“King and Hallie figured out who she is,” Hawthorne said, walking in with his hand wrapped up.

“Sit down, Lio, and let me look at that,” Tati ordered. Lio didn’t bother replying but obeyed.

“Who is she?” I asked.

“Do you remember Kira Barnes?”

I wracked my brains before jolting. “Little Kira? You’re telling me Jane is Kira Barnes from school?”

“Yes. King tracked her,” Lio replied and winced as Tati began cleaning his wound. Lio explained everything that King had figured out, and I sat in complete disbelief. It cleared up some of the minor mysteries surrounding Hallie that hadn’t made sense. Like how she was so sharp but forgot recent conversations. Back then I’d chalked it up to the stress of college life. Or how I’d make a date, and she’d not turn up. All those forgetful times had been Kira.

“Do we know where she’s living?” I asked. “Did King find that?”

“No. Someone as smart as Kira is hiding under an alias,” Lio said. “It’s not going to be easy finding her. And with her tendency to escape, and this APB out, it’s a nightmare. We turn up for Kira, and it’s Hallie. This is a total mess and not something we’ve encountered before. It’s like a movie plot gone bad.”

“Except that Kira is real and Hallie’s clone,” I growled.

“Precisely. We have to track her down, but I don’t know where to start. I’d ask Hallie to stay inside, but she’s spent five years of her life doing that,” Lio stated.

“This Kira is gunning for Hallie now,” Chance said.

“We’re not using her as bait!” I exclaimed.

“It might be the easiest way to capture her,” Lio agreed.

“Find another,” I argued.

“Shouldn’t we at least ask Hallie?” Wraith chipped in.

I felt betrayed. “No.”