The same thought kept nagging at the back of my mind. I knew how to help Jack out. I could get the charges dropped and he’d be off scot-free. It’d take a lot of guts on my part, but after seeing Jack getting his shit back together, it’d be worth the gamble.
My hand shook as I picked up the phone. I called Frank’s number and set up a time to meet him, away from his office. I tried to sound all light and breezy, as if this were just a social call. I had to take him by surprise or this would never work.
When I got to the cafe I’d suggested, Frank was already there. The cafe was in a quiet place; not many people went there during the day, and I’d told Frank to grab one of the booths near the back. I wanted as much privacy as I could get.
I sat down and ordered a coffee. I almost didn’t want it because I was nervous enough without the extra caffeine.
“Is this about your father?” he asked.
“Not really. Would you consider dropping the charges against Jack Colt?”
I figured I’d ask nicely first. My flesh crawled just sitting at the table beside Frank, and I wanted to gag from having to be friendly, but I could do it.
“You know I can’t. It’s a criminal case. I couldn’t drop the charges even if I wanted to.” Frank gave me a smile that made my previous creeping flesh seem mild. He moved his leg to touch mine and I couldn’t help but jerk away. I hadn’t thought of the implications of meeting somewhere so private. The only person around was the barista at the front of the cafe, and he wasn’t even in earshot.
I kept silent until the waiter finished serving our coffees.
“Come on, Frank. You know the strings to pull. You’ve gotten him off before.”
He leaned in closer to me, so close that I could smell the dry-cleaning fluid on his suit and the musk of his aftershave.
“How much do you know?” he asked.
I shuffled back, putting some distance between us. This was my big moment.
“I know everything, Frank. I know what you did to Jack’s mother. I know that you covered it up. And I know what you and Dad and your cronies have been up to. I also know about this.” I pulled one of the sheets I’d copied from his office out of my bag and sat it on the table.
He snatched it up.
“Where did you get this?” His face blanched; I’d liked to have thought it was from guilt, but it was more probable that he felt the fear of getting caught.
“You know where I got it. I saw those creepy photos you have, too. Your days are numbered, Frank.”
He gave a creepy, dry cackle.
“This is nothing. It won’t hold up in court. You can’t do a thing.”
I knew that, but that wasn’t what I’d planned. Hell, I still had no idea what the files meant, but Frank didn’t know that.
“Yeah, but I can go to the press. Even if they find nothing, if you throw enough mud, it sticks. I’ve learnt that the hard way.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “I’ll see your ‘going to the press’ and throw in a bit of scandal about your father. I can even give them some dirt on your precious Jack to sweeten the pot.”
I gulped. I should have thought of that, but I couldn’t back down now. My father had taught me a few things in this life, and poker was one of them.
“Give it your best shot. One of us has nothing to lose, while one has his entire career and reputation. Think about that, Frank.” I gulped down my coffee, wishing I’d made it Irish. “I want to know that the charges against Jack have been dropped by COB today, or…”
I waved the photocopy in his face.
With that, I got up and walked out of the cafe. I walked in a straight and steady line with my head held high, knowing Frank was watching me leave. I’d bluffed all I could bluff, since I had no idea what the numbers on that paper meant. I was pretty sure, too, that if I gave it to the press and they worked it out, I could get busted for withholding evidence and all manner of crimes. Maybe Jack and I would be in the big house together.
When I got outside, I lost it. My hands shook and my legs quivered. Every nerve in my body was set to snap. The rain had eased off and I figured I should walk home to burn off some of this pent-up energy inside me.
I had no idea if this would work but it’d be a lot easier for Frank to agree to what I asked than for him to fight me. I hoped that was how he’d see it.
About halfway home, I got the feeling I was being followed. I told myself I was being paranoid. Frank couldn’t be tailing me. I’d been wandering in a homeward direction but shortcutting through shops and arcades to avoid the sodden streets, while Frank had to get back to his office.
Still, I had the creeps, big time. Maybe I should have avoided going home and detoured elsewhere. I could grab another coffee, but the water on the streets had soaked through my shoes, getting my feet damp. I told myself I was being stupid. I had more danger of catching a cold than from imaginary thugs.
I’d thought it was smart to take a shortcut but ended up in an alleyway. I only had a short distance to go before I was back out on the open street, but suddenly it felt like danger lurked in every shadow and doorway.
I tried to walk at a steady pace, to keep myself calm, but I wanted to run. My pulse seemed to echo off the buildings around me. Someone popped out in front of me from nowhere and I screamed, then I realised it was an office worker heading out the back door for a cigarette.
I got to the end of the alley and only faced an empty street, so I could see if anyone was behind me. I was being jumpy for nothing. It was just my mind getting all worked up after the meeting.
It was only when I’d seen Frank’s face that I’d realised how serious this all was. I hadn’t really thought that it might be worth my life for him to get rid of that evidence. His friendship with my father made me think I was protected, but now I wasn’t so sure. I could end up at the bottom of the harbour or worse.
I didn’t know what was in those documents but it had to be serious.
I stopped in at a cafe for coffee to take home. When I got out, there was still no one around. That should have been reassuring, but my imagination just made me feel worse.
I made it home and locked the door to my room tight behind me. I hadn’t seen anyone following me, and Frank didn’t know where I lived. Well, I figured he didn’t know. I mean, he’d known I lived here before, but he didn’t know I’d moved back, and there was no way for him to find out.
Unless someone had been watching Jack when he dropped me off.
I heard a noise and jumped, spilling my coffee. Shit, I had coffee stains all down the front of my clean top, and it’d only been the old lady coughing.
If I didn’t calm down, I’d go crazy. Maybe I could go to Angie’s or somewhere… not Jack’s. That would be the worst place to go.
I sent Angie a text, thinking I’d get a cab. I’d wait inside for the cab to show up then run out to safety. We could watch movies and laugh about how stupid I was. She’d make sure I stopped being an idiot.
I threw some clothes into a bag, necessities I would need for the night. I was calm. I was not getting worked up at all. If I didn’t stay calm, I’d work myself in hysterics.
Something moved outside my window. I saw a shadow out of the corner of my eyes. I imagined them out there, peering in, waiting for me to leave. I tiptoed over and made sure the curtains were fully shut, not even leaving a crack they could look through. Maybe they’d seen me pack my bag and knew I was leaving. Shit, I really needed to go to the toilet, too. All this fear made my bladder weak.
What I needed was to take some deep breaths and settle myself. It was probably just a cat outside, and anyway, my door was locked tight. I just needed to wait for the cab.
Footsteps pounded down the hallway. I focussed on breathing. In and out. It was just one of the other tenants coming home. My phone beeped. I jumped again. Angie responded saying to come on over. She’d make cake.
I tried to smile. Cake would be awesome.
Did I need anything else in my ba
g? Clean knickers for the morning. I pulled out the drawer slowly so no one could hear.
Bang!
I spun around, my heart pounding like crazy. My insides turned to ice and I could do nothing but stare at the thug barrelling towards me while my door hung in splinters from the frame.
I tried to scream but could only make a gurgling noise. The fear rising in my chest blocked any sound.
His hand slapped over my mouth before I could scream again. Fingers gripped me tight, digging into my skin and pulling my hair.
Still, the gurgling sound continued in my throat and my chest pained with the thudding of my heart.
The bulky frame of the thug obscured my vision. I had no idea if he was alone.
“Where are the papers?”
I froze. This was it. This would be how I died: killed by thugs in a rat hole room in a coffee-stained outfit.
I heard someone else shuffling around the room, and dishes being smashed to the floor. There was more than one of them.
The man took his hand away from my mouth but still held me firmly. His buddy kept throwing things around. He looked like he could snap a man’s neck without even breaking a sweat.
“Tell me where the papers are and I won’t hurt you.”
They would, though. They would hurt me once I gave them the papers. I could only hold one thought in my brain and that was it. Once they had them, they’d do what they wanted with me.
My head exploded with pain and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I sunk to the floor, feeling like the left side of my head had caved in.
He grabbed me and threw me against the wall. He ran his big, meaty finger down my cheek.
“Such a pretty girl… Wouldn’t want this face ruined.”
I sobbed. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t help myself. I was going to die. I’d done a really stupid thing and I was going to die.
Chapter 30
The other guy came at me. He smelt of fish and seedy back streets. He pressed against me and ripped at the neck of my top. The guitar pick Jack had given me bounced on the floor as the cord snapped.
“Might as well have a bit of fun with her while we’re here.”
I screamed and one of them punched me in the face again. The world went black for a second.
“We have to take her to him.”
“Yeah, but he never said she had to be whole.”
Shivers of fear ran through me. I had a knife. It was on the sink. I could get it. If only I could get it. Maybe someone would call the cops. The neighbours. But they wouldn’t. They’d put pillows over their heads and ignore the noise, and even if I could run, I had nowhere to run to.
Before I could even move, the smelly one smashed me back against the wall. I kicked and twisted, but he grabbed my arms. I tried to bring my knee up. I wanted to hurt them, get them to stop, but I was powerless as they pressed their dirty bodies against me.
They laughed, dry, obscene laughter like they were kids torturing an insect. All hope within me died. I’d never get out of here.
The smelly one moved back a little and unzipped his pants. Icicles of fear stabbed my heart. I struggled and sobbed. All hope was gone. A ball of fear sat in my throat, threatening to choke me.
Then an arm hooked around his neck, pulling him off me.
Jack Colt.
Was I dreaming?
The other man paused in surprise and Jack threw a punch at him. It connected but didn’t seem to deter him. The two of them grabbed Jack, one holding him, the other punching him hard in the stomach. They were both massive, too massive for Jack to fight on his own.
Jack groaned in pain.
“Run, Hannah,” he grunted. “Get the hell out of here.”
I couldn’t move. My legs wouldn’t work.
“RUN!”
I made it out the doorway. I could get away. I could get help. I wouldn’t die.
Then I heard a sickening crunch that sounded like a bone breaking. What if they got his hands? His guitar-playing hands? My body convulsed as Jack gave a guttural moan.
My heart exploded and my legs almost crumpled beneath me, and all the world went fuzzy but I had to stop them. I rushed back into the room.
“Let him go,” I pleaded. “Let him go.”
They stopped their attack and turned to me, snarling like rabid animals.
“I’ll give you the papers, but let him go.” Even if it meant the worst for me, Jack would be safe.
Jack curled up on the floor, groaning.
“Don’t do it, Hannah.” He gasped with broken breath.
I ran to him, helping him up, but as he staggered to his knees, one of the thugs grabbed me.
My room had been destroyed, all my things thrown around and trampled beneath their filthy feet. I’d be crushed by them.
“Give us the papers, love. You wouldn’t want your boyfriend hurt.”
“Get out, Jack. I’ll handle this.” I tried to sound confident so he’d leave.
He glared at me, anger flashing in his eyes.
“I’m not leaving, Hannah.” He made a feeble attempt to swing at the thug again. The smelly thug tightened his grip on me.
“You want your boyfriend to watch while we both go through you?” he said. “If not, find those papers fast.”
Jack staggered across the room. I tried to get him to look at me, to convince him to save himself.
“I’m not getting the papers until he leaves.” My voice came out shattered and weak, even though I tried to sound tough.
I inched my way to the sink, hoping I could grab the knife before they noticed.
“They’re under the bed,” the smelly thug grunted.
I don’t know how he knew. I must’ve been looking there without realising. I cursed myself. As the thug bent over, Jack moved to the stool that sat beside my bed. He grabbed it and swung it at the thug, smashing the metal edge into his head. The thug yelled and blood dripped down his face. He rushed at Jack. I grabbed the knife.
Then I heard sirens.
“Stupid bitch,” the smelly thug yelled. He had the papers.
“Got ‘em?” the other one asked. “Let’s get out of here.”
I grabbed Jack as the two of them bolted down the hallway.
“You idiot. Why didn’t you go when you had the chance?” I yelled at him.
“Why didn’t you?”
We glared at each other until the cops came.
The old lady from next door was with them.
“Are you okay, love?” she asked. She looked at the shattered door. “The landlord’s not going to be happy about that.”
Then she shuffled back to her room.
We got taken away in an ambulance, both of us battered and bleeding. Even though I knew I was out of danger, I couldn’t stop shaking and my skin felt clammy. The medics wrapped me in blankets and kept talking to me. They asked such stupid questions when all I wanted to do was sleep. I clutched Jack’s hand in mine, afraid to let go. Afraid that we’d be pulled apart, and I’d never be able to reach him again.
Chapter 31
Jack made me go to his place when they let us leave the hospital. Apparently the police had wanted to question us, but Daniel had intervened. I had to meet with him and explain. That would not be pleasant.
I sat on the couch with a blanket wrapped around me. I wasn’t allowed to even send someone to pick up any of my things until the police gave the all clear.
“What were you doing at my place, anyway?” I asked Jack.
“I knew you were planning something stupid, and so I stuck around and followed you. If I’ve learned one thing in this life, it’s the look on your face just before you do something stupid.”
“It was a good idea. Well, it would have been, if those thugs hadn’t found me. I thought Frank didn’t know where I lived. I was getting creeped out at being followed around though.”
Jack had stitches down his face.
“You’re going to have a scar,” I said.
“Whoa, the
chicks will dig that.” He tried to smile, but I could see that caused him pain.
“Stop being an idiot. I thought I could save you.”
Jack handed me a glass of whiskey.
“Well, it didn’t work, and now they have all the evidence and we have nothing.”
“Dude, are you kidding? I’m not an idiot. I took photos of it all and sent it to Dropbox before I even went to Frank. Who keeps everything on paper nowadays? But they are going to need the originals to make an arrest, I assume. The ones that Frank has definitely removed from his office now.”
I drank the whiskey, even though I hated the taste. The warmth spread through my body making my limbs become heavy.
“You’d think they’d have thought of that.”
“I don’t think they intended to leave me capable of accessing any information.” I didn’t want to fill in the rest of that thought. I shivered thinking about the sound of that fly being unzipped.
“You are going to sleep here and I’m going to watch over you the whole time to make sure you are safe.”
“And that’s not creepy? Also, when are you going to sleep?”
“I can’t sleep. I’m not sleeping. I thought those guys… I wanted to kill them, Hannah. I wanted to kill them for hurting you.”
He put his arm around me and I didn’t pull away. I snuggled into him, seeking the warmth of his body.
“Seriously, Hannah, when I thought those guys were going to touch you, I would have fought them to the death.”
I nodded. I’d known that. That’s why I’d wanted him to leave. I’d never let anyone hurt Jack Colt.
“Come to bed. I’ll be with you while you sleep.”
Chapter 32
Jack said he’d sit next to me while I slept, but that was never going to happen.
I pulled him to me, wanting him in my arms. I needed the sureness of his body next to mine. He curled around me, making me feel safe and protected in his arms but I couldn’t sleep, not with the tingling feeling of his breath on my neck, and the heat of his body along my back.
I turned around and my lips met his. Softly, we kissed each other.
Bad Boy Redemption (Bad Boy Rock Star #3) Page 16