Heaven With You (28 page)

He let go of me and I ran to my car, got in and locked the doors. I drove off as fast as I could, pulling over on the side of the rode and throwing up.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“You stated that Captain McAllister told you that he would get you out of jail if you agreed to have sex with him. Is this correct?”

I forced myself to think of Ellie. “It’s correct.”

“Where did this conversation take place?”

“In his office.”

The Internal Affairs officer bent his head and scribbled something on his yellow notepad. I think his name was Riley or something. Whatever his name was, he looked to be in his thirties, attractive with keen brown eyes that seemed to file away every detail. Part of me hoped he wouldn’t believe me, the other part wondered if I should try telling him the truth, but fear of what would happen to Ellie stopped me cold.

“How was it that you came to be in his office?”

“He walked me there after Officer O’Leary was finished with me.”

Riley’s head snapped up. “Officer O’Leary let you leave with him?”

I hadn’t realized at the time that she could get into trouble as well, and I didn’t want that to happen. “She thought that I was just his daughter’s friend,” I lied, looking him in the eye.

“What is your relationship to Captain McAllister?”

“I’m afraid of him.”

He didn’t react at all to this bit of information. “Were you afraid of him before the night you were arrested?”

“No.”

“The night you were arrested, did you want to have sex with Captain McAllister?”

I hesitated a second too long, and Riley’s eyes snapped to mine.

“Miss Bentley, I need you to tell me the truth.”

“I didn’t want to go to jail.”

“Did you want to have sex with Captain McAllister?”

“No. Officer Riley—“

“Sergeant,” he corrected. “On the night of the alleged rape, did you tell Captain McAllister no?”

I felt as if I was being ripped apart. I didn’t want to hurt Hunter, but I needed to make this man believe me for Ellie’s sake. For a split second I considered confessing what I knew about Darryl, but something held me back. How could Darryl have known that Hunter broke rules to get me out of jail that night? He couldn’t, unless someone that worked at the police station told him.

“I begged him to let me pay him with cash, but he said he only wanted me.” I took a deep, shaky breath, strengthening my resolve. “He forced me to have sex with him.”

Sergeant Riley began writing again. “I think that’ll be all for now.”

“That’s it? What’s going to happen to Captain McAllister?”

His gaze narrowed. “If he’s found guilty of abusing his power or rape, he could go to prison.”

I forced myself not to react. My mind raced, and I considered showing Sergeant Riley my phone, but what I had was too precious to let go. I had to get it to Hunter.

“Thank you,” I said, standing up.

“I’ll be in touch Miss Bentley.”

Standing on trembling legs, I turned and saw Hunter in the doorway. His eyes were locked on mine, and what I saw in their depths threatened to break me.

“What are you doing here Isabelle?” he asked, an odd note in his voice.

He didn’t seem surprised to see me and I knew someone had told him why I was here. I started to go to him, but made myself stop. Darryl had killed two people that I knew of, and William was in the hospital. Now wasn’t the time to think with my heart. I could afford no mistakes.

“Why don’t you sit down and join us, Captain. Maybe we can get this cleared up now.”

I felt the intensity of Hunter’s hot blue gaze on me, but I didn’t look at him and kept my eyes carefully focused on Sergeant Riley. “Is it customary to question victims in the presence of their attacker?” I asked coolly.

“No, Miss Bentley. It is not customary,” he replied succinctly. Neither is it customary to lie to a police officer, which is what you did when I asked you about your relationship with Captain McAllister.”

I sucked in a sharp breath.       

His hawkish eyes dropped to my hand. “I didn’t ask about that rock on your finger, Miss Bentley because I already knew who had given it to you. I’m going to ask you again and I expect the truth this time. Keep in mind your answer could ruin his career and send him to prison. Did Hunter McAllister force you to have sex with him?”

Ellie’s face appeared in my mind. I met Sergeant Riley’s gaze and spoke clearly, trying to ignore the hypnotic pull of Hunter’s gaze on me. “Yes, he did.”

I didn’t dare glance at Hunter, but I felt his pain ripping through me like a jagged knife.

“Izzy,” Hunter whispered with such torment that I didn’t think I could stand it.

A uniformed officer slowly passed Sergeant Riley’s open door, strengthening my resolve. I had no idea who to trust, but I was almost certain that someone in this place was feeding Darryl information.

I looked into Hunter’s plaintive eyes and didn’t have to fake the tears that pooled in mine. “How could you do that to me?” My voice broke. “I trusted you, and you raped me.”

Something hot and wild glittered in Hunter’s eyes, his body tensed but he remained calm and in control. His gaze never wavered from mine. I don’t know how long we stood staring at one another.

Sergeant Riley cleared his throat, and I tore my gaze from Hunter’s.

“That’ll be all for now, Miss Bentley.”

I turned and fled, but on my way out I turned and met the cold eyes of the officer lingering outside Sergeant Riley’s door.

Darryl was waiting for me in the parking lot, a self-satisfied smile on his drawn face.

“I did what you told me. You’ll leave Ellie alone, right?”

“Sure. But I’ll be watching for proof that you didn’t rat me out. If you followed instructions, McAllister’s daughter will be safe. ”

“I did.”

Darryl grabbed me. “Make sure you keep your fucking mouth shut, and stay away from McAllister. I’ll be watching. If you try to tell him, I’ll make his daughter pay. Got that?”

“I’ve got it.”

A phone rang and Darryl reached into his pocket. “Yo,” he answered.

I watched as he listened to the caller, glancing occasionally at me until a satisfied smile split his pasty, drawn face.

“Looks like you did a good job. McAllister is being questioned now.”

“Who was on the phone?”

“Someone that wants revenge on McAllister as much as I do.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve actually made friends with a police officer,” I said casually.

“Not all of them are self-righteous do-gooders like McAllister.”

“Why would they want to be friends with you? What’s in it for them?”

Darryl’s eyes narrowed, and I thought he wasn’t going to answer.

“I told you before I don’t exist. I’m dead. When you’re a ghost you can do whatever you want and no one can trace anything back to you. That kind of power is tempting. ”

“You know I’m short of cash,” I heard myself say.

His head turned sharply, and I thought he was like a shark that smelled blood. Darryl’s eyes slithered down me, making me feel dirty and disgusted.

He laughed, the sound a chilling cackle. “You know I’m not really your daddy or Reed’s.”

What shocked me the most was that I wasn’t surprised by this piece of news, interesting as it was. Relief flooded me. Reed and I shared no blood with this monster.

“Your mama was pregnant with Reed and you were still a baby when I met her. Your daddy was in the army and had just been killed, and she was desperate for help. Too bad for her, she found me instead.” He closed his eyes. “She was a hot piece, even pregnant.”

Leaning into me, his gaze dropped to my mouth. “All those times you thought you were imagining the way I undressed you with my eyes,” he laughed. “It’s lucky for you I was too drunk most of the time to enjoy you.”

“I’m not interesting in fucking you,” I told him with a cool bravado I didn’t really feel. My eyes locked with his. “But I might want to work with you.” Pausing, I let my offer sink in before I added, “If the price is right.”

Interest glinted in his eyes. “Well, well, well, maybe I’ve misjudged you all these years.”

A chill slipped through me as he studied me. I let him, not speaking, not daring to look away and unwilling to reveal any weakness.

“My partner and I have a few businesses. We could always use another beautiful girl.” Again his gaze licked over me, making my stomach roll. “You could do well with us.”

“You’re a pimp?” I hadn’t even finished the last word before his hand struck out with lightening speed, cracking with force against my cheek and snapping my head to the side.

“I have many talents, Isabelle. The one that has kept me alive all these years is the ability to keep my fucking mouth shut. If you want to make some money, you’ll have to do the same. You understand?”

I nodded.

He grabbed my arm and twisted. “Answer me when I speak to you.”

“I understand.”

His grip tightened until I was sure my arm would snap. I winced in pain and was punished with his slick smile. “What do you understand?”

“I need to keep my mouth shut.”

Darryl let go of me abruptly and gave me shove. Pulling something out of his pocket, a card, he started to hand it to me but jerked it back suddenly and frowned. “I know you hate me. Why the sudden interest in working with me?”

“Money. Without Hunter I won’t be able to live like I’ve grown used to.”

He hesitated only a moment, but my answer must have satisfied him because he handed me the card. “Be there tonight at ten if you’re interested in making fast cash.”

“Thank you.”

“Just remember to keep your mouth shut and stay away from McAllister. If you even think of telling anyone about me, I’ll make sure sweet Ellie pays the price.”

“I understand.”

“Yeah, I think you do. This could be a win-win for both us.”

Feeling numb, I got into my car and drove toward Reed’s house. My mind was spinning with my every possible next move. I couldn’t screw this up. I had too much to lose.

Chapter Twenty-Five

12:06 p.m.

I was running out of time.

I kept seeing the look on Hunter’s face when I’d told Sergeant Riley that Hunter had raped me. It would have been so much easier to deal with if he’d been angry with me, or even if I’d only seen betrayal in his eyes, but what killed me was the trust I saw reflected in his blue gaze. Hunter trusted me and despite what I was saying, he hoped that there was an explanation for what I was doing.

He kept waiting for it. I knew that he did, but it never came. My heart broke thinking about what Hunter was going through now, but I couldn’t dwell on that now, not if I was going to set things straight.

I had a plan.

It wasn’t full proof and I considered every detail that could possibly go wrong, trying to devise a plan B and C, needing to make sure this ended tonight, at ten o’clock. It was the only time that I knew exactly where Darryl would be.

Now I just had to deal with Reed.

“Why the hell haven’t you been answering your phone?”

I could tell that he was worried and I felt bad. “Sorry, Reed. I’ve been busy.”

His eyes glittered with emotion. “Yeah, I’ve heard about that. What the hell is going on Isabelle?”

“What do you mean?” I asked cautiously, looking up from the laptop.

“Last night you were desperate to convince me how much you loved McAllister. You said he’d never hurt you, but today you accused him of raping you and I want to know why.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Do you realize what you’ve done to him?”

“I know!” I shouted, tears filling my eyes. “God help me, I know. The last thing I need is to fight with you. Please, just trust me.”

“I called McAllister when you didn’t answer the phone. He told me what you’d done. Do you want to know what he said?”

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

“McAllister told me that he’s worried about you and that he loves you. He asked me to make sure you were okay. That’s what he told me while he waited to find out if he’d be arrested.”

My head snapped up. “He’s going to be arrested?”

“What did you think was going to happen when you said all of that? They sure weren’t going to give him a raise.”

“He can’t be in jail tonight.”

Reed was watching me closely, and I knew he saw more than I wanted him to see. “I hope he has a friend to bail him out because he doesn’t want Ellie to know about any of this.”

For a moment I considered telling Reed everything, but I knew he’d try to stop what I’d planned because it was dangerous. My little brother had always been protective of me. There was also the risk of Darryl suspecting something, and I quickly decided I’d have to do this alone.

“Cora never texted me this morning. Jase’s dad is fine.”

Glancing over at my brother, I nodded. “I’m glad.”

“You’re not surprised. That’s because you know who sent me that text. Tell me.”

“Reed, you need to go see Ellie. Don’t leave her alone.”

His gaze darkened. “You’re scaring me Isabelle.”

“I don’t mean to. I just think it’s time you worked things out with Ellie.”

“You didn’t say I needed to work things out with her. You said I shouldn’t leave her alone. If Ellie is in some kind of trouble, you need to tell me.”

I stood up, desperate to make him understand but limited on what I could tell him. “Just trust me. You need to go to her.”

 He touched my arm where Darryl had grabbed me and I flinched. Glancing down, his eyes caught the faint marks on my arm. “If you’re in trouble, Isabelle, I can help you.”

“If you want to help me, go stay with Ellie. Don’t let her out of your sight and don’t tell anyone we talked.”

“Since I don’t even know what the hell we’re talking about that won’t be too hard.” He gave me a long, measured look before nodding. “Fine. I’ll go check on Ellie, but this isn’t over. I want answers Isabelle.”

I prayed that by the time I saw Reed again that this nightmare would have finally come to an end.

1:33 p.m.