Chapter 16

 

“You whore…I knew it was true!”

Hannah scrambled off the bed as Jimmy dragged Chase’s inert body off her. She dropped to her knees, crying as she found a huge knot on the back of his head.

“What the hell did you do?” she screamed, borderline hysterical. The heavy ceramic dish she kept on her dresser lay in shattered shards on the floor. “Chase?” She frantically smacked his cheek. “Chase, please wake up!”

Jimmy grabbed her upper arm and hauled her to her feet. Too angry to be concerned by her near nakedness, she spit in his face.

He slapped her hard on the cheek. “Calm the fuck down before I do a lot worse. Officer Dumbshit will be fine. He’ll just have a helluva headache when he wakes up. Now let’s go.”

Jimmy tried to drag her along with him, but Hannah dug in her heels and tried to jerk her arm free. “Are you crazy? I’m not going anywhere with you! I hate you, do you hear me? You’re every foul thing they say you are and more.”

“You’re really trying my patience, you filthy…” He clenched his fists and got himself under control. “I had to watch you go down on him. I had to watch you screw his brains out, you—”

She grew faint. “Oh, my God…you watched us? How sick are you?”

He scowled. “I came here to talk to you, to see if we could work things out. I’m waiting in the closet when I hear you two run up here and start tearing your clothes off like dogs in heat!”

She gaped at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. Before she could gather a coherent thought, he twisted his fingers in the back of her hair and forced her to follow along as he hurried through the house and out into the garage. He shoved her in her car and crammed in beside her. Hannah scooted backward on the cold vinyl, stunned when her hand brushed something cold and familiar—her phone! She clutched it in her fingers as she curled into a ball. Screaming and crying to distract him, she clicked several buttons until the tiny familiar red light signaled the video camera was in record mode.

Cursing a blue streak, Jimmy leaned over and tried to clamp his hand over her mouth. “Settle the hell down, will ya? I don’t want to hurt you, baby. I want us to be right again, before that fuckin’ cop came between us.”

She balanced the phone on the seat behind her, then leaned forward and swiped at her eyes. Jimmy reached out and captured one of her tears. He suddenly scowled and grasped her chin with slight pressure. “How could you hook up with that no mind cop?”

Anger bubbled up. “Are you kidding me? You cheated on me almost from our first date. And like an idiot, I kept taking you back, hoping you’d change.”

“Or hoping Sheriff Dumbshit would get jealous and finally notice you?”

She could only stare as the truth of his statement settled between them and sucked all the air from the small vehicle. He’d known. Not that she gave a damn how he felt anymore after all the horrific things he’d done.

Including set her up for a felony theft charge.

“Chase had nothing to do with us. I…loved you, and I was always faithful. You’re the one who destroyed our relationship. You made a fool out of me over and over and over again.”

He leaned back and smacked the dash, an almost believable look of contrition twisting his features. He settled his head against the driver’s side window and rubbed his temples with circular strokes. Hannah repositioned herself on the seat, using the distraction to peek at the phone and make sure it was still recording. With a silent sigh of relief, she knew she’d better get a confession out of him now since it was likely to be her last chance to have him in such a vulnerable state.

“If you care like you say you do, Jimmy, how come all you ever do is hurt me?”

“I never wanted to hurt you, baby, I swear. I always knew you had a thing for that cop, but I figured it was just a crush and you’d get over it. Only you didn’t. I saw the way you always looked at him…you were pining for him and I knew it. So I turned to someone else for comfort.”

“You turned to every mall rat who glanced your damn way. And I never cheated on you, which makes this whole speech of yours bullshit. I also never ratted you out to the cops. In fact, I defended you, like an idiot. And how do you repay me? By planting Lindy’s bracelet in my bedroom and feeding a false tip to the police. You knew Chase was staying at the house with me while Dad and Drew were gone, so you knew he’d have no choice but to search the house or your lawyer would cry ‘conflict of interest.’”

“I had no choice, baby. I needed insurance, and to be honest I never thought you’d turn on me. You were always loyal to a fault.” His smile faded. “But when the cops hauled me in for questioning, I knew you must have opened that pretty mouth of yours.”

“Opened my mouth about what?” she demanded to know. “I had no idea you’d stolen that bracelet or planned to rob Lindy’s house.” Her eyes narrowed with disgust. “Or that you could do something as reprehensible as rape a woman.”

“Are you jealous? Is that what this is about? I never wanted that skinny rich bitch, Dillon did. I only planned to watch, not participate.”

She shook her head, her brow furrowed in disbelief. “You were going to help that pig rape someone, you just admitted it.” She stared at him, incredulous, silently hoping he’d say something—anything—to explain such appalling behavior. “How could you possibly think I’d want anything to do with you after that?”

He sneered. “As if you have reason to act all high and mighty after what I just witnessed. You always claimed I was your first, but you sure were a fast learner, weren’t you? Watching you go at it with the sheriff was like watching a porno. You sucked him off so good I almost came myself. And you were never that hot in bed with me, so you must have been practicing with someone.”

“You’re disgusting. But you are right about one thing: It was always about Chase. I love him; I always have and I always will. And he loves me.”

Jimmy’s face grew red as her hurtful admission hit home. Growling a curse, he lunged forward and slapped her across the face with the swiftness of a striking rattler.

Fresh tears stung her eyes as flames licked at her throbbing cheek. Panicked, she tried to scooch back, but accidentally smacked her cell phone with her palm and it slipped to the floor. Her heart stopped as Jimmy’s eyes followed its decent.

Hannah dove over and grabbed it, slinging it under her seat before he could react. Enraged, he lunged on top of her and clamped his hand over her mouth. He twisted her hair around his other hand and used it to hold her down.

“Too good for me, are you?” he snarled before crushing his mouth to hers with bruising force. He worked his free hand between them, hooked his fingers beneath her bra and pulled hard until she heard it rip. When her panties suffered the same fate, the instinct to fight overrode her paralyzing fear.

Hannah bucked and twisted, struggling for all she was worth, but Jimmy was a lot stronger than she’d given him credit for. When he arched away from her to unbutton his pants and jerk down his zipper, tears of outrage filled her eyes, blurring her vision. Hannah renewed her struggles with a roar of fury, kicking and scratching until somehow she managed to rake her nails down his throat.

Jimmy shrieked and clasped his bleeding neck, his face mottled with rage. “Stupid bitch, you’re gonna pay for that!”

He cocked his fist back to make good on his threat when the driver’s side door suddenly flew open, and Jimmy was yanked from the car.

Hannah scrambled to a sitting position and cried with relief when her gaze landed on Chase. He had Jimmy pinned to the cement floor by a hand to the throat as he repeatedly pummeled him in the face. She stared in open-mouthed shock, her relief quickly turning to dread when she realized Chase wasn’t stopping and might very well beat Jimmy to death. The sickening thud of flesh pounding flesh spurred her into action.

Too afraid for the man she loved to be concerned about her lack of clothing, Hannah stumbled out of the car and begged, “Chase, stop it! If you kill him you’ll go to prison!” She rushed around into his line of vision and forced him to look at her. “Chase, please, he’s not worth it! He’s not worth it!”

Her pleas finally penetrated his rage-fogged brain. Chase heaved a ragged breath and staggered to his feet as the adrenaline driving him mercifully dissolved. He stood hunched over, hands braced on his jean-clad thighs, panting as if he’d just finished a ten mile race.

Hannah realized with a start Jimmy’s screams had died, and she dropped to her knees to feel for a pulse. “Thank God,” she whispered when she felt its steady rhythm. Chase had beaten him unconscious, not to death.

Chase rushed over and wrapped her in his arms. “Are you all right, sweetheart? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” He pulled back to examine her, his eyes darkening with fresh rage when he took in her disheveled state. “That sonofabitch. I should’ve—”

The deafening wail of a police siren grew in intensity until, with a squeal of tires, a squad car pulled into her driveway. Chase straightened and muttered a curse. “I called Mike while I was searching through the house. Get in the house and put some clothes on.”

Fresh tears spilled from the corners of hers eyes, and she covered her face as a sob forced its way out.

“Honey, I’m sorry,” he said, squeezing her tight. “I didn’t mean to sound so curt. But unless you want Mike to see you in your birthday suit, you’d better hurry inside and grab a robe or something.”

She nodded against his chest before spinning around and rushing into the house. She heard the garage door open and muffled voices as Mike joined Chase in the garage.

Hannah ran up to her room and slammed the door shut behind her. It took a few seconds to gather her bearings, but as soon as she had herself under control, she threw on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt and whipped her hair up into a ponytail. Knowing she must look a fright, she ducked into the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face before hurrying back down to the garage.

Jimmy was lying on his side, hands cuffed behind his back. A low moan assured her he was still among the living, and she breathed a fresh sigh of relief. Not for that scumbag’s sake, but for Chase’s.

Mike greeted her with a concerned smile. “You okay?”

She nodded, fighting to keep the tears at bay, frustrated she couldn’t seem to get her emotions under check. She hadn’t cried so much in years, though she certainly had good reason.

Chase came over and wrapped an arm around her. She leaned into his bare chest with a grateful sigh.

“An ambulance will be here any minute.” The sound of the siren underscored his statement. “We’ll both have to give our statements to Mike, but I can postpone things until tomorrow if you don’t feel up to it.” He leaned in and whispered, “You don’t have to be brave for my sake.”

The man knew her so well. “I’m okay. Just…a little shaky. But what about you? He hit you so hard.”

Chase hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head. “I’m fine. I’ll have one of the EMTs take a quick look at it just to be sure, but I’ve got a pretty hard noggin.”

“Can’t argue with that,” she murmured.

He chuckled softly. “The good news is, we’ll have Jimmy in custody for a while. Dad should have no problem convincing the DA he’s a flight risk and a danger to you. But it won’t be enough to—”

“I have his confession on my cell phone!” she blurted out, having completely forgotten in all the drama. Looking up, she met his confusion with pure elation. “It’s under the front passenger side seat.”

She opened the door and leaned down to cram her hand under the seat. Panic seized her when her fingers came up empty. A quick glance in back revealed the phone had actually landed on the floor in the back seat. She half-climbed over the seat to retrieve it, kissing it before something suddenly occurred to her. The thought of Chase and Mike hearing the conversation that eventually led to Jimmy’s confession set her pulse racing. She’d never be able to look either of them in the eye again. But she simply had no choice, so she checked to make sure the video had indeed recorded and then handed her phone to Chase.

As if sensing her hesitation, Chase dropped it in the evidence bag Mike held out to him. “Mike and I can listen to it later.”

The ambulance arrived, and two EMTs rushed in. Mike pointed them in Jimmy’s direction; they skirted around the car and each dropped to a knee beside him, quickly bringing him around with smelling salts. Jimmy tried to sit up, but they insisted he lie still. Hannah caught a glimpse of his bruised and swollen face and hoped it hurt like hell. The Jimmy she knew no longer existed—if he’d ever existed at all—and she felt not a single twinge of regret over his fate after all he’d done.

One of the EMTs did some perfunctory tests on Chase, and though he didn’t find any signs of a concussion, he suggested Chase get checked out by a doctor, just to be safe.

Once the ambulance left with its miserable passenger, Mike made a quick call, then stepped forward and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. He looked to Chase. “I sent Coop to the hospital to place Jimmy under arrest. As soon as they clear him, we’ll have him transferred to lock-up. If you’re sure you two are all right, I need to get this evidence back to the station and take care of some paperwork.”

Chase gathered Hannah in his arms again, gazing down at her with mild concern. “Are you sure you don’t want to be seen by a doctor?”

“I’m good. Nothing a hot bath and a glass of wine won’t cure,” she added, using the exact words she’s said to him the night of the robbery. Her sassy reply earned her a hard kiss on the lips. And then a second, more thorough one.

“Hannah…Chase—?”

“Uh, Sheriff, would you like to explain what’s going on here…?”

All three of them swung around and came face-to-face with Hannah’s brother, Drew, and their father, Andrew Sr. Thanks to all the commotion and confusion, they’d obviously all failed to notice Drew’s truck pull up to the curb. When her father settled his gaze on her, Hannah became acutely aware that Chase held her flush against him in a tight embrace. And they’d both no doubt witnessed the kiss, or kisses, which even the best attorney couldn’t spin as platonic.

Thank God she’d thrown on actual clothes instead of the robe Chase suggested.

Mike cleared his throat. “Maybe I’ll stick around for a few minutes after all.”

“We’re fine, Mike, go. I’ll check in as soon as I can.”

“Sure thing, Sheriff.” Mike winked at Hannah and nodded at both Porter men on his way out.

“Evidence? Jimmy’s transfer?” Drew strode forward until he was nearly toe-to-toe with Chase. “I think it’s time you clued us in to exactly what’s going on here.”

Hannah watched as an odd light filled her father’s eyes. “Well, I’ll be…she was right.”

“Can we all head inside, please?” Chase glanced back toward the road. “Hannah’s been through a lot today, and I’d like to put on a shirt.”

“Yeah, I’d appreciate that as well.” Drew crossed his arms and lifted a sardonic brow. “You can release my sister anytime now.”

“Sorry, but that’s not going to happen,” Chase informed him. “Like I said, she’s been through a lot and—”

Hannah gave his chest a pat, and then broke free of his embrace to dash into her father’s arms. She caught her brother’s satisfied smirk, but decided to berate him for it later.

“Fine,” Drew conceded. “Let’s get in the house before a news crew shows up.” He impatiently led the way inside.

She heard the garage door close as her father escorted her into the kitchen. Chase came in behind them and ducked into Drew’s room, probably to grab a shirt.

After releasing her father’s hand, Hannah pulled a wine glass from the cabinet, and poured herself a healthy splash of her favorite merlot. She hadn’t been kidding about needing that drink. She held the bottle aloft. “Should I pour one for all of us?”

Drew gave an absent-minded nod while her father said, “I’d love some, honey. But after everything you’ve been through, I should be waiting on you.”

“Dad, please, sit. You know me; if I don’t have something to keep myself occupied, I’ll go crazy.”

With an understanding nod and comforting smile, he took a seat at the kitchen table. She and Drew followed suit.

“Where is Lindy?” Hannah asked. She’d been so flustered she hadn’t noticed Drew’s fiancé wasn’t with them.

“She was pretty beat by the time we landed; wanted to take a hot bath,” Drew explained. “So I dropped her off at the house before driving Dad home. She said to tell you she’ll give you a call later.”

“She’s feeling okay?” Hannah pressed.

“She is. A little tired, a little emotional, but she’s really happy.” Drew grinned teasingly. “Who’da thunk my Hot Stuff would turn out to be so maternal?”

Hannah gave him a playful smack on the arm.

Chase rejoined them sporting a black T-shirt. He’d also changed his jeans and thrown on socks and shoes. He stood beside her with a reassuring hand on her shoulder while Hannah explained everything that had happened, starting with Dillon’s arrest for both the robbery at the diner and Lindy’s attack, and ending with Jimmy’s attack on both of them today.

She, of course, left out the fact they’d been in the throes of lovemaking when Jimmy arrived.

Drew slammed his fist into his open palm when Chase explained Jimmy’s part in Lindy’s attack. He frowned at Hannah, but then the anger seemed to whoosh from his lungs as he propped his elbows on the table and proceeded to stroke his temples.

“I’m just thankful neither one of you were seriously hurt or…worse.”

“Me, too,” Hannah whispered, a slight shudder wracking her frame. She glanced at her dad and couldn’t help but dwell on the odd way he’d been eyeing her and Chase. And that comment he’d made earlier…something like, “She was right.”

Hannah could only think of two ‘shes’ he could have been referring to—Lindy or her mother. And she was fairly certain Lindy wouldn’t have said anything to Drew or her dad, even if she did suspect something.

But her mother? Suffering from bipolar disorder as well as a prescription drug addiction, it seemed hard to imagine her mom would have been cognizant of the close bond Hannah and Chase had shared all those years ago. The possibility that she had, and maybe even approved, was a surprising comfort. She’d have to ask her father about it later. They hadn’t had a good talk about her mother in a long time

But for right now, like Lindy, all Hannah wanted was a long, hot bath followed by a good night’s sleep—in Chase’s arms. Before she could rethink her spontaneous decision, Hannah blurted, “Chase and I are together.”

Her father’s smile brightened while Drew narrowed his eyes and mocked, “Really? Didn’t see that coming after watching him practically suck your face off in the garage.”

“I love her,” Chase boldly stated, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Drew’s expression sobered. “Hell, I know that.”

“You know…Then why are you so pissed at me?”

“Because…dammit, if you’d simply manned up and told her how you felt years ago, she never would have met that bastard Jimmy.” As soon as the words were out, Drew gave his head a remorseful shake, as if wanting to call them back. “I’m sorry, that was stupid. I know you’re not responsible for Jimmy; no more than any of us are. I’m just…frustrated with myself. Lindy tried to tell me the Nino’s delivery guy stole her bracelet, but I was so caught up in proving what a snob she was, I never made the connection to Jimmy. And I never followed up with Nino like I said I would. If I had, the bracelet would have been found, probably that night, and he’d have been facing felony theft charges instead of my sister.”

“On the other hand,” Chase countered, his tone softening. “Turns out Jimmy has an ally with a bit of clout, one who can afford to hire him a decent attorney, and who we’re pretty sure faked an alibi for him. If things had worked out differently, who knows what other crimes he might’ve gotten away with? Between his taped confession and priors, we have enough to put him away for several years.”

“Thank God for that.” Drew glanced at Hannah. “You sure you’re okay? I can stay the night if you want me to. I’m sure Lindy—”

“—would be gracious and tell you to stay. But we both know she needs you a lot more than I do. And you need her.” Hannah smiled. “Please, go home and take care of your family.”

“Besides,” Chase pointed out, “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of your sister myself.”

Drew held his gaze for one tension-filled moment before a wry grin settled on his lips. “I have no doubt of that, Sheriff. But can you please not ‘take care of her’ on my bed? The thought kind of wigs me out.”

“Uh, hello, I’m right here,” Hannah irritably reminded them. “Dad is, too, so can we please change the subject?” She swung her gaze to Chase. “And for the thousandth time, I’m not a little girl anymore who needs to be taken care of.” She switched her focus to Drew. “And I wouldn’t even want to sit on your bed, let alone anything else.”

Chase chuckled. “Don’t worry, first thing I did when I got here was change his sheets.”

Hannah’s father pushed up from the table. “I think that’s my cue to leave. My children’s sex lives aren’t something I care to hear about.” With a twinkle in his eye, he added, “And when I say ‘hear’, I mean that literally. This is a big house, but the walls are thin.”

Drew’s chuckle became a full-on laugh while Chase’s face flamed red.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing.” Her father poured a head on his coffee before heading into the living room. “It’s your randy-ass fault I’ve had to sleep with ear plugs the last ten years. Now keep it down, please, so I can enjoy my movie in peace.”

“What can I say?” Drew stood and struck a macho pose. “I’ve always had a way with the ladies.”

Chase gave his head a disbelieving shake. “Yet, I’m the one with the playboy reputation.”

Hannah cocked her head. “Since we’re on the subject, maybe one of you could explain how those rumors got started in the first place…?”

“Serena Hightower,” Chase and Drew both supplied at the same time.

Drew went on to explain, “When Chase broke things off with her, she didn’t exactly take it well. Made up a story and told everyone she in fact broke up with him after finding him in bed with not one, but two women.”

Hannah swung her gaze Chase’s way. “Please tell me that didn’t happen.”

“Of course not,” he swiftly denied. “I never cheated on her at all. I just didn’t have strong feelings for her either way. Figured breaking things off was the kind thing to do, only it backfired on me.” He sent a mocking glare Drew’s way. “And that’s when this one and Charlie decided it would be funny to…expand on the rumors a bit.”

“Why is this the first time I’m hearing any of this?”

Drew looked at Chase; they both shrugged. “I guess we never really thought about it. I mean, who talks to their little sisters about their friends’ relationships? Besides, I knew you were smart enough not to believe those ridiculous rumors.”

Only she had. And felt like the world’s biggest idiot. “Maybe a little.”

Chase snorted.

“Okay, I believed them. And yes, I should have known better.” She reached up and lovingly caressed his cheek. “You’re too honorable and kind to ever treat a woman so callously.”

“Thank you, Dimples.” He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. And then another and another, drawing a soft moan from her.

Drew cleared his throat. “Okay, since seeing you two all lovey-dovey is still new and very strange to me, I’m heading home. Tell Dad Lindy and I will stop by tomorrow.”

After a quick peck on the cheek and a thump on Chase’s back, Drew left through the patio door.

Hannah stood and twined her arms around Chase’s neck. “I love you.”

“Love you more.”

He held her tightly in his arms, but his gaze had turned thoughtful; troubled.

“Is something wrong?”

He clenched his jaw, swallowed, never breaking eye contact with her. She could read the distress in his eyes clear as day. “Hannah, I need to confess something to you.”

She stared at him, silently praying that whatever had him so distraught wasn’t as dire as he made it seem. “Sounds ominous. What is it?”

He looked up at the ceiling as if searching for just the right words.

Hannah’s heart jumped as every horrible scenario she could imagine flittered through her mind. “Please, just tell me.”

“Honey…I knew Lindy’s bracelet was in your dresser before we did the official search.”

“What? I don’t understand…how could you have known?” A bad feeling blossomed in her chest as she disengaged from his embrace and stepped back. “You believed him, and you searched my house. You were afraid Jimmy was telling the truth and figured if you found the bracelet and no one knew, you could…get rid of the evidence?”

“Yes…No. Hell, Dimples, I don’t know. I panicked. I mean, of course I never truly believed you would steal from anyone. But Jimmy was pretty damn convincing and I…”

When his words trailed off, Hannah coaxed, “And you…?”

“He caught me at a weak moment—the night after we’d made love. Until very recently, I’d always thought you truly loved the guy, so when he threw yours and his sex life in my face, my insecurities surfaced. But I swear, as soon as I found the bracelet my head cleared and I knew Jimmy must have planted it there. I just didn’t know when or how until we questioned your neighbors.”

She suffered a fresh twinge of remorse at the reminder of her own deception. “I shouldn’t have lied to you.”

“And I should’ve had more faith; in you, in us.” His gaze softened as he approached her and grasped her hand. “Lesson learned?”

At his gentle tug, Hannah returned to his embrace and nodded in agreement, her heart full of hope and dreams for the future. “Lesson learned. So, where were we before your big confession?”

Chase leaned down for a second, much more thorough kiss—Hannah smiled against his lips.

He pulled back and cocked a brow. “Something funny?”

“No, not funny. Sad, actually. A tragedy.” She lowered her voice to a mere whisper. “You never got to finish.”

His handsome face creased with confusion. “Come again?”

“Oh, I’m counting on it, Sheriff.”