Hate Fuck: part two Read Free

“He’s at home with his family, and one of Grant’s first year associates standing guard.” He points over his shoulder where my face is frozen on the screen, a clear shot because yes , I looked at the camera. I always do. It’s an unconscious move now, making sure I’m seen when I want to be, and not seen when I don’t want to be… Fuck.  
    I’m a hypocrite, thinking in one breath that I won’t use Hailey as an alibi and yet obviously my sub-conscious has no problem. Too fucking bad. “No, we’re not using that.”
    “That’s not your call.”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “As soon as the medical examiner determines time of death, this clears you.”
    “That’s the wrong move.” I sift through the possibilities, weighing the risks and benefits. Hailey’s off-limits, but I’m not sure how that’s going to be received by my partners, knowing the lengths I’ll go to protect her. How much she means to me.
    Jason narrows his eyes. “Is this about the girl?”
    Anger thumps through my veins. Yes . I’ve exposed her to too much already. “No. Clearing my name too quickly could shift the focus to any one of you. Or Fletcher. Let’s never forget the client, right? I know I didn’t do it. And since I have a history with the victim, this is perfect.”
    A soft gasp comes from behind me, a breathy sound filled with hurt and confusion that I’d recognize anywhere, anytime. I want to punch Jason for asking me that when he knew she was standing behind me. And I curse myself for not hearing her.  
    “Hailey…”
    She shakes her head at me and takes a step back.
    Fuck me . I point back at Jason. “You’re a fucking asshole, and this conversation isn’t over. Don’t do anything with that video. It might clear me of murder, but it implicates me in tampering with a crime scene, since I picked up the gun. Silence is our best course of action while we find the motherfuckers who did this. That’s where we need to focus our energy.”
    Hailey’s standing in front of the elevator by the time I finish yelling at my partner. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
    She looks back at me over her shoulder, her body shaking but her voice clear and cold. “This was a mistake.”
    “A mistake would be running away before we have a chance to talk. My office.”
    “Excuse me?” Her eyes narrow but she doesn’t resist when I slide my hand over her hip and guide her down the hall, my arm locked around her waist.
    I feel reckless. Out of control. Not scared . No, I’m not scared of anything.
    Except losing Hailey .
    I’d have to have her to lose her, and I’m not sure she’s mine.
    Not sure that’s on the table—now, or ever. It shouldn’t be. I should push her away right now. I just don’t know if I can do that, either.
    As soon as the door clicks shut behind her, I have her in my arms, my hands in her hair. I kiss her hard, and she whimpers against me, her arms tightening around my neck as I consume her.
    Her lips are faintly salty, like she’s been crying. That rips me up inside. I did this to her.
    She kisses me back as we desperately hold on to each other. It’s a long time before we break apart. Her lips are swollen and wet. My chest aches. We’re a mess, and I’m more settled than I’ve been in hours. I never want to let her out of my arms.
    “I’m glad you’re not in jail,” she whispers, hugging me tight for a second before pressing her hands against my chest.
    I don’t let her go. “You shouldn’t be here,” I mutter against her lips. “Someone might see you.”
    “I drove and parked underground. I needed to tell you that I’ll talk to the cops.”
    “No.”
    “Yeah, I heard you say that to the other guys.” Her body tightens inside my arms as she says it.
    “You heard some shit out of context.”
    She sighs. “I’m not sure there’s enough context to make me understand your life.”
    What the fuck? “It’s not my life , it’s my job.”
    Another sigh. She tips her forehead