Page 52 of Mending Fate

I didn’t jump back fast enough and he grabbed my arm. Shit. “Um, is it cold in here? Because I can turn up the heat if you want.”

“What the fuck are you trying to sa–” The last word was cut off as the door burst open and Eoin grabbed Clyde from behind, startling the cop enough that he dropped my arm.

Mai and I dove for the farthest corner of the room as Eoin slammed Clyde into the wall face first. The other guys came in only a couple seconds behind, and the anger on Alec’s and Hob’s faces made me wonder if Brody had kept them back those few moments in order for Eoin to contain the perverted bastard.

Alec took a step toward Clyde, eyes flashing, hands in fists.

“Alec!” I grabbed his arm. “Please.”

He looked down at me, and I saw that rage wasn’t the only thing in his eyes. For the first time, I realized what it must have been like for him, sitting and watching, not defending me or protecting me from that awful man. I wrapped my arms around his waist, breathing a sigh of relief when he returned my embrace.

“Never again, lass. Please.” He kissed the top of my head. “I canna take that again.”

“Don’t worry.” My voice was shaky. “I don’t plan on making a career change. I fully intend to go back to being a mild-mannered teacher from here on out.”

He chuckled, his arms tightening around me.

“The police are on their way,” Brody announced.

Clyde started laughing. “You guys are so fucked. You don’t even know how bad. I’ve got you for entrapment and solicitation and assault–”

“Shut up.” Eoin deposited Clyde in a chair.

I pulled out of Alec’s hug but kept one arm around his waist as I turned toward Clyde. “No, you’re the one who doesn’t realize how badlyyou’refucked.”

“It’s your word against mine,” he said. “I’ll tell them how I just came here for a massage, and the two of you started undressing and offering all sorts of sexual favors.”

“We have you on camera.” Hob was the one who spoke this time. I’d never seen my normally laid-back friend this furious.

Clyde seemed to deflate. “What?”

Mai walked over to where we’d hidden the camera and pulled it out. “Everything that happened from the moment you walked in here has been recorded. And before you start making threats about losing evidence or whatever, it’s backed up online.”

“You won’t get away with this. I have friends in high places.” He leaned forward like he was going to stand up, but one look from Eoin had Clyde huddling back in his seat.

Mai planted her hands on her hips. “Is it just me, or does he sound like one of those villains fromScooby-Doo?”

“I must have forgotten to mention that I made a call as well,” Alec said. “Prosecutor Jefferson George and I have known each other for years. He should be here about the same time as the police.”

“Son of a bitch!” Clyde stamped both of his feet on the floor like a child throwing a tantrum. “You can’t do this to me! I’m a cop!”

I moved closer until I was just out of his reach. “A cop who repeatedly raped his girlfriend’s teenage daughter.”

All the color drained from his face, then rushed back to turn his skin an unhealthy shade of red. “That little bitch! No one will believe her!”

“Maybe not,” I moved a step closer, “but how long do you think it’ll take at least one of your buddies to sell you out in exchange for a deal? We’ve got DNA and pictures of what she looked like when they were done with her. Former cops who gang-raped a fourteen-year-old won’t last long in prison.”

I stopped when he began to hyperventilate. For Soleil’s sake, I didn’t want this to go to trial. Clyde needed to take a plea, and I hoped that the seed I’d just planted would get the desired results. No matter what he did, however, he’d never touch another girl again. I’d make sure of it.

“Police!” The shout came from the lobby.

“I’ve got it.” Brody hurried out of the room.

“Here, lass,” Alec said, draping his coat over me. “They’ll probably want to note what you’re wearing before they let you change. Let’s get this over with.”

I nodded, breathing easier as Alec’s scent surrounded me. The day wasn’t done yet, but we’d done the hard part already. Now, I had to trust that the system would do its job. It wasn’t easy, having grown up seeing the things that people could get away with, but I had to have hope, otherwise, what was the point?

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