“What do you want?” The fear had been replaced with terror. This guy was scared. Holy shit this guy was terrified. I took my chance.
“You shared a cell with Earl before his death back in 2004. Now, I know he didn’t kill Steffy, and I want to know is what did he told you?” I kept my voice even, not once breaking eye contact.
“That old sack of shit? He spoke shit all day. He’d be bragging about rapin’ and murderin’ the girl one minute, then tellin’ me how he sold her for a bunch of cash the next. Full of shit, he was,” Cole crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head, as his eyes clouded with memories. I felt Dane stiffen next to me. I had to admit, if it were me in his position, I didn’t think I could be as controlled.
“Sold her to who?” I asked, pressing my hand down on top of Dane’s, hoping he could feel my support. This had to be so hard for him.
Cole shrugged, “No idea. But whoever brought that little package was one lucky son of a bitch,” He laughed a belly filled laugh. Dane kicked his chair back next to me, leaning across the table menacingly.
“You want me to knock the fucking shit out of you, you useless son of a bitch,” He hissed. Panic rose inside me as I realized how close he was to punching this guy.
“Dane, no. Go. Leave,” I ordered, trying to hold him back. I pushed him away from the table. “Go!” I ordered. Dane stared at Cole angrily, his fists balled up at his sides.
“Fuck,” He cursed, reaching over to me and grabbing my hand. He marched me across the floor of the visitors’ room, as I struggled to keep up.
“Dane, hey!” I cried, trying to loosen his tight grip on my wrist, “You’re hurting me!” He let go, slamming his fist against the wall, cursing. I had never seen him so angry.
Chapter Fifteen
“So,” Dane turned to me, “If we leave now, it will be after midnight by the time we get back. Or we can stay here overnight.”
I shrugged, not really caring one way or the other.
“Personally, I’m beat. So we might stay here if that’s okay?” He asked.
I nodded. I grabbed my phone and texted Kella. Not that she would even notice, she’d been spending so much time with Fraser lately. Dane drove back through the city, eventually stopping at a small motel with a vacancy sign out the front.
“Are you okay with sharing a room? I will sleep on the floor or something,” He added quickly. I nodded. Even at a time like this, I still managed to be excited at the idea of sleeping in the same room as him.
Waiting in the car as he went into the office, I decided to call mom.
“Hello?”
“Hey mom, it’s me,” I smiled
“Hey Lil! How are you?” Mom sounded so happy to hear my voice. I could hear Anna calling out hello in the background. I giggled.
“Hi Anna,” I said, “How’s things, mom? I miss you guys so much,” I added, my voice cracking.
“No crying, Lily. We are fine. How’s school? And Kella?”
“Good and good. Kella’s seeing someone. He’s really nice.”
“Really?” Mom sounded puzzled, “I thought she was a lesbian.”
I giggled. Mom always found Kella’s love life so fascinating. The first time she’d met Mel she’d actually told them they were the first lesbian couple she’d ever met. I’d been embarrassed, naturally, but Mel and Kella had laughed their asses off. By the time they’d left, mom knew more about the ins and outs of lesbian sex than I ever wanted to imagine my mother knowing.
“Um, no, she’s kind of always gone both ways,” I laughed. I could see Dane making his way back to me, “I’ve gotta go, mom, I just wanted to tell you I love you and miss you.”
“We miss you too, honey.”
Dane raised his eyebrows at me inquisitively, “Who was that?” He asked.
“My mom. I hadn’t called her in over a week,” I smiled, “Did you get the room?” He held up a pair of keys.
“A double bed and a single,” He smiled. I nodded, not ignorant to the disappointment I was feeling about there being two beds. There was no mistaking where I’d been hoping this night would go. “He gave me the number for a pizza delivery place too.”
I nodded, the mention of food making my stomach grumble like it hadn’t been fed in weeks. I blushed as Dane eyed me, amused.