Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,84
social worker who has ties to the prison. Let’s just say I have some serious explaining to do.”
I sputter around a mouthful of shock. “How can they believe you left on purpose? Is that even legal?”
He offers a limp shrug. “I’m in violation of my parole, willing or not. There’s bound to be further investigation with loads of questioning and interrogation. It’s going to be fine. I doubt they’ll dredge up anything worth convicting me of. The justice system is full of surprises, though.”
“But you did nothing wrong!”
“They don’t know that. Uncovering the truth is part of the process. One more thing to prove. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t go down without a fight.”
Another noise of outrage escapes my mother. At this rate, she’ll need to be admitted for an aneurysm. Halder visibly flinches and takes a step away from me. This is all backward. Maybe we should’ve stayed in the safety of our little niche. I press two fingers against the prickling behind my eyelids.
“This isn’t how I planned for our rescue to turn out,” he murmurs.
My scoff is reflexive. “Yeah, me either.”
He reaches a thumb out to stroke along my jaw. “I need to get going before they cuff me.”
“Wait.” I cling to his wrist with a desperation that hums in my bones. “How will I get in touch with you? Do you have a cell phone?”
He grips the nape of his neck. “I planned on getting one, but never got the chance. Didn’t really have a reason until now. Can I call you?”
I’m nodding before he’s done speaking. “Yes, of course.”
Halder scribbles my number on a discarded scrap. He leans in to dust his lips over my cheek. I tilt further to catch more of him, but his touch is gone after only an instant.
“I’ll see you soon,” he promises.
Before I have the chance to respond, his towering appearance becomes little more than a retreating shadow across the hallway. Everything in me screams to follow him. The urge is too powerful and I rip my gaze away. I press a twitching palm to my mouth, capturing a tortured sob.
“Oh, Blakely,” Reagan says with a sigh while cuddling me into her side.
“Yeah, a real whopper.” A slow grin is spreading on Adalene’s mouth. “But everything will be just fine. Priorities first. Who is that tasty treat?”
I pin a blurry glare on her. She’s such a man-eater. “Did you miss the introductions?”
“Well, well, someone’s being defensive. Did you tame a bad boy, Blakely? I didn’t believe you had what it takes.”
“Seriously?”
She rolls her hazel eyes so hard, I fear they might fall out. “Oh, whatever. You’ve always been the safe and reliable type.”
I glower at her, preparing to argue. But hadn’t I claimed the same thing not long ago? It just sounds more offensive—and boring—coming from someone else. “People change.”
My mother had been stuck in a state of eerie silence, but my comment apparently reboots her system. “You seem very close to that man, Blakely.”
“That’s because I am.”
“He’s a criminal. Do you want to be involved in a scandal? He probably took you out there in the first place!” The accusation in her tone raises my hackles with a screech.
I bite my tongue until a copper taste warns me to quit. “Halder was wrongfully accused. He’s innocent.”
My mom gapes at me, the utter horror painted on her pale complexion. “Your heart is too soft. That man is going to break you, sweetie. I knew that you working in that prison was a terrible idea. You’ll believe anything.”
Acid burns up my throat until I’m almost choking on it. “Rash judgment is below you, mother. I would’ve died without him. You should be giving him your undying gratitude.”
The tension in her shoulders deflates with a long sigh. “Okay, I’m sorry. We shouldn’t be fighting. You’ve been through too much already. Come sit down.”
I study her for a moment, measuring the sincerity she’s tossing at me. It only takes a moment before I’m shuffling toward her. My mother wraps her arms around me and holds tight. I melt into her without hesitation. There’s just something extra comforting about a hug from this fierce, albeit sometimes nutty, woman.
“Halder is a perfect gentleman. He doesn’t deserve your assumptions.”
She rubs a soothing palm down my back. “All right, Blakely. I apologize for being rude. It’s obvious you care for him deeply.”
“I do.” My nose burns, and I sniff to ease the sting.
“Knock, knock.” The sing-song tone comes from behind us.
I peek through the curtain of