Never Let Me Go (Welcome To Redemption) by Donna Marie Rogers Page B

carrying you upstairs.”
    Hannah stared at him, no doubt trying to determine if he was telling her the truth or playing games.
    He decided to take advantage of her momentary silence and pulled her into his arms. When she didn’t protest, he kissed her, a soft, slow kiss to let her know he meant what he’d said, and that he wanted her very much.
    When he pulled back to gaze down, Hannah appeared stunned. But anger quickly boiled to the surface, shocking the hell out of him.
    “You low life son of a bitch!” She tore free of his embrace and turned on him like a wildcat. “You think because now you have an itch to scratch you can use me? That I’m some convenient piece of ass?”
    “Of course not! How could you even say something so stupid?”
    “Oh, so now I’m stupid?”
    “You’re infuriating is what you are!” Great, now she had him screaming like a lunatic.
    Tears sprang to her eyes, and Chase immediately regretted his harsh tone. Christ, he’d only wanted to tell her how he felt, ask if she’d forgive him for the other night and agree to give them a chance.
    “Dimples, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
    “Please, don’t apologize again. My pride can’t take anymore.” With that, she swept past him and disappeared up the stairs.
    Chase propped his hands on his hips and hung his head. He’d really screwed that up, hadn’t he? After all these years, he’d finally had a shot at the only woman he’d ever truly cared about, and he blew it—not once, but twice.
     
    * * *
     
    Chase had hoped to apologize over breakfast the following morning before Hannah left for the diner, but as he came down the stairs, he heard her car backing out of the driveway. Guess he’d have to wait ‘til evening to spill his heart and beg her forgiveness.
    As soon as he walked into the station, Mike strode up and announced, “The results are in. You’re not going to like it.”
    Chase gestured for Mike to follow him into his office. “Let me guess…Jimmy?” He shut the door as Mike slapped the report on his desk.
    “Not Jimmy. But he has a rap sheet just as long and colorful.”
    Chase eyed Mike, growing more uncomfortable by the second. He picked up the report and scanned it, his gut clenching as he read the name of one of the bastards who had attacked Lindy. “Dillon Zelinsky. Fuck.”
    “My thoughts exactly. I always knew that dude was a scumbag, but attempted rape?”
    Chase met Mike’s gaze. “Shar is Hannah’s best friend. She hangs out there all the time.”
    “Well, sign that arrest warrant and let’s go. We’ll have him in a cell before the hour’s out.”
    Chase leaned against the corner of his desk and blew out a hard breath. “The problem is, we won’t be able to keep him long, which wasn’t as a big a concern before I knew who that DNA belonged to. Sure, the sample came from the assailant sneezing in the hall outside her bedroom, but half the town was at Lindy’s party. Any lawyer worth their salt will have him out in twenty-four hours.”
    “Her room is on the third floor. Don’t you think that’s a little hard to explain?”
    “He’ll say he was looking for a bathroom. That’s what I’d say. And it’s hard to disprove. It’s not like we can prove exactly when he sneezed, only that he did.”
    “But Lindy’s already told us one of her attackers sneezed as she was hiding from them. It’s in the police report.”
    “I’m afraid that’s not enough to keep him in lock-up for more than a couple days, max, let alone convict him. For a lesser crime where the burden of proof is lower, maybe. But not attempted rape. Both wore masks, so Lindy couldn’t pick either one out of a lineup. Without a positive ID, there’s no way to prove he wasn’t there simply for the party.”
    Mike scowled. “So the asshole’s just gonna get away with it? Is that what you’re saying?”
    Chase thought about it for a minute. “Someone stole Lindy’s bracelet back in February, but she didn’t file