Page 44 of Chill’s Chance

“Can I go watch the movie now?” Slade asks after Detective Sterling thanks him.

“Of course.” I tell him, taking his hand and walking back to the media room. “How are you doing?” I ask him. I glance down into his face, love and guilt washing over me in powerful waves. Hearing him go over what he and his mom went through while I was thousands of miles away pisses me off. I’m angry with myself. I should have been here with them.

Slade shrugs. “I’m ok. I miss mom. But I enjoy being here. I like Elina and Mal. I like I’m no longer alone. Plus, I feel safe here.”

That single comment hits me hard. I know right now that is what Slade needs the most. To feel safe. And it’s thanks to Chill and her club that I can give him that. Which makes what I need to do next that much harder.

Before I let him disappear into the media room, I kneel and pull him in for a hug. “I’m proud of you.” I tell. “You were very brave and I’m sorry you had to go through all that alone.”

“But you’re here now, right?” He asks me.

“I am.”

He hugs me back and runs into the room to join Mal and Elina on the couch. I nod at Desdemona and Diego, who are sitting on a loveseat next to them. “We’ve got them. Go enjoy the party.” She tells me. I grin my thanks.

I consider returning to the common room, but I’m not in the mood for a party. Although, I know I need to help since I’m a prospect. But there’s something I need to do first. Entering Chill’s room, I sit on her bed and force myself to face up to all my mistakes. Mistakes with Nicole, Slade and Chill. Fuck, I’ve made so many. I’m not sure where to start.

That’s where Chill finds me a few minutes later. I stare at her as she chides me for missing the party and updating me on Showtime’s new road name. When she climbs on the bed, I gather my strength and tell her what needs to be said.

“You thought I told Abbott and Billet about us?” I state. She says nothing, but nods. “You thought I set you up?”

“I considered it.” She admits. “I didn’t tell them we hooked up back then. Yet somehow they knew. They also knew you were married. Which was something I didn’t know.” She explains. “So, yes. When they attacked me and called me a whore for sleeping with a married man, I assumed you betrayed me.”

“It’s why you were so angry when I reached out to you?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“I assume you reported the rape?” I press.

“Of course. Once they finished with me, I made my way back to camp and immediately reported it to Colonel Patterson. He called them in. They denied it, of course. Claimed to never have left camp. Claimed I was trying to get them in trouble because I felt threatened by them. The colonel took their word over mine and suggested I either transfer to another unit or resign my commission. I was nearing the end of my tour, so I took the transfer and then left the corps as soon as I was able.”

“I didn’t know what happened.” I tell her. “When I returned from leave, I looked for you. Abbott and Billet said you asked for a transfer, but they didn’t know where you went. When I asked the colonel, he gave me some story about how you asked for a transfer for personal reasons. I found out later that you learned I was married. I figured that was why you left. Fuck, what a self-centered bastard I was.”

Chill chuckles, which has me scowling. “I see nothing funny about this.” I bite off.

“I know it isn’t, but you need to stop beating yourself up about the past. What else were you supposed to think? You didn’t know Abbott and Billet were slimy pieces of shit. Did you?”

“I knew they were assholes and had little respect for women, but no, I never thought they’d do anything like what they did to you. I wonder how many…”

“Six. Including me.” Chill answers my unfinished question. “After I left and joined the Demon Dawgs, I told Puma about what happened to me. He suggested having Spark look into them, and I agreed. I hadn’t really considered that there had been others, but I should have. Spark found five other women who were once assigned to that unit, who then left abruptly. He found enough information that made it clear to us they were victims as well.”

“Did you do anything with the information?” I ask her.

She nods. “I contacted the colonel and told him what I had. Told him if he didn’t rein those bastards in, I’d make sure his superiors got an anonymous tip.” She says. “I thought about doing that anyway, but I wasn’t certain it was enough to convict them. If I tried and failed, I’d have nothing over them. Figured the threat would be enough to keep them in line. Spark monitors the unit for any personnel changes that meet the criteria. Something I made sure the colonel understood.”

“So why come after you now?” I ask.

Taking a deep breath, she eyes me. “Because I pushed him. I threatened him. Told him I would follow through with my threat if he didn’t cancel the charge against you for going AWOL and to ensure they released you without a black mark.”

“You think that’s why he sent those assholes after you?” I ask.

“I guess. Hmm. I hadn’t really thought about it. I’m guessing he didn’t want to continue living under my threat. Why else? Besides, he didn’t know where I was until I told him where to send your things.”

“He moved fast.” I comment. “Almost like he had everything in place and just needed you to give him your location.”

“No.” she says slowly. “That’s not true. He knew where I was before I called him. He contacted the cops here. Sterling said the colonel was worried you were coming after me. Said you had gone AWOL and mentioned my name before disappearing. He had to have known I was in Vegas and that you were coming here.”

“Maybe he was trying to keep us from hooking up, but why?” I ask.

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