Read Online Redeeming by Gabrielle Demonico - Free Book Online Page A

you want to go to prison over this whole thing? Is that what you are telling me?”
    “No, Billy.” She said. “Of course I don’t want to go to prison. Don’t be ridiculous.”
    “Well, if you go through with this, you will.” He said. “At least with this deal, the judge will be able to work out a plea bargain or something for you. At the very least…”
    “Mmm, hmm.” Daniella muttered.
    “Look Daniella…” Billy said with a deep exhale. “I’m not trying to upset you. I know I’ve put you through a lot in the past couple of months and I feel bad about it. But, you’re still my friend and I only want what’s best for you. Hell, I don’t even think Jett is a bad guy or anything but this is about the circumstances. They are what they are. What I think or don’t about you, or him or any of this doesn’t amount to shit. The District Attorney will look at the facts of the case and that’s it. As they stand now, Jett seems guilty as hell and you are in deep for helping him.”
    “I already know that Billy.”
    “Well, if that’s the case why don’t you take the judge’s deal and be done with it? Get out of the middle of this. If Jett is able to fix this thing himself, fine. If he doesn’t, well, that’s the way it goes but at least you don’t wind up going down with him.”
    “Because I can’t Billy, okay?”
    “Why?” He asked as he crossed his arms at his chest. “Just explain that because it’s mystifying to me you’d make such a foolish choice.”
    Daniella hung her head.
    “What?” He began. “Love? Is it because you are in love with him?”
    “Yes,” Daniella replied as her eyes began to pool with tears. “I’m in love with him, Billy. Is that so hard to believe?”
    “No.” Billy said. “But love isn’t going to do you one bit of good when you are sitting in jail six months from now. Where will love be when you are in the middle of a ten-year jail sentence? What will love do for you when you get out and society wants nothing to do with you? How will love comfort you then? If they convict him, you will never see Jett again, Daniella. Don’t you understand that? This choice you are considering will lead you to a life of loneliness. Is that what you want?”
    “Jesus, Billy, of course not…” Daniella groaned. “I don’t know what you expect me to say though. I mean, you come to me out of nowhere with this information and then want me to make a decision? Just like that?”
    “More or less, yeah.” Billy nodded.
    “Well… I can’t, Billy.”
    “You can’t what Daniella? Make a decision or let Jett handle this on his own?”
    Daniella bit her lip in frustration. “I have to go, Billy. This is too much for me right now, okay?”
    Billy ’s features softened. “Okay. I understand. At least think about it. Promise me you’ll at least do that much.”
    Daniella crossed her arms at her chest and nodded. “Fine. I promise.”
    Billy slipped a cigarette between his lips. He lit it and as the first wisps of smoke drifted up towards his eyes, he squinted at Daniella and said, “Okay. Good. Remember though, if you go to Fesser’s Grove with Jett, that’s it. Deal’s off. Understand?”
    Daniella nodded.
    “Alright then,” he began. “Well, I’ll let you go. Tell your mom and Tricia I said ‘hi’.”
    “I will…” she began. Billy turned and started to head back towards his patrol car.
    “See you when I see you…” he said.
    “Billy,” she said. He looked back at her. “I appreciate it. You are a good friend.”
    “I know.” He replied. “Don’t forget that.”
    ***
    Daniella arrived at her mom ’s house about an hour later. After a quick greeting, she and Tricia stood near the kitchen as her mom prepared the meal.
    “What’s with you?” Tricia asked.
    “Hmm?” Daniella replied. “Oh, um, it’s nothing… just something Billy said to me.”
    While she answered, Marilyn came out of the kitchen and gestured for them to sit down at the