Today was only the pre-trial, but the weight of the case already hung in the air like a summer storm.The media would be watching.The town hanging on every word as a very prominent family and a middle-class Catholic family with strong ties in the community awaited justice.One had lost a loved one, and the other would soon lose their son, if she had anything to do with it.
She didn’t care.
Let them watch her win.
Nicole’s heels clicked sharply against the marble floor of the courthouse hallway as she strode toward Courtroom 2B, briefcase under her arm, coffee in hand, jaw set with determination.Her dark green blouse was tucked into high-waisted slacks, her blazer tailored to perfection, her dark hair swept into a smooth, professional chignon.
The fisherman’s daughter had come home with a law pedigree.No longer was she the girl from the poor side of town.Her life now pulsed with purpose, supported by a salary that allowed her to savor the comforts she once only dreamed of.
She had returned to Mustang Island to care for her aging parents.What she hadn’t expected was to step right into a trial this high-profile, or one this personal.But this trial gave her something she hadn’t felt in years, a purpose, a reason to face the town that had once shattered her heart.
When she entered the courtroom, Craig Allen, her second chair and longtime mentor, was already seated at the prosecution’s table, scanning his notes.He glanced up as she approached.
“Morning, Reyes.”
She slid into the first chair beside him.“Morning, Allen.”
“Ready to wreck this guy’s life?”
“Absolutely.”She peeled the cap off her coffee and took a steadying sip.“Let’s nail him to the damn wall.”
A shuffle of movement across the aisle made her glance toward the defense table.
And just like that, the breath caught in her lungs.
No.
No.No.No.
Sitting at the defense table, looking infuriatingly sharp in a navy suit, his tie slightly loose like he never really needed to try, was Dustin “Tripp” Masterson.
Her ex-husband.
Her high school sweetheart.
The boy who’d vowed to love her forever, and shattered her heart less than forty-eight hours after they’d said “I do.”
Her stomach dropped.Her pulse roared in her ears.
“What the hell?”she whispered.“He’s not Victor Lawson.”
Allen leaned in.“Something wrong?”
She forced a smile, her jaw clenching.“I know the defense counsel.And he’s not Victor Lawson.”
“Victor had a heart attack.I guess this is the new guy.Is there a problem?”
Now she understood why he was here.His name had not been on any of the pretrial motions.
“We were...close.A long time ago.”
“Need to recuse yourself?”
“Not a chance!”
This was her case.Her courtroom.Her win.
She wasn’t about to let Tripp Masterson walk in here and take that from her.
