10
GRACE
Ibounced my knee in Judge Dixon’s conference room adjacent to his office, looking out at the fog masking Boston’s skyline. The heavy tick of the wall clock marked each second I waited to face my destiny.
One week had passed since I caught Carl Dixon attempting to rape Andie, and the weight of that night and every other problem in my life weighed heavily on me. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
My lawyer, Kelton Maxwell, paced on the other side of the room, phone pressed to his ear as he dished out commands to his assistant. He assured me there was a ninety percent chance I wouldn’t see the inside of a jail cell, but the remaining ten percent gnawed at my gut. At minimum, I would pay a fine for discharging my weapon in a residential neighborhood. A small price to pay, really. I would do it again in a heartbeat to protect Andie or any other woman.
I shuddered where I sat. The past week had been hell. Nightmares jolted me awake with scenes from my past. I still had the eerie feeling that someone was watching me, but as much as I was on high alert, no one was there. I swore I was going crazy. It had to be the nightmares playing tricks on me.So much so that my nerves were on edge, causing me to drop things at work, and I could barely focus on my social theory and inequality classes. Three months away from graduating two semesters early, and now everything I’d worked tirelessly for hung by a thread.
It’s your fault, that adult voice in my head taunted.You could’ve fought him off harder than you did. You have the training to do that.
My cell vibrated on the table as I scolded myself. Fran’s name lit up the screen. I’d missed her call yesterday, and I had yet to respond. After a quick glance at Kelton, who was still absorbed in a discussion on his phone, I tapped on the accept button.
“Hey,” I said softly to Fran. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you back. I only have a few minutes.”
“This won’t take long,” Fran said, her voice bright. “I have extra tickets to the scholarship banquet this Thursday night. Maybe you could come with my dad?”
Despite everything going on in my world, I smiled. Fran, ever the matchmaker, had dropped hints about the chemistry between her dad and me at our last Thanksgiving dinner. As much as my crush seemed to flourish after being in his arms the other night and his intimate words to me at the gym, Brian would never risk his friendship with Duke. Maybe it was for the best. I had to work out my own problems anyway.
“Are you trying to set us up?” I teased, trying to keep my voice light.
She giggled. “You two have chemistry, Grace. It’s not hard to see.”
I begged to differ. Duke hadn’t seen it until the other night. Or maybe he had but kept his thoughts about Brian and me to himself. After all, Duke knew that Brian wouldn’t touch me.
Why the hell were there rules about friendships?Screw the rules, the rebel in me thought.
“Let’s focus on the banquet,” I deflected. “Between work and school, I’m not sure I can make it.” I couldn’t tell her the real reason—I might be in jail. She worried enough about her father’s criminal past. “Is your dad in Boston permanently now? I know he returned to Nashville to finalize the sale of the restaurant.”
“He drove in early this morning. But Grace…” Her voice dropped. “Do you know anything about him working for the cartel again? He hired a bodyguard to protect me.”
My stomach clenched. Duke had done the same for me, claiming I needed protection because he thought I was being followed.
“No, I don’t.” My voice trailed off as I tried to figure out if there was a connection between both Brian and Duke hiring bodyguards. Maybe one of their former enemieswaswatching Fran and me. “If I hear something, I’ll let you know.”
After I agreed to get back to her about the banquet, we hung up. My thoughts continued to spiral. Was Brian returning to Boston to pick up his drug empire again?
I didn’t get the chance to dive deeper into the question. Kelton settled into the chair beside me, unbuttoning his suit jacket.
“The judge and his son will be here momentarily.” His blue eyes fixed on me with laser focus. “Three things, Grace, and I want no resistance from you. One, no outbursts. Any on your part won’t help your case. Two, answer Judge Dixon’s questions professionally. Three, do not engage with Carl. Are we clear?”
I would have laughed if it weren’t for the way he was glaring daggers at me. He knew the Harts well enough to expect trouble. He’d represented Denim, Duke, and now me.
“Crystal.”
The door squeaked open, and in waltzed Judge Dixon, followed by his son, Carl, who was hobbling on crutches.
My jaw clenched at the sight of him. Bastard. Regardless, I schooled my expression, sitting up straight. The bullet wound in his leg would serve as a permanent reminder of his actions, though right now, his cheeky grin suggested he thought he’d gotten away with attempted rape.
Kelton rose to shake hands with the judge while Carl awkwardly lowered himself into the chair across from me then propped his crutches against the table.
I dug my nails into my palms, fighting the urge to wipe that smirk off his face. I had to stay calm, not because Kelton ordered me to but because this meeting would determine my future, my freedom, and most importantly, justice for Andie.
Whether the latter happened or not, Andie was doing better, thanks to Sela, the shelter’s psychologist. However, before I walked out of here today, I needed to ensure Carl would own up to his actions and give her a genuine apology. She deserved that much, at minimum.
Judge Dixon, who had thinning dark hair and bags beneath his eyes, settled in his chair next to his son.
