“I don’t believe this,” she said. “This can’t be true.”
“Believe it,” I said.
She got up, her lips trembling, and her eyes filled with tears. I got up and walked closer to her, unable to see her like this.
“I am sorry,” I whispered, reaching out to touch her cheek. It was so hard to fight my desire for her. It was so hard to stay away from her.
“No,” she said angrily. “You are not.”
She stormed off, and I dropped back onto the sofa. Everything was ruined. I had lost Hillary forever, and I had no way to fight Stella. I had lost case after case, crucial witnesses, and someone was clearly trying to sabotage me. And yet, I was no closer to finding out who. Now my firm was under investigation, and when Seth came in half an hour later to tell me that four of our biggest clients had fired us as their legal counsel, I wasn’t surprised.
The web around me was getting tighter and tighter, and there was little I could do to stop it.
Chapter 14
Motive
Hillary Beck
“There is Sara,” I said. “They studied in the same university. He assaulted her when she was leaving a party and abused her. She filed a report but soon dropped the charges. She left the university and moved to another town. No contact with her ever since.”
We sat in Gale’s office, going over the list of victims who might be able to testify against Merrick.
“Try to find out where she has gone,” he said, but I knew it would be futile.
“There is also Katie,” I said, my voice shaking. “She was not even of age yet. She went to his high school, and they dated for a few weeks. He forced himself on her, and when she pressed charges, he denied everything. Said that she was just a slut who slept around with everyone. In essence, he ruined her reputation, and she attempted suicide. The family dropped the charges and admitted her to an institute. She got out a few years ago after her parents passed away and has been living a very secluded life ever since.”
“Are you okay?” he asked gently.
“It’s none of your concern,” I said. Every case I read brought back horrible memories. I thought I could do this, but constantly reliving the trauma of Joe was harder than I thought.
“I know this is hard for you,” he said. “I know that this isn’t easy—”
“Do I need to remind you, Mr. Fears, that you don’t care? That I don’t mean anything to you? Or have you forgotten?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “I haven’t.”
“It’s just…” I said. I didn’t know why I was telling him this. Why I was talking to him or sharing with him when I knew he didn’t care. “Every case that I read, I see myself in it. I see myself in every girl. I know how they feel. I know the fear and torture and pain. I know what it’s like to be scared, to feel worthless and pathetic. I know how it feels to hate yourself so much that you want to die. I know how it feels when you stare at the ceiling, internally screaming and begging God for death. I know how it feels, and all of these cases remind me of it. I feel so angry with him. I want to get my hands on him and tear him apart for what he did. I feel so helpless because I can’t help them. If Erica had never helped me, I wouldn’t be where I am. But these girls, they didn’t have anyone.”
He reached forward, his hand hovering over mine, and then he pulled it back. We stared at each other, and then he leaned forward till he was close to me.
“Hillary,” he whispered, and my breath hitched. He reached out and softly cupped my cheek, and I trembled. My heart was filled with emotions. At one point, I hated him. I hated him for what he did to me. I hated him so much I considered quitting, but I needed the money. On the other hand, I just wanted to melt in his arms. To just let him comfort me. To kiss him and hold him and feel his arms around me.
He leaned closer, and I almost kissed him, my body desiring him terribly. My lips almost brushed against his before I remembered what he had done, and I pushed him away.
“You have the list,” I said hoarsely. “Let me know if there is anything else I can do, Mr. Fears.”
He looked at me with lust-filled eyes but seemed to control himself. I could see the desire burning in his eyes, and it made me feel weak.
“Gale!” I heard Stella’s voice as she barged into the office. “I was wondering if you would like to go for lunch?”
“Of course,” Gale said, kissing her. “Miss Beck was just leaving. Thank you for the list, Miss Beck.”
Stella turned to me and smirked, her eyes twinkling with pride.
I nodded and walked away, hearing Stella giggle as she hugged him. I walked out and collapsed on my chair, my mind filled with confusing thoughts and emotions.
“Hey, there,” Jack said, walking over.
