Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
I didn’t move or make a sound. She looked up and her gaze found me across the courtroom. When she found my face, she stayed there, clinging to me as tightly as she did when we rode together. I held her gaze and didn’t blink. I was right here. I wasn’t going anywhere. Nothing in this room would get past me for any reason.
She took a deep, shuddering breath before straightening in her chair. Jade lifted her chin, then she started talking again, and this time the words came out steady.
Eric’s attorney cross-examined her for longer than Jade had taken to recount that night. The brutal way he tried to break her had me paying close attention to the fucker. Because I would destroy him at some point. When and how remained to be seen, but this motherfucker would lose his whole entire life. In one way or another. If Ethan didn’t do or say something soon, he might not make it out unscathed either.
Jade answered his questions as best she could. Tears leaked from her eyes, but she never snapped, no matter how hard he pushed. At one point she even flinched back, which was when Ethan rose to his feet.
“Your Honor!” Ethan snapped.
“I’ve heard all I need to hear,” the judge said. He scowled at Eric and his lawyer. “Miss Harper, I’m granting your restraining order.” He went on to specify the parameters and consequences if Eric broke those parameters, and all the other necessary bullshit. When he’d finished, he took off his glasses. “Mr. Dennison,” he addressed Eric’s lawyer. “I would suggest your client prepare for charges to be brought against him. I’m going to send the file to the DA for review. I expect you’ll hear something in the next couple of days.”
Eric’s expression changed from composed indifference to a shrewd, unpleasant stare. His gaze moved directly to Jade and stayed there with that expression, his eyes narrowing in displeasure.
Jade saw him. She still faced forward, but I saw the rigid posture she presented as she stood.
I rose to my feet and waited for Jade, even as I watched Eric and his lawyer, Dennison, leave the courtroom. Neither man looked particularly upset, but I had a feeling that would change soon.
In the corridor outside, Lana stayed close. Jade had both hands wrapped around her own elbows and was holding on. Eric’s attorney came around the edge of the gallery’s doorway before we’d made it ten feet.
“Ms. Harper.” He kept his voice low and pleasant. “If you have a moment. My client has authorized me to discuss a resolution that might be mutually beneficial. A formal settlement, in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement regarding --”
“She’s not interested,” Ethan said.
“Ms. Harper, if I may, the financial terms are quite substantial. Given your current situation, it might be worth --”
Jade stopped walking. She closed her eyes for a single breath. “No,” she said. Her voice was flat. Certain.
The attorney started to speak again. But Ethan stepped forward and stopped directly in front of him.
“Let me be clear about what just happened in that courtroom,” he said. “Your client has a permanent restraining order on his record. A judge characterized his conduct as a pattern of deliberate violence. That follows him everywhere. Every job application, every background check, every time a woman with good sense runs his name through any pay-for-search site.” He paused. “Do I care that it damages his professional reputation? No. I genuinely do not care. Your client is a predator. The judge agreed. That’s on record. And if your client approaches my client again, directly or through counsel, I will make sure the next conversation we have is considerably less pleasant than this one.” Ethan held his ground, putting himself between the women and Dennison.
Lana tucked her portfolio under her arm and looked at me. “Let’s get her out of here.”
I put my hand on Jade’s back and guided her toward the exit. Neither of us looked back. I didn’t need to see Eric’s face a second time, and I knew my brother would take care of him or his lawyer if necessary.
I squinted into the sunlight as we exited the courthouse. Jade had snagged my hand again as I led her down the steps. My brother gave me a curt nod and Lana hugged Jade and said her goodbyes.
Jade walked beside me toward the lot where I’d parked. She hadn’t spoken, and she’d wrapped her free arm around herself, still clinging to my hand. She kept her eyes down. I knew she held on to her composure by a thread.
At the bike, she stopped. “I don’t want to go back to Haven yet.” Her voice cracked on the last word, and she pressed her trembling lips together. “I don’t want to go back and have to explain anything or see anyone. I can’t right now.” She looked up at me and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Can we go somewhere else? Anywhere. Just for a little while?”