Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 73153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
He tossed me two ice packs, and I caught them easily in my hands. "Angelina called and told me that they're going to want Tracey at the courthouse tomorrow. They're holding a hearing for her dad at about two o’clock. They need her to testify against him and her mother, and they'll need you and Gabriel there, too."
My eyebrows pulled together in confusion at his words. "Why Gabriel?"
"The dispatcher heard over the phone call that Gabriel apparently beat the hell out of her dad, and there's a chance he'll go to jail for a little while for withholding information from the police."
I looked at Dale incredulously. Don't get me wrong, I was pissed that Gabriel hadn't told me he knew where Tracey's dad was hiding, but I kind of understood it. "Gabriel doesn't work with the police. Everyone knows that."
Dale shrugged. "There's nothing anyone can do at this point. It's up to the judge to decide."
I gently sat down on my bed, putting the ice packs on my knuckles. "I'll call him in the morning and find out what the fuck is going on," I grumbled.
Dale nodded. "Get some rest. God knows Tracey is definitely going to need it. If she refuses to go to court to testify tomorrow, there is a chance they may walk."
I clenched my jaw. I would be damned if they ever fucking walked after what they did to her.
I looked over at Tracey. This beautiful girl had been through too much shit in her life. I didn't want her to go through anymore. I didn't want her to fear anything either, but I knew she had to go to court tomorrow to put her parents away for good.
I just fucking hoped she didn't freeze in fear in the courtroom like she had downstairs.
I slid my hand out from under the ice pack and pushed her hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She sighed softly in her sleep, and I smiled a little when she subconsciously sought out my touch.
Tracey, baby, just know that I've always got you.
Chapter Twenty
TRACEY
Isqueezed Trevor's hand tightly in my own, my knuckles turning white from the grip I had on his hand. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to face him.
Hell, I couldn't face him. I always froze up, and I always panicked. Today wasn't going to be any different.
"Baby, you've got this," Trevor told me gently as he kissed the top of my head.
I just stared at the large courthouse doors in front of me, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I shrieked when someone walked up and put their hand on my shoulder. I swung around so fast that I staggered back into Trevor, who gripped my hips to keep me from falling. Gabriel gave me a small, apologetic smile, putting his hands up in a surrendering gesture.
"You okay, girly?"
I blew out a harsh breath, and Trevor rubbed his hands up and down my arms soothingly. "You've got this, baby; I promise," Trevor murmured in my ear again, desperately trying to soothe my nerves.
I swallowed hard, turning toward the courthouse doors again. "If I stay out here, I'm never going to go in," I admitted, wiping my sweaty hands on my slacks.
With his hand on my lower back, Trevor led me through the courthouse doors. As soon as we entered the courtroom, nausea swirled in my stomach. My dad was sitting in a chair on the defendant's side. His hands were cuffed in front of him, and he was looking at his lawyer, taking in everything he was saying. He turned his green eyes to me when I entered the room, and I halted in my tracks, bile rising in my throat.
“I—I can’t,” I choked out, backing up as my fight-or-flight instinct kicked in.
Every single fiber of my being was telling me to run like fucking hell. I wanted out of there—away from him.
Trevor grabbed my hand in his, bringing it up to his lips. His eyes bore into mine as he tucked my hair behind my ear with his other hand. "You have to be strong, Tracey. I know you can do this.”
My bottom lip trembled, tears filling my eyes. A pained look passed through Trevor’s eyes. Not giving a fuck about anyone else in the room, he pulled me to him and kissed me, instantly calming my nerves. I melted into him, gripping his leather jacket in my fists. When he pulled back, he rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb. "Only you can put him away, baby. You have to do this.”
I blew out a harsh breath and resumed walking to the plaintiff's table, taking my seat beside the lawyer Angelina had hired for me this morning. The lawyer—Carl Grayson—gave me a tight-lipped smile. "Are you sure you're okay to do this?"