Reciprocity

by K. I. Lynn

  “Mr. Thorne, you destroyed your entryway, but not in a fit of anger?”

  “I tore down the drywall in a fit of despair after separating myself from Lila in a futile effort to keep her safe from a mob boss who wants me dead—because I prosecuted his daughter, and she’s in jail.” I sat up a little straighter.

  “And why were you angry with Lila?”

  “Because ever since my wife and child were murdered, I didn’t want to fall in love. I didn’t want to care about anyone. If I cared, they could kill them as well. But, Lila worked her way inside me without me even knowing it, and it made me angry at her for reviving feelings in my dead existence. I didn’t want to love her, but in the end, I couldn’t fight fate.” My jaw tightened with each passing second, making it increasingly difficult to get the words out.

  His lip twitched as he fought a smile. A quick glance to the jury confirmed that my honest and passionate answer hit many of them in the heart.

  Afterward, I was led back to another room, forced to be separated from Lila again until the jury left for deliberation. It was a grueling time. Thoughts that maybe I’d feel lighter once I got it out to the jury and others knew what he’d done was a myth.

  The knot in my chest was weighing me down like chains wrapped around my body, dragging me to unknown depths. I’d fucked up, unable to control my anger. It looked bad and could undermine some of my good testimony with the jurors.

  My skin itched with the need to feel it marring Adam’s flesh while simultaneously begging to be all over Lila. She was my oasis in the giant sea of fuckery.

  When the bailiff came to let me out, I ran right into Lila, who was waiting for me. She threw her arms around me, and it was then peace started to settle in. The hard part was done—now it was up to twelve people.

  The jury couldn’t come to a decision in the short amount of time left in the day, so we arrived at the courthouse bright and early the next morning. We didn’t have to wait long—an hour later, the jury was done deliberating. The short time could be a good sign, or a bad one. Either way, our group filed into the room and took a seat.

  We’d waited so long, gone through so much, and the moment was finally upon us. My arm was around Lila’s shoulders, holding her close, our hands entwined. The whole room was tense as the jurors entered and took their seats.

  The judge entered a moment later, read over the findings, and settled in.

  “Will the defendant please rise.”

  Prompted from the judge, the jury foreman stood, and my breath halted.

  “On the first count of Aggravated Sexual Battery, how do you find the defendant?”

  The world stopped, time stopped, and the entire room held its breath.

  “We find the defendant guilty.”

  I scooped Lila up in my arms, holding her tight as we cried out in joy.

  The judge called for order, and we settled down. I looked into Lila’s eyes and for the first time in days, there was life and light. We didn’t pay attention to the judge, only every single “guilty” that rang out from the jury foreman.

  Adam was found guilty on all five charges.

  “Sentencing will be held on April twenty-first. Court is adjourned.”

  I couldn’t help smiling as I watched the bailiff approach to take him away.

  “You fucking cunt!” Adam screamed out, garnering the attention of the room. “I will fucking kill you!”

  I pulled Lila behind me as Adam jumped over the banister and charged toward us. The beast in me smiled, ready to get a good swing in, to pulverize his face, but Adam was subdued by the bailiffs before I got the opportunity. He continued to act out as they hauled him away.

  After he was gone, I used my hands to direct Lila out into the aisle, then to the hall.

  Smiles lit up everyone as we exited. Hugs were spread around.

  I couldn’t wait to celebrate.

  My mother hugged me as Lila made her rounds. “Now?” she asked, and I nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right back. I’ll have her text you the information.”

  “Thank you.” I kissed her cheek and moved back over to Lila.

  We said goodbye to everyone, thanking them for coming and for their support. The sun was shining as we exited the courthouse, smiling down on us.

  “Joan?” Lila blinked at an older woman standing outside the door.

  She stood, and I got a good look at the woman who freed my love from possible death. There was more gray than brunette in her well-kept hair, and her suit was from another decade but fit her age well. A kind smile graced her face as she stood.

  “Oh, Lila, look how beautiful you are.” Joan wrapped her arms around Lila. She sighed as she pulled back.

  Lila blinked at her. “How did you know?”

  “Teresa called me.” She took Lila’s hand. “And this was one of my cases I needed to see the verdict on.”

  “I didn’t even see you.”

  “I didn’t want to disturb you, so I sat in the back.”

  I stared at her in amazement. “After almost fifteen years, I’m shocked you still remember her.” I know I didn’t remember all of my cases.

  She turned to me and smiled. “I remember all the children I’ve saved, but some stick out more than others. Lila’s was one of the very few calls I’ve ever received from a child.” She pursed her lips and stroked Lila’s hand. “A very broken sixteen-year-old asked me for help when no one believed her.”

  “What made you?” I’d always wondered what her lawyer saw.

  “As soon as she walked into the principal’s office that afternoon, I knew. One look at her, and I knew what she’d told me was the truth.”

  “Do you have time to stay for lunch?” Lila looked at her with hopeful eyes.

  Joan shook her head. “I’m sorry. I have a hearing in a few minutes, but I wanted to see you and tell you how amazed I am at you.”

  Tears formed in Lila’s eyes as she smiled at Joan, then threw her arms around her. “Thank you for everything, for believing.”

  “You’re most welcome.” Joan drew back. “I’m so proud of you.” She glanced at me, then back to Lila. “Congratulations on your wedding, by the way. I’m filled with joy, knowing how happy you are and that you’re taken care of.”

  Joan held her hand out to me, and I shook it. She then gave Lila another hug before turning and heading back. I noticed my parents and Drew looking over at us from a few steps up. Drew gave Joan a hug on her way back into the courthouse.

  Between the verdict and running into Joan, Lila was glowing. She still seemed to be in disbelief as we walked down the steps, but there was a lightness coming over her, blanketing her.

  We were basking in our victory, talking amongst ourselves, when a venom-laced growl came from behind us.

  “You little bitch.” Lila’s father stared at her, sneering. She gripped onto my arm, nails digging deep as she froze. “You were always a fucking disappointment. I never wanted you in the first place, then your whore of a mother had to die and I got stuck with a miserable little brat.” He moved forward, reaching out to grab her, but I intercepted him, stepping between them.

  “Step back.” My teeth clenched tight, the words escaping my throat with a growl. He was not even going to get close enough to touch her. He was lucky I allowed him to breathe the same air.

  He glared up at me. “She a good cocksucker? Is that how she roped you in?”

  I stepped forward, looking down at him, towering over his aging frame. “Say another fucking word, and I will punch you so hard you won’t remember your own goddamned name.”

  “Are you threatening me? What lies has that little bitch been spreading to get you to defend her?”

  “No lies—just the truth of a verbally and physically abusive father who encouraged his stepson to abuse her as well, to the point of almost killing her on more than one occasion. Should I go on, asshole?”

  “Don’t you fucking call him that!” The stepbitch saddled up next to him, ready to fight.

  M
y icy glare turned to her. “Don’t even get me started on you.”

  He stepped forward, inches from me, and sneered. “Little bitch deserved it. She needed to be broken if anyone was ever going to take her off my hands. Just needed Adam to pop that cherry of hers, train her up a bit, and she’d be ready for the highest bidder. That’s all she was good for.”

  My fist slamming into his face was pure gut reaction. It sent him sprawling on the ground. I was seething, murderous rage pumping in my veins. I wanted him dead.

  I wanted to kill him.

  Trash like him didn’t deserve to breathe. I dove down and grabbed on to his shirt, picking him up a bit. There was screaming around me, but my focus was on the piece of shit in front of me and how I was going to tear him apart.

  His daze wore off and he lashed out, his fist glancing off my cheek. I cocked back and exploded on him. The euphoric feel of his flesh being pummeled by my fist lasted longer than the split second it was in reality. After the third punch, I was pulled back.

  “Fucker! You piece of fucking trash! I will fucking beat you within an inch of your life!”

  He was bleeding—I’d busted the skin on his cheek and split his lip. It wasn’t enough.

  The evil bitch-mother started wailing as she knelt down next to the bastard. “You asshole, what have you done?”

  I pulled against whoever was holding me, ready for round two. “Only a fraction of a taste of what he did to his own daughter. You make me sick. You’re not even human if you can do that to a little girl.”

  “Come on, Nate, calm the fuck down.” Drew pulled against my arm.

  Drew had my left arm, while my father had my right.

  My father’s eyes were pleading. “Calm down.”

  I looked back down to the man who needed to be dead as he tried to sit up.

  “You are nothing but a pile of shit,” I spat down at him. “Don’t ever touch her, don’t even look at her, and don’t ever think of her again.”

  A couple of police officers were rushing over, alerted to the altercation, and began asking questions. They even asked the shithead if he needed an ambulance.

  Realization hit me.

  Her father planned to sell her off as a slave. He was going to let Adam rape her over and over. If she survived, he was going to trade her and who the fuck knew what they’d do to her before she wound up dead.

  I felt sick.

  I looked over to Lila, who stood frozen, wrapped in my mother’s arms and staring at her father.

  Everything lifted from me, leaving me with only the need to protect her. I opened up my arms, and she stared at me for a split second before running straight into them. I pulled her as tight to me as I could.

  “It’s okay, baby. I won’t ever let him near you.”

  She was shaking in my arms. No tears, but obviously just as sickened and frightened as I was. If she hadn’t gotten out… There was no doubt how horrible the outcome would have been.

  “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

  One officer walked over, pulling out his notepad. “Sir, can you come over there with me?”

  I nodded, keeping Lila attached to me as we walked about fifty feet from where the bastard lay.

  The bitch-monster was still screeching, making my ears hurt and my anger boil again. “You monster! He’s bleeding, you psycho son of a bitch!”

  The officer blinked at Lila, noticing she’d come with me. “Miss, can you give us a moment?”

  Lila shook her head, her eyes filled with fear as they flickered back to her father.

  “He’ll get me. Don’t let him get me.”

  My chest clenched at her words. He’d reduced her back to a child almost, clinging to me for safety from the monster that hunted her.

  The officer’s mouth popped open, seeming to get an understanding of the situation. He cleared his throat and began his line of questions.

  “What happened here?”

  I took a deep breath to calm myself—much needed since adrenaline was still pumping through me, and the beast was begging to go back and kill him.

  “We were coming out of the courthouse after the verdict on an aggravated sexual battery case against that woman’s son.” I pointed to the hell-bitch leaning over the asshole, then motioned to Lila. “He began verbally attacking her, then me, before attempting to grab hold of her. He then moved to attack me and I acted in defense of us both.” Lila trembled in my arms, burying her face further into my chest. “The man was her father, who admitted to everyone within listening distance to battery of her and plans of human trafficking of his own daughter.”

  The officer’s pen stopped, his hand still as he looked at us, a horrified expression on his face. I felt sick.

  What if she’d been given to Via Marconi’s operation? She had a far reach for her girls. I’d seen the women there, and death would be preferable to what they went through.

  I pulled out my wallet and handed him a business card. “You can reach me here for anything further, but I really need to get her out of here.”

  The officer nodded as he looked over my information. “We’ll be in touch, Mr. Thorne.”

  I glanced down at his name badge. “Thank you, Officer White.”

  The moment he stepped away back over to his partner, I pulled out my phone and texted Noah. I sent him the officer’s name and badge number, also giving him a heads-up on what happened.

  Drew was done with his statement, and we waited for my parents, slowly inching toward the parking lot.

  “Well, you now have grounds for a restraining order.” Drew leaned forward for a second to take a quick look at Lila.

  I nodded. “Can you file one?”

  “I’ll get with Caroline this afternoon. We’ll have it drawn up and submitted ASAP.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “No problem.” He clapped me on the arm.

  I looked down at my phone, noticing the text message I’d been waiting on along with the time. “Want to join us for lunch?”

  He shook his head. “Sorry. Dana’s meeting me back at the office.”

  My parents stopped in front of us, and Drew said his goodbyes before walking off.

  “Lila, honey, are you okay?” My mother dipped her head down to look at her.

  She nodded against my chest, her iron grip still digging into me. It didn’t matter, as long as she felt safe.

  “I just need to get away from him.”

  My father patted my shoulder. “We’ll let you go and talk to you soon.”

  Lila let go of me enough to walk to her side of the car, her eyes glancing back over to where the cops were still talking to her father. She sighed, mumbling something under her breath as we sped off.

  It almost sounded like “I wish you’d killed him.”

  I wished I had as well.

  CHAPTER 16

  We sat at a table in Lila’s favorite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant a half hour later. I ordered her a margarita—a well-deserved drink after the morning we’d experienced. We were supposed to be having a celebration of our victory, but instead we sat in the booth with a somber aura, and I was icing my aching knuckles.

  She was lost in thought, but not vacant or detached. I was happy with that, and the fact she didn’t need my help but only my presence to pull her from the debilitating fear that took hold of her thanks to that asshole father of hers opening his mouth.

  She blew through her first drink in minutes, and I found myself shoving the chips and salsa at her before I had a drunk on my hands. After all, I had plans.

  “Baby, you need to slow down.”

  Her eyes flipped up, almost as if she was just noticing me, and her lips twitched. “Sorry, it’s just been a…day.”

  I nodded. “Lots of highs and lows.”

  She blew out a breath and dipped a chip in the queso I ordered. Her teeth bit into the edge, nibbling on it instead of stuffing it in her mouth.

  “What would’ve happened to me?” She tilted her head at me.

>   I knew the answer, a little too well for my liking. Her inquisitive eyes bore into me. I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat.

  “Nothing good, and everything bad.” I took the ice off to look at my hand, flexing my fingers as I determined nothing was broken—just inflamed and sore.

  She thought on what I said for a moment. I almost didn’t know what to do with her reactions—they weren’t normal for her.

  “I never would’ve gotten free, would I?”

  I shook my head. “Only by death.”

  She hummed in agreement. My jaw flexed. I was not comfortable with this conversation. The thought of her continuing on that path was excruciating.

  “I know you called Joan, and she got you out of the house, but how? Why didn’t you call Social Services?”

  She sighed. “I didn’t know at the time. I only knew I could be emancipated from him and you needed a lawyer for that.”

  “There was no way a judge would have agreed, and you would have continued living with him through that process.”

  She nodded. “I was only sixteen—I didn’t know anything, only that I had to get away.”

  The waiter chose that moment to arrive with our food. My stomach rumbled with the wonderful sizzling smell coming from my fajitas. I dove in, waiting for her to gather her thoughts while she cut up her food.

  “Joan arrived at the school not two hours after I called her. I’d found her number in a phone book in the library that morning.” She cut into her chimichanga and took a bite. “When she arrived, I was called into the principal’s office. The moment she saw me, she started yelling at him for no one noticing what was going on.” She stared down at her food for a moment, thinking as she cut off another bite and ate it. “The principal was friends with my father and told her I was just clumsy and shy. That set her off. His inaction ultimately led to him losing his job.”

  My brow rose in surprise and satisfaction. “Which was well deserved. He should’ve known the signs. Friend or not, he took an oath to protect his students.”

  She nodded. “My father was a charismatic man of the community—they never knew the man he hid behind closed doors or the disdain he had for me. He painted them a pretty little picture, and if I did anything to mess it up, there was hell to pay.” She took a long pull of her margarita. “That all changed that night after Joan arrived at the house with Social Services.”