Curtains (11 page)

"
All rise
.
"
Everyone stood as directed by the bailiff. I had
n
'
t braved a glance to my left at the man who had attacked me. The minute I set foot in the courtroom, I felt nothing but terror knowing that the bastard who tried to kill me was mere feet away. I shook violently as I poure
d
a glass o
f
water, splashing a majority of it onto the table. My lawyer gave me a reassuring nod as I sat back in my chair and looked behind me. My mother sat close to me, giving me a similar nod, and I turned back to the action in the courtroom, completely oblivious to what was being said. I was, for the first time since my birthday, reliving the night I had almost died. I had
n
'
t realized just how much I had masked my fear until today.

"
Violet
,
"
my lawyer, Jake, whispered to me when my name was called. I stood quickly, my knees knocking as I approached the stand and was asked to hold up my hand.

"
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God
?
"

"
I do
,
"
I whispered, unable to find my voice.

"
Please speak up, Ms. Hale
,
"
the judge urged.

"
I do
,
"
I said firmly, taking a seat on the stand and refusing to look to my right. I saw his profile as he sat next to his lawyer in his filthy fucking brown suit, but could
n
'
t bring myself to look at his face. I closed my eyes tightly as Jake went through the events of the night, detail by detail. I blocked them out, thinking of the man who saved me. I stumbled through my lawye
r
'
s questions and drew a blank as I watched the table to my right out of my peripheral vision, completely disabled by fear. By the time his lawyer started his line of questioning, I was terrified. The stench of him filled my nose as the memory gripped me. I fingered my scar absently as I felt the pinch of the knife all over again. I closed my eyes as I recalled the splash my fingers made in my own blood.

"
Ms. Hale
?
"

"
Yes?
I
'
m sorry could you repeat the question
?
"

"
Is it true that you could
n
'
t see the faces of your attackers
?
"
the defense asked.

"
Yes
,
"
I said weakly, looking at my hands as I twisted them in my lap. I bit the inside of my cheek hard as I tried to keep from crying. I answered as I replayed my own account of that night, refusing to look in his direction. If I did, I would know his face for the rest of my life, regardless if he was incarcerated for the rest of his. I did
n
'
t want that memory. Instead
,
I remembered Rhys.

"
He knows you love him, honey. If he did
n
'
t before he knows now. Do
n
'
t you, Rhys
?
"

Remembering the medi
c
'
s words, my eyes swelled and all I could do was sit silently and nod with an occasiona
l
'
ye
s
'
loud enough for the record when I was forced to. I could
n
'
t breathe. Thoughts of Rhys raced through me as I let my tears fall at his memory, his sincerity. I needed him now. It felt foolish being apart from him. My fucking pride might have ruined my relationship with him, but right now, all I needed was the mere sight of him. It would have been enough. I said a prayer as I wiped at my face furiously, though it was useless.

The details did
n
'
t matter. Rhys had saved me in more ways than one. All he was asking of me was what I wanted from him. Our relationship was so simple, yet our lives had made it seem so damn impossible. The only thing standing in our way now wa
s
..
.
us.

"
Ms. Hale, do you need a minute
?
"
the defense attorney asked as I hiccupped on a sob, trying desperately to regain some strength.

I longed for the grey eyes that had captured me and held me hostage. The tears fell heavy as I mourned for my love, no longer afraid of the bastard who had robbed me and left me for dead. Now, I was more afraid of the growing distance between myself and the love of my life. When I looked up into the faces of the courtroom, I saw the eyes I had longed for.

Rhys.

I almost cried out in relief as we kept each othe
r
'
s gaze, his eyes telling me everything he could not say. Saltwater slid down my cheeks and I hoped he could see the
I love you, I love you, I love you
in mine. I had to keep my chuckle in when I noticed he was wearing his non-committal sweater. As if he could read my mind, he gave me a reassuring nod and small smile. I gathered all my strength as he watched me and finally let my gaze wander to my right to face my fear. I glared in the direction of my attacker as he cowered in his chair, refusing to meet my eyes. He was olde
r—
maybe in hisearly fiftie
s—
and a true to life scumbag with greasy hair and bad skin, no doubt a junkie or alcoholic. There was nothing terrifying about him. I sat up straight and answered the questions Jake had drilled me on the previous day, more certain than ever that when I left the courtroom today, I could close this chapter of my life.

"
Ms. Hale, do you need more time
?
"

I looked right at my attacker
.
"
No,
I
'
m fine
,
"
I replied, my voice growing in strength with each word spoken. The questions continued as I answered honestly through his cross-examination.

"
I have no more questions, your honor
.
"

The judge looked at me, eyes filled with sympathy
.
"
Thank you, Ms. Hale. You may step down
.
"

I was sure then the sentence would be fitting to the crime.

It was over.

My mother nodded at me, her tears mirroring mine, as I walked toward my seat. Rhys winked at me and I had to resist the urge to walk over to him and launch myself into his arms.

When court was adjourned, I stood immediately to go to Rhys, but was stopped short by my lawyer. Rhys left the courtroom and all the air left my body. I fought the small crowd and made it through the door, finding Rhys waiting next to the elevator, his gaze on me.

"
Jake, Violet will call you
,
"
my mother interrupted as she watched my reaction to Rhys. Jake nodded, slightly confused as I approached Rhys and we slipped inside the elevator.

"
I
'
ve been trying to give you space, Violet, but I ca
n
'
t do it anymore
,
"I whispere
d
, trying my hardest to keep my distance. My chest was full as I sifted through my thoughts, carefully trying to convey to her in the best way I knew how that I needed her.

Fucking words.

"
I
'
m not asking for it and I do
n
'
t want it
.
"

She looked so fucking beautiful wrapped in her black winter coat, her lips painted a perfect shade of pink and long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Her swollen eyes locked on mine.

I charged her when we were alone in the elevator and pinned her to the back of it.

Possessive is all I felt in that moment as I looked down at her face, so beautiful, so beyond perfect.

I felt a part of me rip as I asked her my next question, afraid she would see the hardest part of me no longer existed with her this close. I had come undone, and all for her.

"
I guess my question is
,
"
I said, my chest heavy
.
"
Do you still
want
him to love you
?
"

Her tears fell as she looked up at me
.
"
No, God, no
,
"
she answered, her voice shaking. She shook her head back and forth, her tears coming down fast. I wiped them away, searching her eyes, desperate to believe her
.
"
I never want you to think I do, Rhys. I love
you
. I gave you everything when I got back from my trip. I was just so fucking shocked that night. I let it shake me
.
"

I cupped her face in my hands as she looked up at me
.
"
I
'
m sorry I did
n
'
t tell you, but I only did it to protect you, Violet. I do
n
'
t want to lose you, but I ca
n
'
t and wo
n
'
t share you with anyone else, ever
.
"

"
You wo
n
'
t ever have to. Please believe me. I know I acted like a fool. What
we
have is all I want. I do
n
'
t care about them. I want them out of our lives for good. I need to be with you and Bryce. I do
n
'
t care anymore that I was
n
'
t enough for him. I only want to be enough for you
.
"