Page 58

He turned to the jury and spread his hands.

“It’s still a question worthy of consideration. Aside from this woman’s statement, there’s no evidence to confirm or deny whether my client participated in that bank robbery. Are you willing to hang a man’s fate on the word of a woman whomarried a biker with a known violent history and a criminal record?”

Big G heaved a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“This prick is raising my blood pressure with every word out of his mouth,” he muttered.

When Hattie was finished testifying, she returned to her seat by Shepard’s side. Twisting her fingers into her skirt while she chewed her lower lip. I wished I could be the one next to her, so I could envelop her fidgeting hands in mine to calm her down.

I didn’t pay any attention to the rest of the trial. Guilt gnawed at my stomach. She should have come to me. She should have let me handle it. Then we wouldn’t have to be here, dealing with Welch and his smarmy lawyer.

But I understood why she kept it all from me.

Hattie wanted a normal husband. Someone who believed in the justice system. Someone who relied on the cops for protection.

What felt like a lifetime later, court was adjourned for the day. I watched Hattie lean toward Officer Shepard and whisper something. He nodded, taking her by the elbow as she stood. My gaze followed her from the room until she disappeared from view.

Then my phone buzzed with a text. I pulled it from my pocket and glanced at the screen.

Ditched the cop for 5 min. Hurry up.

I was out of my seat in a heartbeat, striding from the room. I scanned the corridor, searching for Hattie. She gestured at me from the opposite end of the hallway, near the door that led to the stairwell. I headed straight for her.

When I was within reach, Hattie grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the stairwell. Her fingertips were light and warm against my pulse. Honey blossom perfume filled my lungs. She peeked around my shoulder and pulled the door shut behind us.

“Officer Shepard is waiting in the lobby. I said I needed to make a pit stop at the ladies room before he takes me back to Connie’s. I don’t think he believed me though.”

“That asshole hurt you,” I said, gruffly.

Hattie’s gaze flicked up to me. I cupped her chin with a firm grasp, searching her face for any signs that Welch had left a scar after he backhanded her like that. All I could see were freckles and the faint lines of crow’s feet fanning out around her eyes. Her pupils darkened, and her throat worked as she swallowed.

“It was months ago, Neil,” she said, barely above a whisper. “I’m fine now.”

“I don’t give a flyingfuck, Hattie.” I traced my thumb over her lower lip. “I wasn’t there when you needed me. That’s unacceptable.”

She sighed.

“I know you can’t get this through your thick skull, but we split up. I wasn’t going to call you out of the blue, over a decade later.”

“Why not?”

She made a noise of frustration.

“Because of what we’re doing right now,” she hissed. “We’re like two goddamn magnets. Every time we’re in the same room, we’re drawn to each other.”

I raised an eyebrow. Was my Hattie thinking about coming back to me after all?

“Stop looking at me like that,” she grumbled.

“Like what?” I prompted.

“Like you’re going to kiss me. I need to keep a clear head. For the trial.”

The trial. Right.

My gaze panned down her body. White blouse, a little snug across her tits. Tight pencil skirt hugging her thick thighs and plump ass.

“Would it be such a bad thing if I kissed my wife?” I countered.