Page 102 of Free to Judge

Despite the one hiccup, the air taking us back to the East Coast devolves into a mostly smooth glide through the sky. That alone should reassure me that life will go on. Instead, it just reiterates the very simple fact that a small glitch can cause this flying air trap to plummet to the ground at any second.

Right along with the shredded remains of my heart.

As we approach our final destination, the captain requests that we buckle up. Moments later, the plane glides into a smooth landing, but my head is still up in the clouds. Being back on terrafirma doesn’t mean anything more other than I can no longer escape the truth as my tablet goes crazy.

Declan is trending in the news. Again. Another one of his cases is about to come before a judge.

Good to see he’s back to work. Nothing breaks his stride.

Not even losing me.

I click on one of them before I can stop myself. Funny, for a man who has been texting me non-stop for the last two weeks, he doesn’t look any worse for the wear. In fact, there are an awful lot of shots to prove him as the professional liar I know him to be. The best feeling in the world is falling in love. The worst? Watching it unravel before your eyes, not knowing what you did to precipitate it.

If there was something you could have done differently.

Slamming the device into the open seat next to me, Peter looks up from the contract he’s been reading. “You okay?”

The firming of my lips is answer enough. His hand captures my hand beneath his. “I got you, Kalie.”

Tears prick my eyes as I stare into his familiar golden eyes. “I’m so grateful you were there for me.”

“I hope to God you’ll never have to do this for me. Falling in love sucks.”

At his raw honesty, I scoff. “That’s the truth.”

“I think I’ll put that off for the foreseeable future, thanks.”

“Still, if you ever do, I’ve got your back.”

Once we’re safe to remove our seatbelts, he sweeps me into his arms for a hug. “I know.”

Sniffling into his shoulder, I choke out, “Thank you.” For a few minutes, nobody says anything. Finally, Uncle Jared murmurs, “If we’re going to be on time tonight, we need to get going.”

Right. The Fair Harvard Reunion. A party I’ve not missed since I graduated Harvard Law.

Snatching my carry-on with one hand, Peter guides me off the plane and into the waiting car. “Let’s get out of here before I’m spotted.”

I follow without protest. Once, I would have thrown out some snarky comment about the size of his ego matching the size of his dick—lacking. But right now, I don’t have the energy to jump into going shot for shot with someone I’m as close with as a brother.

Once we’re on the way toward Tribeca, my cousin demands, “Now that we’re alone, do you think Declan is going to show up for the party tonight?”

I shake my head no.

His brow skyrockets. “You really think he’s done with you?”

“No. I’m certain he’s going to try to approach me there.”

“Even if it means blowing his cover?”

I nod. Then I hold out the phone to show him Declan’s latest message that appeared the moment I turned my phone back on.

Declan:

I’m coming for you, my firebrand. I won’t let you go.

Peter doesn’t say another word until we’re safely ensconced in my parents’ Tribeca condo. I tense, knowing what he’s going to ask—knowing I’ve run out of time.

“This has gone on long enough. Are you in love with Declan?”