Page 104 of We Are Yours

“Isla,” his lawyer announced. “You were a witness to this crime?”

“Yeah.” I spoke the truth.

“Why am I just now hearing about this?”

“I… I…”

“She’s protecting him, Mark. It’s that simple.”

“It’s not about protection, Julius. I just didn’t want to say something that could hinder his case.”

“That’s the definition of protection, Isla.”

“Julius, please don’t?—”

“I don’t want to be involved in this moment between the two of you, so I’m just going to cut to the chase. What you say to me stays between us. Even if you do say something that could hurt his case, we can use it to our advantage. If they want to play dirty, we can go as far as adding you to the appeal to show trauma from what you witnessed. If we can prove Justin started the fight, and Kraven was simply defending himself, we have a defense there.”

“Okay,” I responded, on edge.

Pulling out a tape recorder, he set it on his desk. “This is only for me, but I need you to tell me everything that happened that night, beginning with what started it.”

Through the corner of my gaze, I watched Julius listen to every word I confessed as if it tasted like pure vinegar.

Once I finished, his lawyer insisted, “This is good. This works in our favor, guys.” He stood. “I’m going to go discuss this with my partner. I’ll be right back.”

After he left, Julius asked, “Was this the first time you screamed out his name, Kitty?”

He had never called me that.

“Was this the first time you spoke?”

Unable to speak, I nodded.

“You’re speechless now? How convenient. You know, the only times we argue are when it comes down to you and Kraven.”

“I didn’t think?—”

“You’re right, you didn’t.”

I grimaced, not trying to hide it. “I don’t know what I can say or do to make this better, but please know that I tried my best to stop what was happening between Justin and Kraven, and it’s the only reason I talked to Kraven first. If it wasn’t for them fighting, it would have been you.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“No… yes… maybe…”

“You’re protecting him, and I’m over it. I have no idea how I’m going to get him out of this one, and a huge part of me wants him to pay his own consequences. I’m exhausted from having to cover his ass and save him yet again. I’m suffering the repercussions of his bullshit, and I struggle with giving a shit.”

“Julius, you don’t mean that. You’re just upset, and you have every right to be.”

“Kraven has no idea the shitstorm he’s started. If we can’t find Joe, he’s stuck there until the judge changes the order, and you know how that goes… He could be stuck in there for months, regardless of him turning eighteen next month.”

“I know this doesn’t excuse anything because violence never does, but Kraven was just defending me. Justin wouldn’t let up. It’s almost like this was his plan all along.”

“Yeah, well, Justin and Kraven have a long history of getting to each other.”

“Yeah, Kraven told me why.”

He eyed me cautiously. “It’s just a rumor.”