Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(28)

Connor’s eyes meet mine, and then he steps in. “You mean Mr. Walcott. The man who beat his wife, broke three of her ribs, and put that bruise on her cheekbone, right?”

Nate bristles and then clears his throat. “Yes, I apologize, Ellie, this is all a bit strange. I knew you and Kevin argued, but I didn’t know it was physical. We’re going to ask that the court keep him until the trial for your and Hadley’s safety. The verdict will likely depend on the report that Sheriff Mendoza submitted and the statements you make today.”

“What kind of statements?”

“I don’t understand all of this . . .” I confess. “I know Sheriff Mendoza explained it, but honestly, it’s just too overwhelming. I’m . . . sorry . . . I shouldn’t be this confused.”

“Don’t be sorry. You’ve been through a lot, so I’m happy to explain it. Today is to show the judge we have enough of a case to go to trial. If he doesn’t think I have enough evidence, which we one hundred percent do, then he could dismiss it. It’s why it was imperative you come.”

All of this is so paralyzing. Not only am I still reeling from the entire thing but also I now have to go before the judge and look at the man who hurt me. I have to relive it in front of people, and this is the preliminary. I’ll have to do it again if this goes to trial.

Connor nods and clenches his jaw. “What are you asking for, Nate?”

Nate puffs his chest out a bit and then turns to me. “What do you want, Ells? I can push for him to be detained or is there going to be someone who will post bail?”

“I don’t want him released if that’s what you’re asking.”

They can’t let him go free. If they do—he’ll kill me and Hadley.

There’s no way he’s going to let us go.

My heartbeat accelerates, and I shake so hard I worry I’ll knock my teeth out. I assumed that beating his wife would mean he wouldn’t be let go. Where will I go? Where will Hadley and I hide from him?

“Ellie?” Connor steps in front of me, moving me back a few steps. “Ellie, calm down.”

My chest hurts, but I can’t get a grip. I see his eyes as he moved toward me and feel the way my body couldn’t recover from Kevin’s kick. I live it right here, as though it’s all happening again.

I push Connor off me, my hands raised as I move to run.

I need to get Hadley and get the hell out of here. I was so stupid. I should’ve run before this.

“Ellie, listen to me . . .” Connor says with his hands in the air, moving slowly. “Right now, we have to go in there and tell the judge why he can’t be released, okay? If you don’t do that, then we have a whole other plan. He will not get near you or Hadley. Do you hear me? He won’t even be able to take a step in your direction. I will be right beside you.”

He doesn’t understand that I can’t do this. “I have to leave.”

“If you leave, he walks,” Nate says with an intensity in his voice I’ve never heard. “I know you’re freaking out right now, but I’m going to ask for an outrageously high cash bail, which means he can’t be released unless he has the money in hand or someone willing to pay it for him.”

I laugh and shake my head. “You don’t get it. I don’t know what funds he has, Nate. I have no access to our accounts. I have no idea if there’s some bank account, ready to send it over if they allow it. I was given a stipend to buy groceries and that’s all of the money I ever saw. He could have millions and I wouldn’t know it. He’s mentioned the farm making profits the last few years. He got an inheritance on top of the farmlands. I have no idea! I don’t even know what he has!”

The admission of my life makes me feel sick, but there it is, a truth that I can’t pretend isn’t there. Kevin could have money flowing out of his ass, and I wouldn’t have a clue. He could write them a check today and be back at the house, and then what?

Nate makes a noise through his teeth. “Ellie, he would have to have that cash on him.”

“He can’t wire it or get his hands on it?” Connor steps in.

“No, but that’s not to say he can’t have someone post bail.”

I can’t stay in this town if he knows I’m leaving him. He’ll hunt me down and that’ll be the end.

It doesn’t matter what kind of protection that Connor thinks he can provide by being around us.

“You can’t control the outcome.” Connor gently cups my cheeks, forcing me to look at him. His green eyes are filled with understanding and promise. “You can only do this one step at a time. Hadley is safe. She’s in school, and the deputy there is watching over her. Right now, you have to go on the stand and explain why he can’t be released. If you don’t and you run instead, you’ll be running forever, Ellie. Trust me, it will never end until you face it. You can do this for yourself and for Hadley.”

I try to steady my breath and focus on him. He’s right. I have to do it. I need to stand up for myself and for Hadley. She’s what matters and I need to show why doing what I did was necessary.

“Okay,” I say with a shaky voice.

Nate steps closer. “I’ll do everything I can to get us the outcome we want.”

“Thank you.” I shake my head, willing away the tears, and walk into the courthouse with Connor and Nate on each side, praying I can do this.