Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(48)

I stand in a daze, my fingers touching my lips remembering the kiss we shared and wishing it were me he was tucking in too.

I’m in so much damn trouble.





Nate’s office is exactly what I pictured it to be, which is to say it’s the opposite of Sydney’s. Hers was white with gray furniture, modern décor, and nothing at all overbearing or lawyer-ly. Hers felt like an inviting and clean place where she wants her clients to be calm and open. Whereas everything about Nate’s screams “look at me!”

His desk takes up a third of the room with bookcases lining the back. He has a large, leather wingback chair that’s tufted and dark. There is no art, only his diplomas and a few photos of him with the mayor and other people of the county.

“Do you have any questions?” Nate asks as he turns in his chair to face me.

Sydney taps her pen and then looks to Nate. “What are the safety measures being taken for Hadley upon the reading of the verdict.”

He shakes his head, eyes narrowed at her like she’s being ridiculous. “Really, Syd?”

“Don’t Syd me. If he’s found not guilty or if he’s released until sentencing, do you think he’s going to leave them alone?”

The pit that’s been sitting like a rock in my stomach turns over, sending a new wave of anxiety through me. I really wish Connor were with me, but because he’s also a witness, he isn’t allowed to talk to the prosecution at the same time as I am.

Not like we couldn’t plan some coup if we wanted to since we live in the same house, but whatever.

Nate shifts in his seat and then looks down. “I don’t know. I guess we could happen to have a deputy at the school.”

“I would appreciate that,” I say with a soft smile. “I know this is hard on everyone. It’s a small town, we all know each other.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Sydney cuts me off. “I don’t care if I knew him, you, or anything else. What I saw that night, Ellie . . . well, I want to make sure that this never happens to you again.”

My body feels cold, and I move my hands up and down to try to ward off the chill. I never want to go through it again either. The safety and security I’ve started to become accustom to is going to fade unless he’s found guilty.

On top of that, I’ve been told that the time he’s been held can be used toward time served. Kevin doesn’t have any prior arrests and he isn’t considered to be dangerous. The fact that he was held at all still seems to have Nate and Sydney mystified.

“No one can control that, Syd. My biggest worry is the hearing,” I admit.

Nate sits up straight. “What has you worried?”

The easier question to answer would be what am I not worried about. There is nothing easy about this process. I have no idea what to expect. Sure, they’ve gone over scenarios, but that’s not etched in stone. If Kevin is released, there is no way he’ll let this go. I will have ruined his life, so I’ll have to pay.

He isn’t going to fall at my feet and apologize. We’re serving him with divorce papers, I’m not at his precious house keeping things the way he wants them. Not to mention I haven’t even checked on the farm. For all I know, the workers are stealing cows, and I don’t care.

What I do care about is my and Hadley’s safety. So, yes, I’m worried.

“Everything. But what if they don’t believe the evidence?”

Nate and Sydney share a glance, and then Nathan speaks. “I can’t control the way it goes, God knows I wish I could. What I can do is present the truth in the best way I know how. I’ll paint the picture and hope they see it. That’s why we’re going to have a lot of these talks and a lot of rehashing things. I have four months to build a case.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that they might not believe me.”

Sydney breaks in, gripping my hand in hers. “Your story doesn’t change based on the ending. There is nothing we can do but tell the truth, Ellie. You’re a strong, beautiful woman who has been through hell. You did what you needed to do for Hadley. You showed her what strength and courage looks like. The verdict doesn’t change that. We have a few months to prepare for all of this, so if he is cleared of charges, we’ll have a plan in place to keep you safe.”

A tear falls down my face because those words from her mean everything. I don’t know that I’ll ever believe them, though. For so long, I thought my truth didn’t matter. I saw myself as weak and stupid. No matter what others have said about me, I thought I deserved it.

I knew better than to marry him.

Hell, I slept with another man the night before I married him because a part of me wanted an out. I was too weak to take it.

I got up, got dressed, and left without taking the chance on Connor.

Now look at me.

My fingers swipe at the tears that continue to fall. “I’m so scared.”

“I know you are, but you’re so brave.”

“It’s not just that . . . for so long, he’s been able to make me do whatever he wants. It’s like this sick game that he plays, and it makes me feel stupid and vulnerable and what if he’s let out that day?” I ask. “What then?”

Sydney’s eyes are filled with concern but also determination. “Then we will all be around to make sure you’re safe. Not that you’ll have to worry because Connor will kill anyone who tries to hurt you or Hadley.”