Witness in the Dark (Love Under Fire #1)(79)

“These clothes have all been approved for trial. Choose whatever you want.”

“Approved? By whom?” She didn’t realize there was a dress code.

“By our trial consultants, and our lab guys. You need to look responsible and intelligent. And also stay safe.”

“Lab guys?” She looked toward Angel and Justin. She still wasn’t getting what Hugh meant.

“The garments are made from fabrics that are flame retardant and acid-proof,” Angel said.

“Oh, God.” Acid?

Garrett hadn’t shown her how to fend off an acid attack. She suddenly had trouble breathing.

“Calm down. These are some great outfits,” Hugh said, obviously trying to get her to focus on the idea of new clothes instead of the possibility someone might want to throw acid on her.

Angel stepped in front of her. “Get it together, Hutchinson. You know there’s no way in hell Justin, Thorne, Garrett, or I will ever let anyone near you. You don’t need to worry. We’ve got you covered.”

“Okay.” Since Garrett’s name was thrown into the mix, she asked, “Will Garrett be at the trial?”

“I haven’t seen the schedule yet,” Angel said, then pulled a hanger off the rack. “Hey. This is a nice suit.”

Obviously, Sam would get nothing else out of any of them.

The next morning, she opened the blinds in her room and gazed out over the city as it woke up below her. She showered and dressed in the suit Angel had picked out.

A few days ago, she’d had Angel help dye her hair red again. She hadn’t had it cut, so it was getting longer. She was still fiddling with it when there was a knock at her door.

“Yes?”

“We’ll be leaving in about thirty minutes,” Angel informed her.

Sam studied her own reflection in the mirror. She looked weak and pale in the navy blue suit. Like a little girl who was planning to take on a congressman.

She went to her top dresser drawer for her watch. The fake wedding ring sparkled up from the cubbie next to it. It was the only other piece of jewelry she had.

After a brief hesitation, she slipped the band onto her left ring finger, and squeezed her hand into a fist.

I’m strong. I can do this.

She had to. She’d made it this far. If she turned back now, it would all have been for nothing.

Sparing a glance in the mirror again, she didn’t look any more capable than she had a few minutes ago. Even her pep talk hadn’t helped.

Oh, God. This was too hard. How could she possibly do this? He was a high-ranking government official. She brought people pizza.

She just wanted to hide.

Giving in to the impulse, she slid down to the floor between the bed and the nightstand, and rested her forehead on her knees. Maybe she could hide there from everything. Forever.

The cell phone sitting on the nightstand rang.

She reached up and stared at it for a moment. Her father’s name wasn’t on the screen. But he was the only person who had this number.

Her pulse sped. She answered tentatively, “Yes?”

“Sam.”

She recognized the voice immediately, and her heart took flight.

Oh, God.

“Garrett.”





Chapter Sixty-Five


“How are you?” Sam desperately tried to sound casual, but she was overwhelmed with joy at the sound of Garrett’s voice. She was still sitting on the floor, and let her head fall back against the wall.

“I’m good. How are you?”

“Never better,” she lied.

“Uh-huh, right.” He sounded doubtful. He knew her too well. “I wanted to make sure you were okay, what with the trial starting today. Have they gone over what’s going to happen?”

“Yes. Extensively.” She closed her eyes and pictured him in her mind. She remembered every detail of his face, from the strong jaw to the adorable dimples.

“That’s good. So, you’re prepared to see him.”

“I still need to get into the courtroom alive.”

“They won’t try anything. It would throw too much suspicion on Howe,” he reasoned.

“Right. Because shooting a woman in an alley isn’t nearly enough.”

“It’ll be fine. Don’t worry,” he said.

Empty reassurances. He wasn’t making her feel any better. “Will you be there?” she asked.

“I will. But I probably won’t see you. They usually have law enforcement testify first so we can leave right away.”

“Oh.”

Her hopefulness seeped away. It was stupid to be so disappointed. She would soon be starting her life over. He had his own life to get back to.

Even without all the danger, they wouldn’t have had a chance. Not without some major lifestyle changes. Or a damned miracle.

For a long moment, neither of them said anything. He finally said, “I want to apologize to you.”

“For stealing my necklace?” she joked.

He laughed but turned serious again. “No. For being unprofessional.”

“You weren’t.” He’d been professional to a frightening degree.

“I shouldn’t have…touched you, or—”

“Oh. The sex. It’s okay, I understand. I was scared and you made me feel safe. You were bored and cooped up, and I was there. Like you once said, just a syndrome.” Her stomach twisted at the lies.