Page 144 of Anything To Be With You

"A new judge. Judge Sandford." Mark says. "I’ve never met her, so I can’t tell you which way she’s going to lean."

"And I'm taking over as your acting lawyer." Luke chimes in.

"Why?" I ask.

"A family matter has come up and I need to deal with it," Mark says.

I narrow my eyes. "Really?"

"Truly." Mark says, placing his hand over his heart. "I would never leave in the middle of a case but this is something that needs to be handled asap."

"Mark has sent me everything regarding your case," Luke says. "Including the videos from that night."

I take a deep inhale. "Guess I have no choice."

Luke squats in front of me. "I've got you, Sweetheart. You've got nothing to worry about. I promise."

Two hours later, we are back in the courtroom waiting for the new judge. This time though, we are joined by my parents and the Whitlock’s.

"I really don’t think Mason should be allowed to testify. He never had a chance to get to know his father. To see what a sweet and loving man he is," Helen announces to the room. "Mason only saw what Daniella brings out in Joshua."

I open my mouth to say something when Luke grips my knee. "Don’t you dare. If you lash out, they’ll use that against you." He whispers against my ear, causing a wave of heat to wash over my skin.

His hand lingers a second too long and Gabe leans around me with a knowing smirk. "Dude, stop feeling up your client under the table." He whispers, making me snort and Luke crack a smile.

"You’re just mad it’s not you." Luke whispers back.

"Damn right I am! Dani girl, would you be a dear and grab my phone from my pants pocket," Gabe says.

I slap a hand over my mouth to mute the sound of my giggles.

"Your phone’s on the table, moron." Mason states from behind us. "I’m sitting behind a bunch of perverts, getting scarred for life."

That gets us all laughing.

A door opens to our left and the new judge steps out. She’s young. Maybe late thirties. Josh curse under his breath as she takes a seat and turns to John who's looking a little flushed.

"I can tell by the looks on your faces that there is some confusion as to why I’m here and Judge Rye is not," she moves around some papers. "Judge Rye has suffered a heart attack and has been taken to the hospital. I am his replacement, Judge Sandford."

She looks up from the papers in front of her. "I see that this case has been added to a countersuit. I will address the original case after this one, so that we don’t have to set another date." She motions to the stand. "Mason," she calls.

Mason stands and walks with more confidence than before. He sits and looks to Judge Sandford.

"I see from the record that you were in the middle of your testimony, but I am going to ask you to start from the beginning." She smiles at him, and he relaxes.

Mason begins, answering Mr. Sayer’s questions without hesitation.

"No further questions, Your Honor." Mr. Sayer says, sitting next to Josh.

Judge Sandford stares at Josh. "You attacked the mother of your child!" she says aghast.

"Only to defend myself," Josh says.

"Defend yourself? You’re a good foot taller than her and a hundred pounds heavier and you had to defend yourself." She shakes her head.

"I didn’t want to," Josh implores, looking over at me. "I’m still in love with Dani."

Judge Sandford gives him a look of disbelief. "Moving on. Mr. Archer, if you will."

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