Page 32 of Twisted Betrayal

Finally, the judge called a recess until the next morning.After the judge left, Gloria was led out of the courtroom.The woman hadn’t caught sight of them yet and wondered how she would take it when she did.She’d see they were closer than ever and she hadn’t done the damage she thought she had.

Rick helped her into the car.She sighed and leaned back against the headrest.

“How about we grab some tacos and take them home?”Rick asked.

She turned her head and smiled.A minute before, food had been the last thing on her mind.“That sounds wonderful.”

She wasn’t that hungry, but she knew she had to eat something, and she didn’t feel like cooking.

They went to a drive-thru.After he had paid, Rick handed her the sack of tacos.The aroma made her stomach cramp with hunger.By the time Rick got them home, she was salivating.

The two ate in silence for a few minutes.Riley rolled her wrapper into a ball.“I’m going to head up and take a bath.”

Rick nodded.“Good.You look like you need it.I’ll be up to check on you in a bit.”

“All right.”She kissed the top of his head as she passed him.

The hot, fragrant water settled any more tension she’d accumulated from the stressful day.

“Hey, now, don’t fall asleep,” Rick said.

She grinned and opened her eyes.“I won’t.”

Rick sat on the toilet seat and rested his elbows on his knees.“Are you sure you want to do this again tomorrow?”

As much as she dreaded it, she needed to do this for herself.“Yes.”

He nodded.“All right.How about we go to bed early?We can watch something on TV before we go to sleep.”

“I’d like that.I don’t think I have the energy for much more than that.”

He grinned and reached for a towel.“I can see that.”He reached into the water and pulled the plug before helping her to her feet.He dried her off.“Brush your teeth while I turn down the covers and turn the TV on.”

Riley brushed and walked into the bedroom to see Rick holding the blanket up.

“Hop in.I’m going to shower, and then I’ll be in bed.”

After tucking the blanket up under her chin, he handed her the remote.Riley clicked on a few channels but didn’t have any interest in anything.

Rick came back in and turned off the lights before dropping his towel and sliding into bed.He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.“You didn’t find anything.”

She shook her head and yawned.“No.I thought you could.I don’t think I’m going to be awake much longer.”

He chuckled.“I’d bet money on it.”He pressed a sweet kiss to her lips.

She was out before he decided what to watch.The next day was as grueling as the last, but at least it looked like it would be the last day of the trial.

Riley watched Gloria’s face as she caught sight of them for the first time.The pure disbelief, and then what looked like fury in the woman’s eyes, made Riley stiffen.She knew Rick had caught the look, too, when his arm around her tightened and brought her closer to his body.

When the verdict was read, Riley felt she should have felt a bit of pity, but instead she felt triumphant.The woman had tried to hurt her but had completely failed, and it had backfired on her.

She would now have at least a decade to think about how badly she screwed up.

---