Page 35 of Prey for You

“I am!”

“No, I mean… you’re going to have a huge effect on how this plays out. You need to understand how your phrasing, or sarcasm might read if they use this shit with a jury. You make a snappy come-back, or gush about how hot he is, and they read that back as a transcript in Court… it doesn’t land, you understand me?”

I nodded because I didn’t want him to figure out I wasveryaware of that. But Jeremy’s face got tight.

“Bridget, to anyone from the outside it looked like you sang the praises of the man who may havekilled womenin the past. Do you understand that?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think you do, because you made him sound like someone you trusted.”

“I do trust Sam. Heistrustworthy.”

“Cain isn’t!”

“They weren’t asking about Cain.”

“For fuck’s sake, they’re thesame man!”

“They weren’t in my mind when all this was going on.” I said honestly. “And all their questions were about Sam.”

Jeremy dropped his face into his hands, rubbing his temples. “Okay, so I know you don’t want to, but we’re nipping this in the bud. We’re getting together with the legal team and coaching you on testimony. If you get called in for another deposition, or any interview—anything. You tell mebeforehand.You hear me?”

I shrugged. “Sure.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“That flippant thing.”

“I’m not being flippant. I said I’d do what you asked!”

His jaw went tight then, and that vein on his temple stood out. He leaned into my ear, pointing back towards the conference room.

“You fuck this up for us and you’re only fucking yourself,” he whispered. “I’ve worked myassoff for a decade to keepyousafe. If you’re going to throw it out the window for a fucking felon, that’s onyou.I can save you from a lot, Bridge. But I can’t save you from yourself. You think about that.”

He stood back for one moment, staring down at me, then strode away, leaving me there annoyed and nervous, and pissed off that I was nervous.

Also, evenmoredeterminedto see Sam acquitted.

You there, God? You real? I have my doubts. But here’s your chance. It’s on you to make Sam safe. If anyone deserves it, he does. Even in the middle of this shitshow, he’s still trying to say you’re a good guy. So… prove it. Then maybe we’ll talk.

Then I followed Jeremy and the others out to the parking lot, ignored their farewells, and left.

13. Cornered

~ SAM ~

The past week had been hell. Bridget and I video called every night on the burner phones, but it was like watching a building crumble in slow motion. Bridget cranked tighter every day, spoke less, and the shadows under her eyes grew deeper. If I hadn't known I would see her in the flesh today, I would have given in last night when she wouldn't even flirt with me.

But now I was here and she wasn’t. I was ready to bite something.

We were back in that swanky conference room, but this time it was me sitting in the hot seat, facing the camera, answering the questions. At least, I would be. They were still trying to figure out the mic.

Slumped in the leather upholstered chair, I watched Jeremy, sitting across the table, his face a blank mask. He refused to meet my eyes. But I hadn’t missed that he kept looking at the door. And every time he did, his jaw tightened more.

He didn’t know where she was either.

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