Page 57 of Prey for You

The good news was, I still had contacts that would know what was going on behind those walls. Discerning men who wouldn’t fall for deception, and who wouldn’t lie to me. They’d tell me if it was a ploy. If Reynolds had a scheme going—or if he really had been showing signs of change.

And whether he was dying, or not.

No wonder Bridget had been such a basket case, trying to process this alone. Damn…

My mind filled with the images of her spread out on that bed in front of me, but I didn’t want to focus on the passion. Notjustthe passion.

Because I could also see all those video calls where her eyes were dark and hollow. Or her mind was clearly somewhere else.

Had she told Gerald about the letter? Was that why he pushed?

Where the fuck did he get off? I didn’t care how educated the man was, he was dealing with a criminal—a murderer. And Gerald thought Bridget could just waltz in there and start healing?

No fucking way.

I was all for forgiveness and peace. And if Gordon Reynolds wanted that, I’d encourage her to grasp it. But now wasnotthe time.

And he invited her to the Christmas party? That was fucked up.

The question was, was it just a stupid, ignorant move from a man who’d never learned how to heal a relationship? I’d seen plenty of those in my time ministering to prisoners.

Or was it a manipulation from a power-hungry crime boss whose daughter was getting some attention and he wanted to draw the spotlight back on himself?

I didn’t know.

But I would find out. And if it turned out that fucker was trying to insert himself into her life for his own gain, I wouldburn him the fuck down.Even if I had to go back inside to do it.

My wife had been through enough.

Present Day

(The Trial)

19. The Downhill Slide

~ BRIDGET ~

After my bombshell about the marriage and the Judge’s recess, we were called back into the courtroom at 2 p.m.sharp. Everyone was so cold, it felt like a walk-in freezer.

My lawyers hadn’t spoken to me. They were too busycleaning up my mess,according to Jeremy, who’d first ripped me a new asshole for not telling him, or them, about Sam. Then hovered over me like an angry father while we waited to find out what was happening.

I thought that would be the end of it. I didn’t think they’d call me back to the stand. But I was nervous. Jeremy said it served me right.

When we’d all risen for the entrance of the judge, she gave me a single, dark look, then acted like I wasn’t there.

“I will address the court and the jury for the purposes of clarifying our current situation before the witness is called,” she said in a cold, perfunctory tone, flipping through pages of a file on her desk. “We have established thatbothlegal teams were unaware of the marital status of the accused and the witness. However, having looked into the precedent, and questioned both legal representatives, we are all in agreement that we can continue with this case without delay. Counsel, please stand and speak for the record if that is your position.”

Both lead attorneys stood up from behind their tables and nodded to the Judge.

“Yes, your Honor.”

“Yes, your Honor.”

“Very good, then in that case, the prosecution may call their witness.”

“The prosecution calls Bridget Reynolds to the stand.”

There was a hum of startled conversation. I froze. How did they think I could still testify? But when I looked at Jeremy, he just shook his head and nudged my elbow, lifting his chin towards the aisle.

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