Page 34 of Don't Speak
“And that was the age you made claims that the defendant began sexually assaulting you?
“That is correct. Until I was fourteen.”
“And what were some of the things he would make you do?
“Most of the time, he would touch me in private areas, and he would make me perform oral on him.”
“And can you tell the jury what he would make you say if you told anyone?”
“He would tell me that he would kill my mom.” She says that as she looks directly at the jury.
The prosecutor asks her more questions. Some about her mother, some about her abuse, but then he moves on to a topic I didn’t see coming.
“So it is my understanding that after making the claims the defendant was sexually abusing you, that you recanted everything you said.”
“That is correct.” She looks down at her hands, which by the movement of her arms, she seems to be fidgeting with.
My heart drops. How does this help Charlie’s case?
“Can you tell us why you lied?”
“When subpoenas were being sent out for court appearances, my mother knew she was going to get one. At the time, we had been living with my grandparents, and I had a friend whose parents offered for me to come live with them so that I could attend high school in the city where I had been established the longest. I was going into 9th grade, and I wanted to start high school with my friends. She knew this and used it to persuade me to recant my statement. I had notified my mother of the abuse years prior, and she didn’t take any action to protect me. Knowing that I wouldn’t want her to go to prison, she bribed and guilt-tripped me. Go back and lie to protect her, and I could go live with my friend and her family for high school. Being a fourteen-year-old girl who thought hermom still hung the moon despite everything, I chose to take the offer, fearing my mother would go to jail, and I’d end up having to go live with my dad.”
“So, had your mother not bribed you with a deal you couldn’t refuse, you wouldn’t have gone back and lied, correct?”
“Objection,” the defense attorney states. “Speculation.”
“Overruled. I’ll allow it. Please, answer the question, Nikki.”
“No, I wouldn’t have. I would have gone through with the charges.”
“No further questions, your honor.”
After the testimonies have finished and the evidence has been shown, the jury is sent away to deliberate. We’re given a short recess, and the courtroom clears out. Nikki exits ahead of me, and I slowly follow behind her. She makes her way to the bathroom, and from there, the vending machine. I stand far enough away for her not to notice me and far enough that others won’t think I’m a creeper.
I can’t help but just look at her. She wears a beautiful black cocktail dress with black heels. She’s currently looking at her phone, her hair falling in a halo around her face. She brushes it back with her fingers, and my lip twitches up. She’s just breathtaking. A part of her calls to me in a way I haven’t felt before. Her brokenness calls to mine, like two soulmates reuniting after years spent apart. I have this overwhelming need to make her mine, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
After hours of deliberation, the jury returns with its verdict. Guilty. On all counts. Twenty-five years without the possibility of parole. Good. May he rot in prison. I hope the other inmates find out quickly what he’s in for. I know they’ll take real good care of him there.
Nikki cries in relief. I know the pain she feels, and that the severe regret of not going through with her charges eats at her. Had she, my sister could be alive. Do I blame her? No. She wasjust a kid. One who was manipulated by the one person put here to protect her the most. And I understand that about her.
I know Charlie would be happy that her story was heard. That she helped save who knows how many other victims he could have had. She’s probably celebrating—wherever she is. I’m not the religious type, but I like to think our loved ones still have a way of looking down on us. Wherever that may be.
Once the courtroom is cleared out, I make my way to my car. From a distance, I watch Nikki get into hers. She calls someone on the phone, presumably telling them about the verdict. She puts her car in drive and pulls away, but not before I snag the license plate number.
This woman fascinates me. To be so strong yet so broken at the same time. We are one and the same. I’ve felt so alone since my sister was taken from me, and I have a feeling she feels lonely too. I haven’t been able to connect with anyone emotionally, the rage of my sister’s death consuming the majority of my being. But Nikki… There's something about her. Something I am desperately craving to explore. We have a connection no one else could possibly understand. She doesn’t know it yet, but she will.
I will make this woman mine. No matter how long it takes.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
I feel Nikki jolt awake, her body covered in sweat. I don’t think my presence quite keeps them all away, but this is the first one that she’s had in a few days. It’s been that long since the news about Ben broke. She spent them calling the other employees to tell them and making sure that Sarah had everything she needed. The bar has been closed this entire time as well, but it’s opening again in two days. I need to make sure I take her to do something nice before then. She hasn’t smiled since she heard the news.
Part of me feels guilty. The person who is the cause of this pain for her is sleeping in her bed. If she ever found out, shewouldn’t forgive me, and I know I won’t be able to keep the truth from her for much longer. I’m just not ready to ruin this yet. I know it’s selfish to continue on like this, but these last few weeks with her have been the best I have had in years. This closeness with her, this connection I know she’s beginning to feel. It’s intoxicating, and the high I am riding is one I don’t want to end. I don’t want to feel the emptiness I felt before I found her again. I can’t go back to that. I was a broken shell of a man, and now? Now, I feel like I’m beginning to find peace.
“I-I’m sorry if I woke you. I had… a nightmare,” she says quietly, as though she’s embarrassed.
“You don’t have to apologize for having a nightmare, little lioness,” I reply, pulling her close into my chest and giving her a tight squeeze. “It’s over now. You’re safe with me.”
