Page 23 of The Vow Thief
Lily rolled her eyes.“It was a misunderstanding.”
The attorney’s voice hardened.“And now, while in here, you’ve added three more charges: assaulting two guards, getting into a fight with another inmate, and an attempted escape. The escape alone could bring additional time, and the assault charges will destroy any hope of a lenient sentence.”
“They provoked me,” Lily shot back, her eyes narrowing.“And the escape was a joke. I was testing the system.”
“This is not a game,” the attorney said sharply.“Now there is a new stalking charge, which, combined with the others, paints a very bad picture in court. It shows a pattern, Lily. Judges do not like patterns like this. You are making it harder for me to do my job.”
“You are making it sound worse than it is,” Lily said, her tone sharp.“I was helping. Those children are in danger with her. If you would stop being dramatic and actually defend me, maybe we could get somewhere.”
Her attorney sat back, clearly restraining herself.“Every time you say‘helping,’the paperwork says stalking. That’s what I have to defend in court.”
Lily leaned forward, eyes blazing.“Then work harder. Do your job. I am not staying in here because a jealous wife wants to play the victim.”
The attorney gathered her papers without another word, but Lily caught the flicker of frustration on her face, and she ignored it. She would be out soon. She would make sure of it.
The guard opened the door as the attorney left, holding it halfway.
“Stay put, Thompson. You’ve got another visitor.”
Lily blinked, her heart lurching. Matt. It had to be.
She sat a little taller, brushed her hair behind her shoulders, and straightened her posture as the guard stepped aside.
But when the next figure walked in, tailored suit and calm authority filling the space, her smile froze.
“Mr. Holloway,” she said carefully.“What are you doing here?”
He gestured for her to sit.“Relax, Ms. Thompson. I’m not here as your employer.” He took the chair across from her, immaculate in his navy suit, cuffs gleaming against the institutional gray.“I’m here because I’ve been reading. Your record makes for fascinating bedtime material.”
Lily tilted her chin, forcing a smile.“Everyone makes mistakes.”
He didn’t return it.“You’ve made a career of them. Stalking, breaking and entering, multiple restraining orders. You’re creative, I’ll give you that.”
Her eyes narrowed.“If you came to insult me, you can leave.”
“I came to see the woman who managed to take a partner in my firm, a man with ten years of spotless reputation, and drag his marriage through the mud.” Holloway leaned back, studying her.“Tell me, what’s your endgame?”
“I love him,” she said simply.“Matt loves me.”
“Does he?” Holloway asked, his voice flat.“Because from where I sit, he’s back with his wife, keeping a restraining order on you like a souvenir.”
“He’s protecting her image,” Lily snapped.“You of all people should understand how appearances work. Sarah’s manipulative. He’s afraid of her.”
Holloway let a quiet smile ghost across his face.“You’re dangerous because you believe your own story.”
She leaned forward, lowering her voice to a whisper.“Then bail me out.”
He shook his head.“Lily, your charges are serious. Even I can’t make a felony disappear. And even if I could, I wouldn’t. You’ve become a liability.”
Her smile sharpened.“You’re worried about Matt. You want to know how deep it went.”
“I already know,” Holloway said smoothly.“It went far enough to make you think you mattered.”
He watched her face, then let his voice turn almost casual.“Although… your father could bail you out. Want me to call him?”
The question hit like a slap. For a fraction of a second, something flickered behind her eyes, panic, perhaps, but she masked it quickly, her lips curving into a slow, poisonous smile.
“Now, that’s an interesting idea,” she said lightly.“Maybe while you’re on the phone with him, you can explain why his daughter got a job working for a man who was sleeping with her. I wonder what he’d think of that.”
