Unlawful Justice

by K. Langston

His head snaps up. “Why?” he grinds out. “Why didn’t you leave? Why the fuck did you stay?”

  I tamp down my emotions and square my shoulders. “Because it’s about me, and I have a right to know.”

  “You didn’t need to hear that shit,” he says roughly, making me flinch again. “Can you honestly tell me you feel better knowing that?”

  I swallow past the tears threatening to fall, hating how angry and upset he is. “In a way, yes, I do. Leaving what he said to my imagination isn’t good either. Does it hurt to hear? Of course, but it’s not the worst that’s been done to me, and it hurts me more to know he said it to you. That you had to hear that.”

  “Jesus, Liv, this isn’t about my feelings, this is about yours.”

  “Your feelings always matter to me,” I whisper.

  He stops pacing, his body instantly deflating. With a heavy breath he takes a seat on the bench, his head in his hands.

  Swiping the few tears that have managed to escape, I walk over and stand in front of him, placing my hand on his tense shoulder. “Grayson, please talk to me.”

  His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me between his parted legs, forehead resting on my stomach. “I never wanted you to hear those words.” The despair in his voice is heartbreaking.

  My fingers thread through his hair as I hold him close. “I know you didn’t, but you can’t protect me from this. The damage has been done, and no matter how hard it is to hear, I’m strong enough. I can handle it. As long as I have you I can handle anything,” I add quietly.

  “I know. I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just…I want this shit to be over with.”

  “Me, too. But as bad as that was to go through I do think it was necessary. I know the trial isn’t over yet, but today was definitely not in his favor.”

  He remains quiet, his arms holding me tight as we both seek comfort in one another.

  Pap and Carol walk out of the courtroom, breaking up our moment.

  “Everything okay out here?” Pap asks.

  He’s upset about what just happened, but I can tell he’s trying to hide it for my sake.

  Before I can answer, Grayson stands. “Yeah. We’re good.” He slings an arm around my shoulders and presses his lips to my temple. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

  Just before we walk out I inhale a deep breath, bracing myself for what I know I’m about to encounter.

  Animosity, contempt, and hate.

  As we exit out of the building, chaos assaults my ears—loud and grueling. I get the urge to run, but Grayson and Pap come to an abrupt stop.

  “Well I’ll be damned.”

  Pap’s words pull my attention to him. “What is it?”

  I follow his hand as he lifts it to point out over the divided crowd. A gasp escapes me as I look beyond the two angry groups and see a third. They stand silent, yet their presence is just as powerful. Some are holding signs that read:

  WE STAND TOGETHER.

  PEACE and LOVE.

  RISE ABOVE the HATE.

  My heart soars when I scan their faces. Gwen and Jack are standing next to Fletcher. Mr. Jefferson also stands among them, along with so many other familiar faces. Everyone we used to be so close with, but I thought we lost after what happened to Jamal. The one person I notice most though, the one standing in front of the group smiling back at me with profound love and conviction is…Tania.

  Pulling free from Grayson, I rush down the steps, my eyes fixed solely on her. I don’t even try to fight the steady stream of tears pouring down my face as pure joy fills my heart.

  “Liv, wait,” Grayson yells before catching up, following close behind with one hand on my lower back. “Be careful. Stay close to me.”

  Slowing down, I smile up at him and nod. He responds with one of his own then helps me make my way beyond the barriers, police, and National Guard until I’m standing in front of my best friend.

  Pride beams from her beautiful face. “Hey. Sorry I didn’t make it inside.” She shrugs. “I was busy roundin’ folks up to support my girl.”

  A laugh tumbles from my lips, but it quickly turns into a sob as I throw my arms around her. “I can’t believe you did this.”

  She squeezes me tight, bringing her mouth to my ear so I can hear her over the roaring crowd. “This is how it should be, Liv. Peace and love.”

  “Thank you. Just…thank you!”

  “I always got you, girl.”

  “And I always got you.”

  “I know.”

  Pulling back, I wipe away my tears before moving on to Fletcher, and everyone else, trying to wrap them in a group hug. “Thank you, thank you so much for being here and doing this.”

  “Thank you, Olivia,” Gwen says. “You were right at the diner. We all lost track of what’s important. We just want to be there for you. All of us,” she adds, looking over at Fletcher.

  “Thank you,” I say again, my chest filling with incredible warmth.

  Grayson shakes their hands next, and I look over to see Pap talking with Mr. Jefferson, giving him a friendly handshake and clap on the shoulder. Ignoring everyone else, I gaze at the people before me, amazed at how they all came together.

  Unity.

  It’s exactly what we needed. And for the first time since this mess began, I start to think that maybe everything will be okay after all.

  CHAPTER 25

  WHEN COURAGE OUTSHINES FEAR

  A secret POV

  I walk out the back doors of the empty school, the last of my teammates driving away along with the coach. Or so I thought. But when I round the corner to the parking lot I see De’Shawn Miller and two other guys from his crew.

  I’ve been trying to lay low, keeping my distance from them as much as possible. Which hasn’t been hard since I wasn’t friends with them to begin with. Hell, a few months ago I would’ve never been caught dead associating with these assholes. It wasn’t until Jamal got caught up in their shit that I was dragged into it.

  All because I couldn’t tell my best friend no.

  He needed me so I was there for him. It turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life and it cost him his.

  The last few weeks have been hell. Ever since the day I saw Reggie picking up De’Shawn from school and they told me what they were going to do to Miss Bradshaw, I’ve been consumed with guilt, knowing my call didn’t make it on time. I spent too much time debating whether to make the call or not, and now I have to live with that for the rest of my life. Continuing to keep this secret makes me no better than any of them.

  But I don’t know what to do.

  If I tell someone, then I’m putting my own life at risk. Reggie may be locked up right now but his orders are still being carried out from beyond those prison walls. His crew is still running drugs. They’ve taken to stealing what they need in surrounding towns in order to lay low, but it’s still business as usual.

  Yeah, if I rat them out I’m as good as dead, but some days I wonder if it won’t happen anyway. Because God knows if they don’t kill me, the guilt eating away at me will.

  The three of them stand huddled together, looking down at something between them, laughing. “Man, she put up a good fight. Who knew she had it in her.”

  My stomach recoils at the remark. I have no idea what they’re talking about, and I really don’t want to know either. I quickly move on, hoping to escape without them noticing me.

  I should’ve known better.

  “Sup, man.” I look over at De’Shawn. An arrogant smirk tilts his mouth, one I want to smash in on a daily basis. “Get over here and take a look at this. I feel bad you got left out of all the fun.”

  “Sorry, but I gotta get home.”

  He watches me carefully. “It’ll only take a minute.”

  I want to tell him to fuck off, but I’m weak. I’m a coward and they all know it.

  His grin spreads as I make my way over, obeying the order, but his calculating stare still makes me nervous. I try to relax my pounding
heart and keep cool.

  “What?” I ask hesitantly, walking over.

  De’Shawn looks over at one of the others who holds a phone. “Hit play. Show him.”

  A cold chill races down my spine and I get the feeling I’m not going to like this.

  I was right.

  The sound of her screams hit me first. It takes a minute for everything to come into focus, but there, on video, is Miss Bradshaw being beaten and—nausea rolls in my belly—raped. The shaky images and her begging for them to stop, sends bile to rise in my tight throat.

  “You recorded it,” I mumble, barely able to get the words out.

  I look just off to the side of it, unable to stomach any more.

  “Yeah, man.” De’Shawn laughs.

  I have no idea if he’s laughing because he enjoyed what he did to her or the fact that he knows this is making me sick to watch.

  Knowing him, probably both.

  My fists clench, blood roaring in my ears.

  “You think Reggie will get off?” One of them asks.

  “Dude…the mothafuckin’ NAACP is backing his ass. Fuck, yeah, he’ll get off. Besides, they ain’t got shit on him but a necklace, and the stupid bitch says she recognized his voice. There were four of us there, how can she be so sure?”

  The thought has fear gripping my chest because I know he’s right. Reggie will most likely get off, and when he does I know he’ll finish what he started with Miss Bradshaw.

  I can’t let that happen.

  If they kill me for it, then so be it. Death will be a hell of a lot better than carrying this burden of guilt.

  CHAPTER 26

  Olivia

  “Liv, babe, you ready?” Grayson calls from the living room as I finish wrapping up the small gift on the bed.

  “Just a minute.” Butterflies dance in my tummy as I finish with the last of the tape, uncertainty making its way inside my head.

  What if he thinks it’s dumb? Or too girly?

  Usually, I’m confident in my jewelry-making abilities, but I’ve never made something for a guy before. Especially one I love. Well except Pap when I was little, but that’s different. He loved all of my creations no matter what, even when they were heart shaped with pink and purple beads.

  Of course I didn’t do that for Grayson.

  His is much more…masculine. I’ve never seen him wear anything other than a watch, but it does have meaning so maybe he will wear this.

  Just quit stalling and get it over with already.

  I take a deep breath and walk out of the room, holding my surprise behind my back. Grayson looks up from his phone, pocketing it as I approach. His eyes roam my body from head to toe, taking in my cream, lace dress and brown cowgirl boots. My body flushes, the heat of his gaze warming me from the inside out.

  “Hi,” I say, my voice cracking.

  “Damn, you look good.” He stalks toward me with a predatory gait before taking me in his arms. “Real fucking good.” The words come out on a hungry growl before he claims my mouth in a passionate kiss.

  I wrap my arms around his neck on a soft whimper when his delicious taste floods my senses.

  “Sorry it took me so long.” I breathe.

  “Don’t worry about it. It was worth the wait.”

  Smiling back at him, I look into his beautiful blue eyes, eyes that undoubtedly hold the key to my soul. “Well, I’m glad you think so, but my outfit isn’t what took me so long.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. I have something for you.”

  One brow lifts with curiosity. “For me?”

  “Yep.” I tap his shoulder. “Put me down, and I’ll give it to you.”

  A scowl takes over his face, not happy at all with that idea. However, he does as I say anyway, but not without brushing his lips over mine one last time, eliciting a stampede of emotions with that heavy dose of nervousness leading the way.

  Once he places me back on my feet, I hand him the small, wrapped gift.

  “You got me a present?”

  I nod.

  Confusion bunches his brows. “Why?”

  “Because I wanted to.” His expression softens with my admission. “Go ahead. Open it.”

  I chew my thumbnail as he unwraps it, digging the toe of my boot into the carpet. When he gets to the small brown box, I have the urge to rip it back out of his hand and say, just kidding!

  But instead, my apprehension completely takes over. “I hope you like it, but if not it’s okay…”

  He ignores my chatter and opens the box, removing the thick, black leather band bound together by a silver fishing hook. Reaching over, I unhook it and open it up to show him the carving hidden inside.

  TRUTH & JUSTICE

  “You made this for me?” he asks quietly, his gaze fixed on the words as he affectionately brushes his thumb across them. But judging from the indifferent expression on his face, I can’t tell whether he likes it or not.

  “Yeah. The fishing hook is for our time together at the cabin. And the words… Well, I know it’s not exactly what your father said to you. I couldn’t fit them all, but I figured this was just as good.” I pause, still trying to gauge his reaction. “It’s my first one. I’ve never carved leather before. After I found the right tools it turned out to be easier than I thought. And the fishing hook was easy, too.” I cut my hand through the air. “Anyway, you don’t have to wear it at all. You can just keep it with you, or at your house, or…wherever.” I clear my throat.

  Lord, I sound like a blabbering fool.

  “I wanted you to have something of your dad and well, me too, and maybe—”

  My useless words are cut off with a gasp as he scoops me up off my feet again and turns me to pin me against the wall next to us. My legs automatically wrap around his waist, as if they were made to fit in that spot alone. He watches me for a moment, his gaze penetrating, harboring an emotion I can’t name. Then, ever so slowly, his mouth descends on mine, and he kisses me in a way that I’ve never been kissed before.

  Not even by him.

  His soft, wet tongue meets mine in a sensual dance of love and adoration, with a strong degree of deep appreciation.

  After he’s kissed me thoroughly, he reluctantly lifts his mouth from mine, allowing me to catch my breath. “Does that mean you like it?” I ask, completely breathless, craving more of that kiss.

  He chuckles but it dies quickly on his lips before his expression turns somber. “Yeah, baby. I love it. No one has ever given me anything like this before.”

  Warmth invades my chest and I smile. “Really?”

  His forehead gently drops to mine, eyes falling closed. “Yeah, really.”

  “Good. I’m glad. I noticed you don’t wear anything other than a watch, so it’s okay if you don’t want to wear it. I just—”

  He cuts me off with another kiss, this one more demanding.

  Possessive.

  “I want to wear it.”

  Placing me back on my feet, he hands me the wristband, allowing me to put it on him. Once the hook is in place I stare down at it, feeling a surge of pride at how good it looks on him and how much he really likes it.

  “It’s pretty badass, huh?” I say, releasing his wrist.

  He laughs and swoops in, claiming my lips with yet another fiery kiss. “Major badass.”

  I giggle but it turns into a moan when his tongue sweeps in, tangling hungrily with mine.

  With a growl he pulls away—much too soon—then takes my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here before I lift up this sexy dress of yours and fuck you senseless.”

  Oh God.

  The thought has heat exploding throughout my body, my cheeks flushing at his raw declaration.

  Grayson looks over his shoulder, tossing me that sexy grin of his. “Later, baby. I promise.”

  *

  We arrive at Tucker’s a half hour later and find it packed. The local watering hole is secluded, located just on the edge of town off I-40, but it stays fairly busy. It’
s been a while since I’ve been here. Tania and I had some good times at this place, dancing and drinking the night away. More dancing for me, since I don’t like to drink too much.

  Well, there was that time we both had so much to drink that Pap had to come pick us up and drive us home.

  That was shortly after I found out about Clint, and Tania took me out to help me forget. She got the job done because I made it to the point where I couldn’t even remember my own name.

  Grayson and I walk hand in hand as we weave our way through the crowded bar. A lot of guys he went to school with are here. They clap him on the back before offering me a friendly hello.

  My stomach sinks with dread when I spot Mandy Whitmore, Grayson’s ex, at the other end of the bar, glaring at me.

  Great.

  She and I have never cared for each other, but since finding out she was one of the girls Clint slept with behind my back, I really don’t like her.

  Grayson pulls me from the depressing thought, pointing toward Tania and Terrell who are sitting at a table on the other side of the room. They’re both laughing and chatting it up with the owner, Tucker Reeves. It brings a smile to my face to see how at ease they are. Ever since that last day at the courthouse, I’ve found a small sense of unity has been restored to our town, and there’s a semblance of peace among the people who live here as well.

  Not all, but some.

  And well…that’s a start.

  “Hey, there they are,” Terrell hollers as we approach the table. “Took you two long enough. What were you doin’ that made you late?” He gives a suggestive grin.

  I roll my eyes and Tania slaps him on the shoulder. “Oh, shush it.” Standing, she wraps me in a hug. “Hey, girl.”

  I greet her back then turn to give Tucker a hug, too. “Hi, Tucker.”

  “Miss Olivia.” He embraces me so tight I have a hard time breathing. “You look like you’re doin’ well, darlin’.”

  I smile up at him. “I am, thank you.”

  He greets Grayson with a handshake then takes our drink order. I sit in the chair across from Tania and Grayson takes the one across from Terrell. But as soon as I lean forward to speak my chair scrapes across the floor, moving several inches until I’m flush against Grayson’s side. He moves in close, bringing his mouth to my ear. “Better. I don’t like you so far away. I need to be able to feel you…always.”