Chapter 24
Andilyn
My hand shakes as I smooth down the front of my dress.
Studying my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror of Raiden’s closet, I barely recognize the person staring back at me.
I never imagined I’d own something this nice.
For the briefest moment, the image blurs, and suddenly I’m staring at the young girl I used to be.
She’s watching in horror as the sundress she used to adore is cut from her body.
It wasn’t fancy, or even new, but it was mine.
I had to dig through donation bins for every article of clothing I came to own while in my parents’ care, because free was the only acceptable price for Danny and Prissy.
Breathing deeply, I center myself and banish those thoughts to the farthest corner of my mind.
The black dress I’m wearing lands just above my knee.
It’s not form-fitting, but it’s not oversized either.
My legs are ensconced in a pair of sheer black tights, and matching heeled boots make me stand a few inches taller.
I look every bit the part of a put-together, strong-willed woman who’s ready to face the man who relentlessly tried to break her.
On the outside, I’m the embodiment of strength and determination, but the sick feeling coating my insides tells a different story.
All the progress I’ve made since escaping Veritas is going to be threatened today.
I’ve gone back and forth with whether or not I should even go, but a part of me knows I have to.
I need to face Tobias, even if that means our reunion is nothing more than a brief sighting across a crowded courtroom.
No words will be exchanged. I doubt we’ll even make eye contact.
But knowing that doesn’t dissuade my thoughts from wanting to revert to the submissive, dutiful wife I was forced to play the part of.
Simply being in the same space as Tobias, breathing the same air, is going to require a level of bravado I’m not sure I can feign.
My only saving grace is that Raiden and Briggs will be there with me.
I’m no longer alone, and if old habits try to resurface, I’ll pull my strength from them.
I refuse to let this set me back and derail my focus from seeing it through.
Today won’t be nearly as difficult as when I have to take the stand and speak against Tobias and Veritas.
If I can’t get through this without having a mental breakdown, I don’t stand a chance when the day finally comes for me to say my piece.
And too many people are relying on my testimony.
The door creaks open behind me, blessedly bringing me back to the present.
“You look gorgeous,” Briggs voices softly, his coal-colored eyes warming as he takes me in.
“Here, let’s get you into this so that cute little belly doesn’t give you away before you’re ready to spill the beans.
” He holds open the black, knee-length coat he insisted on purchasing, allowing me to slide my arms in seamlessly.
“I take it we have a full house out there?” It’s a rhetorical question.
I’d bet everything I own, which admittedly isn’t much, that Dayton and Colsen are here to see us off, frowns marring their faces as we’re forced to go our separate ways.
Aside from them having their own obligations, it wouldn’t be in our best interest to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves, and a herd of glaring men would certainly garner a heavy dose of curiosity.
If all goes according to plan, we’ll be able to slip inside at the last minute, and no one will pay any mind to the three of us taking up a few seats along the back row.
“Did you really expect anything different?” Briggs jokes, curving his arm around my waist so he can rest his hand against my stomach.
He does it so casually, as if I’m his to touch whenever he pleases.
That sort of ownership should make me recoil in disgust, but my body must have a mind of its own, because it takes no thought at all for me to sink against him.
I give myself a few seconds to enjoy the steady feel of him, and then force myself to step away, putting some much-needed space between us before he starts to get any grand ideas.
Briggs smiles, appearing nonplussed by my hot and cold behavior, then places his palm against my lower back and steers me from the room.
My feet feel like they’re full of lead, every step taking concentrated effort to keep them from rooting to the ground.
Self-preservation is begging me to stay where I am, in the safety of the place I now call home, and forget about Tobias Stillwater altogether.
But my need for justice demands that I take action instead of cowering, so my spine straightens, giving me a renewed sense of strength and purpose.
As expected, I’m met with frowns and agitation the second I come into view.
“I’m calling into work,” Dayton grumbles, his fingers already swiping at his phone before he’s finished speaking.
“We have substitutes on standby for a reason. I won’t be able to teach shit with my mind preoccupied and worried about you.
” He sounds angry about that, like he’s frustrated that he’s allowed himself to care so much.
“Me too,” Colsen adds, his brows furrowed as he strides towards me.
“You know Royce won’t give a fuck about me missing a few hours, and if he does, I’ll make it up to him by cooking his favorite meal for Friday night dinner.
I’d rather be with you, where I’m needed, than overseeing a bunch of men who’d rather not be micromanaged in the first place.
” His fingers twine with mine, squeezing my hand in solidarity, but there’s no way I’m marching in there with four sullen men who will undoubtedly scowl at everything that moves.
“While I appreciate the sentiment, I can’t let either of you do that.
” I raise my free hand to cut their refusals off prematurely.
“Aside from needing to do this somewhat on my own, the last thing I want is to be a spectacle inside that courtroom. Best case scenario, Tobias has no idea I’m even there.
But if the four of you band around me like a herd of overprotective guard dogs, there’s going to be zero chance of us pulling off a stealthy entrance and exit.
” I look at each of them pointedly, knowing there’s nothing they can say to counter my argument, because they know I’m right.
“Fine,” Dayton gripes. “But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
I want updates, Andi. When you get there and when you’re leaving, or so help me God, I will storm the fucking building and cause a scene to rival all scenes.
” I raise my eyebrow at the demanding tone he’s using.
He’s sorely mistaken if he thinks his high-handedness will force my compliance.
“Please,” he tacks on belatedly, realizing his gruff approach isn’t going to get him what he wants.
“I’ll text the group chat, but I have no idea how long the hearing will last, and you need to keep in mind that phones won’t be allowed inside the courtroom.
It might be a few hours before you hear from me, so don’t throw a hissy fit if that’s the case,” I retort, watching Dayton’s jaw clench with the need to make more demands, but he knows as well as I do that today will be unpredictable.
“Fair enough,” Colsen cuts in, sensing the last thing I need right now is to be locked in a battle of wills.
“You’ll do great, I’m sure of it, but if at any point it becomes too much, Raiden or Briggs will get you out in a heartbeat.
There’s no shame in leaving, Andi. Don’t stick it out for the sake of trying to prove something to yourself or anyone else.
You’ve done plenty of that by simply existing after experiencing what you have, by ensuring that Hudson made it home and gets the chance to lead a normal life.
” My chest twinges at the mention of his name.
I can’t even bring myself to spare a second to think about him, because then I’ll be agonizing over where he’s been and what he’s doing.
“I promise I won’t push myself beyond what I’m capable of withstanding,” I answer pragmatically, refusing to flee the second I grow the slightest bit uncomfortable. Dayton sighs heavily, seeing right through my response and taking it for what it is.
“Alright, enough complaining. We need to leave before we’re all late,” Briggs announces, grabbing my phone and keys from the counter.
We make our way down the front steps and through the courtyard, somberness drenching the crisp morning air.
No one speaks as we part ways, but Colsen and Dayton both swoop in to hug me tightly, as if they’re afraid to let me go.
I’d love nothing more than to reassure them that everything will be okay, but my throat is too tight to speak.
I have no reason to think anything will go wrong today, but Tobias has proven himself to be dangerously reckless way too many times for me to disregard their worry completely.
As we pull away from the curb, I stare at Colsen and Dayton’s fading silhouettes in the side mirror, a pit forming in my stomach as I watch them grow smaller with every second that passes.
Briggs takes my hand, snagging my attention before I get lost in the intricate maze of my own thoughts.
I take comfort in having him next to me, knowing I’m safe and secure in his presence.
We stop by a pastry shop so I can put some food on my stomach and take my prenatal, but far too soon we arrive at the courthouse, the looming brick facade appearing especially ominous under overcast gray skies.
Reporters are packed along the sidewalk leading to the front doors, making me squirm anxiously.