Chapter 1
Nude stiletto nails dug into Paisley’s palms as she paced the corridor of the courthouse with her family watching on. Nerves danced around the space as the clicking of Paisley’s heels echoed through the area where they gathered.
A strong hand caught Paisley’s small fisted one, causing her to stop. Her head snapped to the right, and her brown eyes landed on her older brother, Nasir. His short locs fell over his eyes, but she could still see them, black as coal—just like their daddy. It didn’t matter how dark they were, though, because they were the kindest eyes she had the pleasure of looking into.
“Breathe, P. Everything is going to be okay.”
The smile that broke across Paisley’s face was half from guilt for looking so bothered and half for show. She was a nervous wreck, and her brother’s gentle words wouldn’t put her at ease that easily. Everything might be okay for them no matter which way this day went for Kydrick… Kydrick . Her mind echoed the word in her head like a haunting tune. Kydrick .
Flashes of them at the beach when they were young doing their favorite thing, swimming, filtered through her mind. Their smiles were so genuine and innocent and unaware of what was to come. Her eyes closed as she shook her head, hoping to clear her mind. She needed to keep a clear mind today for Kydrick.
Appeals were new for them. They had been going through the same song and dance for the past twelve years, getting the runaround on the case, but they finally scored an appeal. It was major, and Paisley so badly wanted things to go in their favor. She needed it to go in their favor. It would change things for her, for him, so drastically. They needed some hope to hold on to. This case, Kydrick’s situation, it had completely taken over their lives. It affected Paisley in so many ways. She found herself walking around like a bundled bunch of nerves.
The thought of a good night of sleep was so foreign to her. Kydrick behind bars never allowed her to rest easy. She talked to him daily and visited him weekly, but he was always so close-lipped about what went on behind those bars. Whatever it was, she knew it couldn’t have been good.
Kydrick had changed, and not in a way like everyone did as they aged. Prison had a way of changing people for the worse. Paisley had a front-row seat of watching that happen to her oldest friend, and that was heartbreaking. No more was the jokester who always wore a smile on his face. In his place was a hardened individual who only knew how to live for survival. Nothing more and nothing less.
That was exactly why today was so important for her, and though her brother was only trying to help, she knew simply breathing wouldn’t calm her frayed nerves.
She did, however, sit down. After crossing her legs, she watched as her sleek black Jimmy Choo shoe bounced back and forth, knowing her nervous energy had to be expended somewhere. Mindlessly, she twisted the simple gold band around her right ring finger. It had intricate diamonds around the gold surface and matched perfectly with her necklace, bracelet, and earrings.
Out of the peripheral of her eyes, Paisley saw her mom’s slender form stand and move toward her. The cream-colored pantsuit Alyssa Whitaker wore fit her small frame to perfection. She always had an eye for fashion, something Paisley and she bonded over.
When her mom crouched in front of her, grabbing her sweaty hands, Paisley ceased all movements. Tears gathered in Paisley’s eyes, and she blinked rapidly, feeling her lash extensions brush her brow bone and then her bottom eyelid and back again.
“Honey, you have to calm down. Do you want to pray?”
Paisley nodded, knowing she needed to not only lean into God, but she needed to give this issue that was so much bigger than her to Him as well.
With no need to be told, the rest of her family gathered around her, holding hands and covering Paisley and Alyssa with their strength. With bowed heads and closed eyes, Alyssa spoke, her voice even and calming.
“Lord, we come to you as humbly as we know how. You know the fight we’ve been in for over a decade on behalf of Kydrick. You know the love we have for that young man. We ask that you cover him in your comfort and love. We ask that you hold this courtroom steadfast and put mercy and grace on the judge’s heart.
“All we’re asking for is the chance to revisit this case today. One step at a time. Allow the judge to take a closer look with an open heart so we have a chance to fight this fight again and come out victorious.” She paused for a beat before adding, “Lord, please wrap Paisley in your love as well. She has been affected by this harshly, and I ask that you give her some stillness and a little extra love, no matter the outcome of this appeal. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.”
Paisley stayed in position with her head bowed and eyes closed for a full minute, allowing tears to fall as she felt the prayer wash over her. She felt a strong hand on her back and knew it was her father. She relished the moment. She knew this moment, with her family shielding her from the outside world, was the only moment she would have to show her emotions. After this, her game face needed to be on, and she needed to stay strong for Kydrick. That was all that mattered to her for the past twelve years, staying strong for Kydrick. At this point, that was all she knew how to do. It was what she lived for.
When he was arrested, she had been questioned relentlessly, but she wasn’t even sure what for. They still put Kydrick away, despite the truth she spewed. Annie Taylor, a rich white girl with daddy issues, and Thomas Jensen, the dean’s son, their words meant more than hers, and that infuriated her and pushed her to change her major completely. No longer was she going to be the next billionaire jewelry designer—her lifelong dream. Now, she was a certified badass in the courtroom. She studied law and knew her rights and everyone else’s in the United States like the back of her hand.
When she got a job with one of the top law firms in Ellwood, she had been so excited to get them to take on Kydrick’s case. She knew she couldn’t take the case on personally because she was a witness, but she could make sure he had the best lawyers while also keeping a close eye on the case. It worked. Steven Danielson was the attorney everyone knew. He took on all the high profile cases and always won. Paisley wanted to think that he would take on Kydrick’s case as a favor to her, his employee, but she had been wrong. His only stipulation? After he won the case, she had to go on a date with him.
Steven was a patient man, because it had been four years since she obtained her law degree and started with the firm. Four whole years of Steven working on the case, and he hadn’t asked her on a date the entire time, but he never let her forget that her end of the deal needed to be upheld.
Finally, Paisley took in a deep breath, opened her eyes, and smiled up at her family, who still surrounded her. After wiping her eyes carefully, as to not mess up her makeup, she murmured, “I’m okay.”
They huddled around her a beat longer before pulling away. Tiana, Paisley’s younger sister, was the only one to stay near her. She didn’t speak. She just stood close enough for her big sister to feel her energy. They’d been like that since Tiana came into the world. Paisley was only three years old, but that was her baby. She loved being up under her baby sister, and as they grew, that hadn’t changed.
“We didn’t want to interrupt the moment,” a sweet voice called, causing everyone to look toward the entrance of the courthouse that led into the hallway the Whitaker family sat in.
Alyssa’s smile was immediate as she walked over to her best friend, Linda Cooper. Meanwhile, Paisley’s stomach dropped. She knew they would come. She even adored Linda and Charles. They were like second parents to her. She just didn’t want to see her . Yet, there she was, dressed in all black as if she was attending a funeral and with long, straight hair down to her ass.
Janelle. Paisley watched as she lifted her hand and waved to the Whitaker family, her diamond ring glinting off the sunlight that filtered in through the large windows. She looked out of place as their fathers shook hands and patted each other on the back while their mothers hugged. When Janelle and Paisley’s eyes locked, Janelle offered a half smile while Paisley quickly looked away.
It wasn’t her dislike to carry. Not really, but she did carry it because she really disliked Janelle. So much could change in a matter of twelve years. So much could change in a matter of a few seconds.
“You okay?” Tiana whispered, fingering her jet black curls and taking a step closer to Paisley, her waist touching Paisley’s shoulder.
Paisley looked up and shrugged. “Just ready to get this over with.”
Tiana gave a curt nod and then shifted her eyes toward the growing crowd of people, ever the bodyguard for her siblings. They all acted that way about each other. The Whitaker family was tightknit, and the siblings rode hard for one another, even though they bickered just as hard.
“You ready to do this?”
Paisley’s head snapped up at the sound of the deep, energetic voice. Steven Danielson, in all his glory, stood before her with a navy three piece suit and a large grin plastered on his face. She didn’t miss the hunger in his eyes as he subtly looked her up and down as best as he could since she still sat on the bench just outside the courtroom.
She had to admit that his smooth dark skin, bald head, and full beard made for a fine man, but he seemed too thirsty for her to take seriously.
Slowly, she stood, smoothing down her lilac-colored blouse that cuffed her round breasts tightly before making sure there was no lint on her black flared slacks. After giving herself a once over, she nodded and asked, “Are you ready? You’re sure you think we have a good shot at this?”
“I’m the best at what I do, sweetheart. Aren’t I?” Steven asked.
Paisley fought the urge to roll her eyes. Feeding his ego was something he set her up to do often, and she did it because it always got her what she wanted. With a curt nod as a response, she cleared her throat and looked back toward her family and the Coopers.
“Let’s go.”
Before Paisley could take a step, Linda rushed forward, gathering her in her arms. Charles patted Paisley on her back fondly, and Paisley melted into the embrace. She really loved the older couple. She’d spent so many nights at their house as a child and a teen. It was really too bad that their daughter turned out to be a bitch.
“I’m so proud of you, Paisley,” Linda said, pulling away from the embrace and holding Paisley by her hands while her family filed into the courtroom. “This appeal is because of you. You made this happen. I am in awe of you.”
“Me too, Paisley P,” Charles said, causing Paisley to grin softly at them. Paisley P was a name she came up with when she and Janelle were ten years old. They were convinced they were going to be the next hot girls’ band. Janey J and Paisley P. Charles got a kick out of it, and they never escaped the cringy nicknames.
“Thank you,” she muttered, looking down at the ground.
Linda gave her hands another squeeze before walking past her and into the courtroom, along with Charles.
When Paisley looked up, she noticed that Janelle still stood there, looking nervous as she peered at her old friend.
“Paisley—”
“We should get in there,” Paisley said, cutting her off. Whatever Janelle had to say could wait. Forever, as far as Paisley was concerned.
Janelle made a promise to Kydrick twelve years ago that she would stick by his side through this. That only lasted six months before she confided in Paisley that she was dating someone else behind Kydrick’s back. That someone turned out to be the man she was happily married to with two beautiful children. At the time, though, Paisley couldn’t understand how Janelle could cheat on Kydrick while he was going through the hardest time of his life with a man she barely even knew. Janelle and Kydrick had history, which clearly meant nothing to her. It made Paisley angry—furious, actually—and it caused a huge blowout between them.
Thankfully, Janelle came clean to Kydrick pretty quickly. Paisley didn’t have to lie to him about the falling out, but the damage was done, and Paisley was the one who had to pick up the pieces—for both her and Kydrick.
She’d been holding that anger in for more than a decade, so as far as Paisley was concerned, there wasn’t a thing Janelle could say to her that mattered. She didn’t even understand why she was there.
Inside, the courtroom was pretty empty. Rage filled Paisley at that because Kydrick deserved more than this… so much more. He deserved people advocating for him other than the few people left in this world who loved him. Sadness quickly overtook her as she thought about Kydrick’s father. His mom, Nadia, died when they were sixteen, only two years before he went to prison. His father, however, passed four years ago. That nearly killed Kydrick. Paisley had only God to thank for him pulling through that depression. It took a very long time, but eventually, he found his fight again.
The way Paisley’s face scrunched up with fury when she noticed Thomas Jensen and his family sitting front row on the opposite side of her family should have been illegal. If he looked her way, he would have been dead on the spot just from the fierceness of her features alone. Paisley didn’t make it a habit to hate anyone, but Thomas Jensen was the exception. She wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire, and she meant that with her whole heart.
Her fists clenched tightly as tears swam in her eyes, but she stayed as composed as she could, slowly taking tentative steps toward the front of the room and sliding into the bench beside her brother, right behind where Steven sat.
After a quick scan, she noticed Annie Taylor was missing from attendance. Good. No need to have two liars funking up the space.
Bile rose in her throat as she remembered the night everything happened. Thomas was a foul man who used the color of his skin and his father’s title as dean of Barrington University. Underneath all the smooth golden hair and chiseled features was a monster, and Paisley prayed every day for his downfall.
Her glare was pulled away from him and immediately softened when the side door opened, and two officers accompanying Kydrick walked into the room. Her heart stilled. Time may not have been good to his emotional and mental state, but his physical? Whew! He was a work of art. A culmination of muscles, sharp features, and sex appeal. She doubted he even knew it. He walked with such confidence that he hadn’t had before he went to prison. He demanded everyone’s attention as he walked with his head held high and his back straight, towering over the guards.
Her eyes dropped to his hands and then his feet, which were cuffed, but the slacks and gray button down shirt that she got for him specifically for this day looked so good on him. He looked good.
When their eyes met, his stone cold features melted, just for a split second, into relief before his stony exterior reclaimed him. That was enough for Paisley though. That was all she needed. The small sign that her presence made this day even just a tiny bit easier for him caused her emotions to fall into line and pride to swell within her.
Since this was an appeal, there was a panel of judges. They walked in, and Paisley paid her respects along with everyone else and stood, but her eyes remained on the back of Kydrick’s head. He stood just in front of her since Steve moved over to make room for him. He was so close she could reach out and grasp his shoulder-length locs that looked in dire need of a re-twist. She recalled how he told her that there were men on the inside who knew how to do hair for commissary trades.
While she got her fill of him, she missed all the opening words and rules and regulations they were to follow in order to present the appeal. She knew she should pay attention. She knew she needed to take notes, but Kydrick had her in a trance, as he often did.
She almost missed the sound of the courtroom doors opening with a loud thud, but there was no way she could have missed the shrill voice at the back of the room.
“Thomas Jensen! Thomas! What did I tell you? I told you that would be your last time putting your hands on me!”
Paisley turned with her arched brows pulled together, and her eyes almost popped out of their sockets when she saw Annie Taylor swaying from side to side with a bottle in her hand. Time had beat her ass, and it looked as though someone else had too. She had gained a lot of weight. Gone was the petite girl with silky hair and bright blue eyes. In her place was an overweight woman with stringy hair and a bruise covering her cheek. Tears and snot dripped down her face, and her eyes were bloodshot.
An officer stepped forward to restrain her, but it happened so fast. One second there was no gun, and the next, there was. It was as if it came out of nowhere.
There were gasps as people ducked behind the wooden benches lining the room. A strong hand wrapped around Paisley’s stomach before she was pulled behind Kydrick. He blocked her from the scene before them with his massive body. Tugging at his waist, she pulled them both down so they crouched, but Kydrick still covered her as they watched the scene unfold, their hearts racing. Paisley just knew Annie was there to finish Kydrick off. She had already done so much to mess his life up. Why not go ahead and end it now?
“Stay back!” Annie cried, pointing the gun at the officers. “I came here to say something, damn it! And I’ll be heard!”
The officers held their hands up in mock surrender, leaving the room at Annie’s mercy. Paisley’s heart dropped as tears fell down her face. Kydrick noticed her tears, and while keeping an eye on Annie, he pulled Paisley against him, allowing her head to bury into his shoulder.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispered.
Such simple words, but they gave Paisley an immense amount of courage. It had been a long time since she’d been able to feel his warmth, and if she had to die that day, then this was how she wanted to do it—in Kydrick’s arms once again. At last.
Her eyes popped open from the ominous thoughts at another shriek. The gun in Annie’s hands now pointed toward Thomas and his family.
“For twelve years… twelve damn years of my life and five fucking kids later, you have tormented me, Thomas Jensen. You have beat me, humiliated me, raped me, and you’ve scared me away from talking.
“I’m not even the only one you’ve treated this way. I’m just the only one who was lucky enough to marry you.” She scoffed, using her arm to wipe the snot from under her nose as she wobbled on her chubby legs. “I came here to set the record straight. Thomas Jensen is the one that raped me twelve years ago. He is the one who beat me. It was the first time it happened but definitely not the last. Kydrick Sutherland is innocent. Kydrick… He tried to help me, and instead of being brave and taking that help, I allowed Thomas to threaten me into going along with his story that painted him as a hero.”
“Oh my God,” Paisley whispered, her hand flying to her mouth. She felt Kydrick shaking next to her, but she didn’t dare take her eyes off Annie, who suddenly had her eyes on them.
“Kydrick, I’m sorry.” She turned to the judges. “If you need proof of my statement, check my phone. I left it unlocked in my car. There are messages from Thomas just hours ago, reminding me to stay home and shut up about what really happened. There’s more than enough proof if you go back far enough. Trust me. His father helped him bury the truth, using Kydrick as a scapegoat.” She turned to Thomas again. “I’ve dreamed of killing you for a very long time, Thomas, but that would be too good for you. Your punishment will be spending the rest of your life in prison.”
Annie lifted the gun so the barrel sat right under her chin. Paisley gasped, and Kydrick pushed her head into his chest to protect her from what was about to happen, but no gunshot rang out. By the time Paisley pulled away from his chest to see what was going on, Annie had been tackled to the floor.
“Gun jammed,” Kydrick said. His voice came out in a breathless spurt as he kept his eyes on the officers handcuffing a wailing Annie.
“Order! Order!” one of the judges shouted, but Paisley knew it wouldn’t be that easy to bring order to this courtroom. Not after what just happened. Not after the truth had finally been told by someone other than herself and Kydrick.