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Royce’s jaw sets hard. “He needs to know.”
“A woman is on trial to go to jail for the rest of her life,” I remind him. “Reese needs to focus on her. He knows you’ll protect me. You did protect me.”
“Negotiation time,” he says. “You do exactly what I say, and I’ll wait to tell Reese.”
“What is that you want me to do?”
“Stay away from her. Savage is at the courthouse. Once I drop you there, you go nowhere without him, not even to pee.”
“I’m fine with that,” I say. “My brother Gabe is supposed to be in court today, too. What else?”
“Reid called me,” he announces.
“My brother called you?”
“He wants to deal with Debbie instead of Lauren.” He pulls his wife to him. “Don’t argue. Debbie’s crazy. She proved that this morning. I don’t want you in this.”
“He’s right,” I quickly agree. “He’s right, Lauren. She is crazy. And Reid’s good looking, intelligent, and brutal. He’ll grab her attention and lure her into a trap that’ll let the police take over.”
“Then I’m coming to court with you today as well,” Lauren says. “I have time today. I want you well-insulated.”
“Good,” I say. “I’d like to have you there.” I look at Royce. “I really want to get to court and watch my husband work his magic, please.”
He nods and we head to the elevator. By the time we enter the lobby, he’s gotten a call. “Debbie agreed to a meeting,” he says. “Reid’s meeting her at his office.”
“If I know my brother, this could end today,” I say, as we cross the lobby. “Any idea who the father of her baby is?”
“No obvious candidate at this point,” he says, ushering us out to his SUV.
I’m just settling into the backseat when my cellphone rings. I dig it from my purse to find Reid’s number. “Cat,” he says urgently. “Are you okay?”
He sounds genuinely concerned in a way I’d forgotten Reid capable of being concerned. “Royce is taking good care of me. I don’t want Reece to know about this until after court is adjourned today. Promise me you won’t tell him.”
“I’m not going to tell him,” he says. “I’m going to end this. I got this and you. Understand?”
“I believe you,” I say. “Thank you, Reid.”
He’s silent a beat before he says, “Whatever was between us, I was always protecting you. I’m going to protect you now.” He hangs up and before I can even begin to deal with the knot of emotion in my chest, my phone rings again, this time with Reese’s number.
“Reese?” I answer, surprised he called. “How are you calling me?”
“We got into court and the prosecution called for an immediate fifteen-minute recess.”
“Waiting on a witness?”
“That’s what they said. A medical examiner. What did the doctor say?”
“I have a prescription for anti-nausea medication I need to fill. I want to get to court before I miss something.”
“I can fill it for you,” Lauren says and leans forward to talk to Royce who’s behind the wheel of the car and pulling us into traffic. “Drop me at the pharmacy by the courthouse.”
“Lauren’s going to get my meds,” I say, mouthing, “thank you” to her.
“But what did the doctor say?” he presses. “Is this something serious?”
“Serious?” I ask, glancing at Lauren who gives me a big grin and mouths “yes,” before I continue with Reese by adding, “More like lingering,” I reply to Reese. “It could take a while for the nausea to pass.” I quickly change the subject because I’m not going to lie to Reese. That’s not who we are and talking in circles is becoming uncomfortable. “How’s Dana?”
“She spent the night simmering. She’s angry this morning about being in this position. She said she read your column this morning and it just drove home how much she needs to fight back.”
