Page 88 of Notorious

“When do you go to trial?” I ask. “It sounds like it’s been pending a long time.”

“It has. Trial’s set for late March. We have mediation early next year.” He sighs. “It’s a chance to settle it, they tell me, maybe get some money and not have to go through the hassle in the courtroom. But all I can think about is that I’m going to have to be in a room with Gary again. The idea makes me want to hurl. He didn’t lay a hand on me, but he damn well violated me just the same.”

Anger flares within me, and I vow to contact Sam’s friend … Colleague? Colleague’s friend? And make Pinkerton hurt.

“What happens if you don’t settle?” I ask.

“We go to trial, and the whole story comes out. I’m torn. Part of me wants to tell every gruesome detail. Get out the video and play it.” His cheeks redden. “It’s just so fucking embarrassing.”

I gulp. “Have you seen it?”

“No. But my lawyers have a copy.”

“So they’ve seen it.”

He nods. “And they had pretty grim faces after. I’d assume that none of them are prudish, so I don’t think it’s the porn that set them off. But the circumstances—knowing it wasn’t consensual or even CNC …”

Shit.

Johnny’s shown me all the parts of him that he wants to hide from the world. His broken parts that are precious and vulnerable, soft or fragile or bruised.

Johnny’s an amazing person, and I want to prove that to him in as many ways as I can. I want to give him anything he needs.

I’ll get in touch with Rowan about justice, but there are other things I can do right away.

“I was wondering something. You said you sold your truck. What kind of truck was it? Something special?”

A wistful look crosses his face. “Special to me. It was just an old F-150, but I liked it. It suited me.”

“Who did you sell it to?”

“A neighbor.” He whips his head around to face me. “What are you thinking?”

“Do you wanna get it back?”

“If I get the money,” he says, emphasizing the I, “I can buy another truck. You don’t need to go tracking down my old one. I can save money from my job and get one in time.”

“But …” I sigh. “Okay.” I drop it for now. Still, I’m resolved to figure out where his truck went or to get him another like it.

The rest of the trip passes in amiable chatter and easy silence.

When we get home, Johnny stops me at the foot of the stairs before I can even take off my shoes. “Wha—?” I say, before his mouth crashes down on mine.

I grunt in happiness as he pushes me against the door, caging me in with his hands on either side of my head.

Yes. He’s reclaiming this part of himself.

He licks and sucks at my lips, making me hard for him. Making me want him.

When we break apart, I chuckle. “Um. Wow. I. Yes. Thank you.”

“Do you know how much it means to me that you took me to go see Mama?” he growls.

I shrug. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”

Johnny rolls his eyes heavenward. “‘Right thing to do,’ he says.” He fixes his gaze on me. “You have absolutely no idea how much I needed to see her and how much it meant for me to check on her in person. Thank you.”

“We could move there. Or get an apartment near her. Something?—”

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