Page 99 of Illicit

It seems my father’s new attorneys spun bullshit into gold and convinced a judge that my testimony was coerced. That my uncle pressured me into saying what I said.

Witness tampering.

It’s the truth, I guess. But that doesn’t make my testimony any less truthful.

Rodney Monroe killed my mother.

Was Rachael Monroe a good parent?

Fuck, no.

But he killed her all the same, and I watched him do it. The memory lives rent free in my mind. It doesn’t matter how much I wish I could wipe it clean from my brain, I can’t.

My testimony was thrown out, and the decision was overturned. The guilty verdict was nullified, his record expunged, and he can’t be tried again.

Landyn rests her head on my shoulder. “I don’t understand how this could happen after so many years.”

“That’s not all,” Brax goes on.

“Great,” I mutter, but can’t take my eyes off Teagan. She looks from me to Annette. I can see the drama unfolding by the moment. Everyone knows.

“I’m working with my contacts in California. Rodney Monroe purchased a car from a used lot five days ago. He put a small down payment and had a friend co-sign since he has no credit. He was issued a temporary tag. I’ve got the make and model, but that’s it.”

“Not to underestimate your father,” Micah starts. “But do you really think he’ll come looking for you?”

“I don’t give a shit if he does. In fact, I hope he fucking finds me.”

Landyn looks up at me. “You don’t mean that.”

“I fucking do.”

Tim, always the voice of reason, holds out a low hand. “Let’s just take a step back. Micah could be right. He’s breathing free air for the first time in fifteen years whether he deserves to or not. He can’t be stupid enough to throw that away by coming after you with retribution.”

“That’s generous of you,” I say. “But he would, and he will. If there’s anything that flows through his veins, it’s vengeance.”

“Maybe so,” King pipes in. “But finding you will be like a needle in a haystack. You’re unlisted and have kept yourself off social media. You probably turn up on old stats from college ball and cases that made the news in New Orleans. Your name was in the papers for Evie’s drama. The chances of him having the means to get here and finding you are two very different things.”

I shake my head. “I wish I were that optimistic. There are no plates registered to his car. We have no phone number to ping. I’ll be looking over my shoulder until I figure out where he lands.”

Annette makes her way across the room with Teagan on her heels. The happy from having her daughter home just minutes ago is gone. She looks from me to Tim and demands, “What are you going to do about this?”

Tim puts his arm around his wife. “I love that you think I’m that powerful. I can’t overrule a judge, and I can’t find a person who’s untraceable. Rocco will be diligent.”

“Roc will be fine, Annette,” Brax adds. “We know he’s out. We’ll stay on top of it.”

“That’s it?” Landyn asks. “We’re just going to hope to stay on top of it?”

Brax pulls Landyn from my side and puts his arm around her. “That’s cute you think you’re a part of the we.”

The group has now congregated around me, and I fucking hate it.

It’s like Teagan senses it or hates it just as much as I do and says, “There’s nothing we can do right now. I thought this was supposed to be a party. Roc and I have been on the road all day. I’m hungry and I’m sure he is too. Can we forget about this for tonight?”

I look at Annette. “They’re right. There’s nothing we can do. I’m starving.”

She finally gives in. “I guess. Dinner is ready. Let’s get the kids fed so we can sit down and focus on what we came here to do.”

“See?” Teagan plasters a fake smile on her face. “Let’s celebrate.”

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