Page 64 of Passionate Defense

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THE NEXT MORNING, ETHANgot the first text at nine o’clock.

Lanie:The Sox won the pennant!

Ethan couldn’t help smiling as he replied.I know, baby. I was there, remember?

Lanie:Have you heard anything?

Ethan:No. And I don’t expect to. Stop worrying.

After another hour, another similar text from her appeared.

Lanie:The walk-off home run in the 12th was awesome.

Ethan:Agreed. I’m glad you convinced me to stay.

Lanie:How are things? Any visits from the boys in blue?

Ethan:No. If that happened, which it won’t, my first call would be to my attorney, who happens to be you.

After another hour passed, his text alert sounded again. This time, there was no pretext of baseball.

Lanie:Ethan?

He responded right away.Still nothing.

After a moment, his phone chimed.

Lanie:Love you, handsome.

The next hour, he was between classes when the text came, so he called her.

“Oh my God, Ethan. Which precinct did they take you to? Wherever it is, I’ll be right over. I’m sure I can arrange an arraignment today and post bail. Don’t worry, honey. I’m on it.”

“Lanie. You have to stop worrying about this. He won’t press charges, and this is why. A: He assaulted you, too. The rings of bruises around your upper arms are proof.”

Visualizing the dark-purple finger mark he’d seen when she stepped out of the shower that morning had him seething. She had jumped when he started cursing volubly and threatened to hunt the bastard down and kill him. But when he saw the concern in her eyes, he’d reined in his anger. He’d also scooped her up, settled her in his lap, and gently kissed every tender, discolored mark on her skin.

“I wish I had another go at Simons. With broken fingers, he wouldn’t do anything like this again, at least not without remembering the pain.”

“Dear husband, your bloodlust is showing.”

He snorted. “Whatever.”

She laughed softly. “You sound like a sarcastic teenager.”

He continued without acknowledging her comment. “Are you still worried, or do I need to finish my list?”

“He threatened to sue. He’s just stupid and stubborn enough to do it.”

A heavy sigh escaped before he continued. “B: Simons has enough legal shit to deal with already. He won’t want to tack on an assault charge. C: If he did, it’s his word against mine, yours, and The Honorable Victoria Studor.”

“You seem so certain.”

“I am. So certain, in fact, that if Walt Simons is stupid enough to press charges against me, when you post my bail, you can take me home and I’ll let you have your wicked way with me. If I’m right, I get to be wicked.”

The long pause came from her end this time.

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