Page 3 of Love Set Me Free

He had blood running down his face, and they let him go as Thomas went to check on the girl still trembling by the bed. Kydrick lifted Paisley off the floor and gathered her into his arms, hugging her to his chest.

“It’s okay. The police will sort this out,” he murmured, but Paisley barely paid attention to him. She kept her eyes on the girl on the floor as Thomas whispered in her ear, smoothing her blonde hair away from her face.

Tears dripped down her pale face, and when she made eye contact with Paisley, her heart dropped. Paisley knew at that moment nothing good was going to come of this situation. The girl looked terrified, but not only that—she looked like a really good liar.

It didn’t take long for the police to come, and as the only two black people in the room, Paisley and Kydrick were the only ones handcuffed. With all the white people glaring at them as they were walked out of the house and marched to the station for questioning, Paisley knew all odds were stacked against them. She also knew nothing would be the same from that day forward, but she was ready to fight for the truth. If not for herself, then definitely for Kydrick.

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. Sheneededit 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 bandaround 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 littleextra 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 seeher. 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.

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