Page 148 of Push

“Both of you sit down,” Holland said. “Now.”

Dan huffed, making a grand production of unbuttoning his jacket before flopping with outrage into his chair. Peter bowed his head and muttered a quiet apology to me, but I barelyheard him. I’d already gotten lost, sneaking a look behind me, searching for answers from the person I trusted more than anyone.

Gwen’s lips were flat, and her brows furrowed. I knew that look. She was stuck up in her head. What was she thinking about? This wasn’t “in and out in a minute.” This sounded like…problems. And Ian’s name was mixed in there, too.

Why did he have lawyers blocking the security footage or getting copies of records? Why the bloody hell did he care if everyone watched Kayleigh lock me in the changing room?

Holland cleared her throat. I ignored all the worry settling in my gut and snapped my attention back to her.

She glared at the lawyers one by one. “Clearly, separate issues are muddying the waters on both sides,” she said. “I’ll remind you both that the purpose of today’s mention is only to determine if an interim order should be made for Dr. Sullivan. Mr. Calver, what is your client’s response to the police application?”

Dan rose from his chair. “Your Honor, we intend to defend the application in the strongest possible way and demand this matter go to a full hearing. My client’s good family name must be saved from being dragged further through the mud. This is nothing more than a witch hunt solely for Dr. Sullivan to save face after his wife caught him—”

Peter shot to his feet. “The police point to the filed affidavits that Ms. Roberts has acted—”

“Allegedlyacted,” Dan corrected.

Holland raised her hand and waved for them both to sit down. “Mr. Calver, while I appreciate your, er…impassionedrepresentation of your client, I must remind you that Ms. Roberts will have her day in court at the final hearing. However, the police have filed more than sufficient material to support me making an interim order that Ms. Roberts must not approachDr. Sullivan or his family as named in the police application.” The magistrate started scribbling notes again. “I so order that Ms. Roberts must not go within a hundred meters of where Dr. Sullivan or his family live or where they work. She must not approach or contact them in any way, and it goes without saying that she must not assault or threaten them, stalk, harass, or intimidate them, either in person or through electronic communication.” Her sharp eyes landed on Kayleigh. “This includes on your social media pages, Ms. Roberts.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. The restraining order had been granted. One problem solved. Gwen and Noah were safe. I turned around and smiled at Gwen. She smiled back, but it was strained. Something wasn’t right.

“Ms. Roberts.” The magistrate flicked her fingers for my former assistant to stand up. Kayleigh wobbled to her feet, eyes still down. “Has your counsel explained the gravity of breaching this order?”

When Kayleigh shook her head, Dan snorted and leaned back in his chair with his arms folded.

“Let me be very clear then,” the magistrate continued. “After you leave this court today, if you approach Dr. Sullivan again, or if you go near his wife or their son, you’ll be committing a criminal offense. I can’t stress enough that this is very serious. You could be arrested and charged. You could be sent to prison. Do you understand?”

Kayleigh glanced panicked eyes at me before turning back to the magistrate. “I—I can’t talk to him—you mean—at all? That’s not what’s supposed to happen!” Dan hissed something at her, but she ignored him. “Toby… Please…” Her eyes darted back to the magistrate. “I—I don’t want that. I can’t bear that.”

Holland’s eyes rounded.

I dropped my gaze to where my fingers dug into my knees. I wished Gwen was sitting next to me. I needed her. I needed this to be over.

“Toby!” Kayleigh begged. “Please. I love you!”

I refused to look at her. Instead, I focused on Holland in her eye-watering blue suit and tried to bury the feeling of just how many people my stupidity had impacted. If I’d turned my brain on for one second—acted more professional, listened to Gwen all the times she’d warned me, not gone to that party, and kept my stupid hands to myself—would any of us be forced to sit in that courtroom? No.

“Sit down,” Dan hissed at Kayleigh. “Your Honor—”

“I won’t stay away!” she shrieked. “They can’t make me. We’re inlove—”

“Shut up, you foolish girl!” His face had turned beet red. “Sit!”

Holland held up her palm to stop them both. “I think you had best talk to your client in very plain terms about what this order means, Mr. Calver,” she said flatly. “The interim order is granted, and a final hearing will be set down in four weeks. My associate will be in touch. Next matter.”

Holland waved us out of the courtroom like nothing had happened, but somehow, it didn’t feel like a problem had been solved. It felt like a hundred new problems had just been revealed.

47

She Connected the Dots

Gwen

“Gwen.” Cautious fingers touchedmy leg. “Seatbelt.”

My head whipped around. “Huh?”

Toby sat in the driver’s seat, waiting. “Seatbelt, doll.” His lips tipped up in a cautious smile. “Safety first.”

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