Page 8 of Riot

That got a small laugh from me.Or it might have been a sob.Either way, Caleb pulled me into his skinny arms and held me tight.

“It’s gonna be OK, Mom.It’s gonna be OK.”

Chapter Three

Riot

I could count on one finger the number of times I’d been in a judge’s chambers before.It hadn’t turned out so well before.I hoped this time wouldn’t end with me back in prison.

“Have a seat, Mr.Devereaux.”Judge Whitmore gestured to a chair in front of her desk while she took off her robe and hung it on a hook beside her chair.She wore a crisp, white blouse and a dark suit skirt.Then she removed a suit jacket that matched her skirt from a hanger next to her robe and put it on.The woman really was freakishly formal.She sat on the edge of her seat, her forearms resting on her desk.“Why don’t you tell me your plans now that you’re rejoining society.”She phrased her question congenially enough, but there was no doubt she expected an answer.

“I’ve only been out three days, Your Honor.I’m still trying to get used to sleeping in an actual bed.”

“I imagine there is some adjusting to do.”Her smile was genuinely kind.This woman was tough as nails, but she wasn’t cruel or unreasonable.“When I said I was familiar with your situation, I meant I know you were brought here today as part of your parole agreement to offer support to Mr.Caleb.”

When she didn’t continue, I realized she expected a response.“Uh, right.Though, I’d like to point out I had no clue what I was walking into.Ms.Thompson’s instructions were to be here at a certain time.”

Judge Whitmore raised an eyebrow.“And would you have come if you’d known the situation?”

I scowled at her.“Of course!I’m a killer, Your Honor, but I’m not a monster.”When she continued to stare at me, I sighed.“Fine.I’ll admit, when I figured out what was going on, I balked.Hard.But there’s no way I’d have refused.If you know my situation, you know why.”

She gave me a satisfied nod.“I just wanted to hear it from you, because I have a favor to ask.”

It was my turn to give her a look.“A favor.As in I have the right to refuse to grant said favor, but you’d advise me not to?”

Judge Whitmore chuckled.“No, Mr.Devereaux.This is fully your choice.I can promise you that I’ll write a formal letter to your parole officer about how helpful you were in cooperating with unreasonable requests without complaints.”

“This must be some favor.”I waved my hand at her.“What is it you need, Your Honor?”

“I want you to keep an eye on Mrs.Violet and Mr.Caleb.Escort her to and from work, and Mr.Caleb to and from school.Check in with her throughout the day.”

“You want me to be her bodyguard?”

“No.I want you to be a friend who’s concerned about her safety, given she has a narcissistic soon-to-be-ex-husband who has allegedly been violent toward her in the past and is very likely not too happy with her at the moment.”

I had to replay her little speech over in my mind to make sure I’d heard her correctly.“You want me to worm my way into her life so I can protect her?”

“Exactly.”

“I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not with her.I’ll tell her I can count my time with her as part of my community service or something, but I’m not going to pretend to be her friend just so I can be a bodyguard on the down-low.”

“Who said you had to pretend?Have you talked to her?”

“I think you know I haven’t said much to her.And I get where you’re going.But I don’t think a woman as vulnerable as she is right now needs a man like me in her life.Not even as a friend.”

“So you won’t do this?”

I snorted out a laugh.“Didn’t say that.I’ll keep a very close eye on her and her son.I’ll protect them to the best of my ability.If she reaches out to me, I won’t refuse to spend time with her, but considering what she’s about to go through, are you sure it’s the best idea that she associates closely with a convicted killer?”

“Considering the nature of the charges against you and the account of events from the trial transcript, I’d say you’re the perfect man for her to be closely associated with.”

“Puts Violet in her husband’s crosshairs.I don’t know much about him but sounds to me like he’s got deep pockets and spreads the wealth where it benefits him.He could use me against her.”

“You worry about keeping Violet and Caleb safe.I’ll take care of the legal aspects of your concerns.”I had other concerns but nothing Judge Whitmore could help with, so I kept them to myself.

“I’ll watch over them and keep them safe.”

“Good.I’ll let you get to your charges.Make sure to check in with Ms.Thompson regularly.I want her involved directly, especially if you have concerns with Mr.Doug.I try to be as impartial as humanly possible.Pride myself in my ability to be willing to look at both sides of a situation with equal weight.That being said, I can’t ignore basic human decency.That woman and her son need a strong support system.Not just to handle their current situation, but to survive.She doesn’t have anyone to help her at the moment.What I’m asking is for you to be her support.You and your club.And yes, I know about Gavin Ferguson and Gage Bohannon.Your president and vice president?”

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