Page 6 of Danger and Dominance
The anger that had buoyed David was quickly leaking out.He knew the world didn’t work the way itshouldwork.The way it was supposed to work.The cops sure as hell weren’t perfect.He knew that.
Kincaid kept going, kept lecturing.
“We can’t protect everyone, but we did our best, and as a former police officer, I can tell you that we did far more than they would have.And we protected Cassidy, which is now your job, and if you’d rather throw her to the wolves, if you don’t care what reporting and a trial would have put her through as a person, and you only care about some hypothetical future women—which, by the way, would have still had to look him up and then believe what they found—then I’ll ask Lincoln to assign her to someone else.
“She already feels guilty as hell for what he’s been putting her friends through, on top of her fear for herself.She doesn’t need your self-righteous bullshit over a situation that you would never, ever find yourself in and therefore could never fully empathize with or know what you would do if it did happen to you.”
Applause sounded from behind David, making him jump.He spun around to stare at Jennifer, who was now standing behind her desk, hands high in the air as she clapped.Her fierce gaze was focused on the redheaded team leader, whose shoulders sagged even further.
“You tell him, Kincaid.”
“Oh, come on, Jennifer, what if you or one of your friends dated him or someone like him after?”David’s tone turned almost whining as he pleaded with the younger woman to see his side.“I know you all research your dates like you’re the FBI.You’d turn up the fact that he’d been taken to court, and you’d be forewarned.”She had a lot in common with Tasha.
“We’d find it, but a lot of these guys are good at explaining things away.Oh, it was a vindictive ex.Oh, she was lying because she didn’t truly understand kink.Oh, it was a false accusation.And people believe that shit.”Jennifer put her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at him.“Not only that, but because I’m a woman, I have friends who have tried to get restraining orders.I’ve had friends who have been dismissed by the police for ‘lack of evidence’ or because it was his word against theirs.
“Have you ever had to stand by a woman’s side while the cops rip apart her ‘story’ while she’s still shaking from the trauma?No?Okay, then.You’re so obsessed with what the ‘right’ thing to do is, sometimes you forget that what’s right for one person might not be whatyoudeem is right for society.And that’s why you’re wrong.”
Shit, and now Jennifer was looking at him like he was a bad person.He didn’t do well with verbal arguments.Fast decisions under pressure were his specialty, unless it was with words when he couldn’t quite find his tongue.Especially because bringing up Tasha now would just look like an excuse.That is why he tried not to get into arguments.
“I’m not a bad person.”
Good, David.Great argument.Stellar.You’re knocking it out of the park, buddy.
Jennifer raised her eyebrow at him.
“I didn’t say you’re a bad person, but you are an uncompromising and often judgmental one who needs to work on their empathy.Especially when it comes to situations that you, as a white, straight man, will never understand because you will never have that lived experience.”
David threw his hands in the air in defeat.It was easier than arguing, and he knew they were right.He wasn’t really pissed at them; he was pissed because Cassidyshouldbe able to go to the police and have them take her seriously.Sheshouldn’tbe judged because she was in a kink club when the assault happened.
It offended every single one of his sensibilities that women trying to get away from abusers had so much of the system working against them instead of for them.He didn’t like it, but he also didn’t have to live in it personally.
“You’re right.No, I know.I see it sometimes, but I am always on the outside.”He sighed, rubbing his forehead.“I’ll try to be nicer to Cassidy.”
“Glad to hear it,” Kincaid said.“She deserves a break.”
With that, Kincaid spun on his heel and stomped down the hall Lincoln and Cassidy had gone down.David should, too, but he wasn’t ready yet.
This morning was hell, and he’d been completely thrown not only by the case but by his reaction to Cassidy in person.And he had the unhappy feeling that both Kincaid and Jennifer now thought a lot less of him because he wanted to be able to do the right thing and have the goddamn system, which he’d fought and bled to protect, do the right thing, too.
So, he stood there in the lobby, trying to gather his thoughts and remember that wanting justice wasn’t a bad thing in and of itself.
“You okay there, Ginger?”Jennifer asked, using his call name, her voice full of false sympathy.Little brat.A rush of affection went through him.One of the reasons she’d been hired was because, despite her youth, she didn’t take shit from any of them.Which they all needed.
“Yeah, I’m good.”He glanced at Jennifer.She beamed at him.
“That’s what I like about you, Ginger.You handle criticism well.”She was completely sincere, which helped soothe some of his ire.
“Thanks,” he said dryly.“I aim to please.”With a sigh, he straightened up.
Time to get his game face on.
Be nice to the client.But not too nice.
Do not get emotionally or physically involved with the client.
3
Cassidy
