Page 247 of Cross the Line
Him.
Her.
Us.
CHAPTER 72
FINLEY
Every time I look at Salem, my heart breaks. Her bruises are all but faded. The new haircut that evened out the shanked mess Presley made gives her dainty features an overwhelmingly fragile appearance. If I didn’t know she’s twenty-one, I’d assume she was a teenager.
When she squeezes my hand, I squeeze in return. I know Eli said she didn’t have to come forward as a witness, but we need her if the DA is going to move forward with charges on Presley. Without Salem’s testimony, we don’t have much now that Ryker has gone AWOL.
Besides, nailing him for what he did to Eli also means nailing him for all the heinous ways he hurt Salem. It’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt her baby.
So here we are—meeting the district attorney in secret so Salem’s whereabouts stay hidden.
The elevator doors open. Instead of following the dim safety lights, I guide Salem around the perimeter of the garage to the car parked in Eli’s spot.
The black sedan looks out of place sandwiched between mine and Jayden’s vehicles and the other cars around us.
Before I open the back door, I peer in to make doubly sure it is Ms. Donnelly.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask Salem one more time.
In reply, she opens the door and slips inside.
Okay—no turning back now.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Tomes,” the DA starts, only to pause when Salem shakes her head.
“Please call me Salem,” is all she says as her hand finds mine again. When I glance at her, she gives me an apologetic smile.
Girl, you’re not the only one done with that name. I slide into the center of the bench and wrap my arm around her waist.
“Good afternoon, Salem,” the DA tries again, pivoting in her seat to give us both a smile. “I’m Natasha Donnelly, Los Angeles District Attorney.”
“I know who you are,” Salem tells her, sitting taller. Her voice is as level as her stare when she leans forward and adds, “I also know you have a reputation for locking up rapists and woman beaters. I looked you up, Mrs. Donnelly.”
“It’s Ms.”
“I’ll give you everything I have... pictures of what he did to me. Videos that he sent to my child’s father. I’ll give you anything I can to help your case...”
Natasha’s brow cocks. “And in return, you want?”
“I want to remain anonymous. Like Eli. Presley threatened my baby; he beat me... If he knows I’m helping you—if he finds me—he’ll kill me.” Tears flood Salem’s light-brown stare; when she blinks, they skitter down her pixie-like face. “I’m not endangering my son.”
“As a witness, you couldn’t remain anonymous in court. However, until then, I can ask the court to withhold your name from the defense until you testify. Given your relationship to the defendant and your history, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
“But you can’t guarantee it.”
“No, Salem, I can’t.” Salem pulls back at Natasha’s retort. “We don’t have enough evidence to press charges against Mr. Tomes. Without your testimony, there isn’t a concrete case.”
It feels like forever we sit in silence while Salem chews on her lip and Natasha waits. I’m tempted to say something just to cut the tension. To ease the simmering pressure in my chest.
“He’s going to get away with it,” Salem says, a quiet sob cracking my heart wide open.
“Not if you press charges. I can keep you anonymous on the grounds of victim harassment and intimidation.”
