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After we take his information, he retreats into the restaurant while Arthur and I head to the ground floor. Neither of us speaks until we’re in the cab. I give directions for the driver to take us to the Black Penny.
If we get this information to Richards, he can vet the waiter. We can’t do this halfway. It has to be airtight.
Vic Simmons will pay for what he did to Marcy.
After a few shots and a long conversation with Richards, we have our next step. He’ll run a background check on both the waiter and Simmons. We can take the information to Marcy’s lawyer and let him start the process.
I manage to keep it together until I reach my apartment. Inside, Marcy’s curled up in my bed, sleeping. Kate must have given her the spare key. I’m fit to burst with all the information I have, but I don’t have the heart to wake her.
Once I strip down, I slide beneath the covers beside her. She curls against me, and I’m reminded of just how lucky I am to have her in my life.
She deserves peace, and I’m determined to see this through to the end.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Marcy
I snuggle in when his arm drapes across my waist, pulling me close. A contented sigh escapes me.
Rob’s lips trail over my shoulder, and I squirm trying to get even closer. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s fine.” I moan when he nips at my skin. “This is the best way to be woken up.”
Artificial light filters through the windows, casting a hazy glow across the dark room. I turn in his arms until we’re face to face. His careworn expression leaves my heart pounding. For years, I’ve dreamed of this, of sharing myself with him. This man has seen me at my worst, and yet he still wants me.
I bite my lip. “How did it go with Richards?” I trail my finger along his jaw.
“Good.” Rob drops his gaze. “Listen, I don’t want you to get upset, but you deserve to know.”
“Upset? Why would I get upset?” I draw back slightly.
“Arthur and I went to the Plaza.” He holds up a hand when I open my mouth to protest. “We spoke to someone willing to testify on your behalf. He saw everything.”
My fury at their presumptuous action disintegrates into shock. “Wait...what?”
“There was a waiter who saw the whole encounter in the hallway. He’s willing to testify against Vic Simmons.”
“You’re joking?”
“I would never joke about something like this.” He takes a deep breath and cups my cheek in his palm. “Richards is going to run background checks on him and Simmons, get us some more information before you meet with your lawyer.”
“I’m supposed to meet with him tomorrow afternoon.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
He’s in earnest. I can see the unresolved agitation in the way he tenses his body as if he’s bracing for rejection. “Let me think about it.”
“Okay. There’s no rush.” He deflates at my response but nods in understanding. “I’m here for you, Marcy. Whatever you need, just say the word.”
“I appreciate it.” My heart aches at the thought of Rob and Arthur fighting my battle for me, even though they have both assured me they’re only helping me. “But this whole mess is my fault. I shouldn’t have gone out with him. I should have trusted my gut.”
“You can’t blame yourself for his actions.” He hooks his finger beneath my chin and brings my gaze up. “You did nothing wrong. He’s an abusive, entitled asshole.”
“I know.” Tears sting my eyes. “But you of all people should understand...I don’t want to be rescued. I don’t want charity. Facing him down is the only way I’ll get any closure. I refuse to be scared of my own shadow just because he’s a goddamn bully.”
“I’m not trying to fight this battle for you, Marcy.” His touch leaves me trembling with need. “I’m here for support. You’ve got yourself through worse scrapes than this, and you’ve thrived because of it. I couldn’t be prouder of you than I am right now. Facing this takes courage. There are a lot of people who break under this pressure.”
“Trust me, I’ve been tempted to just walk away and let him win this round.” Heaviness settles around my heart at the thought of Vic hurting another woman when I could have stopped the cycle. “I can’t bear the thought of someone else being on the receiving end of his unwanted attention. What if he goes too far and does major damage?”
