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I clear my throat. “It wasn’t like that. We never…had sex. Our feelings started slow and—” I don’t get to finish because she interrupts me.
“I understand your father is serving time for the murder of your mother, is that correct?”
“Yes ma’am, that’s correct, but—”
“And the police were called to your home many times for domestic violence and your mother refused to press charges each time, is that also correct?” She stares solemnly.
I rub at my mouth, anger simmering beneath. What is she trying to insinuate? “Yes ma’am, that’s correct but that has nothing to do with Lilah.”
“Really? Because that’s not how I see it. The way I see it is you killed Mr. Davis because he was very much like your father, beating on a woman, who like your mother, was scared and defenseless. A woman you had feelings for, by your own admission earlier.” She puts the pen down and folds her arms across her suit clad body, looking at me as if I’m the villain, as if I’m the one who terrorized Lilah, like I’m the one who broke into her home, like the murder wasn’t justified, when it was.
“And when you and Mr. Davis were fighting,” she continues, “you picked up the knife he almost used on her and you killed him, instead of easily defending yourself, especially with your background with, what was it? Delta Force?” she asks, squinting her hazel eyes as if she doesn’t know the answer. I had no idea where this interview was going to go, or I wouldn’t have waived my right to an attorney. I figured I looked like I had nothing to hide if I did.
I pinch my brows together, the movement stinging a bit, my face still hurting from the fight, and I release a heavy sigh. “You have this all wrong, but I don’t think anything I say will erase the story you have already concocted in your head. I was defending myself to the best of my ability given him punching me in the back of my head earlier, which I had already explained to you before. I think it’s best I call for that attorney now.”
“Yes, I think that’s the smartest thing you’ve said today.” She pushes her chair back, taking her papers with her, and exits the room.
A detective I saw in the room earlier returns. “C’mon, you’re going back to the cell,” he mutters, like I’ve ruined his entire day.
“Okay, but first, could I call my friend to tell him to call my attorney? I don’t remember the attorney’s number.”
“Yeah, fine, let’s go.” He leads me to the front where two black phones hang on the wall. I dial Gabe’s number and he immediately answers.
“Hey Gabe, it’s me. Calling from a police station so I can’t talk long. I need you to get the attorney we know and have him meet me at the Third Precinct.”
“Already done. Jax and I are with Lilah. She told us everything. The attorney should be there soon.”
“Thanks, man. I gotta go. Tell Lilah I love her.”
“She knows brother, she knows.” I hang up and hope like hell the attorney knows what the fuck he’s doing.
* * *
LILAH
“I’m sorry what did you say? Can you repeat that because I definitely didn’t hear you right!” I clutch my hair tightly in my hands as I glower at Mr. Fields, Damian’s attorney, who’s informing us about the charges. I can’t believe any of this is happening. It’s like an awful dream I can’t wake myself up from.
After meeting with Damian, Mr. Fields called Gabe wanting us all to meet at Damian’s place, who instructed we be kept in the loop. I sniffle, wiping my eyes, feeling the tears against the pads of my fingers. I can’t stop worrying about Damian. I hate knowing he did this for me. He shouldn’t have!
“Lilah just sit down. Let him finish,” Lexi urges, but I’m unable to sit still, everything inside me is revolting, like an angry riot. I replay everything from that night like it’s on a never-ending loop. The many what ifs fly around in my head. What if I had went and gotten help only to find Damian dead? What if Ash got to me before I managed to dial for the police and killed me after killing Damian? What if Damian would’ve killed Ash himself?
Multiple pairs of eyes stare at me, waiting for me to calm down. Well, they can keep on waiting because I won’t be calm, not until he’s out.
Jax stands, taking tentative steps to me like I’m a wild beast who needs to be tamed. “Lilah, babe, come on. I know you’re worried. We all are. But he wouldn’t want to see you this way.”
I sigh, attempting once again to calm the war going on inside me. Staring into his blue eyes, I can see the concern but unlike all of them I can’t just relax and assume everything may work out. It sure as hell doesn’t sound that way to me.
I know Damian wouldn’t want to see me upset because, well, he’s Damian and all he’s ever wanted to do since he met me is to protect me. But he’s the one who needs protection now. I have to help him. He entered my clusterfuck of a life and it ruined his. “It’s fine, I’ll stand. I’m too upset to sit.”
He nods once and returns to take his place next to Lexi. Gabe is the only one who seems to be as concerned as I am, but unlike me, he doesn’t show it so well. The only evidence of his feelings is the clenching of his fists every time the attorney speaks.
Mr. Fields brushes a hand over his grey hair and gives me a sad smile, clearing his throat. “Look guys, this assistant district attorney is the real deal. She is tough and she wins. Like I said, she initially was going to charge him with murder two but after our meeting she bumped it down to voluntary manslaughter, which carries a minimum of five years and a max of twenty-five.”
“No, no way! He’s not going to prison,” I yell. “He did nothing wrong!” Everything hurts, every part of me aches and I burn from the inside out, the avalanche of flames growing bigger.
“She has a case, but so do we. I don’t want anyone giving up, because I’m not. We have a great argument for self-defense. We’ll need you as a witness, Ms. McDaniels.”
“Of course. Anything he needs. What are his chances? Please, I need to know.”
