Saturday (Timeless Series #6) (21 page)

Backlash

Rose

My life had been put back together buy a very special man. Kyle was everything I wanted in another person, and I never thought I could feel this way again. He washed away the taint that stained my body. He removed every impurity, scar, and mark.

I was going to tell him the truth in France, but when I told him I loved him he said it back. And then I didn’t know what to do. The happiness flooded my body and everything else faded to the background. It didn’t seem important anymore—at least in that moment.

Now that everything was said and done, I didn’t know what to do. Telling him now may not make much of a difference. But I felt guilty for keeping it from him. Months ago he was interested to know why I was so timid when it came to dating. Now that he was my boyfriend he deserved an answer.

But I still dreaded telling him.

***

I was at the office when I got a call from someone I hadn’t spoken to in nearly four years.

“Rose Perkins?” The man’s voice came over the phone.

“This is she.” I still had no idea who this was. Maybe he was a new customer looking to build something.

“This is Mark Robinson.”

I remembered his name but couldn’t place him. How did I know him? Was he a former client?

“I was your attorney for the trial four years ago…”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I slapped my forehead in embarrassment. I couldn’t believe I forgot who he was. “Of course. How are you?”

“Good. You?”

“I’m great. Just working.” I paused when I realized I didn’t have any idea what he wanted. Why was he calling me? “Can I help you with something?” The trial didn’t end the way I wanted. Peter went free, and I changed my apartment and wiped my presence off social media. You couldn’t even find my email.

“I just thought you should know Peter is back on trial again. Apparently, he’s done the same thing to another woman and there’s substantial evidence against him. The lawyer taking the case said he didn’t want to involve you in it, but I thought you had the right to know what was going on.”

I listened to everything he said but I couldn’t process it. It took a minute for it to soak into my brain. “Wow…I don’t know what to say.” I was upset he hurt another woman, but I was also grateful he was on the stand again. Maybe this time he would be convicted and put away for the rest of his life. “Thank you for telling me.”

“You’re welcome. The trial started on Monday and it’ll probably last for two weeks. Not sure if you want to sit in on it but you’re allowed to.”

I didn’t want to have anything to do with the new case, but I also felt compelled to go. I had to see him pay for his crimes. I had to see him end up in jail.

I had to
. “I’m surprised I wasn’t asked to testify.” I didn’t want to take the stand, but I would do whatever it took to put Peter away.

“The attorney on this case said it was best to leave you out of it.”

“Why?”

“Since he was claimed innocent in your trial, he thought it may sway the jury in a bad direction.”

“I see…”

“I’m pretty sure he’s going down this time, Rose. I have a good feeling about it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Well…take care.”

“Thank you, Mark.” I hung up then stared at the surface of my desk, trying to take in all the information that was just dropped on me. Peter didn’t stop even after he was almost put in jail for the rest of his life. The fact he continued the same behavior was absolutely despicable. Even though it wouldn’t do me any good I needed to attend that trial.

I needed to watch him burn.

***

I got into my seat just before the trial continued. I was sitting in the third row right at the aisle. Peter and his two lawyers were directly in front of me. He wore an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs on his wrists. I could only see the back of his head, but that small glimpse was enough to confirm it was he.

The victim sat next to her lawyer, her head ducked down and her hair covering her face. She slouched forward, like she wanted to disappear and go unnoticed. Her lawyer wore a charcoal gray suit with dark brown hair. I could only see the back of his head but he reminded me of someone—someone I couldn’t place.

The judge began the proceedings with a short introduction. Then a witness took the stand, a woman about the victim’s age.

The lawyer in the charcoal gray suit stood and approached the stand, tall with powerful shoulders. He stood with his hands in his pockets before he started speaking. “You were there that night when Audrey had a date with the defendant, right?”

I recognized that voice.

“Yes,” the witness answered.

“You waited on their table, correct?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said.

“Was it clear it was a blind date?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered. “They introduced themselves at the beginning, and then they talked about the dating website they met on.”

The lawyer turned around and approached the jury, a fierce look in his eyes. He looked maniacal, the exact opposite of the way his voice sounded. I only knew that because I knew him so well.

It was Kyle
.

It was so strange I thought it was a dream. How could Kyle be defending Audrey? That would mean he knew about my case and what happened to me.

He knew what happened to me
.

I gasped and stood up, unable to believe what my two eyes were telling me. Kyle knew about my past all along. He probably knew the moment we met. He’d been keeping it a secret this entire time.

I couldn’t believe it.

Kyle turned my way when the rest of the crowd did. He simply glanced at me in the beginning, but once he realized who I was he stood frozen to the spot. Panic emerged on his face, and it was clear he wanted to say something, to stop me from leaving without an explanation.

I felt so stupid. I’d felt guilty for not telling him the truth, but he knew the entire time anyway. Now I understood why he was so patient with me, walking on eggshells all the time. Now I understood why he fought for me so hard, knowing I was a rape victim. He used that information to his advantage and manipulated me right where he wanted me to be.

The tears welled up in my eyes and I couldn’t stop them. I couldn’t look at Kyle for a moment longer and I never wanted to look at him again. I gave him one final look of betrayal before I turned on my heel and left.

And I never looked back.

I hoped you enjoyed reading SATURDAY as much as I enjoyed writing it. It would mean the world to me if you could leave a short review. It’s the best kind of support you can give an author. Thank you so much.

Is that really the end of Kyle and Rose? Or is there still hope? Find out in the next installment of the series SUNDAY.

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