Page 39 of Finding Redemption

We turn in unison as Maisyn’s exaggerated cough draws our attention. “Sorry, I don’t know how to fake cough. You both have people waiting.”

“Oh, of course. I apologize.” I turn back to Walker, who smiles warmly at me.

“We’ll pick this up later.” Walker excuses himself, to which I toss Maisyn a glare.

“Sorry.” She shrugs.

“Ugh. It’s okay,” I groan like a petulant child. I grab Marie’s file and join her in the other room. “Hello, Marie. How are you?”

She glances up at me and my heart sinks. I feel nauseated and angry. Marie’s a battered woman. Her husband, Joel, has beaten her unconscious too many times to count. She sits here today, bruised and beaten. Makes me madder than hell.

“I’m okay,” she tells me.

As my face flames, I swallow the bile rising in my throat so I can offer her my best. She deserves it, even if she doesn’t know it. Taking her hand, I sit beside her. I slip my arm around her, and she easily falls into the cradle of my shoulder and sobs.

Walker’s going to have to handle the rest. This is what’s most important. After twenty minutes or so, Marie calms and we get to work on helping her.

“All right, let’s see what’s left to do. All of your paperwork has been filed. We’re waiting for your divorce to be finalized. I’m going to put you and the kids into a home.”

She winces. “I hate the thought of taking them from the only house they’ve ever known.”

“This is your home. Marie, the founders of the center have made provisions for situations like yours. If you’re serious and follow through with starting a new life, the home will be yours in one year. Free,” I explain.

“What? Why would anyone do that?” Her brow furrows as a tear rolls down her cheek.

“Lea, the founder of this organization, was a battered woman.”

“But she’s rich.” Marie’s shocked look resembles the one most people have when they learn about the founder of this center.

“She wasn’t at the time it started, and after she moved to start a new life, he followed her. So she knows no limit to helping. And her new husband, he’s behind her one hundred percent.”

She begins to cry in earnest. “I’ll never be able to repay them.”

“It isn’t needed. They’re happy to help.” I hug her tightly, wishing I could do more for her. “Now, let’s get the kids and set you up until after your hearings.”

We walk into the hall where we find Maisyn and Latifa. “Ladies, Marie needs transport for her and the kids. Marie, you have our number. We offer transport and support, if needed.”

“Thank you.” She hesitates. “When Joel finds out, he’s gonna be so angry.”

“He will.” I hold her tightly before leaning back to stare into her eyes. “But we’re mad as hell, and he’s no match for us. Not anymore.”

She pulls me into another hug before nodding. “You’re right. You’re damn right.”

Latifa wraps her arm around Marie. “Let’s get you set up. The kids are eating a snack. It should give us time to finish the paperwork.”

Walker’s leaning against the door as I step around Maisyn. He tugs at my shirt as I pass by, making me pause. I look up into the sea of blue and gasp as the fluttering in my chest grows. “You’re amazing.” His words are soft and full of praise.

“Be careful, Pennington.” His brows arch at my words. “You’re making me think you might like me.”

His smile slowly grows, building into a devilish grin. He leans in, his warm breath traveling across my ear, no more than a whisper. “There was never a moment of maybe, only when.”

Walker brushes past me, sending chills racing over my body, my nipples pebbling from his heat. And his words. “What the fuck?” I mouth to myself in disbelief.

The rest of the evening is filled with clients and paperwork. I refused to appear eager or desperate, so I finished quietly and made my escape before running into Walker again. I’m not sure what, if anything, is going on between us. So, I do what I do best.

I put my guard up.

9