Chasing Innocence | ✓

10 | dangerous plans

I've never heard a silence quite so deafening as the one that consumes us walking from the courtroom.

I trail behind Davina who talks sternly and quietly with Braxton. David stands to the left of him, briefcase in hand.

"I'm going to kill that bitch," Braxton's friend growls.

"Who?" I frown, absentmindedly moving away from this strange man who keeps appearing in my life.

"The witness," he growls.

"You know who the witness is?"

"I have my guesses," he growls. "She better watch herself."

"She'll be in witness protection. No use threatening her."

I stare at the tattoos crawling up his neck; the murderous gaze of devil eyes stares back at me in black ink. I look away.

"Who are you?" I ask, eyeing Davina as we exit the court and enter the winter chill.

"Braxy hasn't mentioned me?" he mutters. "What a surprise."

"Marco," Braxton calls. He's standing to the left of Davina now, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

Braxton grabs Marco by the arm roughly, turning him away from me as they talk low. I can see the frustration from both of them.

Davina and David are far too engaged in their own discussion to notice the tension between them.

Braxton's voice rises as he steps closer to Marco, anger rolling off his back in waves. I can see the veins in his neck as he points a finger at Marco's chest. Before I can think better of it, I move towards them casually, trying not to draw attention.

Sliding between them, I glare up at Braxton, smacking away the hand that he still points. "You really think it's a good idea to start a fight in front of a courthouse?"

His gaze mirrors mine as he stares at me, gritting his teeth. "Go ahead. Gloat. This is what you were expecting, right?"

I scoff. "I know you didn't get the result you wanted in there, but don't start on me. I've never been against you."

"Hey." Davina strides towards us, heels clicking. I can tell she's angry before she even begins her lecture. "I'm taking you both out for lunch."

The judge had set the court date two months from now. We'd need all the time to prepare after Braxton had given us nothing during any of our previous meetings.

"I need to get—"

"It wasn't a question," she cuts him off, raising a finger between both of us. "Get in the car."

"I drove myself—"

"I can take it home," Marco interrupts Braxton. "I didn't drive."

Braxton glares at his friend. They stare at each other for a moment longer before Braxton hands him the keys, shoving them into his open palm. Marco walks off, but not before sending a wink my way. My skin prickles as I cross my arms over my chest.

"Rhea," Davina turns to me, a scornful look gracing her porcelain skin. "A word?"

She leads me away from Braxton as he angrily blows smoke in the air before stubbing out his cigarette with the toe of his shoe. He does it harder than needed.

"Rhea," she sighs, shaking her head. "I like you and you're a smart girl. But I don't want to have to warn you again. Arguing with Braxton is not going to help us here. He's withdrawn enough as it is."

I bite my tongue, knowing that it won't get me anywhere. "I understand," I nod. "It won't happen anymore."

"I hope you mean that—"