Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 71

Harry walked back into Niall's house hours later.  It was late, and he was exhausted.  He'd spent hours with his lawyers.  Some of the answers he had liked, and some he didn't.  He was in full protective mode, and he hated everything that Julie had to go through for this.  He walked in and plopped down next to Niall on the couch.  "Hey, man.  Thanks for having your lawyers call mine.  I can't believe this is happening."  He rubbed his face and leaned backwards.

"Of course, mate.  I would do anything to help.  Yeah, every time we think that jackass is out of the way, he just shows back up.  The balls this guy has.  Like he knows what he did, right?  What makes him think that everyone else is just going to forget?  I couldn't figure out why he did what he did in Vegas.  In front of EVERYONE, he just thought he could manhandle her, and he could get away with it."  Niall looked over at Harry.  "Do the lawyers think we can take care of it?"

"They seem to think what Julie thinks.  That if we try and pay him off, he's just going to come back later when he thinks he needs more.  That an NDA can be drafted in a more detailed manner, but they don't think it would stop him from trying.  So, they want to drag my already abused girlfriend through the courts and have them drag up a past she doesn't even want to share with those close to her, out in front of the world.  I hate this.  I hate every second of this.  And I wish there were a way that I could just handle this and make it go away.  There are so many things I have running through my head that I'd like to do to that fucker.  But, it would, in the end, only make it worse for Julie.  But man, would it feel good in the moment."  Harry stated leaning his back against the couch and closing his eyes.

"I think we all think that, Harry."  Amanda said walking into the living room and sitting herself between Harry and Niall.  She had heard what Harry had said about the lawyers as she was walking down the hall.  She must have checked on JJ a million times since Harry'd left.  She was afraid JJ would somehow sneak out when she wasn't watching.  She wouldn't blame JJ for wanting to get as far away from this as possible.

"Julie's still here, right?"  Harry asked Amanda.  He wanted to ask Niall as soon as he got there, but he had been afraid of the answer.

"Yeah, she's asleep, finally."  Amanda sighed.  "She's having a hard time.  She's pretty much cried the whole time you were gone, but I wasn't able to get her to say much.  The only thing she would do is apologize for it ruining my happy time.  I wish she would get that I don't feel that way at all."

"Well, she worries, a lot, about you."  Niall placed a kiss on the side of Amanda's head and draped an arm around her shoulders.  "Plus, it's JJ.  When doesn't she think everything is her fault?"

"Yeah, as a direct result of the asshole who's still trying to ruin her life.  You know damn well he made everything her fault."  Amanda stated angrily.

"Yeah."  Harry stated matter-of-factly.  "I don't know what to do.  How do I tell her that the best thing for her to do is tell everyone in open court about the shit he put her through for so long?  You know she feels ashamed and blames herself for it happening.  How do I tell her the best thing to do is bring in her friends to testify, the same friends she doesn't want to bring into this at all?"  He sighed.

"Yeah, I know, Harry.  But, maybe it's time.  She won't like it.  Hell, I won't like it.  She told us all over time.  Not all at once.  Now, she's supposed to go tell her past life in details?  There are details I'm sure that we don't even know."  She looked at Niall and then at Harry and back to Niall.  "This isn't going to be easy on any of us, is it?"

Niall rubbed Amanda's shoulder gently.  "Probably not, but don't let JJ hear you say that.  She will only blame herself more.  She's going to hate all of this attention.  She's going to hate having to rely on us."