“How do you manage to look this sexy no matter what time it is?” Harry stopped at the door to the sunroom and stared at the gorgeous blonde by the window, drinking coffee.
This was the only woman Harry had ever considered making a life with. Serena was stunning, with her pale blue eyes and gorgeous body. That’s what had attracted her to Serena at first, but it hadn’t taken her an hour to figure out that she wasn’t simply beautiful, but smart, funny, and a compassionate soul.
She’d asked Harry for her number and hadn’t wasted time before calling her. They’d shared a few dates before she figured out Serena had a bit of baggage, but by then she was willing to help carry it.
Serena’s abusive prick of a husband had disappeared when Serena filed paperwork to leave him. He’d left her in debt and pregnant, but to Serena it’d been worth it to not have to deal with him again. It’d been easy to stay with Serena through the bad times, and with Kenneth’s and Tony’s help, they’d gotten her life back in order.
Their romantic relationship hadn’t worked out, but she’d fallen in love with Butch. Harry had been there when he was born, and she’d vowed to always be a part of his life. That Serena would remain in her life as well wasn’t a hardship. Solid friendships weren’t something to be sniffed at.
“It’s a good reminder of what you’re missing out on. You could’ve had me, but you passed.” Serena put her hand on her hip, and Harry didn’t need any refreshers of how beautiful Serena was. “And Albert comes as part of the package, but you’re too dense for words.”
“You don’t ever fight fair, sweetheart.” She bent and kissed Serena hello.
“No, but no matter what I try, I can’t convince you to bite.” Serena kissed her again and led her to the couch. “But it’s all or nothing, which raises the stakes. At least you’re always honest. I forgive you because Albert loves you so much.”
“I love him and his mother, even if you don’t believe me.”
“Oh, I believe you, but I wanted to be your wife, not your sister.” Serena pulled the hair at the back of her head and laughed. “So, tell me why I’m here this early. I was out on a date last night, which ran late, so make it good.”
“Wait, you’re giving me a hard time when you’ve gotten over me already?” She pouted. “You’re killing me. Is this idiot even worthy of you, and can they be trusted around Butch?”
“Will you stop calling him that? Albert Hubert is my father’s name, and it’s perfectly lovely.”
“Having a lovely name isn’t what the kid will be going for, babe. Besides, everyone calls your father Hubbie, and you know it—though, I’m not sure how that’s better. Now quit complaining, and let me tell you a story.” They sat close together while she updated her on Byron’s latest attempt on Desi’s life.
“How this guy got bail is a mystery to me. It took me hours to fix the damage he did the first time.” She was getting agitated, but Serena put her hand in her shirt and scratched her stomach to calm her down, and it was working. “I say the first time, but I know there were plenty of others before. So just the first time this week.”
“You should come to court with me. Your friend’s story is horrible, but I’ve dealt with much worse.” Serena kissed her cheek. “I have a good feeling about this case. The fact that she wants to press charges—that she’s willing to do that, is major. If she doesn’t change her mind, and that happens more than you think, we have a fighting chance. Juries have little patience when women change their minds about their abusers.”
“I don’t know her well enough anymore to promise that she won’t backpedal. She barely looks at me when we talk.”
“That’s not uncommon either. I don’t know how long Desi was with her abuser, but the one thing that anchored her to him was fear. She’s felt that for so long that it’s hard for her to trust there’s no reason to be afraid anymore.”
“What do you think?” She was at a loss with all this—nothing in her experience would help her understand. Real men—and real women—didn’t use their fists on the women they supposedly loved.
“I think this meeting is a good idea, and that you’re a good friend. You’ll need to be, to get her through this. There’s still plenty of people who don’t think this is a crime.”
“Are those people idiots?” The memory of Desi wouldn’t let her be objective. “That’s ridiculous.”
“I’m not disagreeing with you, honey, but domestic violence isn’t an in-your-face kind of crime. It happens mostly behind closed doors, and it’s not often seen or acknowledged. Once the woman shows an ounce of compassion for her abuser, it’s all over.”
“Like I said, I wish I could tell you that wasn’t going to happen, but I’m not sure. There’s no way to know what the hell this guy did, but he did a good job of breaking her. She’s not the girl I knew.” She gazed at Serena, knowing she’d been there once upon a time. Finding an asshole to share your life with wasn’t a choice restricted to the poor and uneducated.
Serena smiled at her as if realizing where her mind had gone. “I’m okay, and Desi will be too. You know there isn’t anyone who can convince her how important it is to see this through like I can.”
Harry cupped Serena’s cheek, remembering the night Serena had told her about her ex-husband and all he’d done. But she couldn’t find the words to go with how she’d felt that night.
“I can’t promise we’ll win, but trying will go a long way toward building her confidence.”
Harry closed her eyes when Serena leaned closer in and kissed her again. “Thanks, and thanks for agreeing to come over here. I think she’ll be more comfortable in less intimidating surroundings.”
“It sounded important to you. Is Desi important to you?”
Harry sat still, not knowing how best to answer the question. “A long time ago we were good friends, and one day we weren’t anymore.”
“One day?” Serena put her hand back in her shirt and drew lazy circles on her stomach. “What does that mean?”
“She disappeared from my life, and I haven’t seen her since that day. I never knew why.” She had to confess how skillful Serena was at getting information. “I’m not expecting special favors, but it’ll make me feel better if she leaves here and goes as far from where I found her as we can get her. Do you understand me?”
“I do, and that’s understandable, so wait down here while I talk to her. Trust me, she’s not going to open up if you’re in the room. There’s always a fear of judgment.”
“I do trust you, but call if you need something.”
Serena gave her another quick kiss and stood. “We’ll be fine, and I’ll send Albert down here to keep you company. You can get out that insipid gaming system I don’t know anything about and rot his brain some more.”
“Studies show it’s good for hand-eye coordination. He can’t be LSU’s quarterback if he’s clumsy.”
“You’re a riot, and I promise I’ll come get you if I run into a roadblock.” Serena walked with her to the stairs. “And Albert’s going to be the president of the chess club, so get football right out of your head.”
“The boy’s going to have no friends if I let you have your way.” She smiled when Serena laughed.
Whatever happened next was out of her hands, but she’d have a clear conscience. And maybe, just maybe, the old Desi would have a chance to come back to life.
* * *
Desi enjoyed Butch’s total attention as she told him one of the stories she used to tell Rachel when she was a toddler. His laugh lightened her heart, and she listened to him tell her all about his uncle Harry, and from his excitement, she could tell how much he loved Harry.
She stopped talking when she noticed the beautiful woman leaning on the doorframe. “Hi,” she said, seeing where Butch had gotten his good looks.
“Hi.” The woman winked at her, dropped her briefcase, and came in. “Have you been a good boy, Albert?”
“Yes, Mommy. Miss Desi tells the best stories. I ate all the cinnamony toast Granny made me, and I finished my coffee.” He glanced back and patted her good leg. “And I didn’t move much like Uncle Harry told me.”
“You’re the best boy.” Serena came in and kissed his forehead. “Uncle Harry’s waiting for you to play your secret game. Do you want to tell me what that is?”
Butch swallowed hard while shaking his head. “No, Mommy, I promised Uncle Harry I won’t tell, and if I tell, we can’t save the world.”
“I don’t want to stop you from doing that. Go on.”
Butch got on his knees and hugged Desi, kissing her cheek. “Thanks for my story, Miss Desi. See you later, okay?”
“I can’t wait.”
He jumped down and started down the stairs like someone was chasing him. “Slow down, Albert, before you break your leg,” Serena yelled while shaking her head. “Sorry, sometimes I can’t help channeling my mother since Butch came along. I’m Serena Ladding—it’s nice to meet you.” Serena shook her hand before sitting in the chair next to the bed.
“I’m Desi Simoneaux.” This woman was gorgeous, and her clothes were like nothing she owned. “I thought you didn’t like anyone calling him Butch.”
“It’s good to keep Harry guessing, so I don’t tell her everything.” Serena’s smile never faltered as she shrugged. “You can’t let her get too smug.”
“I guess,” she said, not finding any reason to dislike Serena even if that was her instinct. “Harry said you work for the district attorney. Is that how you met?”
“No, we met at a party for Children’s Hospital, and she was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.” Serena fanned herself at the memory, and it made Desi ill. “My asshole ex-husband had disappeared after hitting me for the last time, and I’d just found out I was pregnant. Harry was there for all of it, and she helped me find my way back to myself.”
“What do you mean?” She couldn’t blame Harry for falling for Serena. She was beautiful, had a career, and came with a cute kid.
“Sometimes we ignore plenty because we convince ourselves this person we love can’t be all bad. He hits me, but then he says I’m sorry and he loves me.” Serena sobered and folded her hands together. “After it happens enough, you think of ways to change your behavior, so you don’t get hit again.”
“Part of that is true.”
Serena nodded and took a deep breath. “That’s how I handled it, but everyone’s story is unique to them. The only thing we have in common is that it’s not our fault. You’re a survivor, and you’re ready to say enough.” Serena stood and moved the tray off Desi’s lap so she could sit closer. “My hope is you’re ready to say enough.”
She nodded slowly, but agreeing was like standing at the edge of a cliff with a rushing river below. Jumping might or might not kill you, but you had no other choice but the abyss. “All I want is peace. I haven’t had that in so long. It’s hard to remember what it’s like not to be terrified all the time.”
Serena plucked some tissues and handed them over. “You have every right to that and so much more.” She held her hand and waited for her to regain her composure. “Remember that I’ll be with you through the entire process, as will Harry. She told me what happened at the hospital, and I want you to know Byron has been arrested and is in jail.”
“He was arrested after breaking my leg. No offense, but I doubt anything will happen to him.”
“I’m not here to lie to you or try and sugarcoat anything by saying this is going to be a breeze. Your husband doesn’t want to go to jail, and his family probably wants it even less.”
“His father is probably madder than Byron is.” Big Byron, as everyone called him, was almost scarier than her husband, and he was the one who taught Byron how to treat women. “He’s a scary man.”
“Abusers raise abusers, Desi, so I’m not surprised. If you keep in mind that he doesn’t want to pay for his crimes with jail time, you’ll be better prepared for what comes next.” Serena put her fingers under Desi’s chin and gently lifted her head. “If he hires a good attorney, you’ll be on trial as much as Byron. If his attorney is really good, the jury will gladly break your other leg.”
“That’s encouraging,” she said and laughed humorlessly. “Where do I sign up?”
“It’s only fair to warn you, but that’s the defense side of things. This is going to sound obnoxious, but there’s no one in the DA’s office better at prosecuting abusive assholes than me. That’s what I do best, and this time I want to put Byron Simoneaux away for a very long time for what he did to you.” Serena appeared so intense she had a hard time looking away. “Is that what you want to do?”
“The truth is, I’ve been trying to get away from Byron from the day I met him, but I had nowhere to run where he wouldn’t have found me and killed me.” She was so tired of running, and of fearing what the day would hold. Even now, her sleep was riddled with waking up at every little creak. She doubted she could ever leave that reflex behind, or the overwhelming apprehension that was her constant companion.
“It’s up to you to take that first step, and only you. But you have to be the one to decide to move forward.” Serena waited as if really giving her the option to choose.
“What do I need to do?” She really didn’t have a choice. There was no going back, but the future was just as terrifying.
“Let me get my pad so I can get some information.” Serena sat back in the chair with a yellow legal pad in her lap. “Are you still in love with this guy?” She tapped her pen against a blank page and cocked her head slightly. “I start with that because if you are, all this is a waste of time for me and everyone who cares for you. Don’t interpret that as me not wanting to help you.”
“You’re really blunt.” This wasn’t what she expected, and it sounded like a cruel joke.
“It’s ripping the bandage off quickly and not meant to be rude. If you’re not resolute about this, and you’re waffling, we’ll be back here in six months.” Serena put her finger up before Desi could respond. “I should say—I’ll be here in six months. If you go back, there’s a chance you won’t live long enough to try this again.”
She chose to let the words out, words she’d been careful to keep locked away for a long time. “I don’t love Byron—I never did. That’s why he hits me, I think. He knows. You probably think I’m weak and stupid, but I didn’t pick this life.” She lifted her hands and let them drop. “My plans were different than this.” She pointed to the cut on her temple.
“I understand you better than anyone, Desi, and I’m going to battle for you.”
Now that the words were out, she couldn’t seem to stop them. “Some days I wonder how this became my life. I’d sit and wait for him, trying to guess if the man who walked in would be the guy who tried to romance me on my daddy’s porch even when I told him to go away, or the guy who liked to hit me. At first, he liked to put the bruises where they wouldn’t be seen, but that didn’t always work out. And then he stopped caring about that altogether.”
Serena moved back to sit on the bed and took her hand. “I get that. My husband was the perfect guy while we were dating. He planned romantic dinners, got me little gifts, and made me feel special. That lasted through the proposal and the wedding. When we came home from the honeymoon, I met a completely different guy, and he made his point with his fists.”
“You married someone like Byron?” That surprised her, considering how confident Serena seemed.
“He never hurt me this bad, but he did hurt me. I was married to him, and now I’m not. That’s the most important part of my story.” She squeezed Desi’s fingers and smiled. “My experience is what makes me fight so hard.”
“Thank you. Is there anything else you need to know?”
They spent thirty minutes going through her history. Serena would take care of getting the wheels of justice turning. Desi’s job was to be ready to go once they got a court date. The main thing Serena wanted was for her not to change her mind.
“You’re a brave woman, and I’m proud of you,” Serena said once they were finished. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“I don’t know about that. I have no idea what I’m going to do next.”
“From where you’re sitting, I’d say you’re off to a good start. That has to count for something.”
“I don’t think so. I have no skills, and I have enough scars that I’ll never forget this.”
“Girl, you’re still young, and with a bit of calm you’ll forget Byron and his family.”
“Sure, it was easy for you. You have a family, Butch, and Harry. All I have are the choices I’ve made and Rachel. And God knows, she deserves her own life, away from all this.”
“Wait.” Serena leaned back. “Do you think Harry belongs to me?”
“She doesn’t?”
“Granted, I wish she did, but Harry is a confirmed bachelor. There’ve been plenty of women who’ve tried to change her mind, but she’s firmly in the available column.” Serena laughed and tapped her on the nose. “There’s only one woman in her bed, so maybe start thinking about ways to reel her in.”
“If she didn’t fall for you, there’s no way she’d be interested in me. I mean, look at you…And we have history, but it’s not good.” Admitting that was like running her tongue over her razor. “I hurt her, and this is charity, me being here. It’s just because she’s a good person.”
“It’d take me a day in the mall to make you look better than me, so follow every real estate agent’s mantra—location, location, location. And you’re in a great location.” She patted the surface of the bed and wiggled her eyebrows.
“She’s never going to forget what I did.” She’d seen a softening in Harry, but any romantic feelings were a long way off.
“Wait. You’re the girlfriend from high school, aren’t you?” Serena pointed at her.
“Harry talked about me?” She felt the heat rise in her face, thinking of what Harry had probably said about her.
“No, never, but you’ve met Tony, haven’t you? He didn’t go into detail, but he gave me the wide brushstrokes.” Serena stood and paced a little. “I was asking for advice on how to get her to commit because I’d struck out badly. It was either consult a voodoo priestess for a love potion or kidnap her, but nothing broke through Harry’s very solid brick wall.”
“You never asked her about the picture?” She pointed to the reminder she’d stared at all day.
“This is the first time I’ve breached the inner sanctum.” She walked to the picture and studied it closely.
“You never slept with her?” That was hard to believe, and probably none of her business, but Serena hadn’t held back on embarrassing questions.
“I didn’t say that, but this is the first time I’ve been in her bedroom. And I’ve never seen her smile this wide.” Serena tapped Harry’s face. “Don’t be jealous. We met, had an instant attraction, and when I wanted more?” She shrugged and walked back. “That’s when Harry decided we should be friends for Butch’s sake.” She tilted her head and studied Desi. “I decided friendship was better than nothing.”
Desi wished she’d had that option, but now, she didn’t have any. “Harry was always my choice, but my father couldn’t accept that. I did let her go, but it killed something in me, and nothing is going to revive it.”
“Don’t be too sure about that. Harry’s been waiting for someone, and here you are.”
They heard running on the stairs, which meant their talk was over, but she wished for a few more minutes. Serena had answers to questions she didn’t even know how to ask.