Semua Bab Fighting History (Fighting For Love 4): Bab 21 - Bab 30

“Reena was totally humiliated. Grilled and attacked. That asshole’s lawyers took it in turns and they made it sound like she loved being in relationships with abusive guys… the one lawyer even asked her if she liked anything other than rough sex.”“What?” Joe stared at Maggie in horror.“Yeah. The implication was that what happened with Simon was just consensual BDSM sex that maybe – maybe – got out of hand. Or worse: sex that didn’t get out of hand at all. That she actually loved it at the time, and it was totally what she wanted and needed to get off, and she changed her mind later. Pressed charges just to get a payday.”“Oh, my God.”“I know, right? And another implication was that she’s with Mitch because he’s a violent brute who makes his living beating people up, and she really loves that.” Maggie ran her hand over her face, feeling wiped out. “The D.A. objected and the judge agreed, but it’s out there now, you know? The press will have a field day. I’m terrified to see the head

Two weeks laterMaggie opened the studio door for herself and Joe, working hard to stay calm. She was almost dead on her feet and all she wanted to do was crumble. Joe’s stubborn insistence that he come tonight to see the completed first sculpture made her want to scream. He'd backed off quite a bit in the past couple of weeks, and she hadn't even seen him since the first day of Yates' trial, but she wasn't looking forward to having him around her when she was so tired and on-edge.Deep breaths. It’s OK. Just show him, get his feedback, get his ass out of here.Joe studied Maggie closely, taking her in. She had dark circles under her beautiful eyes, and her cheeks had no color in them at all. Even her lips looked gray.Goddammit, I may have been pushing her too hard to get this done. Maybe it’s too much for her, with all this never-ending shit happening with Reena.“Come on in,” she said. He followed her past the tiny kitchen into her main work area, and he stopped dead. There, in th

“Actually, I just remembered that I have to meet a supplier tomorrow morning, and then I’ll be out for the rest of the day.” Joe was totally lying, but he didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty about it. “Can you drop by tomorrow night? Maybe around six?”“Sure,” she sighed. Normally, she’d be at the hospital by then, just settling in next to Rita’s bed for the long night vigil, but showing up an hour later wouldn’t be the end of the world.“So… you sure you’ll be OK here on your own now, Maggie?”“I’ll be awesome here on my own.” Because I’ll be here without you.He paused. “Can I ask you one thing before I go?”She sighed again, heavily. “If you must.”“Why won’t you say my name?”She looked up at him sharply. “What?”“I’d kind of noticed something was weird, of course, but it didn’t really hit me until tonight… when you passed out and fell was the first time that you’ve said my name since walking into my restaurant to take the commission.” He shrugged. “Why won’t you say my name?”Ma

“No deal, man.” Nick turned his back on Adam. “Things here have been really busy, as you know, and I just lost track of time. That’s all.”“Nick…”“No. Leave it. I’m wiped out.” Nick shrugged on his jean jacket. “I’m going home.”“Not to Mia’s?”“Nope. Seems she’s going to meet some guy named Grant for a drink.”That made Adam stop. “What, like a date?”“No, they’re just friends.” Nick tried to act like he didn’t give a crap, but Adam had known him for over a decade, and nothing got past the guy. “From her time in Hong Kong.”“Oh, Nick,” Adam said quietly. “No, man. Don’t let this start to happen.”“What?” Nick said, even though he knew damn good and well what Adam was talking about.“Don’t blow her off, and then watch her go out for drinks with other guys.”“You saying Mia’s going to cheat on me?”“No way. Never. But if some other guy starts paying attention to her and making time for her, and you’re MIA all the time? Don’t be surprised if she decides that the other guy wants her mor

“What kind of emergency?”“Family.” She swallowed. “I need to get to the hospital.”“Hospital?” Joe said. “What’s going on?”“None of your damn business,” she said, then turned to the police officer. “Please… just let me go, OK?”“I’m really sorry, ma’am.” He did actually look pretty regretful. “The streets are already being blocked off now, and they won’t let you past the barricades. You’ll just have to wait.”“But –”“Look,” he said. “As soon as I hear that the coast is clear, I’ll come and get you first. OK? I’ll get you out of here personally. That’s the best I can really do, though.”“Please,” she said again. “I can’t stay here… I need to go.”The police officer really looked at her now, really took in her panic. “Hey,” he said gently. “I’ll get you as soon as this building is cleared, OK? I’ll get you past the barricades. Give me an hour or two. Alright?”She sighed. “OK. OK, thanks.”“Remember,” he said. “Stay together, alright? If anything happens, it’s best if you’re with som