Figure Eight (Celtic Knot Book 2) Read Free Page A

see the text awaiting me.
    Asher: Good girl.
    What??
    My head snapped up and I looked out of my bedroom window. I couldn’t see his actual face due to the glare of the sun, but I knew it was Asher staring back at me. We both stared for what seemed like a million seconds, neither one of us willing to back down before he finally shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away. I picked up the vase from the table next to my bed and threw it against the wall, and I watched as each shattered piece of glass fell to the floor as if it were my own heart breaking before my eyes.
    It was misery in the purest form. I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs until my voice gave out and I could no longer speak, so I wouldn’t have to continue to say words that hurt the people I held close to me. It all felt like a sick dream.
    How could this happen to me?
    The nightmare was so torturous that I could barely stand it. Would I ever heal from it?
     
     

 
     
    The pungent staleness of the courtroom was the first thing I noticed as Russell led me to the bench where I would sit and wait to hear my bond. The second thing I saw was Knox on the other side of the room wearing the same bright orange state issued jumpsuit and shackles on his hands and feet. His head was bowed as he sat and stared at the floor. Anger rose up again not only for me, but for a man who had been with me through thick and thin, only to have to fall with me as well.
    Victoria sat a few rows behind Knox, and I was grateful for her support. I knew she was the one who would post our bail for us and that she had to be here, but I was still thankful all the same. She had helped me out so much over the years opening numerous clubs and finally settling in Chicago with us after a jealous ex-boyfriend threatened to harm her in Reno.
    I took small tentative steps towards the front of the courtroom, mostly due to the limited motion of my legs from the shackles, but also at the nervousness I felt about the situation. The sound of the chains echoed through the stark silent courtroom with each step and Knox lifted his head to look at where I was coming down the aisle. He gave me a curt nod before he clasped his hands together and began to twiddle his thumbs back and forth, fighting the same nervousness that I was feeling.
    What if we were denied bail? What if I never got to find out the reasons why Ashley lied and it landed Knox and me both in jail? All of the questions revolved in my brain as I finally reached the front of the room and sat on the hard cold bench of wood. Even though the wood was cold and hard, it was still softer than the bed back at my cell, and I welcomed the comforting change.
    Toby made his way into the courtroom and took a seat at the table in front of me before glancing back to give me a reassuring look and motioned for Knox to join me on the bench.
    “All rise for the Honorable Judge Hudson,” the bailiff called out into the room and everyone made their way to a standing position. The judge adorned in the standard black robe made his way behind his bench.
    “You may be seated,” his raspy voice called out to the room.
    “Mr. Michaels and Mr. Tanner, you are being charged with operating a business under false pretenses and prostitution. The prosecutor has recommended that you remain incarcerated. Mr. Johnson, what do you have to say on behalf of your clients?”
    Toby stood to address the judge and all I could think about was how the prosecutor wanted Knox and me to remain in jail. None of this made sense. Prostitution charges, even though they were completely untrue on our part, were not a serious enough offense to not allow bail and to keep someone locked up. My mind began to wonder about the entire situation in general and how all the pieces didn’t add up as Toby pled our case to the judge.
    “My clients have not committed violent crimes, Your Honor. In fact, they haven’t committed any crimes at all and you will see that after the