Yesterday's Tomorrows Read Free

was some puppy who followed its master's cues blindly. I’d been betrayed by people I knew and trusted; if he thought I was getting into a car with a total stranger, he was dumber than a box of hammer handles!
    "Hey! Wait a minute." Even from behind, I could see his shoulders heave as if he sucked in and blew out a deep breath.
    "What?" he huffed over his shoulder.
    "Why should I go with you? I might not have fancy clothes like you, and I may have been somewhat removed from the civilian world for the past few years, but unless things have changed drastically in that time, where I come from, the decent thing to do when 'meeting' someone is to introduce yourself." I crossed my arms and waited.
    He turned and stared at me as if really seeing me for the first time. His lip quirked ever so slightly as he took a step toward me. "Indeed. I do humbly apologize for my poor manners, Ms. Stone." He swept into a bow before me. "Holten Andrews, at your service." He straightened up and stepped right up to me. He could barely bite back the smirk that threatened the corners of his lips. "Is that civil enough?"
    I scowled at him. If he thought lording his extra six or so inches of height was going to intimidate me, he obviously hadn't spent much time within the walls of the building we'd just left.
    "Your manners are only exceeded by your sarcasm," I responded. As soon as the words left my mouth, I almost regretted them. Almost. "I still don't know who you are or why I should trust you."
    Easy girl. Dial it back. He might be acting like a prick, but you don't need to make trouble your first few minutes out of prison.
    He seemed amused by my observation. "Touché, Ms. Stone. I'm an attorney at McCloskey, Barnes, and Wilson. Mr. McCloskey sends his apologies that he was unable to meet you and sent me in his place."
    I studied the thick, ivory business card he presented me. "Ahh. So you got stuck with babysitting duty, hmm?"
    A dark eyebrow lifted. "Your sarcasm is exceeded only by your perception."
    Point for Mr. Moody.
    I shrugged it off. "If Mr. McCloskey sent you, I suppose I'll have to trust you."
    He stared back at me, purposefully shifted his eyes to the building behind me, then back to me. "I'd say we're both in that position, Ms. Stone."
    His words might as well have been a slap in my face. I'd been 'free' for less than ten minutes, and already my previous status was tossed in my face. I couldn't blame him, however. He probably didn't know me or my circumstances other than I'd served time. In no world would that not raise a yellow, if not red, flag.
    My face grew warm. I looked away, mostly so he wouldn't be able to see the tears that gathered in my eyes. How quickly my exhilaration faded in the face of my new reality. I blinked rapidly. I'd fought for the past six years not to show any weaknesses; now was not the time to start.
    My escort didn't apologize, but his tone did soften. "My car is parked over there along the curb. If you follow me, I'll take you home."
    Home.
    I wasn't sure that's what I'd call whatever my living arrangement was, but it still sent a little thrill through me. It gave me a goal, a beginning. It gave me hope.
    "Madelyn Stone?" called a voice from behind my shoulder.
    Well, didn’t that just beat all! I should have known the weather wasn't the only thing that would rain on my day.

2
Holt
    I felt the woman at my side stiffen before slowly turning toward the voice that called from our side. Irritated by yet another delay in getting back to my office, I glanced over my shoulder to see a well-dressed woman, probably in her thirties, with two young girls standing slightly behind her. If I had to guess, they were probably sisters around eight or nine years old, the same age as my sister’s twins.
    "You filthy whore!" the woman shrieked. "You killed my husband and the father of these girls. You should be rotting behind bars, you evil bitch!" Her face was contorted with hatred as she moved closer. Her girls remained