Fighting History (Fighting For Love Book 4) by Marysol James Read Free Book Online Page A

tried to be reasonable without being cold or detached, but it was tough. That was one of the hardest parts of doing this job: knowing how the process worked in reality, and being faced by innocent people who were being fucked over by that process.
    Just because it’s the law doesn’t make it justice.
    “But – I don’t understand why you’d deal about anything !” Reena said. “I mean, I’m still going to testify, no matter what… isn’t that good enough?”
    “Truthfully?” Charlotte said. “Maybe not.”
    Reena stared at the older woman’s kind eyes. Charlotte was smart as hell, she knew, and she’d seen more cases like this than Reena cared to contemplate, and Reena had trusted her every step of the way, so far. But negotiating with that fucking monster’s lawyers, in their expensive shoes and with their oily little smiles? No way.
    “Why not?” Adam asked.
    “Because one month ago, we had seven women willing to get up and testify about what Yates did to them. Now we have two, including Reena. And to be totally frank with all of you, as more time passes, the less confident I am that anyone besides Reena will actually go through with it.” She shuffled her feet. “Bethany has been wavering badly lately, and I know that once she hears about the other women pulling out this morning, she’ll most likely do the same. In fact, I’d lay money on it.”
    “Can’t you – I don’t know… make the women testify, if they’ve said that they will?” Katie said.
    “Compel them to provide evidence?” Charlotte said. “Yes, I can.”
    “No.” Reena’s voice was decisive. “You are not going to force anyone up on that stand. Those women have been through enough. If they back out and it’s just me, then that’s what you have to work with.”
    Her friends looked at her.
    “Reena,” Mia said gently. “If it’s just you giving testimony, then you get what that means, right?”
    “I – I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
    “It means that Yates is on trial for the assault on you only . Charlotte won’t be able to mention any of the other attacks, at all. No talk of the rapes, or the pay-offs. Just him hitting you and attempting to rape you.”
    “Yeah, OK.” Reena stared at her. “And?”
    “And that means that it all comes down to your word against his,” Mitch said. “And you’d better believe that he won’t testify, so it’s up to you, Reena. Just you.” His eyes were anxious. “You get that, sugar?”
    “I –” She stopped, confused and uncertain.
    “Reena,” Charlotte said. “It also means that the most we could expect is for him to spend four years in jail, but in reality, he’d serve less than two for good behavior. Maybe a small fine. And all that’s if he’s found guilty, which he may not be. It depends on how well you do on the stand.” Her round face was serious. “Are you really willing to put yourself through a grueling cross – and don’t kid yourself, hon, it will be brutal and personal – for maybe eighteen months in jail? The press coverage will be heinous, and what you’ve seen online is just a taste of what’s yet to come once you show your face in court.”
    They were all silent as the enormity of what Reena needed to do hit them like a freight train.
    “Reena,” Mitch began. “Maybe you should think about…”
    “Don’t say it,” Reena told him. She turned back to Charlotte. “ I am testifying . Two years is better than nothing, and no way you’re bargaining anything with that asshole. I give this my best shot – we both do, Charlotte – and I stand by whatever happens after. The fall-out, my name being raked through the mud… all of it.” Her soft voice was pure steel. “OK?”
    “OK.” Charlotte smiled at her. “I’ll have your back in there, Reena. If anyone can give this thing a chance of success, it’s you. As long as you’re with me, I’m with you.”
    “We are too,” Nick said. “You’re not alone, Reena. You