Free Behind His Eyes - Convicted: The Missing Years by Aleatha Romig Page A

appreciative type, but Claire is. So, for right now, I guess it’s my job. Thanks for everything. She was definitely right about you.”

    Eric pulled the car up to the front of the hospital.
    “You don’t need to babysit me,” Tony said to Brent.
    “Yes, I do. I know how you feel about the Vandersols and how they feel about you. You don’t need any more charges filed against you.”
    Tony shrugged. Brent was probably right. They made their way up to Claire’s room. As the elevator doors opened, a woman with short dark hair stepped forward. “Mr. Anthony Rawlings?”
    “Yes.”
    She reached in her bag and pulled out a large envelope. Handing it to Tony, she said, “You have been served.”
    “What the hell?” Tony asked in disbelief as the woman entered the elevator, the doors closed, and Brent and Tony were left staring at the envelope.
    “Let me see that,” Brent said as he reached for the envelope and opened the flap.
    Tony moved to Brent’s shoulder so they could both read the words. It didn’t take long for the meaning to be clear. Tony staggered. “A restraining order, for both Claire and Nichol? They can’t be serious! I’m going to see my wife.”
    “No, Tony. You can’t afford to break this order. It’ll land you back in jail.”
    “I don’t give a damn about some piece of paper. I haven’t seen Claire since the shooting. No one is keeping me away from her or Nichol,” he added.
    Brent reached for Tony’s arm.
    “Don’t do it, Brent. Don’t try to stop me.” Tony’s dark eyes glared.
    “I’m doing what needs to be done. I’m going to bet when we turn that corner, there are policemen outside of her room. Husband or not, Anthony Rawlings or not, you can’t walk through a restraining order. The day is young. Let me find out the allegations and why this was granted. We’ll get it overturned, hopefully today.”
    Through clenched teeth, Tony seethed. “Get me out of here before I add murder to my list of charges. So help me God, if I see my in-laws…”

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
    —Lord Acton

    The night before, Brent had ventured further into Meredith’s book. It wasn’t that he wanted to know the details, but with everything that was happening, he believed that he needed to know. The recent memories of the three of them, Claire, Nichol, and Tony in his kitchen and living room, gave Brent the strength to read with an open mind. It was a luxury not held by many. Other than Roach, Courtney, and himself, Brent wasn’t sure of anyone else who knew how far the Rawlingses’ relationship had progressed.

    My Life as It Didn’t Appear: Chapter 2…

    I couldn’t remember what happened, but I knew it had. I knew that somehow and for some reason, my life had changed. My body ached, each movement evidence of the atrocities I suffered, atrocities cloaked in veiled memories that my mind kept locked behind my conscious recollection. When I finally awoke, I didn’t move or make a sound, fearful of what or whom my actions may alert. I lay still for the longest time, utilizing my other senses. I heard silence. It’s true that it’s audible: a buzzing that drones on and on. While the blankets against my exposed skin were soft and comforting, I fought to deny the aroma of the bed where I lay. Instead, I drifted in and out of sleep. With time, my mind cleared and the calmness of the room gave me the strength to move.
    Though the suite where I was kept was beautiful and lavish, I was too focused on survival and escape to notice the opulence. Despite my circumstances, I held onto false hopes that I could make both goals a reality. With each step on my tender legs or the sight of my marred reflection, the hope dimmed. The reality was suffocating: I’d been used, physically abused, and undeniably raped.
    I remember thinking that things like this didn’t happen to real people. This was the storyline for TV shows, movies, and books—not for real life. Yet,