Free Fighting History (Fighting For Love Book 4) by Marysol James

needed to get off, and she changed her mind later. Pressed charges just to get a pay day.”
    “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 headlines tomorrow.”
    “Oh, Maggie. I’m so sorry.”
    “You know the worst part of this whole thing?”
    “What?”
    “That douchecanoe Simon Yates doesn’t have to do anything. He doesn’t have to testify or even say one goddamned
word
in his defense. He just sits there and watches his lawyers go after this woman that he beat up and tried to rape.” Maggie took a shuddering breath, struggling to stay calm. “But Reena? She has to get up on the stand and testify. She has to open this terrifying and traumatic experience in her life to scrutiny and questions and it all goes on the public record. And if she doesn’t? No witness, no evidence, no trial. Everything’s on her.”
    “I know.”
    “It’s so – so fucking unfair . Everything is riding on Reena’s credibility, and on how convincing she is. Like, what she was wearing when Yates tried to rape her is actually up for discussion. She has to defend the wardrobe that was almost ripped right off her body, for fuck sake!”
    Joe nodded.
    “And if Reena
isn’t
convincing to anyone because she’s living with a big guy who kickboxes? Then obviously Simon never laid a hand on her. You know? As if one thing has anything to do with the other.”
    Maggie looked at Joe, and suddenly realized that she was venting to a guy she disliked and mistrusted. She sighed again.
    “Oh, God. I didn’t mean to unload on you… you’re here to see a sculpture and I’m rambling on like an insane woman.” She walked across the room. “Over here.”
    “Maggie, it’s OK. I don’t mind…”
    “Forget it. It’s not your concern. It’s just that I came straight from Reena’s, and I guess I need some time to shake it off a bit.” She ran her hands through her hair, weary and stressed. “I’ll go wash my face and get myself together. You can check out the apsara, OK? Just let me uncover it for you.”
    Gently, she pulled the clean white sheet off the base of the sandstone slab.
    “Here you go. I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’ll just take a breath.”
    “You sure you’re OK?” Joe said.
    “Fine.” The fire and flame of a few minutes ago were gone now, and the cold and distant Maggie was back. Those green eyes regarded him without interest or emotion. “I’ll be back soon.”
    “Maggie?”
    She turned to look at him, said nothing.
    “You want to talk some more?” Joe hoped hard that she’d say yes. He was surprised how much he wanted to be there for her right now.
    She blinked in shock. “Uh, no, thanks. I have people who actually care about me who can do that.” She nodded at the apsara. “I’ll look forward to your feedback on your commission.”
    Joe watched her go in to the bathroom, and heard the water running behind the closed door. He exhaled, disappointed that she’d shut him down and out again. He would have been overjoyed to offer her some comfort, even for a few minutes.
    In the bathroom, Maggie rinsed her face and took a few deep breaths, gazing at her tired eyes in the mirror. She’d been taken aback by Joe’s genuinely sweet offer; more so by her genuine desire to take it. Despite her anger at him, she’d never forgotten how supportive he’d always been of her.
    Joe had been Maggie’s biggest fan, and his belief in her artistic talent had been unrelenting and real. He’d also listened for hours as she talked about her Mom’s health, and her money worries. Yeah, he may have lied about lots of things in their relationship, but not about his concern for her in those