James's deep timbre through the phone speaker would normally be a grounding calm for me, but for the first time since I've met him, his shaky voice lacks the usual confidence and control I've become accustomed to. Instead, he sounds frantic as he says things like "dangerous" and "get out of there" and "get the hell out of there." I whisper words of reason until James agrees that a building full of cops is the last place he needs to be right now. Charlie is on his way.

I slip out of the ladies' room, my phone clutched in my trembling hand, still reeling after that phone call.  I glance at the time on my phone screen and down at the program posted by the door. If the night runs according to schedule, I've timed this just right. Charlie will be here in ten minutes. I'm so focused on my escape plan I don't notice Wyatt loitering by the bathroom door.

"Ready?" His eyes dart to the ballroom. He takes me gently by the elbow and leads me in. Just when we walk across the threshold and I make eye contact with Jodi, he reaches out and takes my phone, slipping it into the inside pocket of his overcoat. Jodi frowns and looks down at her hands on her lap.

"Let me hold on to this for you, kid." If he's using the familiar nickname to compensate for his asshole behavior, it's not working. "You left your purse in the truck. I'd hate for you to have to hold this all night." His jaw ticks and he swipes his index finger across the tip of his nose.

I believe James when he says Wyatt is dangerous, especially now. His behavior, his words have been completely unacceptable, even if I haven't called him on it. Wyatt seems to interpret my silence as submission, but it's anything but. I know when I'm in trouble. I also know how to handle an unpredictable person who is bigger, stronger and has more authority than me. I've trained for this most of my childhood. I smile sweetly at him.

"Thanks." I keep it simple. Any more and he's bound to hear the disdain in my voice. That he underestimates me is my greatest advantage right now.

He doesn't leave his coat at the coat check, much to my disappointment. Charlie is supposed to text me when he gets here. If Wyatt sees that text, he'll know I'm leaving. I'm leaving regardless, I'd just rather do it discreetly, without a scene.

I play along during cocktails, following Wyatt around like the dutiful girlfriend. Holding his arm and laughing at his jokes. He relaxes and warms to me, so much so that I get glimpses of the sweet childhood friend and charismatic, sexy boyfriend I miss. I find myself wondering, and not for the first time, where we went wrong. Did he change? Did I? Were we ever even the people we thought we were to begin with?

He pulls my chair out when we arrive at our table. We're seated with Wyatt's parents and another couple. I've never met the circuit court judge, but I recognize him from the research I've done in preparation for my externship interview. A beautiful, blonde woman sits to the Judge's right, and the rings sparkling on the left hand wrapped around the judge's arm leads me to believe she's his wife, although she looks young enough to be his daughter. Everyone's attention is turned toward him as he finishes a joke.

"Women lawyers are like bears who ride bicycles at the circus. One is not impressed that they do it poorly, but that they can do it at all." The entire table laughs. Wyatt joins in as he slips his coat off and hangs it on the back of his chair. I don't have it in me to laugh, but I at least force a fake smile.

I check the clock on the wall behind the presenter. Five minutes.

"Well, who is this lovely creature?" The judge asks. His young wife glares at me.

Wyatt introduces me to the Judge and we make pleasant small talk, even though his glassy eyes are trained to my chest instead of my face. I'm not surprised when the old Judge explains that he and Chief Montgomery have been close friends for decades. I am surprised to learn he's Wyatt's Godfather.

"Wyatt, you didn't tell me you were close to the Judge."

"I know that silly externship means a lot to you and you'd want to earn it on your own merits."

"Externship?" the Judge asks.

"I applied for the drug court externship. I have an interview with you next month."

His gaze slides down to my chest and back again, and my skin crawls. "I look forward to it."

"Well while we're on the subject, you should go ahead and just choose her." Wyatt laces his fingers with mine and brings our conjoined fists to his lips, placing a small reverent kiss on the back of my head. "She's super smart and the hardest worker I know. And the drug court means something to her." I'm genuinely shocked at Wyatt's kind words and support.

"She's Brenda Evans' daughter," Chief Montgomery interjects.

The Judge, who is no doubt very familiar with my mother, gives me a sympathetic nod. I hate the look on his face. The way he judges my mother. The way he pities me.

"Beer," Chief Montgomery grumbles to Jodi. She flinches but gets up immediately and heads to the bar without a word, her eyes trained to the floor. Brent stretches back in his chair and laces his fingers together behind his head without sparing his wife a glance and joins in on one of the old hunting stories the Judge is droning on about.

I stand with Jodi, but walk behind Wyatt and place my hands on his shoulders. He drops his head back and smiles up at me as I run my hands down his chest and lean close to his ear.

"Need a refill, babe?" I practically purr in his ear. I can barely hear my own voice over the pounding of my heart.

"Another beer," he responds with a smug smirk. Brent gives Wyatt an approving nod that makes my skin crawl.

I reach for Wyatt's glass with my right hand, pressing my chest against his shoulders. I lightly kiss the side of his neck, distracting him while I slip my phone out of his coat pocket with my left hand. I can't very well walk to the bar with my phone in my hand, so I drop it, hoping the carpeting and my strategically timed cough muffle the sound. I slide it under the table with the tip of my shoe and turn toward the bar, feeling Wyatt's eyes on my ass as I walk away.

When I return to my seat and reach under the table to pretend to adjust the strap of my shoe, I'm relieved to find that my phone is still lying on the ground. I slide it on my lap and grin to myself. I just picked Wyatt's pocket in front of the circuit court judge in a room full of cops and nobody is any the wiser. I guess I'm not as dumb as Wyatt thinks I am.

A minute later, my phone vibrates silently against my leg. Seconds after that, the ballroom erupts in applause as Wyatt and Officer Davenport are announced as recipients of an award for valor. Brent and Jodi stand and clap for Wyatt. Wyatt stands and proudly struts toward the stage. I make my move.

With everyone's attention focussed on the stage, I'm able to leave the table and make it to the heavy metal doors at the back of the ballroom unnoticed. Wyatt has just started his acceptance speech. I look over my shoulder as I push the door open, and our eyes collide. He hesitates, and his eyes widen in surprise for only a moment before his cool and collected demeanor returns. I lower my head and duck out the door.

The second it closes behind me, I scan the parking lot for Charlie. I spot headlights in the lot across the street and down a block, but it's a dark colored sedan, not Charlie's white S.U.V.

I pull my phone out.

The message was sent two minutes ago. Shit. I scan my surroundings again, looking for a safer place to wait until Charlie gets here. I see a beam of light flash across the side of the building. A white S.U.V. appears on the horizon. I make it down two steps before I hear the sound of metal crashing against brick and feel a tight grip on my bicep.

"Where do you think you're going?" Wyatt snarls behind me. I jerk my arm away and take a step down. He doesn't reach for me again, but he takes a step toward me.

"I'm leaving." I take another step back. He takes another step forward.

"Get back inside."

"This is over. I am leaving. You have to let me go." I see Charlie pulling into the lot and start to turn when Wyatt grabs me from behind, his palm pressed against my trachea and his fingers digging into the flesh on the left side of my neck. He jerks me back, until my backside is flush against the front of his body.

"I already told you. Never," he spits. He uses his free hand to hold my arms down and squeezes my neck with the other. My eyes water and I panic for a moment, unable to pull oxygen into my lungs. I brace myself for a fight, but even with all of my training, I hesitate. I don't know how to do this without seriously hurting Wyatt. A door slams, and I make eye contact with Charlie. Wyatt's hand remains at my throat, but his grip loosens.

"Wyatt, please-" I manage to choke out. 

"Blaise!" A guttural shout echoes across the parking lot. I recognize James's voice even before I look up and see him sprinting toward the parking lot, his entire body radiating rage. No. Why is he here? He's not supposed to be here. 

I don't have time to plead with Wyatt. I have to get him off me before James does. I can't let him put his hands on Wyatt. I can't be the reason he goes to prison. 

I shut my eyes, and take the biggest breath I can. Then I move.

I stomp down on Wyatt's instep with my right foot. He groans and bends forward, loosening his grip. I throw my arms straight above my head and twist to the left, slamming my forearms into the soft spot behind his elbow. The arm around my torso buckles. I twist to face him, but I can't break free because his hand is still gripping my neck. I use the heel of my hand to strike upward, hitting him square on the nasal bone. I hear a sickening crunch followed by a grunt and a moan. Wyatt releases me and stumbles backward, grasping at his face. Blood oozes through his fingertips and my stomach rolls. And then I run.

I run past Charlie and crash into James' chest. It's less about my own comfort and more about my attempt to hold James back. For now, he appears to be stunned out of his rage. He just stands there, staring at me, his mouth hanging slightly open.

"Holy shit, you kicked his ass!" Charlie rushes behind me and ruffles my hair like I'm a toddler and he's a proud parent. I wish I could share in his mood, but I'm not proud. Hurting Wyatt was never my goal. I just want to leave.

Wyatt looks up at James and snarls again. "You." He tries to stand but stumbles and reaches his arms to the side to catch his balance.

James stiffens and takes a step toward Wyatt, pushing me aside and behind him with his forearm. I duck under his arm and spin to face him, placing my hands on his chest.

"Let's go. It's not worth it."

"He choked you," James spits through a clenched jaw, glaring at Wyatt the whole time. His body so tense he's practically vibrating. 

"James, please." He looks down at me, finally. His expression softens. "Please get me out of here."

He stares at me for a long moment before he nods, puts his arm around my shoulder, and leads me toward his car.

"Blaise," Wyatt shouts. "You get back here right now." James's jaw ticks and the arm around my shoulder tightens, but he otherwise ignores Wyatt and continues across the parking lot. He never looks back.

"Blaise," Wyatt shouts again. I glance over my shoulder. Charlie holds him by his shoulders as he makes a feeble attempt to stumble our direction. He wipes his sleeve over his mouth, then lifts a blood-smeared sleeve and points at me.

"This isn't over."