River sat back. “Yeah, I want to see that shit, too. But are you thinking this chick just…made up whatever Hammer supposedly did to you as a minor?”
“Maybe. I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But the copies of the money orders, together with whatever she said, convinced the feds there was smoke at least. They found the photos of teenage me following Bill’s beating after…”
“You sliced the mean son of a bitch in two?” River rubbed at her back, both giving her comfort and expressing his pride. “If you’re right, the feds started putting a case together then. But if Marlie didn’t actually see anything, how does she think she’s going to get on the witness stand and give testimony convincing enough to put Hammer away?”
“You mean besides perjure herself?” Raine shot back. “It’s her word against his.”
“But she wasn’t a member then,” River pointed out.
“Raine is right. It doesn’t matter.” Seth shrugged. “The feds never said this witness actually saw the event take place. A witness can testify that the defendant told them something incriminating. Maybe Marlie was going to claim that Hammer confessed to her that he’d had sex with you as a minor or had taken those pictures of your abuse.”
“But wouldn’t she have to prove it?” River frowned.
Raine paced again. “Not really. The circumstantial evidence looks bad. No jury in the world is going to listen to testimony like that and just dismiss her, especially since her parents are pillars of the community or some shit.”
Seth shot her a glare. “You know—”
“Liam hates language. Got it. C’mon. We have to focus. If I’m a juror, and someone tells me the owner of a sex club had a minor living there and he’d been paying her dad a lot of money for years and just happened to have pictures of her that depicted nudity…not sure I’d believe he’s a good guy, either.”
“Exactly. Especially since you’re pretty, young, and pregnant.”
“Hey, that’s my sister,” River piped up.
Seth shrugged. “I’ve already seen her naked. If I were going to jump her bones, I would have done it by now.”
“What the fuck?” Her brother leapt to his feet, then shot her an accusing glance. “So I was right.”
Raine sighed. “It doesn’t matter. We didn’t have sex, and I don’t have any new and different girl parts he’s never seen. Get over your thing about my nudity already.”
“Hey, how are those affirmations coming?” Seth teased.
Raine rolled her eyes. “I can even recite them with a smile. Number one: ‘I will open myself up and share, not only my needs but my emotions.’ Number two: ‘I will be totally honest at all times without fear of embarrassment or reprisal. Nor will I hold back for fear of hurting someone’s feelings.’ Number three: ‘I deserve happiness and love.’ There.”
“I’m impressed,” Seth admitted.
River just looked confused. “You didn’t know all that?”
Raine grimaced. “Back then? Not really.”
“Not at all,” Seth corrected.
She glared at him. “Hammer and Liam insisted I learn. Seth was my mentor. Seriously, can we focus?”
“Your tone is bossy, little one.”
Sometimes she thought of Seth as her buddy…and she forgot he was a Dom. “Sorry. I’m anxious.”
He nodded and let it go. “Actually, I think you’re on to something. Let’s watch the video.”
With a nod, she led them both down the hall to the security room and unlocked the door. Seth and River stood just outside since the little booth was too small for everyone. Lewis, the tech, looked up at her, startled. Frankly, she was surprised to see him, too.
“You’re here really early,” she observed.
He blanked the humiliation scene on the monitor he’d been watching. “Yeah. Um…things to do.”
More like he had his weenie to whack.
Raine tried not to gag. Lewis gave her the creeps. He always stared, not just at her but at most of the women around Shadows.
“You want something?” His stare walked all over her.
She acted as if she had no idea he was thinking perverted things about her right now. “I just need to see a security video. I know where to find it. Don’t mind me.”
“You sure? I’ll help you.”
“I’m good.” She pulled open the drawer behind the desk, acutely aware that in order to see the labels, she had to bend over and practically put her butt in his face. Not a good idea. She twisted to the side, ass facing the door, and tuned him out.
“What are you looking for, Raine?”
Damn, he was nosy. “I’ve just about found it. As you were.”
Beside her, his chair squeaked as he rolled closer. She tried not to shudder. Was he really staring at her boobs?
The drives holding November third and fourth were gone; she knew that. Thankfully, the fifth was exactly where it should be. She was just about to pluck it up when Lewis stood.
“Found what?” he murmured, inching closer, then behind her. “That video of Liam plowing your fine ass?”