28
I paced the room after he was gone, trying not to worry too much, but the bastard had been way too lucky so far. No one had ever noticed his abuse before now, and that might play in his favor.
He could accuse Ailani of infidelity and having acted in a moment of madness. He was smart enough to play his part well enough to get bail.
Troubled, I went looking for Marilyn, eager to be with Ailani and protect her.
“She’s still at the OR,” she said as I approached.
“Any idea when it will be over?” I asked, trying not to lose my patience.
“No. I’ll let you know.”
I sighed and walked back to the waiting room. I had never felt so powerless in my whole life, but there was nothing I could do, other than wait.
The detective Josh had mentioned arrived a few minutes later. Apparently, the prosecutor wanted all the information he could get before the bail hearing, and I was more than happy to answer the man’s questions.
When we were done, I was happy we had done everything by the book. Hudson had brought in a shark to defend him, who would prey on the tiniest detail to get the case dismissed against his client.
They still needed Ailani’s testimony, but I doubted she would be able to testify before the hearing.
“Do you think we have enough to keep him in jail until the trial?” I asked the detective.
“You never know, in cases like this one. It doesn’t help; she never called the police on him. The few calls registered were made by house staff or neighbors, and he always claimed they liked rough sex, that everything was consensual, and she never denied,” he explained.
“She ran away from him… how can that be consensual?” I stated, barely containing my rage.
“I know how you feel. Ailani was probably too afraid to accuse him, but the judge might not see it. We’ll have to wait and see.”
“Please, keep me posted.”
“I will. The policemen that came with you will be here, for extra protection, in case he walks out,” he handed me a small card. “Call me when she wakes up or if you need anything else.”
“Thank you.”
The man left, and I went back to pacing the waiting room. Staying still seemed impossible, and time seemed to drag along. I was about to visit Marilyn once more when she came for me.
“She’s out of the OR,” she announced with a smile.
“When can I see her?”
“Follow me.”
Ailani was still sleeping, but they had cleaned her up. Although still covered in bruises and bandages, she looked so much better than when I found her on that cabin.
“She’ll sleep for a few more hours, but you can stay here with her,” the nurse told me, and I thanked her. “Try to get some rest. You’ll need it.”
I knew she meant well, but I doubted I would sleep while there was still the possibility Hudson could walk out of jail and come for her.
I dragged a chair next to the bed and sat down, taking her hand in mine, kissing its palm. Once more, my mind was filled with all the ‘ifs’ that would haunt me forever, and I prayed like I never before that she would be alright.
I was still holding her hand when she finally woke up, early in the morning.
“Jayden…” she murmured.
I raised my head, startled. “Hey… how are you feeling?” I asked her.
“Where are we?” she asked in a weak tone.
