Rising by Kassanna Page B

.”
    She stared up at him.
    “Riley, I spilled the fis—! Oooh, I’m telling Mommy. She said attacking black people was bad!” Isaac took off running.
    “We won’t be alone long.” He sighed. “I should have sent their asses home last night,” he mumbled, and then chuckled. “I was saying I was wrong—not because I kissed you, but because I know one taste will not be enough.”

Chapter Seven
    Dark wood paneled walls made the courtroom feel smaller than it actually was. Gallery seats were six rows deep. Savannah strode past them quickly; she wanted have everything ready for Brad.
    With no one else in the room, the space was quiet. It wouldn’t be for long. Once the individual parties arrived with their respective lawyers and the judge entered from chambers with the court recorder and bailiff, things would get busy quickly.
    Her cell chimed and she pulled it from her pocket, checking the ID. She’d successfully avoided Trenton for days and refused to answer any calls she thought might be from family. So far she’d been lucky; and isolated in her little bubble, life was good.
    Ever since the kiss, Riley called her every day. Taking her to diners in the middle of the night for breakfast, where they would sit and talk. No one had ever done that with her before and the experience was invigorating. She wasn’t out of place. They might receive a few strange looks, but she ignored them, and he stared at the people who dared to gaze at them until those folks looked away. Riley was a force unto himself and his attention made her want to dance. She could be open with him. For someone who had a problem with other races, he never judged her.
    Savannah slid her finger across the screen. “Hey, I can’t talk long.”
    “I’ve been thinking.” Riley’s slow drawl sent shivers down her spine.
    “Is that a good thing?” she said as she giggled.
    “It’s debatable.” He paused. “I know you don’t feel safe at your place, but is the hotel room any better? I have plenty of room here. Pack your things and stay with me until you get things sorted. Your friend is foolish, but I doubt he’s stupid enough to come to my house.”
    “I can’t do that, Riley.” She sighed. They were friends, but it was hard enough walking away from him at the end of the night. If she didn’t have to leave, who knew what might happen.
    “Think about it, Sweetness. I have business to take care of tonight. Call me when you get to your room.” He disconnected.
    “Was that Riley?” Whit strolled in with Little Isaac, a big smile on her face.
    “You’re nosy.” Savannah ducked her head and smiled.
    “What? Bobby Jack thought you looked familiar when we came to your office. It didn’t click with him who you were until that night. You’re the pretty girl with the friendly smile. Riley made sure you got to your car, and for him, that’s saying something. I invited you to lunch to help y’all along.” Whit waggled her brows. “Riley Joe and Bobby Jack are so much alike, they are more like brothers than cousins.”
    “Where is your husband?” Savannah wasn’t ready to share Riley. She wanted to keep him to herself for the time being.
    “Bobby Jack is parking the truck.” Whit helped Isaac into a chair. “We didn’t intend to bring little man, but Ms. Mays had an emergency and couldn’t keep him for us.”
    “I’m sorry. Is everything okay?”
    “I feel sorry for the person Ms. Mays is going after.” Whit snorted.
    “I’m sure having him around won’t be an issue.” Savanah combed her fingers through the downy soft hair of the toddler.
    Bobby Jack strolled in with her boss, Brad. Behind them was a group of men dressed in khaki pants and black shirts with Klan insignias of red crosses embroidered on the breast. They took seats on the other side of the gallery, scowling at her and Whit.
    Brad pushed through the swinging panels and took a seat at the table. Bobby Jack kissed Whit on the forehead before he joined her boss.