Two weeks after Duke's release, life had settled into something resembling routine. Morning coffee together. Duke at the garage. Valentina at the bookstore. Evenings on the couch, pretending the past months hadn't happened.
But the past had a way of refusing to stay buried.
"Connor's trial date got moved up," Marcus announced during their weekly check-in at his office. "Judge wants this handled quickly, given the publicity."
"How quickly?" Duke asked.
"Six weeks. And the DA wants both of you to testify."
Valentina's stomach knotted. The thought of facing Connor again, of reliving everything in court...
"We'll do it," Duke said, his hand finding hers. "Whatever they need."
After leaving Marcus's office, they drove in silence. Duke pulled over at the town park, killing the engine.
"Y
