Defenseless by Adrianne Byrd Page B

“Are you always so defensive when someone is trying to help you?”
    Sonya flinched when his hand caressed her tender bruise. “Maybe you should have stayed a little longer at the hospital.”
    Sonya wanted to pull away again. Dwayne’s nearness was playing havoc on her emotions. There was a wondrous fragrance that surrounded him that held her prisoner. “Have you gone to see my sister?” she managed to ask in a low voice, while focusing her eyes on a loose thread that hung from her fuchsia pantsuit.
    Dwayne returned to his chair satisfied with his inspection. “I have, and I’ve gotten her bail arranged. She’ll be released by three o’clock today—”
    â€œWhatever it takes, I’ll pay it,” Sonya cut in.
    â€œYour sister wants to post her own bail,” Dwayne said matter-of-factly.
    Sonya swirled her chair to face the long wall of open windows. She stared at the beautiful skyline of downtown Atlanta. She was hurt by her sister’s decision. She only wanted to help, but once again Laura saw this as an opportunity to declare her independence.
    How many times had Laura claimed that she didn’t need or want any help from her? Laura always saw Sonya’s concern as an act of interference. “Does she have enough money?” she finally asked in a low voice.
    â€œShe wants to put up her house.”
    Sonya squared her shoulders, gathered her courage and stood up from her chair. “So are you here to also tell me that you’re no longer working for me?” Sonya asked, her sarcasm sharp enough to cut through the thickest glass. She didn’t want this man to see how much her sister’s decision affected her.
    â€œNo, Miss Walters. I’m simply saying that Laura desires to pay her own bail.”
    â€œBut not her own lawyer?”
    Dwayne shrugged his shoulders.
    â€œOkay, so she posted her own bail.”
    â€œI only came over because you wanted me to keep you informed,” Dwayne answered.
    Sonya walked from the window. “So what’s next?”
    â€œNext I begin working on your sister’s defense. I’ll compile the police reports and go over the crime scene. Which brings me to my next subject, which I hope you can help me with. Personally I prefer it if you keep a close eye on your sister. She has a very bad case of the guilts, and I want her heavily watched. Do you think that you could do that?”
    Sonya crossed her arms. “Of course I can. She’ll stay with me.”
    â€œIt may not be as easy as that. There might be a slight chance that she doesn’t want to stay with you.”
    â€œAre you telling me that my sister doesn’t want to stay with me, either?” Sonya asked, this time unable to hide her hurt expression.
    â€œI’m not saying that. I just got the impression that she may be a little resentful right now.”
    â€œResentful? About what?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’m telling you what I picked up from her attitude.”
    â€œNow you listen here. My sister will want to stay with me. We’ve always been close and she…she would tell me if…if I’ve done anything to upset her. Now, in ten minutes, you’ve told me that she doesn’t want me to pay her bail and that she may or may not want to stay with me!”
    Dwayne let out an exasperated sigh. “I didn’t mean to upset you. What I need for you to remember is that your sister may not act like herself. She’s going through a lot. What you think is helping her may not be.”
    Sonya’s shoulders slumped in defeat. She knew what Dwayne said made perfect sense. “Okay, I’ll back off.”
    Dwayne flashed her a breathtaking smile, causing Sonya to shift her weight nervously on her heels.
    â€œI must be going,” he said, pulling his eyes away from hers.
    Sonya watched as Dwayne began to say something else, then stopped. “I’ll talk to you