Read Online Retribution by K.A. Robinson - Free Book Online Page A

grabbed my shirt and pulled it up until the bottom of my ribs was exposed. I knew the moment she saw the bruises. She sucked in a sharp breath and pulled my shirt up further.
    “Oh my god,” she whispered as she let my shirt fall back down.
    I watched as she lifted a shaky hand to my face. I winced as she pulled my sunglasses off my face.
    “Claire, holy fuck!”
    I gave her a pleading look. “I fell down the stairs at home. That’s why I haven’t been at work. Please don’t make a big deal out of this.”
    “You didn’t fall , Claire. I’m not a fool. He did this to you, didn’t he?”
    “Who?” I asked as I snatched my glasses back and put them on again.
    “Robert. He did this. He was so angry the other day, and then you come to work like this. He hurt you!”
    “Becky, please don’t make a big deal out of this,” I begged.
    “Don’t make a big deal? Are you kidding me? He beat the shit out of you, Claire. He. Beat. You.”
    “I know what he did!” I snapped. “And it’s none of your concern. Let it go!”
    She shook her head. “How can you still be with him when he did this to you? I bet it wasn’t the first time either. I know how men like that work. They’re scum!”
    “That scum is also your boss. You’d do well to remember that. You’re replaceable. Don’t do something stupid because you’re angry for me.”
    “It still doesn’t make it right. God, I want to march down there and punch him square in the face!”
    “You’re not the only one,” I mumbled.
    “Are you going to leave him?” she asked. “If so, is there anything I can do to help you? I feel so sorry for you. I’ve always thought something seemed off about him, but I’ve never talked to him enough to know for sure. Now, I do.”
    I bit my lip as I stared at her. Becky could help me if I let her. I didn’t know her that well, but I could already tell that she was a good person. She was kind and caring. I just didn’t want that to come back and bite her in the ass.
    “You might be able to help me,” I said after a moment.
    “What do you need?”
    “You are pretty much the queen of all things paperwork around here. Do you know schedules as well? Like, when Robert is in court?”
    She nodded. “Yes—well, for the most part. He comes and goes a lot, so I don’t know his exact schedule, but I do know when he’s scheduled for court.”
    “Can you get me that schedule?” I asked.
    “Sure, I can print it off for you. Give me a minute.” She walked around her desk and sat down.
    I watched as she typed and clicked away at her computer. After a few minutes, the printer came to life. A single piece of paper spewed out, and she grabbed it.
    “This is his court schedule for the next two weeks—as long as nothing changes.”
    I took the paper from her and slipped it into my purse. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. But why do you need that?”
    I smiled at her. “I trust you can keep a secret, Becky. This conversation never happened.”
    She frowned. “I won’t say a word. I promise.”
    “Thank you.” I glanced around to make sure that we were still alone. “I need this to make sure that Robert gets what’s coming to him.”
    “Good. I hope the bastard burns for what he did to you.”
    “Me, too, Becky. Me, too.”
    As I headed down to the basement, I smiled for the first time in what felt like days. I wasn’t alone. Becky had my back, as did Cooper. I just hoped that trusting Becky, even a little, wouldn’t cause me problems later.

    I left work early and headed back to the house. I wanted to beat Robert home, so I could talk to Cooper if he was home. I had started to text him about what had happened, but I stopped myself. I didn’t trust anyone or anything anymore. I planned to talk to Cooper face-to-face when it came to our…arrangement. It would be safer that way.
    I sighed in relief when I saw Cooper’s car parked in the garage. I hurried into the house and up to his room, determined to tell him