“Welcome, my brothers and sisters. Soldiers.” His deep voice echoes with resounding authority. “I have called this special meeting in light of the happenings taking place in Harmony Falls. For a long time we have been committed to a non-violent resolution consisting of solidarity in white communities and around the world. But our world is changing, and as soldiers we must change with it. The hatred for our children and their future is growing and being fueled every single day. If we don’t fight for our own, who will?”

The crowd remains stoic and silent, absorbing their leader’s words.

“The attack on Olivia Bradshaw has tipped the scale. We cannot count on our police or government to deliver the justice she deserves. A white woman tainted by any nigger will not be tolerated. Not in Harmony Falls, not in Texas, not anywhere. It’s time to fight, brothers and sisters. It’s time to sharpen our swords and charge forward without mercy or consequence.”

Their roar is deafening, a battle cry of hate and revenge. Once they settle, their leader addresses them once more.

“After conversing with our grand wizard, he has agreed that we must make our presence known. We must stand up and take back what has always been rightfully ours. This is a new war, but our goal is the same. Victory!”

CHAPTER 16

Olivia

Grayson and I pull up to the courthouse the following day and it’s chaos, absolute chaos. Even worse than I expected. People are lined up outside, shouting and holdings signs in protest.

STOP POLICE BRUTALITY.

BLACK LIVES MATTER.

AN EYE FOR AN EYE.

My heart pounds in my chest as I take it all in and nausea rolls in my stomach. All of it makes me sick, especially the last one. To know people feel I deserved what happened to me because of what happened to Jamal hurts deeply.

Several deputies stand in front of the large crowd, keeping them at bay, and I notice one of them is Terrell. Making matters worse, a swarm of reporters surround the truck, all of them yelling questions at me even with the windows rolled up.

“Oh, God. This is a nightmare.” I place a shaky hand on my stomach, wishing I were anywhere but here.

“Liv, look at me.” My eyes snap to Grayson at his gentle command. His expression softens as he cups my cheek, and the warmth of his strong hands give me a small measure of comfort. “Everything’s going to be all right, baby. I want you to stay here until I come around and get you. Don’t make eye contact with them and keep up with me. We’re going in quick, okay?”

“Okay.”

After a brief, reassuring kiss to my lips, that brings a small measure of warmth to my anxious heart, he hops out of the truck and gets lost in the crowd. As he opens my door, I’m bombarded with a dozen questions all at once.

“Miss Bradshaw, how do you feel about the hearing today?”

“What are your hopes for the outcome?” Another one asks.

Grayson grabs my hand and helps me out of the truck then shields me with his body as we make our way to the courthouse. I keep my head down like he instructed, trying not to trip over all the feet that scuffle around me. The reporters are pushy and relentless. One of them shoves a microphone in my face but Grayson knocks it out of the way. “Back up and get out of her face!”

They don’t ease up, continuing to throw out question after question. One is fired at Grayson now.

“Deputy Taylor, is it true you have been suspended for using excessive force on Reggie West during his arrest?”

I grind my teeth and remind myself not to respond. My first instinct is to stand up for him. I hate for anyone to think badly of him. He doesn’t deserve it.

Fortunately, we make it inside the courthouse quickly. As soon as we enter through the doors Grayson comes to a stop and frames my face between his hands, forcing my gaze to his. “You good? You okay?”

I nod. “Yes. I’m fine.”

“Livy!”

Looking down the hall, I see Pap and Tania standing outside of the courtroom, waiting for us. We make our way over to them and Pap immediately wraps me in his arms. “Are you okay? Those bastards are ruthless out there.”

“I’m okay, Pap.” I turn to Tania and hug her, too. “Thanks for being here.”

“You know I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

I do know that. Tania has always been there for me. No matter what I was going through, she’s always had my back. When my parents died she was there in the pew, holding my hand. When Clint broke my heart she was there to dry my tears. And now faced with one of the most difficult moments of my life…she’s right here by my side, again. I couldn’t ask for a better friend than her.

Pap greets Grayson with a handshake.

“Hey, Walt, thanks for letting me bring Liv today.”

“I’m glad you did. I had some good company myself,” he says, throwing an arm around Tania’s shoulders.

I smile, my heart feeling a little lighter from the amazing people I have surrounding me. However, my newfound euphoria dims when we walk into the courtroom, and I see the place is relatively full. As everyone turns to look at who entered, my stomach drops when I see how segregated it is. The left side of the courtroom is filled with people supporting Reggie, including Jamal’s mother and brothers who are sitting close to the front. They briefly make eye contact before turning back around and dismissing me.

This leaves the right side supporting us. Our close family friends and some local farmers that know Pap. I’m surprised to see Grayson’s mom sitting there with a kind, yet sad, smile on her face. As I make eye contact with her, I try to return the gesture, but it’s weak at best.

To see the way this courtroom is divided is gut-wrenching. Right now, it’s about black and white, not right or wrong, and justice is nothing more than an afterthought. It saddens me to think about what has become of our peaceful town.

A soft, delicate hand clasps mine. Looking down, I find Tania’s dark fingers linked with my light ones. I glance up to see her watching me with a small smile. “This wouldn’t be the first time we taught this world a thing or two. Let’s take our seats, Liv, and show them what this is really about.”

Her beautiful soul brings tears to my eyes, because she’s right. This wouldn’t be the first time we took a stand together. When we were much younger and other kids tried to tell us it was wrong to play with each other, we stood strong and proud, just like our parents taught us to. We’ve never let the color of our skin dictate our friendship or our lives, and we aren’t about to let that happen now.

Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, we follow behind Grayson and Pap to take our seats directly behind the DA. Grayson moves in first, sitting next to his mother. Pap gestures for me to follow in next, then Tania, before he takes the seat on the outside.

“Hey, Mom, I didn’t know you’d be here,” Grayson says, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.

“Of course. I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” she replies, returning his kiss before looking over at me. “Olivia.” She reaches to pat my hand while giving me a kind smile. “I hope you don’t mind that I came. I want to be here to support you and my son.”

I smile at her kindness. We’ve crossed paths many times before, usually at the farmer’s market. She always stops by for some of Pap’s tomatoes and once she bought a pair of earrings from me. The same ones she’s wearing now. “Of course not. Thank you for being here. It means a lot.”

I introduce her to Tania, then her and Pap exchange greetings.

Mr. Henderson reaches over to greet me with a handshake after we’ve all settled in. Clint does the same, and for the sake of pleasantries I oblige. However, I pull my hand back quickly when his thumb strokes the inside of my wrist.