Page 102 of Still Afraid

“I don’t think I want God to do something that radical with me.”

“That’s not the point. The point is Christ can take the worst of us and make us whole in Him.”

A smile curled her brother’s lips as he leaned his head back on the pillow.

Even though she wanted to, she didn’t press him. She couldn’t make him repent and turn his heart over to Jesus. That was a work between him and the Lover of his soul.

She waited, but he didn’t say anything more. Instead, he closed his eyes. Silent tears slipped through his closed lids. Jesus, does this mean You’re working in his heart? Please say yes. Please bring my baby brother to Your heart. Free him from the shackles of sin. He’s broken, and only You can make him whole.

Aaron moved his arm until his hand gripped hers. His eyes opened, and a light shone in them like she’d never seen.

“Really?”

Aaron nodded. “I surrender. I put my faith in Jesus Christ, like I should have years ago.”

Chloe squealed and jumped to her feet, throwing her arms around her brother’s neck. This made everything they’d gone through worth it.

Chapter Forty-One

Josh held Chloe’s hand as they walked down the courthouse hallway Monday morning. Chloe’s gait was still a little funny because of the bruises and stab wound on her leg, but emotionally she was holding up well. Not that she wasn’t having her rough moments, but God was good and seeing her through.

The courtroom doors were open, so they slipped in and sat beside Chloe’s parents and Gabe. Since Aaron’s and Richard’s arraignments were scheduled almost back-to-back, with only a couple of people between, they would stay for both. Aaron had been under guard at the hospital until this morning as he’d worked through the initial hammer of withdrawals. Thanks be to God, he was coming through it well.

Aaron was up first. His was short, despite the long list of charges, though most were fairly minor. The district attorney did a majority of the speaking on his behalf despite being the prosecutor in the case. Aaron had agreed to a plea deal that included testifying against Richard. As a result, he was released on his own recognizance with the stipulation he check himself into rehab, then show up for community service hours.

He came back to his family and hugs were exchanged. To avoid seeing Richard when he came in, Aaron and Gabe left immediately. Chloe said she wasn’t afraid to see Richard. Even so, when he entered, Josh felt Chloe stiffen next to him.

He put his arm across the bench behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder. Movement in the corner of his eye brought his attention to the back of the courtroom. Breana had arrived.

Clarity came to his mind. Her actions could easily be explained as daddy issues. Richard was way more concerned with money and his empire than he was with his daughter.

But another thought crossed his mind in quick succession. Had Richard put Breana up to finding the drugs? Was that why she’d been trying to get close to him?

Either was entirely possible. While Breana seemed dim-witted enough to try and pursue someone who was unavailable, maybe that was a ploy and not her true self.

Josh may never know.

He drew Chloe a little closer and focused on the proceedings.

A list of heavy-duty charges was brought against Richard, including kidnapping, distributing illegal narcotics, and extortion.

The man had the gall to plead not guilty.

Heat rose in Josh’s core. But he turned his anger over and prayed for justice and healing.

When the judge declared Richard was to be held without bail, relief eased Josh’s ire. Maybe justice would prevail this side of heaven, and even if it didn’t, God was sovereign still.

Once Richard had been escorted out of the courtroom, Josh, Chloe, and her parents rose and exited down the center aisle.

Josh, hoping to avoid Breana, kept an eye out for her.

“Hey, Josh.”

He’d failed. He and Chloe both turned to face Breana. Josh couldn’t quite read her expression.

Chloe stiffened but spoke. “What do you want, Breana? Your dad put me through enough. I really don’t want to talk to you, especially after the way you’ve acted around my almost-husband.”

Breana dropped her head and almost looked remorseful. “Believe it or not, I didn’t know how terrible my father really was.” She met Chloe’s eyes. “I’m sorry for what he did.”