7. Katie

Chapter 7

Katie

I spend time getting dressed for what I hope will be my final day at court.

I blow out my hair again so it’s shiny and straight and I apply the right amount of makeup.

I love clothes, so this is literally fun for me. I pick out a white, v neck, chunky knit sweater vest with large tortoiseshell buttons down the front. I pull on olive green ponte knit ankle pants and slip my feet into comfy brown suede loafers with a golden buckle. Then I slip into a tan, cropped trench coat. It’s chilly but sunny outside so I slide on some sunglasses and grab my tote and we’re out the door.

I smile at Vander but it’s fake.

Dressing my best always helps my mindset. It helps me to feel like I’ve now got the ability to go out and tackle my day—especially a difficult day.

Also, there’s a certain amount of pressure to dress well now that the paparazzi does their best to get pictures of me for “street style” segments.

I’m trying my best to continue to ignore the fact that Vander told the entire world that I was nothing but an assignment and he’d never do anything with me. Part of me wants to break down crying, because I see this as a full on break up. But the other side says that I’m being too sensitive and of course that’s what he has to say in front of the public.

My mom and Shelby saw what happened on the news and they both called and texted to tell me to hold on. They are both still team Vander.

I’m team maybe.

I told him a week ago that I didn’t need him to sleep next to me anymore, so he slept in the second bedroom again. He’s the one who said I’m nothing but a job, so he’s right, we need to act that way. But it’s been very difficult for the last week, living and eating with a man who basically said he wants to marry me and getting close and starting to literally fall in love with him…And then let go of all of that. While still sharing the same bathroom.

I open my tote bag in the back seat of the car and pull out my tablet and notebook. Enough. I can’t think about any of this anymore. My head can’t be filled with Vander drama when I’m about to go into jury deliberations. The people of San Francisco and the jury who voted me in as their foreperson need me to be focused right now, not worrying over my boyfriend. I plug my head back into the matter at hand and put on my game face.

Vander again drives expertly through downtown and swiftly gets me up to the correct room and my day begins. The prosecution has finished their presentation. The defense has countered. Final statements were made by lawyers for both sides. Today the judge gives us directions on deliberation. And then the jury goes into our secret deliberation room and we start.

Vander has to remain outside in the hallway because even he is not allowed inside during this process. I pass by him as I enter the room and meet his dark, sexy gaze. My stomach flutters with need and want. Dammit, this man affects me so much.

After seeing and hearing all the evidence over the last month, my mind is already made up on the verdict. I have a feeling so are the minds of most of us, but there are going to be one or two hold outs.

I sit at the large table that holds the other jurors and glance at all the others. They quiet down and look at me.

“Well, what happens first?” Nelson grouses.

I open my mouth and start asking questions.

I can only hope this verdict is locked up soon.

Four hours later all of us exit into the hallway. We hear the guard make an announcement to the press. “The jury has come to a final decision.”

“Thank god,” Alisha whispers. “If I never see Nelson again, it will be too soon. You did a great job of getting him to wrap up those long-winded speeches.”

I grin, also relieved that it’s over. My butt was going numb in that chair.

I catch sight of Vander again as we reenter the courtroom. Soon, I see him sitting in his typical chair with the onlookers.

The judge reads aloud our verdict, guilty on all counts of tax fraud. There’s a buzz of excitement from the crowd in the room. The defendant hangs his head and then confers furiously with his lawyers.

And now we’re done.

The trial has ended.

The defendant, his lawyers and his famous wife exit in a huff of derision. I learn he pauses for a performative press conference at the courthouse steps and then gets in his fancy car and leaves.

Sentencing will happen two months from now and has nothing to do with us.

We’re free.

The good news is that the gag order is still in effect throughout the sentencing phase and the appeal, possibly indefinitely. This will continue to keep me safe as hopefully, people across the country and on the news, forget all about me now that my fifteen minutes of fame is over.

I can return to life as normal.

The jurors hug and shake hands because we’ve all grown close over the last month of shared experiences. I suspect there will be planned get togethers in the future.

Vander marches toward me, almost a head taller than anyone else in the hallway. People squeak and step aside, trying to get out of his way.

“If he doesn’t want you now that this is over, he can have me,” Alisha sighs.

I throw her a dark frown.

She puts up both hands. “Just kidding. Well, only partially kidding…”

I roll my eyes and keep walking and in moments my alien bodyguard is beside me.

“The trial is over and this assignment has ended?” he demands.

“Yes.” I bite at my lip because now I wonder if this is when he leaves. We might very well return to the apartment only for him to pack up and go back to the city that headquarters his security team. What if I never see him again?

The back of my eyes grow warm.

Vander looks at the crowd of journalists gathered at the end of the hall. They all obediently stand on the perimeter line he’s created and remain quiet. He takes my hand. “Come with me.”

We walk together and he pauses in front of the excited group and makes a formal announcement. “The trial is over and Katie Ross is no longer my client. I now protect her because she is my mate.”

“Your mate?”

“Does this mean that the two of you are getting married?”

“Yes,” I question. “What does that mean, Vander? Are we getting married or are you leaving for forever, to return to your work?”

He gets down on one knee.

I gasp with surprise. “What are you doing?”

“I’ve learned this is the appropriate human custom.” He opens a small black box and exposes a gorgeous diamond ring, ten times better than the first one I was offered. “Katie Ross, will you do me the honor of becoming my life mate? The mother of my offspring and the female I will love as my own heart?”

“Yes,” I sniffle. “Yes, I would love to marry you, Vander Best.”

And then he slips the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly and I’m dazzled by the flash.

He stands and takes me into his massive blue arms and kisses me right there, in the hallway, in front of everyone. And it’s not a peck, but a full-on wet kiss with tongue and everything. I’m doing my best to not faint in front of everyone.

“Lucky bitch,” Alisha loudly grouses.

I giggle against his lips.

“Let’s go home,” he says.

I sigh with delight because I think I’ve fallen in love with Vander Best.