Chapter 41

CHAPTER

FORTY-ONE

DANI

Jenny took Tyler to school this morning so I could have a few minutes to compose myself. She’s meeting me at the courthouse with my parents. Even though I insisted I didn’t want them there, I was overruled. I’m nervous. Nervous about the proceedings. Nervous about seeing Pauly Jackson and his evil smirk. Nervous about his lawyer making me look like a fool. Nervous the jury won’t believe me. Nervous Alexander’s name and reputation will be tarnished.

Admittedly, I’m a little surprised I haven’t heard from him. I know he said he’d do anything I asked, but I also thought he wouldn’t listen to me if he felt strongly. Maybe that’s the case. Maybe he doesn’t feel strongly. Then again, Courtney told me to stay away from him until this mess gets sorted, and I wonder if he’s been told the same. Or were my words and lack of faith in him too damaging? I’m still haunted by the look on his face when I lashed out. I hurt him. My chest constricts thinking about it. About him .

I was told to meet the lawyers in a conference room down the hall from the courtroom. I steady myself with a deep breath and open the door. Courtney stands and hugs me. Despite her harsh, professional appearance, she’s a real sweetheart. She’s become a friend and advocate for me, and I appreciate her. She still hasn’t told me how she came to my rescue, but I’m beyond grateful.

“You’re going to be fine,” she says, her hands on my shoulders. “I’ll be right beside you, and if the prosecutor isn’t doing his job, I’ll be there to let him know. I can’t speak up, but he’ll know. I got you.” She gives me a wink, and my shoulders relax a little.

“I don’t want to mess this up. If he's not convicted, his other case becomes even more complicated and messy, and I can't handle more complicated.” Complicated and complex.

“Just remember, you aren’t alone. And you did nothing wrong. When they show that video, own it with pride. You were badass.” I feel a glimmer of confidence for today’s proceedings, thanks to her staunch belief in me.

There’s a knock on the door, and the prosecutor sticks his head inside. “You ready?”

I smooth out the wrinkles in my skirt and take a deep breath. I’m dressed in a black sheath dress and heels, and I even broke out my special occasion purse. I hold my Kate Spade bag tight, willing it to protect me from the courtroom. I debated about what to wear today, but I wanted to look serious. Besides, black fits my mood these days. My hair is straightened for a more sophisticated appearance. Alexander would hate my look, and knowing that was enough to wear it. I need to put as much distance as possible between us. “Yep. Let’s do this.”

I was told to sit in the front row right behind the prosecutor. They’ll call me when it’s my time to testify. Courtney will stay beside me, probably ensuring I won’t bolt. We open the doors and enter the courtroom. I focus my attention on the floor, not wanting to see Pauly Jackson again.

One side of the courtroom is packed, while the other side has a few scatte red people throughout. I was told to expect media in the room because he’s a high-profile defendant, but I didn’t think the media would wear suits. Or sit together. It looks like a lopsided wedding.

As I pass the back row, they stand in unison. The movement catches my eye, and I look up to see familiar faces, all looking very stoic. As I take another step, the next row does the same. More familiar faces, all looking like they’re angry or frustrated. Are they mad at me?

Casey Samuels reaches out and squeezes my hand. “You’ve got this, friend,” she whispers. Her husband, Joey, puts his arm around her shoulder and gives me a wink. “I hope he rots in hell,” he mumbles. No, they aren’t mad at me. They’re looking past me to Pauly Jackson sitting at the defendant’s table, whispering with his lawyer. The looks they give him are terrifying.

In the next row, Tripp Stevenson stands and hands me a piece of paper. “For later,” he whispers. I respond with a slight smile and put it into my purse. I don’t know what to make of this. He’s sitting beside Matt and Darcy. And Luis is beside Darcy. I thought he went home to Miami for the holidays. Why is he here? I scan the group. It looks like most of the team is here. Is that Corey, the intern? Why are so many of the Reapers here?

Then I see Alexander’s friends. Trevor sits beside Cole and Matt.

Does that mean Alexander is here? I scan the group again and don’t see him. My hopeful smile slips. Courtney wraps her arm around mine. “Sorry, no Deckers in the courtroom,” she whispers, my desperation obvious.“Now go be a badass.” She and I sit in the front row beside my parents.

“All rise.” The judge gets seated, reads the charges, and we are underway.

My dad reaches over, puts his arm around me, and gives my shoulder a slight squeeze. The Colonel is not an affectionate man, so this gesture speaks volumes. I do my best to channel his strength .

I glance past him to Mom and Jenny and notice a man at the end of our row I don’t recognize. He seems to take notes, his fingers moving rapidly on his phone. Probably a reporter. Then I notice a spot of yellow on his black jacket that catches my eye. It’s a sun. I peek behind me, seeing more suns, and choke up a little as I get the message. They’re his proxy. His team. His friends. His family. He’s here in spirit. My confidence gets another boost.

The jury comes in, and they get instructions. The lawyers do a lot of talking and the defense attorney paints a picture of me leading Pauly Jackson on and then saying something to set him off. None of it is true. He makes me sound like a horrible person. My stomach flips. This isn’t going well and my optimism vanishes.

Like at the deposition, I’m called to the stand and grilled by the lawyer. This time it’s even worse because my friends and family are hearing this. I’m embarrassed and humiliated, but do my best to be strong. I celebrate a tiny victory because I don’t cry.

The prosecutor objects at the things being said, but the hurtful words hang in the air. You can’t unhear it. I’m referred to as the victim more times than I can count. They imply Alexander paid me to seduce Pauly. It’s ridiculous and nauseating. I’m a teacher, not a paid escort.

I close my eyes when they play the video on the big screen. I can’t look. Courtney wants me to own it, but I can’t. When I risk a glance at my dad, I notice the team is shifting in their seats, clearly uncomfortable. Mumbling fills the courtroom, and Pauly Jackson looks over his shoulder at his ex-teammates, and for the first time, his smug look is gone. The Reapers are furious. It reminds me of the day I met Alexander after he realized who I was. Controlled anger and pity filled his face. I can't handle being seen like that again.

The judge bangs his gavel, and I jump with a start. He orders everyone to be quiet and settle down .

The defense called several of Pauly Jackson’s ex-girlfriends to the stand, all stating he was never remotely violent, always the best boyfriend, implying I must have done something. I feel sick.

Pauly Jackson tells lies. He says I led him on. The defense attorney goes through the video frame by frame with Jackson, asking his version of what happened. It’s all a lie, but I can do nothing now. I need this to be over.

The prosecutor tries to trip up Jackson, but he's too slick and his lies are well-rehearsed. Both sides are done with witnesses, and it’s time for closing arguments. We’re granted a ten-minute break, and I lean over to ask Courtney if I need to stay.

“I’ve gotta go,” I tell her. She nods, grabs her bag, and nudges me to leave. As soon as stand, I rush out of the courtroom, not looking at anyone, and run into a man standing outside the door. He grabs my arms to keep me from falling and I look up into familiar eyes and a kind smile.

“You okay, Ms. Franklin?”

“Mr. Decker?”

“Please, call me Sully. Can I speak to you for just a moment?”

I look at Courtney for guidance, but her expression is stern. “Um, I’m not sure. It’ll look bad for your family to be seen with me.”

“I don’t give a hot damn about it. Let them come after me and my family. I dare them.” His serious, defiant look is familiar. He puts his hand on my elbow and leads me back to the conference room I started in. Courtney is by my side, her stone face not giving anything away.

“This is not the best idea,” Courtney starts.

Sully cocks his eyebrow at her, shutting her down. I don’t think he’s used to being challenged like that. “I want to apologize on behalf of my organization and my family,” he says once the door closes.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. Alexander, Julian, and Ashleigh have done that ten times over. None of this is your responsibili ty.” His blue eyes remind me of Alexander’s, and I’m hit with a wave of sadness. A wave of loss.

“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you when we met. I know you must be pretty special if you’ve captured my son’s heart. He’s right, you know. You are like bottled sunshine.” He beams at me with adoration.

“I, um,” I stutter. I don’t know what to say. I don’t feel like sunshine right now. Is that really what Alexander told his father about me?

“I’m sorry we weren’t in there to support you, but I want you to know, I don’t care about the PR fallout, the possible bad press, any of it. All I care about is my family, and I can tell you Alexander is a shell of a man without you. He won’t admit it, but he’s functioning without a heart because you, my dear, have it.” He gives me the kindest smile.

My instinct kicks in and I hug him. He chuckles and hugs me back. For a billionaire businessman, he gives amazing hugs. His kindness and warmth comfort me, and a spark of hope lands in my chest. Maybe?

His hand slides down my arm and holds me at my elbow. “I’m just here to say, if this mess is why you aren’t with him, then forget about it. We’ll let the lawyers sort it out. If there are other reasons, then that’s for you to decide, of course. But take this lawyer stuff off the table in your decision-making.” He winks at Courtney. “That’s what we’re paying her for.”

“Mr. Decker,” Courtney interrupts. “I’m sure Dani appreciates this. We can sort out the personal stuff later. She still has a significant legal case hanging over her head, and this one isn’t over. Depending on the verdict and sentencing, it’s complicated.”

My spark of hope is quickly doused with a shot of complicated. She’s right. Complicated. I pull away from Sully Decker and wipe a tear away. With a slight sniffle, I say, “Thank you. I appreciate this, but Courtney’s right. I’ve got a lot going on, and now is not t he time for, well, anything. It was nice seeing you again, but I have to go.”

I need to get home, lock my doors, and pull myself together before Tyler comes home. Courtney is beside me as we walk to my car, talking about the case, but I don’t hear anything she’s saying. I’m exhausted and want to crawl into bed and let the darkness surround me. As I drive home, I replay the day like an awful movie with all the major themes shining through. The shame, humiliation, frustration, anger. But there’s one thing that keeps bothering me.

That’s what we’re paying her for?