Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

K age

All good things come to those who wait.

I don't know who'd thought of the statement, but it made sense to me at this moment, even if I had a feeling our fantasy was about to come crashing down.

I'd seen the look on the police officer's face the night before after he'd called in my name. I knew what the bastards had been thinking.

That I had something to do with the attack.

They wouldn't leave me alone because half of them were owned.

I took a deep breath, trying to enjoy the cup of coffee as I peered out the window at the sun beginning to lift higher in the sky. My baby was taking a shower, the night we'd spent together even better than before. We'd both managed to get some sleep, including with Max nestled near us on the bed.

Bringing her here was the least I could do, although I had a feeling the rest of the day was about ready to turn to shit.

When my phone rang, I closed my eyes briefly. I hated it when I was right.

I pulled it from the pocket of my jeans, noticing it was Dan calling, which did little more than raise additional flags.

"Dan. There's something wrong."

"Maybe not. Have you paid any attention to the morning news?"

"No," I said, chuckling under my breath. "I've been a little busy."

"Turn it on."

I took a deep breath, turning around to see where the remote was located. I took long strides, grabbing it quickly and trying to find a news show.

When one came on, I had no clue why he'd bothered calling me. "What am I looking for?"

"Both Gio Rinaldi and Domingo Rodriguez were found shot to death inside his home by Gio's girlfriend early this morning."

My ears perked up. "What?"

"Yep. It was all over the news earlier."

"Any idea what happened?"

"Well, all I can tell you is that I asked one of the guys to follow Saldono yesterday after you left in a rush. The mafia Don went to his office but later left by himself, heading to his son's house. I have a feeling what you said to the man resonated deeply."

I wanted to say I was thrilled with the outcome, but I was just as tired of dead bodies as I was certain Noel was. Although I still almost wished I'd slaughtered Joel when I'd had the chance.

"Interesting. Have any arrests been made?"

"Not yet and if you ask me, I'll venture a guess that's not going to happen."

Exhaling, as Noel appeared in the same robe I'd stripped off her earlier, her long hair wrapped in a towel, my hunger swelled all over again. The woman had somehow managed to wrap me around her little finger.

Max was right beside her, his tail wagging.

"I need to go but if you hear anything, let me know."

"I will," Dan said. "Just so you know. From what Eddy told me when he called, no one is even mentioning your name any longer. Maybe you don't have to worry."

"Maybe. But I don't trust Saldono."

"Neither do I. I'll call you."

As the call ended, she narrowed her eyes. "Trouble?"

"Not yet, darlin'. Saldono's other son was killed last night."

She looked at me apprehensively as she walked closer. "You didn't…"

"No, I didn't have any time, not that I would have minded. However, I did meet with Saldono prior to getting the call from the detective. By the way. Why didn't you tell me you'd been threatened?"

"I guess I didn't want to worry you."

"Uh-huh. We will need to talk about responsibilities." I was able to laugh even though I noticed the news report on the man's murder was now playing across the screen. When we both heard a knock on the door, I wanted nothing more than to ignore it, but my gut told me I wouldn't be able to.

"More room service?"

"I don't think so. I have a feeling that things are about to go south."

"Why?"

"Because I'm on parole, Noel. Because I violated the rules."

"So?"

I didn't answer her before heading to the door, only hesitating when I got to it. She'd come even closer, wringing her hands and I could tell by the look on her face she already knew the answer.

"I love you, Noel. Don't forget that. I would do it all over again to keep you safe."

As soon as I opened the door, a badge was thrown in my face, one of three officers already reading me my rights, telling me I'd violated my parole.

I droned out their words, trying to find a way to calm her as she berated the officers, screaming at them to get out and that I'd helped them catch a serial killer. Max was right by her side, barking as if he was going to chew them to bits.

Everything was in slow motion all over again, their words little more than a rumble of mutterings. All I could concentrate on was the look of horror in her eyes.

That I'd promised her she'd never need to express again.

I'd failed, like I had with everything else in my life.

But in the end, nothing that was said could matter.

I was a convict after all. I would never find enough evidence to exonerate me.

She was still screaming as they took me from the room.

"I will get you out. I will clear your name."

I knew she'd try but hopefully at some point she would return to her life.

One well deserved for an angel of mercy.

Noel

"Don't you dare tell me that shit all over again. I do not want to hear it." I was pacing Zoe's office as I had more than once during the last two weeks. Two fucking weeks of solid hell. This time, we were in a small waiting room prepared to head into court where Kage would be presented to the judge, the prosecutor trying to get his bail revoked.

God bless Zoe. She'd worked diligently to try to keep him from heading back to the hellhole. We both knew if he returned, he'd end up dead.

"Just try and calm down or you won't be allowed to stay in the courtroom," Zoe said softly.

"Calm down? You fucking want me to calm down when a man's life is at stake?" I was glaring at her with hatred in my eyes, which wasn't at all how I felt. She'd tried her best to build a case so the judge would understand he was a hero, not a criminal, but it didn't seem to matter.

That coupled with being forced to explain for the fiftieth time what happened at the cabin had made me a ball of rage.

"I'm doing everything I can but I'm not going to lie to you. Short of a miracle, I don't think he's going to catch a break."

"Then I tell you what. I will work until I am one hundred years old to put the corrupt politicians and law enforcement officers behind bars. I will go to every news station, every radio and newspaper and they will listen to me. Period. I won't stop."

When I was finished, I took a scattered breath, finding it almost impossible to hold my shit together. I tucked my hair behind my ear, praying for his exoneration, which was something I had very little faith in.

I expected her to tell me I'd get myself killed, but she sighed instead. "You really love him. Don't you?"

Up until now, she hadn't asked me that. But the answer was easy. "Yes. With all my heart. He would have jumped through fire ten times to keep me safe. No one has ever cared enough about me to consider something so dangerous. Don't you get it? He's one of the good guys."

"I hear you, bestie. I'll do what I can to fight with you, but I can't promise anything. Just try and remain calm."

"I'll try. I won't promise anything either."

The light knock on the door was followed by it opening quickly, the bailiff standing in the doorway. "They're ready for you, Ms. Carter."

"Thank you, Mike. We'll be right there."

He nodded and closed the door.

"There are some good people left in this world, Noel."

"Oh, yeah? Tell that to the two women Joel killed before trying to remove me from this earth."

She looked down, shaking her head. "Come on, girl. Let's go."

Just walking into the courtroom was horrific enough. I never wanted to see the inside of one again. I was told where to sit, but I moved directly behind the table where Zoe was sitting. As Kage was brought in, shackled like an animal, he found my eyes immediately. In his there was sadness and such remorse, but also love.

I could read that clearly.

Kage was settled and within seconds, the door opened and the judge walked in.

"All rise."

I didn't feel like honoring the man who had a smirk on his face, but I did as required, glancing around the courtroom and cringing. There were more reporters and people who hated him than supporters. I'd even called his father and the man had laughed at me, hanging up before I'd even stated my case.

Or Kage's case, telling him about his son's heroic efforts. How had things gotten this horrible within the system of family and the courts?

"Please be seated."

Kage looked over his shoulder and when I reached up, squeezing his arm, I noticed a deputy about ready to drag me out of the courtroom. In turn, I gave him a nasty glare.

The judge motioned to have the bailiff get Kage to stand a second time, which meant the bastard was ready to sentence him. There would be no discussion, no one testifying on his behalf. Another railroad job as Kage had anticipated.

I'd been allowed to see him once. Only once, but he'd begged me to go on with my life. I'd refused.

"Ms. Carter. I have taken time to read over the affidavits provided, including the formal statement from Ms. Young. While I do agree that with Mr. Bronson's heroic efforts, he likely saved the life of Ms. Young. I am also certain the Denver Police Department is grateful for his assistance in apprehending another criminal. However, that doesn't allow me to ignore the fact Mr. Bronson did violate his terms of parole including being in the possession of a deadly weapon. Thereby, I hereby declare that his parole is revoked."

"No! How dare you!" I jerked to my feet, shouting. "That man was railroaded in the first place by a corrupt system."

My outburst was quickly drowned out by the judge smashing the gavel down several times. "Miss, if you cannot hold your tongue, I will hold you in contempt of court."

"I don't give a shit. I won't stop here. I will tell the world about your old boys' club and fake justice system."

"Sit down," Zoe said through clenched teeth.

"No. Not this time."

"Bailiff, have her removed."

I backed away, glancing around at the various reporters who were already scribbling in their notebooks or taping what I was saying. To hell with people.

Before the man had a chance to grab me, the door was thrown open. I think the entire room went silent briefly as Saldono Rinaldi and several of his thug-like soldiers walked in.

Kage turned, eying me and shaking his head while the mafia man continued to barge into the courtroom.

"Sir, this is a closed court," the bailiff said.

"Not for me, kid," Saldono stated.

"Get them out of here," the judge barked at the deputies.

The three men stepped forward, but Saldono gave them a hard look. "Unless you want another injustice done, you will hear me out."

"What is going on?" Zoe whispered.

"I have no idea." And I didn't.

When Saldono held up his iPhone, I was as confused as everyone else.

The crowd was going nuts, pictures being taken from all sides.

"Order in this court. I will have order." The judge continuously slammed the gavel down. "You are not authorized to be in the court."

"This makes me authorized. The man you are trying to take back to prison did not commit the crime for which he was convicted and I have proof." Without waiting to be allowed, Saldono started what ended up being a recording on his phone.

In the first few seconds, the entire courtroom began to calm down. I recognized Saldono's voice and another man.

The fact Gio had been killed inside his house hadn't been high on the agendas of the detectives. But I had heard no one had been arrested and likely would never be.

But I knew Saldono had killed his own son. I'd only heard part of the story about his conversation with the man prior to my attack but it was easy to read the writing on the wall.

Kage turned around to face me again. There were no words to be said, no gestures that could be made.

But there was also no need to. We could speak with our eyes and nothing more.

In those next few minutes, I was once again allowed hope.

Maybe, just maybe the man I loved would finally have his name cleared.

Maybe.