Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

SASHA

My heart is racing as I wait for Officer Lettermen to bring me into his office. He called me early this morning and told me it would be best if I came down to the precinct. Even though I know I'm innocent and he told me I didn't have anything to worry about last night, I still decided to call up one of my professors and ask him if he knew someone who could represent me.

Being a law student teaches you that you should really never speak to a police officer without a lawyer present. Of course, I didn't think about that last night when I gave my initial report because I wasn't in the best state of mind. But today, my thoughts are much clearer, and I knew I needed to make a call. Thankfully, my professor has a friend who was able to take me on at the last minute. I gave Mr. Cox the brief rundown of everything, and he was certain that no matter what happened today I wouldn't be in any trouble, but of course, it was best that he came along just in case.

"It's going to be fine," he assures me when my knee won't stop shaking.

I nod, but his words don't do much to settle my nerves. If everything was okay, why did I have to come to the precinct? If nothing was going to happen, wouldn't they have just told me that over the phone?

I'm not sure how long we wait before Officer Lettermen comes out and greets me. "Thank you for coming in, Mr. Lawrence," he says, and I shake his hand.

"It's not a problem at all. This is my lawyer Mr. Cox, he'll be joining us for our conversation today."

Officer Lettermen tilts his head to the side. "Why did you bring a lawyer?" he questions with a lifted brow.

"Because it's my right," I reply.

The officer presses his lips together but nods and leads us to a small room.

"Care to tell us what this meeting is about?" Mr. Cox asks Officer Lettermen. "If you are just going to ask if my client wants to press charges, the answer is yes."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Officer Lettermen replies. "Mr. Vanderbilt was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital last night."

I gasp, but Mr. Cox puts his hand out, reminding me not to say anything. "I'm sorry to hear that," he tells the officer. "But as I'm sure you're aware, Michigan has a stand-your-ground law. Mr. Vanderbilt had a gun and was holding it in my client's face. My client had every right to take Mr. Vanderbilt down, and if he passed away due to those injuries, that is unfortunate, but there are no charges you can hold my client on."

Officer Lettermen pushes his tongue into his upper lip, looking slightly annoyed, but nods. "Yes, I am aware of that I just wanted to go over Mr. Lawrence's statement one more time since Mr. Vanderbilt wasn't able to give his."

It's sketchy that he said there was nothing to worry about and now is wanting more. I'm really fucking glad now that I brought a lawyer.

"You can read it out loud to us if you'd like, but my client won't be saying anything more," Mr. Cox answers for me.

Officer Lettermen huffs out a breath through his nose and then dips his chin. "Okay, well, that's all I need then."

"Excellent, you have a good afternoon," Mr. Cox says before nodding at me to stand. I do exactly that and follow him out. "What a slimy fucking guy," he grumbles once we're outside. "I can guarantee he was going to try and get you to confess to murder."

I nod. "I clued in on that too. I'm glad I made the right decision to call Professor Lymus this morning."

"I'm glad I was available to take you on," he responds. "It makes me sick when officers want to take advantage of people. You went through hell because of Lux Vanderbilt, yet that stupid cop still wanted to see you behind bars."

"Can we work out a payment plan?" I ask him, but he shakes his head.

"No need, kid, it's pro bono."

"Are you sure?" I check, and he nods.

"Absolutely," he assures me. "Your professor is a good man and has helped me out too many times to count. The least I could do is keep one of his students out of jail. What you can do as payment is continue working your ass off and pass the bar when it's your time."

I smile widely at him. "That I can do. I want to help people who have been where I am. The system far too often fails those in domestic abuse situations."

"When you graduate, give me a call," he tells me. "I think my office could use a guy like you. Obviously we can't hire you on as a lawyer until you pass your bar exam and get admitted to that bar, but you could work as a law clerk until all of that happens. It would be a great way for you to get your foot in the door and help you network with established professionals in the legal field. I'd also be on board to mentor you during that time."

My brows shoot up, and I quickly bobbly my head in acceptance. There's no way I'm turning down that offer. "Thank you so much," I gush, and he smiles at me before handing me his card even though I already have his number.

"I look forward to working with you," he tells me. Then we say our goodbyes, and I head off to where Rio is waiting for me.

"How did it go?" he checks when I get in the car.

"Lux is dead," I tell him, and his eyes go wide.

"Holy shit," he whispers.

"That's exactly how I felt when I heard the news. I'm really glad I brought Mr. Cox with me because we're pretty sure Officer Lettermen was going to try and arrest me for murder."

"But it was self-defense!" Rio shouts.

I smile at him and place my hand on his knee. "Exactly, and thanks to Michigan having a stand-your-ground law there were no charges he could press against me. But if I didn't have a lawyer, he definitely would have tried to get me to talk and confess to something that wasn't true."

Rio shakes his head. "That's fucking crazy."

"That's the world we live in. I really hope one day I get to help someone the way Mr. Cox just helped me. He actually kind of offered me a job once I graduate."

"Holy shit," Rio replies with a toothy grin. "That's amazing, baby. You deserve it. You are an amazing man, and you're going to be an even better lawyer."

"I love you," I reply, leaning over the console for a quick kiss.

"I love you too. Now let me get you home so you can rest," he says, but I shoot him my best ‘ are you serious?' look.

"I don't have time to rest. I have to get my shit packed so we don't miss the bus that leaves in less than thirty minutes," I tell him.

"You're still coming to the game?" he asks, and I roll my eyes as I nod.

"Did you lose some brain cells last night? Of course I'm coming to the game. I'm the team's good luck charm. I can't let them down."

"I think they would understand due to the circumstances of what just happened to you," he replies, but I give my head a firm shake.

"I don't care. I'm going. Yes, I could have died last night, but I didn't. Lux is gone, and I can finally move on with my life. He no longer has a hold on me, and I couldn't be more grateful. Staying at home makes no sense to me. It's time to live and appreciate everything the universe has given to me."

Rio gives me a passionate kiss before whispering against my lips, "You are so fucking amazing."

The past twenty-four hours have been horrible and amazing at the same time. I'm finally free of the dark shadow that has been haunting me for the last seven years. Never again can Lux Vanderbilt hurt me.