Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
QUINN
Quinn
Any updates on when you’ll get here?
Jasper
No
Coach said maybe in the next few hours, but nothing guaranteed
I was hoping it would’ve cleared out by now
Shouldn’t Denver be used to this?
One would think
Why does it have to snow in Denver in March?
It is still technically winter
I thought you were smart
Har-har
Only doing it because I can’t think about you not being here today
I know, babe
I’m so sorry
I’d be there if I could
I know
Sometimes I hate our jobs
They’re the fucking worst
But you know that I’ll be there in spirit
I know
And we’ll be able to celebrate when I get back
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves
I know things are going to go well and you’ll win
Knock on wood!
And when you do, dinner’s on you
And if I don’t win?
Dinner’s on me
I love you, Jasper
I know
I love you too
Ikeep reading the texts with Jasper from this morning. Rebecca sent a car to pick me up so I wouldn’t have to worry about any of the madness at the courthouse today. I smooth my hands down my tailored pants.
Black, wide-legged pants. White blouse with a ribbon tie at the top. Dark green blazer. I even picked out my pointiest heels to round out my suit of armor today. I’ll need everything possible to feel in control.
It’d be easier if Jasper were here, but I can’t think about that.
It’s a cold, gray morning as I’m dropped off in front of the courthouse. Press is already lingering outside. Of course they are. I’ve made a point to ignore all the entertainment channels these last few months because I didn’t want to hear what anyone was saying about the trial.
Questions are lobbed at me as I fight through the crowds pressing in on me.
“How are you feeling today, Genevieve?”
“Do you think you’ll come out on top?”
“How will it feel to see your ex again?”
“Do you think you’re being greedy?”
I don’t say a word as I push through the doors to the courthouse. Warmth and the smell of old paper greets me as I spot Rebecca just beyond the security checkpoint.
Going through, the security officer gives me a nod as I grab my bag and make my way over to Rebecca.
“How are you feeling today?”
“Nervous.”
She beams back at me. “Well, you might not need to be.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Before she can answer, Eric comes sauntering in, a cocky look on his face. When he spots me, he shoots a wink my direction.
Everything about the asshole is smarmy. From that grin on his face to his slicked-back hair to the cheap suit he’s wearing.
God, I can’t wait to wipe that look off his face.
“I hate him,” I mutter under my breath.
Rebecca’s paralegal rushes over to us to beckon us into the courtroom.
It’s smaller than I imagined it would be as the old doors creak shut behind us.
The state seal hangs behind the judge’s bench, with a few rows of seats—packed with people—behind the small wall that separates us from them.
The court reporter is waiting to the left of the bench, with no jury inside yet.
Eric is chatting with his attorney as we walk up the aisle.
“When will the jury arrive?” I ask Rebecca, taking my seat. Looking around, I see Claire in the front row, and she gives me a reassuring smile.
“We might not get to that today,” she says, taking out her files and a manila envelope.
“Why not?” A sick feeling settles in my stomach.
Before she can answer, we’re called to stand for the arriving judge.
“Your honor, I have new evidence I would like to submit to the court.”
“You do?” I whisper.
She smiles down at me, nodding.
“Approach the bench.”
She walks up with all the confidence in the world.
“What evidence is this? We weren’t made aware of any evidence, Your Honor,” Eric’s attorney pipes up.
Rebecca aims a well-practiced smile his way. “We only discovered it late last night. It was couriered to your office this morning.”
“We didn’t receive it.”
“I have a copy for you, then.” She produces another file and passes it over as the judge starts to review everything in front of her.
What in the world is going on?
The old, wooden door creaks open. Sneaking a peek, I do a double take.
Jasper?
Based on the rumpled appearance of his suit, he came straight from the airport. My eyes track his. They scan the courtroom, looking for a seat. When he spots me, he winks at me and I can breathe.
No matter what happens now, I’m going to be okay.
The judge peers up over her glasses.
“Have you had a chance to review this yet, Mr. Taylor?”
“I…” Eric’s attorney stutters, consulting with the man who looks white as a ghost.
Rebecca shoots me a quick look, and while things appear to be favoring me, I have no idea what is going on.
“We need more time to review the evidence presented.” He clears his throat and straightens.
“It appears you do, as it looks like Miss Rose is not the only person who your client has stolen from.”
“What?” I gasp, covering my mouth.
There’s no way I heard her correctly. I’m not the only person he stole from? There were others? Rebecca said I was the only one.
“Our forensic accountant was able to uncover the accounts to which Mr. Powers was laundering his money to.”
Oh my God. I can’t believe they found it.
“In doing so, he uncovered several other accounts that he stole from. While we are still working to determine who they are, there is clear evidence that he stole from Miss Rose.”
I turn, eyes finding Claire and then Jasper. A huge grin sits on his face.
“In light of this new evidence, court will be adjourned and the bailiff will take Mr. Powers into custody pending a new trial on the counts of embezzlement and wire fraud.”
She raps her gavel before ordering everyone to rise.
“I’m being framed!” Eric shouts as he’s put into handcuffs. “I didn’t do this.”
The sight of him being led away in cuffs, shouting that he’s being wronged, might be the best thing I’ll see all year.
“When did you find this?” I ask Rebecca, wrapping her in a hug. Tears well in my eyes as I try to keep it together.
“Last night. We were working down to the wire and he got it. It’s over, Quinn.”
“I can’t believe it. Is the money there?”
She waggles her head back and forth. “There’s a good chunk, but it’s hard to know whose is whose. It will take a while to unravel that thread, but you won.”
“Yeah, she did!” Claire squeezes me from behind.
“Holy shit!” I cover my mouth as the floodgates open.
I spin on my heel, and Jasper is there to sweep me into his arms.
“You’re here.”
“Where else would I be?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Stuck at a hotel in Denver?” I pull back, cupping his cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“We were able to get out early this morning. Came straight here.”
“I think you might be my good luck charm.” I kiss him. I don’t care that the room is packed full with people. The only person that matters is Jasper.
That and the fact that this whole ordeal is going to be behind me. No question if he’ll get off now. Eric is getting what he deserves, having taken advantage of not only me, but others as well.
The scumbag.
“Want to get out of here?” Jasper whispers against my lips, dropping his forehead to mine.
“More than anything.”
I pull Claire in for a hug before she leaves. “Thank you for being here.”
“Anything for you. Well, and to see that asshole go down.”
“That image of him saying he was being framed will live rent free in my head for a long time.”
“Same. Now, go enjoy your man.”
I peer back at Jasper. “I will.”
Jasper links hands with me as we all leave the courtroom.
“I’ll be in touch as to next steps,” Rebecca says. “There is going to be a lot of paperwork to sort through, but you’re free of him.”
I sink into Jasper’s side, leaning on him to hold me up. “I still can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. You’re free to do whatever you want. Record, tour, do nothing. All up to you.”
“I mean, I know the money won’t be coming soon, but wow. The idiot still has it.”
“What a dumb fuck,” Jasper mutters so only I can hear.
“I’ll keep you posted.” Rebecca pulls her phone out as she’s waving goodbye. “Talk soon.”
Jasper and I follow suit, walking out hand-in-hand into the still-gray morning. Flashbulbs are popping but we ignore them all as we head down to the waiting car.
“Genevieve. How do you feel now that you’ve won against your former manager?”
“What are you going to do next?”
“Any new music in the works?”
“Care to comment on your relationship?”
I ignore them all as Jasper swings open the door for me and I crawl in the backseat. More questions are shouted as he gets in and closes the door behind us.
I slide as close as possible to him, pulling him in for a long, drugging kiss.
Thank God for tinted windows.
“I still can’t believe you made it.”
“It was iffy there, but I’ve never been happier to see Nashville in my life.”
“Thank you for being here for me, Jasper. I don’t know if I would have made it without you these last few months.”
He shakes his head. “You would have. You’re the strongest person I know.”
I squeeze him to me, burying my face in the scent of cedar and fresh laundry. “You’re my center, Jasper. The only thing in my chaotic world that makes sense.”
“You have me, Quinn. I will be by your side every single day. For the rest of our lives.”
I smile against his neck. “As long as it doesn’t snow in Denver.”