Chapter Sixty-Nine
Willow
R: Earth to big sister! Still alive?
O: Don’t say things like that! Of course she’s alive.
R: Don’t be such a baby.
W: No fighting. I’m fine!
R: Only fine? I’m going to need to talk to those boys. Pathetic.
W: No! The heat was good. They were wonderful. It’s just… I’m supposed to give my sworn statement today. And C said we’re leaving right after. What if something goes wrong?
O: It will be all right.
W: I’m exhausted. It’s just overwhelming…
Apounding at the front door makes me jump, and Lincoln lays a steadying hand on my shoulder. Cujo’s fist falls to his belt, where cold steel gleams at the waistband.
Holding my breath until my lungs burn, I wait while he peeks out the window. His eyes dart toward me, and he dips his chin. It’s them. I exhale in a gust, but nerves bubble in my stomach, making it flutter until I’m green.
“If you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to, baby girl. Grim should be here with the van in about an hour. We can tell them to get lost, then get the hell out of here.” Lincoln crouches to my level, tipping my chin up so I can’t help but meet his clear blue eyes.
Though I’m weary, frazzled, and in dire need of some time to recover, we both know I can’t back down. Malachi needs to be brought to justice.
“Let them in.” My voice is a croak, and I swallow hard. Cujo swings the door open, but stands in the frame blocking the agent’s path.
“Are you gonna get out of the way?” a harsh voice snaps in the air, and I recognize Gavin’s distinctive cadence.
Are Calloway and Carmine here, too? Since my heat began, I haven’t had a second to think about them.
Despite them saving my life, the treatment afterward has made me resentful toward them.
“In a minute,” Cujo growls, his dominance bursting, filling the space.
“Let’s get some shit clear first.” His annoyance radiates down the bond, and though my legs protest, I flex my muscles, preparing to rise and go to him.
Lincoln, reading my intentions, lifts me and settles me on his own lap, wrapping his muscular arms around me.
His chin rests on my shoulder. “No. Let him lay down some rules, baby girl. It’s important they know that they aren’t calling the shots anymore.”
Relaxing against him, I listen as Cujo gives them the dressing down of a lifetime.
For a man of few words, he’s sure found some strong ones for them.
“You’re here only because Willow wants to give this statement.
After the way you’ve treated her, you’re damn lucky that this is even happening and that she holds my leash, or you’d all be fucking bleeding out.
The only person who gets to talk to my omega is the lawyer.
The rest of you stand silently and bear witness.
If you so much as breathe in her direction, it’s gonna be the last fucking one you take. ”
When no one voices any objections, Cujo steps aside, allowing them to file into the house.
First comes Calloway, who hangs his head, not even looking my way.
A man I’ve never met follows him in—must be the lawyer.
And finally, Gavin walks in like he owns the space.
Cocky Alpha. He stares at me, eyes flicking over my body, as if assessing my mental state.
The rift between us might as well be a chasm, and though my instincts scream at me to fix things, I’m not sure how.
“Don’t look at her,” Lincoln snarls. “You two and that bitch, Carmine, disgust me. Offering other Alphas to a bonded omega for her heat. It’s unforgivable. I hope you never have a scent-match of your own. Being linked to someone as cold and callous as your pack could very well kill them.”
Gavin’s face turns white, and he gulps hard, the barb striking true. “Do better. Be better. For my sisters.” My whisper cracks through the air, leaving the room charged with tension.
The lawyer steps forward with a cough, eyeing my Alphas with trepidation. “Shall we begin?”
Butterflies take flight in my belly, causing nausea to swirl in my gut. My heart pounds, and my hands become clammy. Rubbing them over my arms, I shiver, even though it’s not cold. “Yes.”
The lawyer places a camera on the table and pushes record before taking a seat across from me.
He opens his laptop, and the screen blinks when he opens a document and some sort of software that makes a microphone come up.
He quickly explains that he will be recording my statement in two ways, via video and via a dictated statement.
When I agree that it’s fine, we proceed.
“Thank you for giving your testimony today. For the sake of the video, would you be willing to sit by yourself? It’s all right to say no—we just don’t want there to be any reason to throw out this evidence.”
A growl rumbles up Lincoln’s throat, but I squeeze his hand and it cuts off.
“That’s a good idea. And no problem.” Standing, I wait as Lincoln gets up and relocates himself to stand beside Cujo, both close in case I need them.
“Wonderful. Then let’s proceed. If at any time you need a break, let me know.” I nod my assent, and he begins, “First, please look into the camera and state your name and age.”
The red dot on the camera blinks away, showing that it’s ready, and I stare at it with all my might.
“Wilhelmina Banyan, and I’m twenty-six years old.”
“Can you tell me where you currently reside?”
“Different safe houses? I’m in witness protection. But before all this, I lived with my parents in our California home.” Thinking of them makes my voice catch, but I clear my throat and push on.
“Can you tell me where you were the first time you met the defendant, Malachi Mordred?”
“The first time I ever saw Malachi, I was playing piano at my sister Rosaline’s graduation party.
We were having a nice night, and my mother was sitting next to me at the grand piano, singing along while I played.
Malachi entered the room and…” Tears fill my eyes, remembering that awful moment, the scent of his excitement.
“And?” the lawyer prompts gently. I blink hard, raising my hand to capture a tear that’s dripped down my cheek.
“And then he shot my mom. Killing her right beside me…”
The room goes completely silent. Love and strength radiate down the bond, fortifying me for what comes next.
“Then my father ran to us, and he murdered him, too.”
“You witnessed this with your own eyes?” The lawyer’s tone remains as unattached as possible, but compassion reflects in his gaze.
“Yes. My mom’s blood splattered all over me… I’ll never forget it.” Tears run freely down my face, and my hands shake, but I don’t want to stop. I can’t, or I’ll never start again.
The questions continue for what feels like forever. They keep coming until my ass turns numb and my body begins to feel like I’m no longer in it.
“Do you have what you need?” Lincoln’s voice snaps me out of the fog. “She can’t take much more.” A warm blanket is wrapped around me, hot chocolate pushed into my hands, and I realize I’m shaking. My voice is hoarse from so much use.
“We do. Willow, you did amazingly. With a video like this, I doubt we will need you at the trial. However, you would make an excellent witness.” He gathers the camera and computer, nodding at me before hustling out the door.
A few sips of the sweet drink warm me from the inside out, and Cujo kneels beside me. “Are you ready to go home?” Even as exhausted and drained as I am, nothing has ever sounded so good. “Then you’re going to spend a week resting. I’m gonna put Bruce in charge of it.”
A giggle breaks free, washing away some of the somber atmosphere.
“Yes. Bring me to my dog!” I place the mug on the table, holding out my arms. It may be weak, but right now, I need someone else to take the load. To carry me from the brink. “But what about them? Will they let us leave?”
Cujo stands to his full height, lifting me with him.
“Yup. They aren’t going to think about interfering.
In fact, they’re gonna grab your stuff and be helpful.
” He bares his teeth at Calloway and Gavin, who step aside and allow us to walk out the door and toward a waiting van, with Lincoln right behind us.
Grim stands beside the van, giving us a nod. “Welcome home.” His acceptance surprises me, but it calms my inner omega. The MC truly is a family.
And I’m lucky to be a part of it.