Chapter 53
I sit in the courtroom and watch Isabelle flay herself open to the vultures. She's confessing her deepest trauma to the entire town, for the miniscule chance it might improve the outcome of my sentencing. I burn hearing her re-live her pain. I’m so goddamn proud of her for her bravery.
I vowed to always take care of her, to protect her. I know she loves me, but it never occurred to me there would come a day that I'd need her care and protection. And she’s stepped into the spotlight in magnificent fashion to defend and champion me.
Not for a second do I believe I deserve her—but I'll do anything to keep her. I’ll die before I ever lose her.
Spending the night in a jail cell is no vacation, believe me. I knew I was in deep shit. A few minutes defending my girl could result in losing years of my life by her side. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant she was safe.
I’ve prepared for this reality and accepted the possible outcomes. Greyson would find the information we needed, James would handle the legalities, and I'd get the honor of taking the fucker out.
Aside from the blinding rage, I enjoyed every second of beating him with every bit of love I have for Isabelle in my body.
Since Dad bailed me out, I’ve had several difficult conversations with my parents.
My actions directly impacted Swift Property Management.
Our reputation is on the bubble, and it’s all my fault.
Residents of Swiftwater and the homeowners we represent trust me to enter their homes.
The trust I’ve built during my career may have broken beyond repair.
My parents have been beyond supportive, far more than I deserve, reassuring me that the company will be just fine. The love of a parent extends beyond the law.
Dad’s horrified by Brett and his father’s crimes. He’s been friends with Sheriff Stevens since childhood and from the sounds of it, that bridge is burnt to ash. I'm so incredibly lucky to have their unconditional love and support.
Love and support that now extend to Isabelle. They know I plan to make her my wife, and if they didn’t already adore her, the second she became mine, she became a part of our family.
I don’t regret risking it all. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The only thing I regret is having left her alone, allowing him the chance to even get near her. Never again will I expose her to danger, unintentionally or otherwise.
I choose Isabelle above all else. Above my comfort. Above my career. Above my family. Above my freedom.
She’s everything.
There’s no me without her.
As Isabelle concludes her life changing speech, my anxiety spikes. This is it. There's nothing left to do but to plead guilty and accept my sentence.
I'm bracing for the fallout, eyes closed, breathing deeply, and then I hear deafening cheering and applause for my girl. I look wide eyed at James who's clapping as well between ear splitting whistles.
A sea of navy and badges turns their backs on those Stevens’ pieces of shit. I meet Isabelle’s shining eyes and try to speak to her over the chaos.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, baby. You were magnificent. Why did you do it? You didn’t owe me anything.”
“I did it for you. You are mine as much as I am yours. Mine to love, mine to care for, mine to protect.” Her smile is radiant, she's so beautiful. “I also did it for me. I needed to let it go. I needed to be set free.”
I move to touch her, to hold her but am stopped when the bang of the gavel echoes through the courtroom and the judge calls the court to order.
“Counsel, I’d like to speak with you both in my chambers,” the judge commands, and they disappear through a door behind the bench.
As soon as the door closes, Isabelle jumps over the half wall and clamors into my arms. She's hugging me with all her might, and I hold her, everything I’ve ever wanted in my arms.
We share kisses and whispers and tears. I’ve never been so proud and so terrified at the same time. Whatever the judge decides will determine both my and Isabelle’s fate. We’ll either be together, or we’ll be together through bars. But either way, we are one.
The judge, my brother, and Brett’s skeezy lawyer emerge from the judge’s chambers and return to their respective seats. Rules be damned, I hold Isabelle in my lap. If they're going to lock me away, I'm going to steal as much of her love as I can. They’ll have to drag me away from her.
James is stoic, and my heart drops.
Fuck.
So that’s it. My poor girl sacrificed herself for nothing. She bared her soul to the entire town, and I have to pay for my actions.
It’s only when I’ve accepted my fate that I meet my big brother’s eyes. And he fucking winks at me. Before I can ask what the hell is going on, the judge calls the courtroom to order.
“After discussion with counsel, Mr. Stevens will be dropping all charges against Mr. Andersen.” The courtroom erupts in celebration.
“Order.” She bangs the gavel.
“As I was saying, Mr. Andersen, you’re free to go.” More cheers explode in the confined space.
“However, in light of Miss Tate’s unofficial testimony, as well as a large manilla envelope of incriminating documentation, the matter at hand has drastically changed. Bailiff, take Deputy Sheriff Stevens and Sheriff Stevens into custody to be charged.”
Hoots and hollers overwhelm the judge’s voice. Brett and his piece of shit father are protesting in outrage. But they don’t deserve a second more of Isabelle’s time. I set her on her feet, take her by the hand, and lead her out of the courtroom.
Our family and our friends, a wall of solidarity, follow behind us.