Chapter Twenty-One
Violet
Los Angeles Superior Court, Hill St, Los Angeles…
Judge Hawthorne held up a hand for silence. “It is the opinion of this court that reasonable doubt exists as to the defendant’s guilt. While circumstantial evidence points to her, no hard evidence definitively places Miss Boardman as responsible for the crime in question. Therefore, I have no choice but to deliver a verdict of not guilty.”
The judge cleared his throat, fixing the head of the real estate company with a stern look.
“However, in my review of this case, I found several alarming elements that cannot be ignored. The timing of the crime immediately after the defendant alerted her employers to her pregnancy raised suspicions of discrimination and foul play. The evidence suggests an attempt by the company to set up a fraudulent account under Miss Boardman’s identity as retaliation or to cover up financial misconduct by other parties.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and the corporate executives shuffled uncomfortably in their seats. Cecile lifted her head from Violet’s shoulder, her eyes widening as his words began to sink in.
“While the prosecution failed to prove Miss Boardman’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it is clear to me that something untoward occurred here,” the judge continued. “As such, I am ordering the company to pay Miss Boardman’s legal fees as well as a settlement of one million dollars for emotional distress and loss of wages resulting from this trial.”
The courtroom erupted into shocked gasps and excited chatter. The company’s lawyers immediately leapt to their feet, but the judge silenced them with a sharp look.
“My ruling stands. Miss Boardman, I wish to offer you my sincere apologies that you were subjected to such treatment while pregnant. I wish you and your family well. Court is adjourned.” He banged his gavel decisively.
Chaos erupted. The corporate suits immediately stormed out of the room, yelling angrily into their phones. Laughing and crying, Cecile turned and hugged Violet tightly.
“Thank you so much, Violet,” she sobbed. “I can’t believe this is finally over.”
“Just doing my job.” Violet returned the hug with a relieved smile. “I’m so happy for you, Cecile.”
As they left the courtroom, trailed by the press clamoring for a statement, Violet was surprised to notice Dexter in the crowd. He gave her a subtle thumbs up and mouthed, “Congratulations.” His being there was unexpected but filled her with overwhelming warmth. The feeling of belonging and being cared for flooded her mind. For the first time, she felt… wanted. It was a feeling she cherished and had every intention of nurturing.
Cecile and Violet gave a brief press conference on the courthouse steps. Though the company got away with its corruption for now, the big settlement would help Cecile and her husband raise their child in comfort. Violet relished her role in serving justice, however imperfect. Once the press dwindled, she looked around in search of Dexter. Disappointment surged inside her as he was nowhere to be found.
For the first time since the judge had started the sentencing, she relaxed as she walked to her car. She may not have exposed the company completely, but she still exhibited its corruption, and that was enough. Satisfied, she returned to her office, only to be shocked to a stop in the doorway of her office when she noticed Theo sprawled on the visitor’s chair.
“About time you came into the office. Cozy job you have that allows you to sleep until midday.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, Theo, but I was in court.”
“Ah, lemme guess. You won… again.” He threw his arms in the air and hollered, “Hoorah, for Counselor Russo.”
“What do you want, Theo?” Closing the door, she sat down behind her desk, watching him unblinkingly. His face was black and blue from his fight with Tag, so his visit made no sense, especially after his comments when he had left afterward.
“I came to find out what progress you had made with Dexter Flint.”
“Why? I thought you were done with the family.” She tilted her head sideways. “Or did I misinterpret your veiled threats when you left the house after Tag beat you to a pulp?”
“Yeah, well,” Theo sneered as he gingerly touched his torn lip. “Tag was always a bully.”
“To the contrary, little brother… you’re the bully of the four of us.”
“I asked you a question, Violet. I’m waiting for an answer.” Theo straightened and glowered at her in a threatening manner. Violet wasn’t intimidated. On the contrary, she was amused and wasn’t afraid to show him.
“Seriously? You think taking a Don Lucky tone with me is gonna get you anywhere? Irrelevant to whether I am part of the family organization, Theo, I am your oldest sibling, and you will not talk to me like that. I don’t owe you shit… and before you bother, I’m not interested in debating this. So, to cut this short and get you out of my office, I will tell you what I told the rest of the family. I’m out. I have no interest in being part of this shit show. You want Dexter Flint to do you favors… ask him yourself.”
“Well,” They smiled broadly. “That’s perfect then. Wouldn’t want you to get hurt on account of picking the wrong side in this war, big sis.”
Violet’s spine turned rigid. “What are you talking about, Theo? Picking sides? War? Just what the hell are you up to?”
Theo pressed his lips together, indicating that he had said too much. Getting up, he sauntered toward the door.
“Stick to your decision, and you won’t get hurt. Just a friendly warning, Violet. Stay away from Dexter Flint because if you don’t, it might be seen as siding with the wrong side .”
“Theo! Get back here. Theo!” He ignored her, and she was left staring after him, waving at her as the elevator door closed on him. “For fuck’s sake. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. When is this clusterfuck ever gonna end?”
Grabbing her briefcase and a couple of folders of cases she needed to review, she headed toward the elevator. “I’ve had enough for today. I’m going to work from home the rest of the afternoon,” she said as she strode out, leaving the legal assistant to gawk after her.
“I’ve fucking had enough of all of this! I just wish…” What? What exactly did she wish for? That she had never given in to her mother’s plea to help the family or that she had never been born from the Russo crime bloodline? Signing, she got into her car.
“Wishing upon a star isn’t going to get you out of this, Violet. If you want them off your back, you know what to do.”
She listened to her words echoing through the car but forcefully shook off the negative cocoon wrapping around her. For now, she was going home to celebrate with takeout, wine, and her favorite rerun of scenes with Dexter Flint.
“At least I have another satisfying win under her belt to celebrate,” she murmured as she turned onto Wilshire Boulevard, heading toward Venice Beach in Santa Monica, less than a mile from her house. Glancing in the rearview mirror, her heart skipped a beat. She had noticed the red van at intervals on the way home but hadn’t thought much of it. Now, the warm glow of victory quickly turned cold as Violet noticed it looming right behind her. Her heart leapt into her throat when the van accelerated suddenly and rammed into her rear bumper,
“What the hell?” she gasped, gripping the steering wheel tighter as her car lurched forward. “Fucking bastard!” she cried when the impact sent her phone clattering to the floor when she tried to pick it up to call for help.
The van struck again, harder this time. Violet pressed down on the accelerator in an attempt to put distance between them. The powerful Mercedes responded instantly, but the van kept pace. The empty stretch of road offered no escape routes, no witnesses, no help.
“Come on, come on,” she muttered as she desperately scanned for any sign of other traffic. There were none. “Fuck!” she cursed herself for once again choosing the quiet route she preferred when driving home. The van swerved beside her. A quick sideways glance confirmed dark-tinted windows concealing the driver. The next moment, the van veered sharply and slammed into the driver’s side of her car. Metal screamed against metal as it was forced toward the shoulder.
“No!” Violet fought the steering wheel, but the next hit sent her spinning. The world whirled in a nauseating blur of sunlight and clouds before the Mercedes plunged down the embankment. The airbag exploded in her face at the same time as the car rolled once and crashed to a stop against a tree.
“Fuck me,” she moaned. For several moments, she sat unmoving, dazed, and with her ears ringing. Blood trickled from her nose where the airbag had struck her. With trembling fingers, she fumbled with the seatbelt clasp when footsteps crunched through the grass toward her car. Before she could comprehend what was happening, the driver’s door was wrenched open. Even through her disorientation, she registered the cold professional demeanor, the tactical gear the man wore, and his deliberate movements. This was no random road rage incident.
“Miss Russo…” The man’s voice was artificially deep and distorted. “Consider this a friendly warning. Stop poking around with matters that don’t concern you. The syndicates and mafia families have their own way of handling things. You chose not to be a part of that life… I suggest you keep it that way.”
Violet’s blood ran cold, but she managed to keep her voice steady. “If you think you can intimidate me—”
“This isn’t about you, princess,” he cut her off. “Your mother… Sophie, is it? Alone in that big house every day while your father and brothers are out conquering the world? It would be a shame if something were to happen to her.”
“You son of a—” Violet’s words choked off as his gloved hand shot out to pinch her chin.
“This is the only notice you get. Back off, or mommy pays the price,” he growled.
Before Violet could respond, the man slammed his fist against her temple. White hot pain exploded in her head. As her vision dimmed, the last thing she saw was the masked man climbing back into the red van and speeding away. Then, everything went black.