Chapter 21
Victoria
Two weeks later Victoria walked out of the courthouse, briefcase, purse and a small box of trial paraphernalia in hand.
She’d parked in the garage across the street as she hoped today would be the last day of trial.
Thankfully, she was correct. After only a day and a half of deliberation this time, the diverse group of twelve men and women unanimously found Ramone Vega guilty of capital murder.
Mayor Larry Radcliffe still hadn’t come forward to say that Alayna’s baby was his but at her grandmother’s urging Alayna filed a child support claim.
Whether Radcliffe wanted it to or not, the news would be very public, very soon.
As for Sal Pena, he had a business to run and so Victoria figured someone within the ranks would be promoted as Vega headed off to prison to await his sentencing, which some were hoping would be the death penalty.
It was all behind her now, she thought as she walked down the front steps of the Justice Center.
The trial was over. She could put these last few stress-filled months behind her.
As she continued, she tried not to think of how hurt she was that Ben hadn’t been there to hear the verdict.
She’d texted him herself to tell him the jury was back, but he hadn’t shown up in the courtroom.
Disappointment weighed heavily on her shoulders as she walked.
They’d become so close in such a short time she already felt like he was a huge part of her life. Maybe she’d jumped too fast, maybe…
A white limousine pulled up to the curb just as she stepped off the last step onto the sidewalk.
It was pristinely shined and as long as two regular sized vehicles put together.
She was just about to keep walking in the opposite direction when the back door opened and Ben stepped out.
In his hand was once again a bouquet of balloons, this time all white.
On his face was a grin so wide she thought for sure he’d strain some facial muscles.
She couldn’t help it, she smiled as she walked toward him. “I’m beginning to think you just have a fetish for balloons,” she said.
He shook his head, leaning forward to place a loud, quick kiss on her lips. “Nope. Just remembered you really didn’t get a chance to enjoy the other ones I bought. And with your big victory I decided we’d celebrate.”
The driver had come from out of nowhere, since she hadn’t noticed him before, but now he was at her side taking the box and briefcase out of her hands. He moved to put them in the trunk as Ben motioned for her to get into the backseat of the limo.
“I hope this celebration includes dinner reservations. I’m starving,” she said as she slid across the leather seats.
Ben stuffed the balloons in first, causing her to giggle when she had to push them out of her face.
“No dinner reservations.”
“What? Are you planning on starving me?”
He leaned forward as she spoke grabbing a bottle of champagne from the ice bucket on the console between them.
“I can’t drink on an empty stomach,” she continued. “I’ll be dizzy and sick and…”
He’d already poured each of them a glass as she’d been talking. He put one right up to her lips and leaned in until his face was a few inches away from hers.
“I made plane reservations instead,” he told her.
“What? Plane? Are you going somewhere?” she asked not totally sure what he was leading too, and almost afraid to wish.
“I’m going to Sansonique for the Donovan family reunion and you’re coming with me.”
She frowned. “Where?”
“It’s a private island that my family owns. We’re having our annual reunion there next week. And you’re going to join us.”
“But I haven’t met anyone from your family except Trent.”
“I know, that’s why I figured this would be the perfect time for you to meet them all.
I mean, everyone won’t be there, conflicts in work schedules and all that.
But the majority of us will be and you’ll have a great time.
They’re going to adore you, half as much as I do I think.
” He winked and gave her that sexy as hell smile she’d once despised.
She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to think.
It was like a fairy tale, those things she swore she didn’t believe in.
But just like a handsome prince Ben had come in and wowed her with the simplest things.
Not that a private island was simple, but the balloons were and she loved them, almost as much as she realized she loved this man.