41|The Perez Trial II
I stood slowly, my heels echoing through the courtroom.
Perez sat at the defense table, wringing his hands, pale and shaky, but I wasn't looking at him.
I was looking at Nate.
He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed and that smug calm expression still glued to his face.
He thought I was bluffing.
That I was unraveling.
He had no idea.
"Defense calls the defendant back to the stand," I said.
Nate straightened slightly, the shift almost imperceptible.
Almost.
Perez took the stand again, more composed this time because this time, I wasn't going to butcher my client like Nate did.
I turned to him. "Mr. Perez, the prosecution made a big deal about that wallet in your pocket, didn't they?"
He nodded.
I raised my voice just slightly, not for Perez but for the court.
"They suggested it was proof you robbed and killed Senator Holbrook's son."
"Yes."
"Except you didn't."
"No," he said firmly.
I walked to the table, picked up the police report, and held it up.
"Let's talk about what the prosecution didn't mention."
"Like how the senator's son had a long record of soliciting sex from homeless teens in that alley."
"And how there was surveillance footage, buried in the supplemental discovery, showing him approaching someone else minutes before Perez even appeared."
Nate stood immediately. "Objection-"
"Overruled," Judge Rivera cut in, eyes sharp. "You opened this door, Mr. Carter."
I turned back to Perez.
"That footage...the person he approached. Do you know who that was?"
Perez nodded. "Yeah. Nico. He used to stay two tents down from me."
I nodded, lifting another report. "And where's Nico now?"
Perez's voice broke slightly.
"Dead. Overdose. Two days after the senator's kid was killed."
Gasps echoed faintly in the back of the courtroom.
I stepped forward.
"So, let's clarify for the record: you didn't rob him."
"You didn't stab him."
"You found him already bleeding out, tried to help, and that's how the blood got on you."
"Yes," Perez said, voice steady now. "I panicked and ran."
"But I didn't kill him."
I looked back at the bench.
"And the prosecution knew about that footage."
"They had it. But they chose to leave it out."
Nate's jaw tensed.
For the first time in this entire trial, he looked unsure.
And I knew I had him.
Don't smile just yet, Nae.
I turned toward him, my voice calm but deadly.
"You went after my client like a predator, Mr. Carter."
"Not because the facts supported it, but because you thought you could bully your version of justice."
"You almost destroyed an innocent man."
Silence.
And then Judge Rivera cleared her throat, slow and deliberate.
"Counsel," she said, her voice low, "I've heard enough. Case dismissed. Charges dropped."
The room exploded with sounds.
I could hear Kate gasped, Russell exhaled like he'd been holding his breath for days.
Perez broke down on the stand.
But I didn't move.
I just turned, locked eyes with Nate and didn't blink.
He stared back, his fists clenched and jaw tight.
This time, I had won.
I beat Nate.
I helped save an innocent man from jail.
Suddenly, his facial expression softened and the prosecutor in him vanished.
My husband quickly took his place.
The corner of his mouth twitched like he was fighting a smile.
His eyes softened with something warm, something that said you killed that, Shark.
He gave me the slightest nod before Russell pulled me into a hug.
"Now that's what I'm talking about, Carter!" He proudly said, squeezing me tight.
I smiled as I released from our hug.
He stepped aside with a grin before I turned to see Kate silently watching me.
I froze for a second before hugging her tightly.
Maybe I had been extra hard on her for something she did years ago.
When we pulled apart, I smiled. "We did it."
She smiled, barely. "You led."
That was progress, right?
I soon felt a tap on my back before I turned to see Nate.
Kate and Russell gave us some space.
"I told you I was going to win," I bragged and he smiled.
He nodded. "I guess I should've listened."
He pulled me into his arms. "You were a force today. I'm so proud of you."
I held him tighter, letting my eyes close for half a second.
"You pushed me," I whispered. "You always do."
He pulled back just enough to look at me, his forehead brushing mine.
Just when we were about to kiss, he pulled back and cleared his throat.
"Good job, counsel," he said, shaking my hand.
I laughed as I returned the handshake. "Thank you."
...
"Dio mío," I heard that unmistakable accent before turning to see her take off her sunglasses.
"Vivianne!" I smiled as I rushed to her.
She opened her arms and I quickly hugged her.
When we released from our hug, the cafe's door opened before Rager walked in, holding the twins.
He handed the babies to Viv before giving me a hug.
"It's good to see you," he said as he pulled away.
"Yes," Viv agreed. "Without you, their mama would be rotting in prison."
I smiled as I looked at the two babies silently watching me with smiles.
I looked at the baby girl. "You must be Violetta."
"And you, Rigel," I said, looking at the baby boy.
"You can hold them if you want," Viv said softly.
"Hold them?" I asked, shocked. "No, I-I don't think that's a good idea."
The last time I held a baby was...
Both Viv and Rager's expressions softened and I immediately knew I was making things weird.
I forced a smile.
"They look so comfortable," I told her. "I wouldn't want to ruin their peace."
Vivianne gave me a knowing look, but she pushed past the awkwardness.
"They're sturdy," she said as we all sat down. "Mafia babies. These things don't break easily."
Rager face palmed himself. "Forgive her, she keeps forgetting our babies are humans."
"No humans suck the life out of me like they do," she sighed as she watched me with pure love.
I laughed softly, grateful for the lightness.
Still, I kept my hands in my lap.
Some things you don't rush.
Not even healing.