“This is Emmett, Dave, and Jared,” Jackson said pulling me out of my thoughts. “They are part of the Sorto’s legal team. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.”
“When am I testifying?“ I asked, needing to know how soon this would all be over.
“You’re our second witness today,” Jared said. “I’ll ask you the same questions I had sent to your office, and most likely his lawyer will counter. We will object to anything that seems as if he's trying to sway the jury.”
“Okay.” I nodded and took a long calming breath.
“I think it's going to be a pretty easy day, but if you need to take a break, do so. We understand you may have a hard time with this.”
“Thank you,” I added, and silently prayed that the tears that threatened to fall stayed inside.
We all stood as Judge Wolford entered. I kept my head low as I sat in the pew and kept my gaze away from Gray. Opening statements were given by the plaintiff and the defense attorney before the first witness took the stand.
Diane was a few years older than me. Gary had married her mother when she was two years old. My mother cried as she explained in detail what he did to her. I, on the other hand, felt jealous. She stated that he was nice at first. He would take her out for ice cream, buy her toys, and on occasion he would sit in her rocking chair as she fell asleep. He never touched her, though. He would watch her get dressed and touch himself in front of her.
I sighed as Jared called me to the stand. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I walked over to the bailiff. “Put your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand,” he said. I did as I was told and swore in. Nervously, I took my seat and picked at my nail polish as I awaited the questions Jarred had for me.
“Katherine, can you state for the jury when Gary came into your life?”
“He started dating my mother when I was seven years old.” I hated that my voice sounded mousy.
“Was he with you as he was with Diane?”
“Objection.” Gary’s lawyer stood. “He’s leading the witness.”
“I’ll rephrase,” Jarred stated. Slowly he moved two feet in front of me. “Katherine, please describe your interaction with Gary.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “It started shortly after he married my mother. He would come into my bedroom late at night. At first, I thought he was there to protect me while I slept, but night after night he came in and moved closer to my bed. The first time he touched me I was nine years old. He would rub his hands up and down my body while he touched himself.” I paused to catch my breath. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Gary sitting next to his legal team.
Finding the courage within, I sat taller and looked directly at him. He didn’t scare me anymore. “When I was ten years old, he shoved his fingers inside of me and broke my hymen. And for my twelfth birthday, he pinned me to my bed and raped me.” The words slipped out of my mouth like venom. My mother gasped and ran out of the courtroom.
Jarred cleared his throat. “When did it stop?”
I exhaled. “I was in high school when he told me I was too old for him. He left for work one day and never returned.”
“No further questions,” Jarred said, and I allowed my shoulders to rest.
Gary’s lawyer stood and walked over to me. “Katherine, is it true that you had a good relationship with Gary?”
“Before he started to abuse me, yes.”
“And do you have a close relationship with your mother?”
“Yes,” I said hesitantly.
“So why didn’t you tell her what he was doing?”
“I was ten years old. I didn’t say anything because Gary told me he would kill me. I was a child. He was the adult. He was the one who, night after night, took advantage of my innocence, and since then, I have regretted it every day that I never spoke up. Maybe if I was as brave as Harper Sorto, I could’ve stopped all the victims that came after me.” I took a deep breath.
“I lived through a trauma that has impacted my life. At the young age of ten I was afraid for my life, for my mother’s life, so no, I didn’t say anything. But I’m saying something now. Gary Murray belongs in jail.”
“No further questions.”
I swallowed and looked over at Harper’s family. “I’m so very sorry for what Harper’s been through—”
“Objection, your honor, I move to remove the witness from the stand.”
I ignore his comment. “And I wish that I would’ve said something sooner.” I bit back a sob. “I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
“Ms. Wolf, I’m going to ask you to leave this courtroom and for the jury to extract your last statement,” the judge said, and I stepped off the stand. When I walked over to Cole, I felt my legs shaking.
“You okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yes, and I’m ready to get out of here.”
We didn’t look back. I walked out of the courthouse and was greeted by a bright and clear blue sky. The storm had passed, and like the rainbow in the sky, there was beauty after the dark clouds.
33
Katherine
Months had passed since the trial and Cole and I were truly happy. So happy, that I had moved into his penthouse. Moving in with him was scary at first, but the smile I had plastered on my face as I woke up in his arms every morning made it all worth it. He was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and most days I had to pinch myself to see if it was real. Most days, I was convinced that being in his arms was better than any high I’d ever experienced before.
Lila flew to Spain a week before the rest of us were traveling out there. I had left Cole in his office and rushed home to pack for the trip before he came by to pick me up for our appointment with Dr. Miriam.
The first appointment Cole attended, he couldn’t meet my eyes. Once I began to explain my fear of what had happened to me, his hands balled into fists, and his head hung low for the remainder of the session. The third session was easier, at least for me. Dr. Miriam focused more on our relationship together and how it made me stronger.
I opened my suitcase on my bed, surrounded by a mountain of clothes that I had separated for the trip. My cell phone began to ring, but the number on the screen was one I didn’t recognize. A frisson of fear rushed through me, but then I remembered that Gary was in jail serving his time. I shook off the fear and answered the phone.
“Hello?”
“Hi … Katherine? It’s Jackson.”
“Oh … Oh!” I paused realizing who he was. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, I just wanted to give you an update about the trial.” He coughed and apologized. “The jury found him guilty which I know you know. But he will be spending the judge motioned to life in prison without parole. He will never see the light of day.”
“Oh.” I sat on the floor, eyeing the stacks of clothes I needed to pack. The feeling a relief washed over me. It was finally over. “Thank you for telling me, but Gary died to me the second I left that courthouse.” I ran my hands through my hair. “Thank you for calling me, Jackson, but I have to go my doorbell is ringing.” I hung up my phone.
My hand tugged open the front door, and I stared at my tall, handsome boyfriend standing a few feet away. His arms were crossed over his chest as he leaned into the brick wall. His aviators covered his hazel eyes.
“You ready, babe?” Cole yanked on my elbow, bringing me closer to him.
My lips covered his, and my hands slid up his chest, making their way around his neck. I pressed my body against him, deepening our moment. I pulled away from him, breathless, hungry for more. “Do we have to leave right this second?”
“What did you have in mind?”
Trapped with his arms around my waist, it was impossible to ignore his growing erection pressed between us. “I can think of a few things.” I pushed away from his chest. “Ben won’t be here for an hour. Do you think you that’s enough time for you, Cole?”
“
That’s more than what I need, Kat.”
Lila and Caleb’s wedding was a dream come true for any girl who had dreamed of her wedding day since she was five. Seventy-five of their closest friends and family flew to the Cadiz Providence. They had rented the entire quaint hotel that overlooked the countryside. Cole proceeded to check us in as I waited for the happy couple to walk up from the garden to meet their guests.
When they were closer to the front desk area, I squealed and ran towards my best friend. Letting go of Caleb’s hand, she ran towards me. “You’re here!” Lila shouted.
Our arms wrapped around each other, laughter erupting from us. “You’re getting married!” I shouted, jumping around.
“Oh, Kat, I’m so glad you’re here.” Lila pulled away from me to hold me by my shoulders. She looked stunning with a grin that could only be placed there by the unconditional love of her husband-to-be.
A whistle from behind us had us both looking over our shoulder. Ben stood with Cole and Caleb, waving for us to join them. “We have an itinerary to keep up with.” He propped his hands on his waist.
Lila and I stuck our tongues out at the men and then locked our arms together before we strolled back to them.
Our first day in Cadiz, we treated ourselves to the royal treatment with a day at the spa while Cole and the rest of the groomsmen played a round of golf. After our spa day, we laid out by the pool before getting ready for the rehearsal dinner. Caleb had his brother standing as his best man while Ben and I stood next to Lori.
During dinner, Lila thanked us all for coming, and Caleb surprised her with wedding jewelry from Cartier. Ben and I took turns giving speeches about Lila and Caleb. Cole informed me that the other guys were taking Caleb out for drinks and cigars. Even though Lila had insisted on a low-key night, Ben and I managed to get her out of her room and dancing on a bar top one last time at a local bar.
She objected at first, demanding the taxi take us back to the hotel. “Tomorrow is the most important day of my life,” she protested, but once she had a few shots of tequila in her, she was shouting at the top of her lungs that she was getting married.
The past year had changed all of us, especially me, but Lila’s life was headed down a path where she had a partner at her side. Ben was still Ben, and I hoped one step closer to telling his mother who he really was. But as we sat in the small hole in the wall, celebrating Lila, we were still three friends who would carry the weight of the world for each other.
Once Ben and I managed to finally get Lila out of the bar and tucked into her suite, I walked back to the room where Cole and I were staying. My feet ached from dancing, and my body was still on East Coast time. I left the lights off as I entered the room, closed the bathroom door behind me, and turned the lights on so I could get ready for bed. Brushing my teeth and washing my makeup off, I undressed and walked back to the bedroom naked. It was how I always slept with Cole because clothes just managed to get in the way.
The darkened room was lit by moonlight, the rhythmic crashing of nearby waves soothing me. Cole had left the balcony door open, letting the country air enter the bedroom.
I lifted the blanket to crawl into bed, and his hand grasped my wrist, yanking me towards him. My bare chest pressed against his and his tongue explored my neck, finding its way to my mouth. Cole took my mouth like he had taken my heart—demanding, not letting me escape him. His lips molded to mine while his tongue stroked, sucked and possessed me. I was lost in his touch.
Caressing my skin, his hands crawled up my body, cupping my face. The brisk pain of his teeth grazing my lips caused me to whimper. He pulled away. My lips were sore, but wanting more. His nose trailed across my cheek, inhaling my scent. With a swift movement, I was pinned underneath him, his hands locked with mine and over my head. His cock, hard and ready, rested between my thighs and my core ached for him.
“I can never resist you, Cole,” I moaned as the tip of his head slid between my lips.
“Never?”
“Never.”
He brought his lips down to mine. Our lips were still pressed together when he pushed further inside me and my back arched with pleasure. “You are everything I want, everything I need.”
“I love you, Katherine. Every part of you, every edge, curve, scar, and dent. I love all of you.” He smiled against my lips, his breaths heavy. “All that I have is yours. Take it all. Because without you in my life, none of it matters.”
I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper inside of me. “I’m yours, Cole, only yours. And no other man will ever take your place.”
The alarm beeped at six in the morning. I rolled out of bed, kissing Cole on his forehead. “I’ll be with Lila getting ready. I’ll see you at the altar. I’ll be the one standing next to the bride.” Cole groaned, letting me know he was awake.
Once I was showered and dressed in my bridesmaid’s jumpsuit that had MOH written in rhinestones, I walked down the hallway to Lila’s room for breakfast, hair, and makeup.
I slid the key that I had taken from her last night into the key slot and pushed the door open. Lila’s soft snore matched the early morning waves that crashed in the Pacific. “Wakey, wakey. You’re getting married today!” I said, crawling onto her bed. When she pulled the covers over her head, I stood and jumped on the king-size mattress. “Come on, Lila. It’s your wedding day! Time to get up.”
“It’s too early. And I’m hungover thanks to you.”
I tossed my legs in the air and let my butt crash on top of the soft mattress. “Ben got you drunk. Now come on, get out of bed and I’ll order you a Bloody Mary. That will fix you right up.” I walked to the desk and flipped through the breakfast menu.
“Extra olives,” I heard her call from behind me.
I ordered a buffet style breakfast so everyone had something to choose from. Lila had already gotten out of bed to shower when there was a tap on the door. I answered to find Ben standing with Lila’s Bloody Mary in hand and a waiter with the breakfast cart.
“Just in time.” I smiled at him.
“Is she sick?” Ben asked as he entered the room.
“No, just a bad headache,” Lila responded from the doorway to the bedroom. “And it’s all your fault.”
“Nothing this and an Advil won’t fix.” He set the Bloody Mary down before marching over to the bride-to-be and wrapping his arms around her waist. “You’re getting married today, Li!” He kissed her cheek. “I’m so happy for you.”
We sat out on the patio eating our breakfast as the others began to arrive. The makeup artist and hair stylist were set and ready by eight. The florist arrived with the bridal flowers and a special arrangement of long stem white roses from Caleb.
“To the woman I need more than my next breath. I can’t wait to marry you.”
Lila’s eyes filled with tears and a full, bright smile greeted her face. Ben rushed to her side with a tissue. “Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup.”
Dressed in my creamy pink chiffon dress, I held my bouquet in front of me. I was the last one to walk out before Lila. Ben had left with Lila’s mom, escorting her down the aisle and then waiting at the altar for Lila.
The wedding coordinator popped his head behind the white curtain. “They’re ready to begin.”
I gripped my bouquet and looked back at Lila. “Knock ’em dead.”
The steel band began to play, and the white curtain pulled back in front of me. I smiled wide as I walked down the aisle. Ben reached for me as I approached. I stood in front of him, searching for Cole in the small crowd. My eyes locked with his and he winked at me.
“You know you’re next, right?” Ben leaned forward to whisper in my ear.
“Hmm?”
“You two are so in love that it’s only a matter of time before you’re the one in the white dress. And Lila will be up here with me as we watch you walk down the aisle.”
The steel band began playing “Here Comes the Bride,” and the white curtain opened once again. As the sun
began to set over the mountainside, barefoot in her stunning white gown, Lila walked down the aisle with her father. The tears that I had been holding in fell down my cheeks when I looked over at Caleb. His smile was bright, and tears of happiness trickled down his face. It was the perfect moment to capture true love.
The ceremony was short and sweet, focused on the love that Lila and Caleb shared for one another. Each took turns promising to love, honor, and respect one another.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Caleb, you may kiss your bride.”
Caleb took Lila in his arms, dipping her as he captured her lips with his, and the crowd cheered for the happy couple.
Once the wedding officiate pronounced the new Mr. and Mrs. Garretson, the two were taken away by the photographer for more pictures, and the bridal party and guests were ushered to the cocktail hour. I locked my arms around Ben and Cole and headed towards the private tent that had been set up for the reception.
34
Katherine
Cole and I wandered hand in hand down the long hallway of the hotel. After showering Lila and Caleb with bubbles as they said goodbye to their guests, I was ready to call it a night. My feet were swollen from the strappy sandals I’d changed into for the reception, and the bobby pins that held my hair up were permanently marking my scalp. I released Cole’s hand and wrapped my arm around his waist, laying my head on his chest.
Redemption (Savior Seires Book 2) Page 21