They’re dating now and really cute together. We’re still planning on a double date since they keep missing Scott whenever he is in the store. I’m just reaching for the article when the room service guy knocks at the door. Oh, well. I’ve waited this long, I can wait a little longer to find out about this mystery guy.
I am setting our breakfast on the suite’s dining room table when Scott wraps his arms around me from behind. “Morning, baby,” he says, moving my hair out of the way and nuzzling my neck. I love it when he does that. The barbell from his eyebrow always feels good rubbing against me. “Thanks for taking care of breakfast.”
I turn around and kiss him lightly. “You’re welcome. I wanted to let you sleep as late as possible. You should probably jump in the shower so that you’ll have time to eat.”
He nods and I notice that he looks a little subdued. It is what I would expect. He is about to walk into his own version of Hell today. I kiss him again, trying to convey how much I love him and support him. He lets me go and smiles down at me. “I’ll be back in a few. Don’t eat all of the bacon,” he yells over his shoulder before closing the bathroom door.
We eat and get dressed without saying much. I think that we are both trying to mentally prepare ourselves for the day. I put on a pink button down blouse with a black trumpet skirt and low black heels. I reach into the museum bags again for some pearl and leaf earrings and a pearl necklace. Scott is in another suit, this time grey. He pairs it with a bright blue shirt and a grey and black patterned tie. I’m practically drooling again but keep it in check as I know that we need to get to the courthouse. Scott holds my hand the entire drive and I can feel the tension in him mounting as we get closer.
We park and walk inside, still holding hands. After we’re through the metal detectors, we take the elevator up to the correct floor. The doors open and we step out. I can’t believe what I see and I can tell Scott is surprised as well since he stops walking with a jerk on my hand. Gary, Maggie, Ryan, Owen, Luke, John, Zane and Quinn are all waiting in the hallway.
Maggie rushes over and hugs us both. “Wh-what are you all doing here?” Scotts asks, swallowing hard.
“We know you have Yasmin, but we wanted to be here for you as well,” Gary says.
Scott looks from one person to the next and smiles, tears forming behind his eyes. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I love you all.”
“We love you too, Bro,” Owen speaks first and everyone nods.
The prosecutor comes up to us and tells us that Scott cannot enter the courtroom until he is called to testify. He shows us to the room where he wants him to wait. Everyone else says that they’re going to go inside and get seats, but I choose to wait in the room with Scott.
“We’ll save you a seat, Yasmin,” Luke tells me, squeezing my arm.
“Thanks, Luke. I’ll see you guys in there.”
Scott pulls me to him when they leave and we hold each other for several minutes. “Is it okay if I don’t let you go until they call me?”
“Of course, Pretty Boy. You can hold me as long as you need to.”
He pulls me over to a chair and sits down, bringing me onto his lap. “I see the nickname is staying.”
“You said that you liked it.”
“I said that I think that I like it,” he says, in a teasing tone. I am glad that I am helping to ease some of his tension.
“So, you want me to stop using it?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Because I can come up with something else.”
“Oh yeah, like what?” he asks, nuzzling my neck again.
“Hmm, maybe Game Boy?”
He bursts out laughing. “You know that Game Boys were handheld devices right?”
“Yes, I even had one.” I stick out my tongue at him. “It does fit you, though. You like to play games.”
“Not with you, Yas. Never with you.”
“Pretty Boy it is then.” I kiss him until a bailiff knocks at the door.
* * *
Scott
I am so glad that Yas and my family and friends are going to be in the courtroom. She just went to go take her seat while I wait with the bailiff until they call me in. I tap my fingers on my thigh, nervous and wound tight. I’m ready for the prosecution questions, but I have no idea what the defense attorney is going to come up with.
The courtroom is quiet as I walk in. I see everyone sitting in the row right behind the prosecutor’s table. Yas meets my eye and smiles. I smile back and then look to the other side. I see Amber, but she’s not looking at me. She’s glaring at Yas. She seems to sense me staring at her and looks me in the eye with a sneer. Then, she leans over to her lawyer, whispering in his ear. His eyes go wide but he nods, bringing something up on his computer. That makes me nervous but I don’t have time to think about it as I reach the witness stand. I am sworn in and take my seat.
The prosecution questions go as expected. We have rehearsed these so there are no surprises. Then, the defense attorney gets up and I notice Amber smirking. Shit! What has that bitch got up her sleeve?
“Mr. Griffin, you stated that you knew nothing about Miss Montgomery’s plans, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Can you explain to me how you could be in a relationship with someone for a year and yet claim not to know anything about that person?”
“I believed what Amber told me about herself. I had no reason to doubt her.”
“Your honor, I have a new piece of evidence that I would like to enter into evidence.”
“Go ahead,” the judge says as the defense lawyer hands a copy to the court clerk and another to the prosecutor.
The prosecutor immediately jumps to his feet. “I cannot see how this is relevant, your honor.” What the fuck?
“I can assure you that it is relevant,” the defense attorney says.
“I will let this be admitted,” the judge says looking over the document. “But, you need to get to its relevancy quickly.”
“Yes, your honor.” He turns to me, handing me a copy of the document. “Do you recognize this as a text conversation between Miss Montgomery and yourself Mr. Griffin?” I look at it and wonder why the hell he would think that this is relevant. But, I nod, because I do recognize the conversation.
“Yes.”
“Please read the document to the court, Mr. Griffin.”
“What? I am not going to read this out loud.”
“Son, you need to do it.” The judge has a stern but somewhat sympathetic look on his face.
I look to Yas and try to convey how sorry I am. Then I start to read it out loud.
Amber: Can you come over tonight? I miss you and your dick.
Scott: I wish that I could but I have to finish this project for my dad. My dick misses you, too.
Amber: You’re at your parent’s house? Are you alone?
Scott: Yeah, I’m alone.
Amber: What would you like to do with me if I was there with you?
Scott: Amber, I really have to work.
Amber: I’ve got my hands inside my panties…
Scott: Shit. OK, I guess I can take some time away from my work.
Amber: Good, because I am pretending that it is your fingers inside of me. Are you unzipping you pants?
Scott: Yes, I am. I wish my fingers were inside of you and it was your hand stroking me.
Amber: Do you want to take me on your bed?
Scott: No, I want to bend you over the garden wall and fuck you senseless.
Amber: Ooh, outside. What if your parents saw us?
Scott: They are out at a party. There is no one here.
Amber: Then, why won’t you take me in your room?
Scott: I just wouldn’t.
Amber: I think you just like to keep me your dirty little secret. You haven’t introduced me to your family or friends yet.
Scott: I will when the time is right.
“You can stop there, Mr. Griffin. You said that you were waiting for the right
time. Was this because you were finalizing the plans you were making to rob your sister’s house?
“What? No! Are you fucking insane?” I jump out of the chair as the courtroom goes wild.
“Order! Order! the judge yells, banging his gavel. “Sit down, Mr. Griffin.” I sit down but I am seething. I look to Amber who is smirking again and then to Yas who is looking at the defense attorney like she wants to kill him.
“Mr. Griffin, did you buy an engagement ring for Miss Montgomery from Harry Winston jewelers.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did you give Miss Montgomery that ring?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I was planning on giving it to her the night that she murdered my sister and brother-in-law. In fact, I was waiting at my apartment for her when my parents called me with the news of what she had done.”
“Isn’t it true that you were actually waiting at the apartment for her to return after the robbery? The ring was part of your celebration plans, wasn’t it?”
I start to rise up again but catch Yasmin’s eye. She shakes her head and looks at me wide eyed. I get what she is trying to convey and sit back down. I’m not going to let this bastard rile me up so that I look bad to the jury.
“No and no,” I say calmly. “I loved my sister with everything that I have. I would never steal from her. Besides, why would I need to? I have plenty of money.”
He looks a little shaken at how calm I am. I have to fight the urge to smirk. That won’t look good to the jury either.
He recovers and hits me with another hard question. “So, you say that you are waiting at your apartment to propose to the woman that you love when you get the call from your parents. If that happened to me, my first instinct would be to return that engagement ring so that I would never have to see it again. Did you return that ring, Mr. Griffin?”
“No. I didn’t,” I sigh.
“You didn’t return the ring. Is it because you still love Miss Montgomery and are hoping that she is acquitted so that you can continue your relationship with her?”
“I didn’t return the ring because it is in my apartment, which I have not returned to since that night. I do not want to have any kind of relationship with Amber. I do not love her and have recently realized that I never really did. I thought I did, but it took me really falling in love to realize that what I shared with Amber wasn’t it.” I look Yas in the eye as I say those words.
“You bastard! You dumb, stupid bastard!” Amber is out of her seat yelling. “You think you’re in love with her? The fat chick?” She points at Yas and my blood begins to boil. I have never hit a woman, but I want to now. The other lawyers at her table try to get her to sit down, but she shoves them off. “Thank God I didn’t share my plans with you! You are too stupid for words.” She realizes what she just said and her eyes go wide. Her lawyer turns pale.
“No further questions, your honor.”
The prosecutor says that he has no further questions and the judge calls for lunch recess. As I’m walking from the witness stand, I see Yas walk towards Amber, a steely resolve in her eyes. She reaches her just as the bailiff takes Amber’s arm to lead her from the room. I reach them just as Yas starts to speak.
“Listen to me, bitch. This fat chick could and will kick your ass if you ever come near the Griffin family again. Especially Scott. He is mine and I will protect what’s mine to the death. Do you understand?” The fierceness in my girl’s eyes is something I have never seen before and I see Amber go pale. She nods as the bailiff takes her away.
I grab Yas and kiss her passionately.
“Damn that was hot!” I hear Luke say. “You are one scary but hot woman, Yasmin.”
“She is my woman,” I remind him with a growl.
Ryan is the one who answers. “We are all very aware of that, Scott.” He places a hand on my shoulder and continues, “If we weren’t already, we are now.” He looks at Yas with admiration in his eyes and I relax.
The prosecutor walks us out and tells us that it went better than expected. Amber’s outburst has pretty much sealed her fate. He won’t need me again so he says that we can go back to Vegas. My parents and brothers are heading back but I want to stay one more night. There is something that I need to do.
We have dinner with everyone at one of our favorite Chicago restaurants. After, my family heads to the airport. Zane and Quinn head to work and John goes back home. During dinner, I thanked them all for being there for me and many hugs were shared before they left. I am truly lucky to have all of these people in my life, especially Yas. Now it is time to take her home. To my apartment.
Chapter 19
Scott
After seeing Yas tell off Amber, I realized that it’s stupid of me to keep her out of my places. She loves me and I need to trust her, fully, with my heart. I didn’t plan on going to my apartment, but I know that I’s time for me to face it. With Yas by my side, I think that I can face anything.
As we’re driving, she notices that we are not turning towards the W. “Are we not going back to the hotel, Pretty Boy?” she asks and I smile at the nickname.
“No, baby, I wanted to take you somewhere else if that’s alright.”
“Of course it is.” She pulls her joined hands to her lips and kisses my knuckles.
As we pull up to the underground garage, I let go of her hand to pull the parking card out of the center console. I touch it to the sensor and drive in when the arm lifts. I wave at Jerry in the security booth as I drive in. He’s surprised to see me and waves to me with a smile on his face.
I get out and run around to open the passenger door for Yas. I guide her to the elevator and we take it to the lobby. As we step out, Bobby jumps up from his seat. “Scott! It is so good to see you. It’s been too long.”
I walk over and shake his hand. “It’s good to see you too, Bobby.” I turn back to Yas and can tell from the look on her face that she knows where we are. “This is my girlfriend, Yasmin. Yas, this is Bobby, one of the doormen here in my building. And a friend.”
“It’s great to meet you Bobby,” Yas says walking to us and holding out her hand.
“Yeah, you too.” Bobby looks at me with a curious expression on his face. “I don’t know if I should let out this guy’s secret, but I have never seen him bring a woman here.”
“It’s not a secret,” I tell him laughing. “Yas knows that she is the first.”
“I do. But thanks for telling me anyway.” She smiles at Bobby and then we say our goodbyes as I take her hand and lead to the elevators. We get in and I punch the button for my floor.
“Are you sure about this?” Yas asks, placing her hand on my forearm as we step out into the hallway.
I turn to her and cup with face with my hands. “Yes, I’m sure. I want to show you my apartment and when we get back to Vegas, I want you to stay over at my house there. I love you, Yas. I should have let you in sooner and I’m sorry that I made you wait. But, I want to share everything with you now.”
She places her hands over mine. “You are worth the wait. But, I am glad that you want to share all of yourself with me now. I love you too and I can’t wait to see your apartment and the rest of your place in Vegas.”
I let go of her face and walk to my door. I take a deep breath and unlock it.
* * *
Yasmin
Scott holds the door open for me and I walk past him into his apartment. I know that this is a big deal for him, so it is a big deal for me too. The setup here is similar to his guest house in Vegas. It is definitely a guy’s place with modern furniture and some cool metal sculptures. I walk over to one.
“That’s Owen’s work.”
“Wow! I didn’t know he was a sculptor!” I am amazed that someone I know made this beautiful piece of art.
“He paints too. His pieces are in our company’s buildings around the world.”
“That is so cool.”
I must sound too excited because Scott pul
ls me against him from behind and whispers in my ear. “Computers are cooler.”
I laugh. “I don’t know about that but a certain computer guy I know is pretty cool.” He kisses my neck. “And sexy.”
“Sexy, huh? How sexy is this guy?” He moves his hands down and starts unbuttoning my blouse.
“So sexy that I think my panties melted the first time I met him,” I admit, shivering as he pulls my shirt out of my skirt and rubs my stomach.
He spins me around, mischief in his eyes. “Even though I tried to steal your pen?”
“Even then,” I tell him, honestly.
“Well, then I should probably confess that this sexy, pen loving bookworm I know made me harder than I have ever been in my life the day that I met her, too. I had to go next door to the coffee shop for a cold drink to cool off.”
“I wanted to grab you and push you against the bookshelves and kiss you.” I can’t believe I just told him that, but it’s true.
“You did that a few weeks ago.”
“I know and it was better than I imagined. You are better than I could have ever imagined.”
“I feel the same, Yas. So, what do you think of my place so far?”
I walk around and look at everything. It is so him and I love it. I’m about to tell him this when I round the corner of the kitchen island and see it on the lower counter. The little black velvet box. I can’t resist picking it up and flipping it open. One of the most beautiful rings that I have ever seen stares back at me, sparkling in the light. I don’t know how many carats the round diamond is, but it’s huge. It’s definitely not my style but I can appreciate the beauty of it.
“Baby, you didn’t answer me yet. Do you like—oh shit!”
“It’s beautiful.” I’m trying to breathe normally. I know I’m being stupid. He’s with me. He brought me here. But, seeing the ring that your boyfriend was going to give to another girl is not exactly easy.
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