by ML Guida
Lara led Cora away. People parted allowing them to move.
Miles leaned back on his chair with his hands behind his back. Caterina sat next to him, her face pale and her eyes saucer wide. Some of the Streaks had dumb-ass grins on their faces, while others were staring down at their drinks or avoiding his gaze.
He was done.
Seth headed over toward them. “Miles!”
Miles stopped smiling. “What is it buddy? Lose something?”
Seth snarled. His tiger wanted revenge and this time, Seth didn’t push it back. He tore off his jacket and tossed it onto the floor. He arched his back. His claws extended, his hair lengthened. Muscles and bones twisted and crunched.
People crowded away from the dance floor. The music stopped playing. Seth growled and his hackles bristled. He headed toward Miles, his claws scratching the hardwood floor.
“Fine.” Miles growled. “I’ve been waiting for years to take you down.” He ripped off his shirt. His muscles rippled and flexed.
“Miles, no.” Caterina put her hand on his arm. He shrugged it free.
The other Streaks stood as if to stand by Miles, but Miles held up his hand. “No one interfere.”
Just like high school, the Streaks obediently sat in their chairs.
Seth had no idea why Miles wanted to take him down and didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was Miles had hurt Cora again. This time, he would defend his mate.
Miles transformed into a tiger. They were evenly matched.
Seth didn’t wait for Miles to attack. He lunged first, his claws spread out wide, his ears pressed down to his head. Miles was ready, baring his teeth. He stood on his back legs and swiped one of his paws, tearing into Seth’s cheek. Pain ruptured in Seth’s face, and he sucked in his breath. His adrenaline spiked as he rolled onto his side, his paws in the air.
Miles towered over him, his fangs razor sharp. Spit splattered onto Seth’s forehead. Seth’s heart pounded, sending blood and adrenaline thumping through him. He kicked his leg hard. All the rage he held back surged through him like a lightning storm. He unleashed it on Miles and with everything he had, he kicked hard, smacking Miles in the tibia. A loud crack exploded in the room.
Miles yelped and crumpled onto the floor. He snarled. His leg was twisted in an odd angle.
Seth jumped onto his feet. He walked around Miles who got up on his paws, only to collapse again. He was vulnerable. He set back on his haunches and sprung, ready to rip out Miles’ throat.
Something hit Seth hard in the side and he flew backward. Agony gripped him. He gasped to breathe. A beautiful white tiger blocked his path, twitching its tail. All the Streaks still sat at the table.
The tiger didn’t move, but watched him warily. He suddenly realized the tiger was female––Caterina.
She transformed and stretched her arms wide as if to block a fight-to-the-death match. “No, Seth. I won’t let you kill him.”
Growling, Seth crawled to his feet and shook his head. He leaped to the side of Caterina, but she’d anticipated his move.
She kept pace with him. “I’ll fight you if I have to, Seth. I won’t let you hurt my mate.”
Seth snarled, pulling back his upper lip. His vision turned red and he gulped air to breathe. His throat ran dry. Miles deserved to be ripped apart after what he’d done to his mate, to Seth, and to Cora. Why the hell was Caterina protecting him?
“You don’t understand, Seth. There’s a reason why Miles hated you.”
Miles growled.
Caterina turned around. “He deserves to know.”
Miles’ ears were flat on his head and rage flamed in his yellow eyes.
Caterina knelt next to him and petted his head. “I love you, Miles. What happened to your dad isn’t Seth’s fault.”
Seth shook his head. Miles’ dad? He quickly transformed back into a man. Blood drizzled down his face. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Miles…”
Miles transformed back and gritted his teeth. “No, Caterina.” His leg was bent in a strange angle–definitely broken. “Don’t… tell him.” Sweat poured down his face and he tilted his head back.
Seth ran his hand through his hair. “Tell me what?”
Caterina cupped Miles’s face. “Miles, stop. Do you love me?”
Miles narrowed his eyes and Seth turned his head, not wanting to hear him rip his mate’s heart out. He was such a bastard.
“You know how I feel.”
“Miles.” She dropped her hands. “Say it.”
He bent his head back. “Yes, damn it. You know I love you. You’re my mate.”
She gestured with her arm. “Then tell him. He deserves to know. End this, Miles.” Tears poured down her face. “I can’t take this anymore. It’s tearing us apart.” She put her hand on her forehead. “Please.”
Seth clenched his fist, straining not to beat the truth out of him. “Miles, what is she talking about?”
Miles panted. “Your father… had an affair with… my mother.”
Seth’s skin tingled and his fingers turned numb. He was expecting a financial deal gone bad, but not this. “What?” He lowered his voice.
Caterina put her hand down. “It’s true, Seth. His mother told me herself. His dad couldn’t take it. He tried to commit suicide, but his wife found him. He’s never been the same since.”
“Because of your horny father, I lost mine.”
Gasps and slight murmurs broke out across the room.
“Shut up,” Miles growled.
Seth turned his head, his cheeks burning. He wanted to deny that his father had cheated on his mate. That he was an honorable man. That he loved his family more than anything. But it was his lie.
He hung his head. “I’m sorry.” He was surprised he meant it. He remembered how devoted Miles’ father had been to Miles, how he always came to his football games, how he’d brag about Miles. Something Seth’s father had never done for him.
“Your payment is still due. Tonight.”
Lara ran into the ballroom. “Seth, Seth.” She skidded to stop. “What happened? Oh, my God.” She put her hand over her mouth. “Miles, are you okay?”
Something was wrong. His pounding heart pushed against his ribs. Seth grabbed Lara’s arm. “Lara, what’s going on? Where’s Cora?”
She turned away from Miles. “Seth, I think she’s in trouble. She got into her car and sped off. I tried to take her car keys, but she wouldn’t listen. I saw red lights flashing down the road. I’m afraid of what’s happened. I tried calling her cell phone, but her purse is here.”
Seth bolted out of the ballroom and raced to his bike. He climbed on and tore off. God, Cora was in trouble all because of this damn feud between him and Miles. All because of his old man.
Sure enough, on Wadsworth, there were red and white lights were flashing. His gut tied into double-knots. He gripped the handle bars tighter. Two cop cars were parked and Cora sat in an ambulance while a technician dabbed at her bleeding forehead.
“Shit,” he mumbled under his breath.
Cora’s Pathfinder was smashed in an oak tree. He got off his bike.
A police officer held up his hand. “Whoa, buddy. Stay where you are.”
He pointed. “That’s my girlfriend, Cora Amici. What happened? Is she all right?”
The officer pulled out a notepad. “Who are you?”
“Reese. Seth Reese. We were at our high school reunion and she got drunk.” Because of me. “Is she hurt?”
“Paramedics says she’s got bump on her head and possible concussion. She was lucky, damn lucky, that she didn’t kill herself or hurt someone else. She’s fine, but she was drunk off her ass, nearly ran over a bicyclist, and crashed into a tree.”
“I need to see her.” Seth tried to brush past him, but the officer blocked his path.
“No, you can’t see her. She’s under arrest. I suggest you get her a good lawyer.”
“I need to see her.” He was more force
ful and growled.
The officer’s eyes change to yellow. “I’m a shifter too. So back down, tiger. You don’t want to end up in the back of the squad car. You won’t be any help to your girlfriend.” He gestured with his finger. “What happened to your face? Were you in a fight?”
“No. I fell. Can I least find out where you’re taking her?”
“To the Arvada Police Department on Ralston Road.”
There wasn’t anything he could do here. He got on his bike and zoomed over to the department. Screw Miles’ deadline. Seth needed to find out about bail. He wouldn’t let his mate stay one night in jail.
Chapter 12
Cora huddled on the floor in a crowded cell that smelled of urine and beef stew. Her stomach swirled around like an out-of-control Ferris wheel. She had her arms wrapped around her knees and she shivered. Weariness soaked into every bone and muscle. Pain throbbed between her temples. She’d do anything for an aspirin or a blanket, but good luck with that.
This was so stupid. Why had she let Miles get to her again? She’d been so drunk at the reunion, she thought she’d heard Seth say he loved her. Or had she imagined it? Or wished it?
Her heart was in a knot, and her brain in a fuzz. What she really wanted was for Seth to burst through the doors and whisk her away on his motorcycle.
But that wasn’t going to happen.
She wasn’t the only woman strung out. A couple of other women sat in the bench and based on their low-cut shirts and hiked up skirts, they were mostly likely hookers. They chewed their gum as if they were cows.
Two other women kept pacing back and forth in the cell, rubbing their arms.
One of them cast her gaze over Cora. “Who are you looking at, bitch?”
“No one,” she mumbled. The last thing she wanted was to be jumped. Where was Seth when she needed him?
She turned her head and laid it on her knees. Her throat was scratchy and she was having a devil of time holding the waterworks. She wanted to feel Seth’s strong arms around her and tell her everything would be all right.
But what if Miles had been right? What if he didn’t want to be seen with the fat chick at the reunion? She had the text memorized word per word.
Dirt was smeared on her red dress. She couldn’t remember how it had gotten so filthy. The paramedics had treated her head injury, then lucky her, she got to come to jail.
The worst thing was that she didn’t have any money and couldn’t make bail. She’d left her purse at the Arvada Center. She’d used her one call to reach Lara who didn’t answer.
Because this was the weekend, she wouldn’t have a bail hearing until Monday. She was stuck here until Monday. She’d have to sleep with one eye open.
Sunday morning, she had a visitor and was able to leave her wonderful roommates. Hope soared through her. Her breath quickened. Maybe it was Seth.
She was led to a small waiting room. When she walked in, Lara greeted her. “Hi, Cora.”
Cora bit back her disappointment and rushed into her arms. “You’re here to release me?”
Lara sighed. “No, I’m here as your attorney.”
She unwound her arms. “You mean I’m stuck here?”
“Until Monday morning. Bail hearings aren’t held over the weekend.”
“Shit.” Cora slumped into the chair. “You didn’t call my parents or Caterina, did you?”
“No, I was going to ask if you wanted me to.”
She shook her head. “No. I can’t deal with them.” Heat swelled from her ears down to her toes. “I can’t face them. I’m so embarrassed.” Heaviness weighed on her chest. She wanted to ask if Seth knew or if he cared. She’d slapped his face so hard at the reunion. What the hell had she been thinking?
“The court hearing isn’t going to go away.”
“I know.” She wrung her hands. “How much is bail going to be?”
“You’re being charged with driving recklessly, destruction of property, and driving under the influence. You’re damn lucky you didn’t kill the bicyclist or you’d be facing a vehicular homicide.”
Her stomach twisted into a wound-up towel. “Am I going to go to jail?”
“Not if I can help it.”
“How much will bail be?”
“I talked to the prosecutor and because you almost hit the cyclists, and since you hit a tree on government land and were intoxicated, he’s asking for one hundred-thousand dollar bail.”
“What?” She rested her forehead in her hands. “I don’t have that kind of money.”
Lara squeezed her arm. “Relax. You only need ten percent.”
“Lara, I’m a librarian. I don’t have ten thousand dollars. My parents don’t have that kind of money. Dad just got laid off and is looking for a job. Mom works as a bank teller and they’re using her salary and their savings to get by.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “What am I going to do?”
“I’ll think of something. Don’t worry. Now, about your plea.”
“I don’t have an excuse, Lara. I did it. I should plead guilty.”
“No, you shouldn’t. There are three charges against you and you could be looking at jail time. I want you to plead not guilty and then hopefully, I can arrange for a lesser charge. If you admit guilt, then you’re admitting to all three charges. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I do. My life is totally screwed.”
Ten thousand dollars! It might as well have been a billion.
Last night had been the worst night of Cora’s life. Sleep evaded her all night. She couldn’t think of where she could get ten thousand dollars. Her parents didn’t have that kind of money. Caterina did, but it was Miles’s money. Would he give it to her? Even if she used every single credit card, she wouldn’t be able to come up with that kind of money.
She barely scraped by every month in Frisco. Living in the mountains was expensive and her salary barely covered the cost of her mortgage. Lara said she could get a bailsman, but that would take time.
Cora waited to go to the bail hearing and was stuck in a small wooden room with other prisoners. Nausea rooted in her gut. She hadn’t eaten since Saturday. Luckily, no one was talking. If they did ask her a question, she was liable to spill bile all over the floor. Obviously, everyone was lost in their own thoughts.
Chains were clasped over Cora’s wrists and clanked when she banged her knee up and down repeatedly. Her nerves were wound tighter than Chicken Little’s. Any minute, she’d run around screaming the sky was falling.
Her too-large orange jumpsuit swallowed her up and the scratchy underwear chafed her in unmentionable places. Her ass was being rubbed raw.
A gruff guard opened the door. “Cora Amici. Your bail hearing is next.”
Her jailer from the Jefferson County Jail unlocked her shackles from another prisoner. She shuffled to the gruff guard who escorted her down a white tiled floor. Her heart pounded louder than their soft footsteps.
“Ms. Amici, when you are in the court, you will only speak when spoken to. You will behave accordingly, or you’ll be immediately escorted out of the hearing and bail will be denied. Do you understand?”
She wet her lips. “Yes, sir.” Her voice croaked and she winced.
The guard didn’t even glance at her, but she bet if she made any sudden moves, she’d be on her stomach with her wrists behind her before she could cry uncle.
When she walked into the courtroom, Lara waited for her at one of the attorney tables. Cora didn’t even glance at the persecutor, who was determined to ruin her life. No one she knew sat in the pews.
The guard left her with Lara.
“How are you doing?” Lara rubbed her back.
“Not well.” Cora blinked her eyes. “Can you get me out of here?”
“Yes. I know someone who will post the bail.”
“You do. Who––”
“Please rise. The Court of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, is now in session. The Honorable Judge Jane Morrison presiding.”
Co
ra followed Lara’s example and stood. A small petite woman with blond hair and glasses wearing a black robe entered the courtroom, then sat at the judge’s bench. Cora’s legs shook uncontrollably. The judge looked down at Cora as if she were the scum of the Earth. Cora broke out in a hot sweat and wiped her slick palms on her jumpsuit.
Judge Morrison took her seat. “You may all be seated.”
The bailiff handed the judge a file. “Your honor today’s case is the State of Colorado versus Cora Amici.”
Judge Morrison reviewed the file for a few long, long, long, minutes. She put the file down and stared at Cora. “Ms. Amici, do you understand the seriousness of these charges?”
“Yes, I do,” Cora said in a small voice.
“What is your plea?”
God, she hoped she wasn’t making a mistake. “Not guilty.”
“Very well.” Judge Morrison looked at the thin prosecutor with beady eyes. “Is the prosecution ready?”
The prosecutor stood. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Judge Morrison looked over at them and Cora had to force herself to not slump underneath the table.
“Is the defense ready?”
Lara stood. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“Prepare your opening statements,” Judge Morrison said.
The prosecutor stood. “Your Honor, I’m James Novonty, and I’m representing the State in this case. I intend to prove that Ms. Amici is a flight risk and her bail should be denied because she does not reside in Arvada and resides in Frisco. Ms. Amici was not just charged with driving under the influence, but she also with driving recklessly. She almost hit a bicyclist and could have killed him, if he hadn’t stopped. Ms. Amici proceeded to drive her SUV up over the curve and slammed into an oak tree that has been on the Arvada Center’s grounds for many years. She should remain in the city of Arvada until her trial. I submit that her bail be denied or be set at two hundred thousand.”
Cora’s mouth dropped open. He had to be kidding. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms. God, he was acting as if she were a serial killer!
“Do you have anything else to report, Mr. Novonty?”
“No, Your Honor.”