by J. A. Owenby
The room fell silent when the judge entered and sat down. No way in hell would I want to have faced Judge Warner myself. He was an imposing man, his once black hair now peppered with gray. His stern expression and his commanding aura filled the room. He glanced around and began the proceeding. Over the next hour, we listened to the defense and prosecuting attorney’s argument, Lily, the fourteen-year-old hostage, her family, and Brandon speak. As we had expected, the prosecutor was asking for life on multiple charges and the defense wanted only twenty years.
For the first time since I’d known Brandon Montgomery, he didn’t have a nasty sneer on his face. In fact, he looked terrified. Anger reared to life inside me. No matter how scared he was right now, it was nothing like what his victims had felt when he’d assaulted them. Maybe it was wrong, but I still hoped another prisoner would stalk and terrify him.
I peeked over at Gemma when Judge Warner began to speak. “Brandon Montgomery, please rise.”
This was it. My pulse raced and Cade’s fingers tightened around mine while we waited for the results.
My heart galloped full speed ahead when Brandon stood. What if he only served a few years? What if the judge was in Dillon Montgomery’s pocket? My leg bounced up and down uncontrollably.
“You’ve been a bit difficult to catch, but thanks to the FBI, Lily Weston was safely returned to her family. However, this left you with multiple charges, including rape of a minor, kidnapping and transporting across state lines, and several counts of child pornography. I’ve listened to all sides of this case, and I’m hereby sentencing you to forty years in the Washington State Penitentiary without parole.”
My hands covered my mouth, muffling my cry of happiness while cheers filled the room. A soft cry came from Lily’s family while they embraced each other. I turned to hug Cade then Gemma and Hendrix. Pierce had done it. He’d literally hunted Brandon down and brought him to justice, just as he’d promised.
With all the news of the shooting and John’s death, the band’s fame had skyrocketed. It was nearly impossible to go clubbing or out in public anymore without fans bombarding them. But tonight, we celebrated the win of Brandon’s conviction as well as John’s life. Even though we’d invited Layne to join us, he politely bowed out since he’d not known John.
Zayne and Pierce exited the car first then opened the back door of the limo.
“Dude, is the coast clear?” I asked Pierce, poking my head out of the car. Gemma giggled as we waited. Pierce hurried to the tattoo parlor’s door and held it open for us while Zayne stayed near the car. Laughing, Gemma and I ran for it first, and Cade and Hendrix followed behind us. Once we were safe inside, Pierce locked the door behind him and grinned.
“Let’s do this,” he said.
Cade had rented the tattoo parlor out for the night. We each took a chair, and my heart fluttered. I was about to get my first tattoo.
“Hey, guys, welcome. I’m Mike the owner and one of your tattoo artists tonight,” a burly dark-haired guy said. “I’ve got shots for everyone to toast the evening.”
A petite blonde handed out the drinks, then left the room.
Cade raised his glass first, and we all followed suit.
“To John,” he said softly. “To the life he led and the lives he saved.”
“Cheers,” we all said in unison and downed the tequila.
“Brrr,” I said, shivering from the burn of the alcohol.
“If I understand correctly, you all want the same tat but in different areas?”
“Yup,” I answered for everyone. “Cade can show you the sketch we all came up with.”
Cade shifted in his seat and grabbed a piece of paper out of the back of his jeans pocket. He unfolded the drawing and smoothed it out on the chair. We all gathered around it and held each other’s hand. My throat tightened with emotion. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor John.
“It’s beautiful. I can even add some shading that will deepen the image too,” Mike said.
We all nodded as we stared at the drum with wings. Inside the snare drum, it held a red heart on fire. That was John, always loving life and living it to the fullest while he loved everyone around him with his whole being.
“Mm, those shots were strong, but at least my tattoo hurts less,” I said to Cade, staring at the plastic bandage over my ankle. “I can’t believe Pierce had so many tats!” I giggled.
“I’m not surprised, but he’s had a lot of loss in his life, and tonight he honored one more.” I didn’t miss the heaviness in Cade’s voice. Even though it had been a year, emotionally it felt like John had left us only yesterday.
I sighed softly and lay back on our bed next to my boyfriend.
“It’s going to feel really strange not having Pierce around as often. I mean, he’s not just a bodyguard, he’s our friend,” I said.
“I know, but he’ll have other cases to work on, and I think he needs some time to get over Gemma.”
“Poor guy. But yeah, I agree.”
I rolled over on my side and glanced at Cade’s new tattoo. Cade’s gunshot scar had been positioned in the center of the heart.
“Does it hurt?” I asked him.
“A little. It hurts more that John’s gone. It just reminds me to not take life or the people I love for granted.”
Silence filled the room, and I laid my head on Cade’s chest. The soft rise and fall of his breathing calmed my racing thoughts. It had been a great day with Brandon’s sentencing and our group celebration, but I was still processing the events. I stifled a yawn and glanced up at Cade.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “And tonight is the first night in our own place. It’s the first night of our life together.” He smiled and smoothed my hair while I snuggled up against him. “I love you, Mackenzie Worthington,” he said softly.
“And I love you,” I said, leaning up and kissing him gently.
Peace flowed through me. Everything I’d ever hoped for was falling into place. My eyes fluttered closed, and I drifted off to sleep with his arms wrapped protectively around me.
Want more of the mysterious and sexy Pierce? Then don’t miss your bonus scene ... Click here!
If you love on the edge of your seat suspenseful romance, then don’t miss Gemma and Hendrix’s story in Love & Ruin.
Meet Walker and Lacey in Torn where their love breaks all the rules and beats all odds.
If you’re looking for something sexy, daring, and romantic, you can fall in love with Hadlee and Kaisen in Where I’ll Find You.
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A note from the author
Dear Readers,
If you have experienced sexual assault or physical abuse, there is free confidential help. Please visit:
Website: https://www.rainn.org/
Phone: 800-656-4673
Other Books By J.A. Owenby
The Love & Ruin Series
Love & Ruin
Love & Deception
Love & Redemption
The Torn Series
Fading into Her, a prequel novella
Torn
Captured
Freed
Standalone Novels
Where I’ll Find You
About the Author
J.A. Owenby lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and cat.
She also runs her own business as a professional resume writer and interview coach—she helps people find jobs they love.
J.A. is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult, and youn
g adult novels. She loves music, movies, and good wine. And call her crazy, but she loves the rainy Pacific Northwest; she gets her best story ideas while listening to the rain pattering against the windows in front of the fireplace.
You can follow the progress of her upcoming novel on Facebook at Author J.A. Owenby and on Twitter @jaowenby.
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