58

Selena

As the door opened, I didn’t need to know who’d walked in. I’d know the sound of her heels anywhere. I continued to pore over my notes, the speech that I’d rehearsed a solid dozen times. It was now or never to highlight my skills, ensuring that the atrocity done to the James family was ripped apart.

Only I could do that.

“Someone I admire greatly once reminded me that there was no such thing as gray with regard to the law. It was either right or wrong and those who crossed the fine line would do so again and again.” Christine’s voice was soft, respectful. We’d spoken once on the phone as I’d confirmed details of what I’d learned.

“Who was that?” I asked, still not lifting my head.

“A lovely young attorney that I knew would go places. I just didn’t know how far. You’re a force to be reckoned with, Selena. I hope that you’ve considered my offer of becoming District Attorney. I’ll be retiring in a few years and I would like you to take over.”

Now I lifted my head, studying her. I could swear the woman had aged in the two plus weeks since I’d seen her. She’d been through a battle of her own, the evidence she’d compiled against the governor and his cronies almost not enough to take the man down. But an indictment was on the horizon given I’d returned the strong evidence against him that I’d taken from her office.

I’d been wrong about the association of women. They had banded together, but to rid the city of an entirely different kind of organized crime. Given what I’d learned about the New Orleans Bratva, I hadn’t been shocked they’d been behind my stalking, the attempt on our lives, and killing Zephyr. The fact they’d greased the palms of the governor for his reelection campaign remained a black mark for dozens of lawmakers and politicians.

He’d made a mockery out of our government system, but he’d be going away for a very long time, enjoying prison life. I took great pride in helping Christine follow through with getting the evidence together in such a way that it was foolproof. That didn’t take away the fact she’d used the situation with Joshua to her benefit to finally bring the governor to his knees.

In the process, she’d placed Joshua’s life and mine in danger. Not that I suspected she knew the great lengths the Bratva would go to or had known about the decades-old vendetta, but that changed nothing. I couldn’t trust her completely ever again.

Maybe that was because I’d changed, becoming a much stronger woman. I wasn’t certain. I took an envelope from my briefcase, sliding it across the table before shoving the files and notes into the case.

She sighed, given I wasn’t talking to her. I’d exchanged heated words the first day and in truth, I was keeping the fire burning in my belly intact for one thing and one thing only.

Going in front of the grand jury, changing sides and professing Joshua’s innocence. In learning about Damien’s death from Joshua, I’d been able to sleep easier at night, but there were other monsters out there lurking in the shadows. There were also men in invisible capes waiting to swoop in and protect the damsel in distress when necessary.

And they weren’t always those considered honorable or just men.

I’d learned more than I’d ever wanted to learn by being near Joshua and his family, embraced as one of their own, but up until now, I’d been unable to provide him with an answer as to whether or not I’d return with him to Canada.

Until an epiphany had hit me only thirty minutes before, making the decision a little easier.

“You contacted the press,” I stated almost in passing.

“I was coerced into doing so.”

Uh-huh. I had almost everything I needed at this point.

I closed the case, waiting as she opened the sealed envelope, heading toward the door to the interrogation room while she did. I was due in court in just a few minutes, and I had one other piece of the puzzle to put into place.

Or maybe I should say to char into ash.

I’d never been the kind of woman to burn bridges, something I’d learned from my father as well, but in my mind, I knew it was the right thing to do. My conscience needed it. My mind too.

And my heart.

Christine sighed. “Will you at least tell me what you’re going to do? Are you still planning on practicing law?”

I thought about her question, opening the door before I answered. “No. I’m going to become a wife and a mother. That’s the only thing that will make me happy.”

“Good luck, Selena. May you find the happiness you’ve been searching for.”

I glanced over my shoulder. She’d turned around, now giving me a nod of respect. “I already have.”

As I walked out, I did so with a clear conscience, ready for a good fight if necessary. I headed down the hallway, avoiding the throng of reporters who’d been sectioned off to a small area in the lobby of the courthouse, heading for the holding room that had been assigned.

Just walking down the hallowed halls for what I hoped would be the last time had a strange effect on me. Even the sound of my heels clipping on the marble floor was entirely different. As if I didn’t belong here.

I’d called my father two weeks before, assuring him that his baby girl wasn’t the crazed woman I’d been made out to be. He’d listened to me without uttEricag a sound, allowing me to profess the way I felt about a known criminal.

What he’d done next would remain one of the top five things that had shocked me the most.

He’d told me to take time but to follow my heart and that it would never steer me wrong. I’d taken the heartfelt advice, mulling over the possibilities of how I wanted to spend the rest of my life while enjoying the time spent with Joshua and Christopher.

The time had allowed me to get to learn more about the woman inside, stripping away the mask I hadn’t realized I’d been hiding behind.

I was stronger, much more confident, and ready to take on the world.

Just… in an entirely different way. As I stood in front of a door, I took a deep breath, plastEricag a smile on my face.

And when I walked in, I felt almost nothing but compassion for the woman sitting in shackles in front of me.

Jenny lifted her head, studying me intently. She’d used our friendship in a way I hadn’t thought possible, but as she’d always told me, blood was thicker than water. She’d stood behind her family, sharing with her brother her knowledge of the fear I had regarding Damien, as well as the few details I’d told her in confidence. From there, the Bratva had taken over. But her part was the one that cut the deepest. She hadn’t just railroaded Johny, she’d cost Victoria her life.

I said nothing, studying her as I’d done to Christine. I wasn’t certain what I was looking for at that point. Remorse? I doubted she could give it to me. Could I forgive her? Maybe in the future, but not now. In the end, I’d found it amusing that it had been women who’d brought down an entire government conspiracy and almost two powerful syndicates as well. It was actuallybook-worthy. Maybe that’s what I’d do with what little free time I had. I’d write a book.

The thought brought a smile.

She looked away and I shook my head, turning around to leave. There was no reason to say anything at this point.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry,” Jenny said quietly.

“Unfortunately, it’s not worth much of anything.” With that, I closed the door, ready to take on the world.

With my head held high, I walked down the corridor heading to the assigned courtroom, nodding to the police officer standing at the door.

The moment I walked inside, I locked eyes with the man I loved, the man of my dreams.

The one who loved me intensely, his eyes reflecting just how much.

And the man I had plans on marrying.

As long as he got down on one knee and asked.

Love wasn’t necessarily blind, but it could be bent and morphed from the strangest places. I’d been used in a game, but in the end, I was the one who’d come out the winner.

The mobster and the prosecutor. It had a nice ring to it.

I could only imagine the future for the hottest couple in two countries.