Avenging Us - Gina Whitney Page 0,19
eyes lowered to my stomach and my hands, protectively cradling around it.
“Okay.” I nodded. I knew all this. However, it didn’t take any of the worry away. I just wanted to put it behind me—us. And this was one more step in that direction.
“She’s been charged with two counts of attempted murder, extortion, bribery, fraud, and a few other minor offenses. Does that sound like she’ll walk freely anytime soon?” His brow raised in question.
“No, sir,” I responded immediately and Abel squeezed my thigh. It definitely didn’t sound like she’d get out anytime soon. However, I watched the news. Mistrials, hung-juries, and injustice happened all the time. Look at Casey Anthony…and that was off the top of my head. I watched the crime channel and picked up a thing or two. Shit fucking happened, and I prayed we wouldn’t suffer at the hands of injustice.
“Have some faith, Gia. Not too long ago…” He trailed off, letting his words hang in the stale air around us. And I knew what he was getting at. Not too long ago, I almost ended my life. Not too long ago, I lived in the bowels of hell with my mother. Not too long ago, I didn’t know Abel or have the life living inside of me. Oh, I was familiar with not too long ago. He was right, but I was still scared. I laced my fingers through Abel’s and squeezed, trying to draw from his strength. He applied steady pressure, letting me take what I needed. I sighed and he released, keeping his fingers intertwined with mine.
The District Attorney’s office was a federal building that also held the ADA—Assistant District Attorney—and clerk. Huh… For some reason, I thought they’d reside in a courthouse. We drove around the massive brick building, the American flag and state flag waving in the breeze. We had an appointment, but Mr. Gunner called to make sure security was ready. Abel spotted three satellite trucks parked in front, and god knows who followed us. But, so far so good.
The meeting was scheduled for ten thirty AM, and the two detectives that interviewed me at the house would be there. That gave me a smidgen of comfort. John was older—seasoned. Brad, younger and newly decorated. We took the elevator to the third floor, Abel’s hand firmly holding mine. We walked alongside Mr. Gunner to the deposition office. John and Brad met us in the hallway, greeting us warmly. Abel nodded, Mr. Gunner shook their hand, and then we continued past them into the office.
“You know I’d go in if I could. But I can’t and it’s fucking killing me.” His voice was grave, and the words sounding more bitter than I’d ever heard before.
“I know. I’ll be fine.” I leaned in to kiss him, but he threw his arms around me and held me for a moment.
“I’ll be right here waiting for you. Okay?” He tilted my chin up and I nodded.
Mr. Gunner cleared his throat and I knew it was time. Abel released me, and I entered the cold, air-conditioned room without looking back. I could do this. I’d been through worse. This was for me, my family, and the safety of my child. Not to mention, I did nothing wrong. I was the victim. It was time to finally close out this chapter of my life. I had learned and grown a great deal over the last few months, and I was ready to move past this. No more running and hiding from secrets. Morgana need to pay for her part. The door closed, latching shut behind me, and I sat in the chair Mr. Gunner slid out for me.
His warm, familiar smile held my feet to the ground and kept my heart from pounding out of my chest. I squeezed my eyes closed to gather myself. One breath in. One long breath out. I pushed everything aside and let the pain of my past give me the strength I needed.
The weathered, wooden table had seen better days, and the dirty floors needed a proper cleaning. I fixated on the mundane things at this time because of stress. The more stressed I became…the more I fixated on frivolous things.
Mr. Gunner rose, addressing the ADA and appointed counsel for Morgana. “I’m Timothy Gunner. I’m representing Gia Mastro, who is being deposed. She’s my client and my daughter-in-law to be. As you can plainly see…she’s ready to give birth anytime now. This is a happy time for my son, and