Dragon's Second Chance Romance - Riley Storm Page 0,46

no time left. The judge was up and speaking, and she had to keep her mouth shut. She didn’t want to be accused of being in contempt of court.

Her mind was going so fast, trying to figure out what was happening, that she missed the judge speaking to her.

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” she said, shaking her head. “I missed it.”

Judge Blair frowned at her, the dark ebony skin on her forehead wrinkling in disapproval. “Were you not listening?”

“Sorry, Judge Blair,” Claire said quietly. “I’m just, I’ve just got a lot on my mind today, that’s all. I won’t let it happen again.”

“Please see that it doesn’t,” Judge Blair said with firm reprimand, though there was no anger in her voice. “Now, I see here that you have both new representation, but also that you have filed a motion to enter into a plea deal. Is this correct?”

Her father stirred slightly, but only barely, as Claire started to question the judge, to admit she did not know what Judge Blair was referring to.

“Ah,” Claire said, looking at her father. “That is correct. On both counts.”

The judge looked down at the papers in front of her, giving Claire a chance to lean over and whisper to her father. “What are you doing? I did the crime.”

“And you will be punished for it,” her father said, eyes still forward. “But real justice would see everyone who committed the crime punished. If you’re truly wanting to do the right thing, you’ll see to it that that’s what happens.”

“How?” she asked.

Her father just tilted his head in Judge Blair’s direction, indicating that Claire should wait and see.

“I see her that you are offering to identify the other suspects in the robbery, as well as testify against them in a court of law. Is that correct? Are you comfortable with that scenario, Miss Owens?”

Claire stiffened. Testify? Against Pete, in an open court? He would know exactly who it was. He would be able to retaliate against her.

She hesitated.

Movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention. She glanced back to see Pietro watching her. He slowly made a fist with one hand, then placed his other overtop of it.

I’ll protect you, he mouthed, giving her a nod, urging her to accept the offer.

Claire steeled herself and faced Judge Blair again. “That is correct, your honor,” she said quietly.

I will accept my fate. I put myself in this position. Have to remember that.

“Very well. Please provide the court with the names of the other people in the video. Please start with the obvious mastermind, the one directing you and the others.”

Claire could have sworn that she heard a bit of savage glee in Judge Blair’s command.

Whether or not it was there, it was present in her own voice as she spoke clearly. Not only did she give Judge Blair his name, she also gave him Pete’s address. His house, his hangout, the partial license plate of his car, she gave the judge all his known associates, not just the ones in the video. She also gave Judge Blair all of their possible locations. She pulled out her phone and gave the court Pete’s phone number and the make of phone, in case they could track it.

Ruin my life will you, prick? She thought to herself viciously. Fuck you. You’re done.

“Thank you, Miss Owens,” the judge said once she was done, the court recorder having faithfully written everything down for future use. “I am certain that information will prove to be useful.”

Claire was still in a bit of a state of shock at the way everything was shaking out, so she settled for simply nodding.

“Now,” Judge Blair continued. “In exchange for the sworn written identification of the other participants in the video, as well as agreeing to testify on the stand should they go to trial, I hereby sentence you to no fewer than one-thousand hours of community service. Your parole officer will ensure that all hours are properly recorded and documented. In addition, you will not leave town until your community service is completed, or you will go to jail. Understood?”

Claire nodded.

“Very well. Then this court is dismissed.”

The gavel banged, and everyone rose. Claire followed suit more slowly, watching in a dazed shock.

She wasn’t going to jail.

“Dad,” she said, turning, but her father was already heading out.

He turned to look at her. She could see the hurt and pain in his eyes.

“You’re still my daughter,” he said firmly and then pushed his way out