His Seductive Savior: Dark MM Age Gap Romance (Silver Fox Doms Book 1) by Leo Rivers

Author:Leo Rivers [Rivers, Leo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

JAKE

The polished wood of the witness stand felt smooth and cool under my sweaty palms as I shifted nervously on the hard seat. A room full of eyes stared back at me, confining despite the cavernous courtroom space. This was supposed to be just a preliminary hearing, but an audience had turned out, despite the fact that Ethan had reassured me it would be no big deal.

I tugged at my tie, feeling it choke off my air. A light touch at my elbow drew my gaze.

Ethan gave me an encouraging smile from the gallery, radiating a calm assurance I clung to. Drawing a bracing breath, I forced my spine straight and schooled my features as the prosecution began their questioning.

Over the next hour, I laid out every incriminating detail I could recall about my time in Vince's crew, implicating as many of his associates as possible. My responses sounded oddly detached to my own ears, like I was reciting a story about someone else's misspent youth.

I tried to avoid looking toward Vince himself at the defendant's table, not wanting to invite more of his venomous glares. But I could feel his menacing presence looming there, a specter of my guilty past sitting in judgment. The weight of just how many lives I had helped derail in those days pressed down on me.

Finally, the questions ceased. The judge adjourned for recess before the defense cross-examination. I nearly collapsed in relief to be free from the stand's scrutiny. Ethan was there in an instant to steady me, squeezing my shoulder.

"You did wonderfully. I know that couldn't have been easy." His voice was warm with pride. I managed a weak smile in return. We both knew the hardest part was still ahead.

The thought of having Vince's lawyer try and rip apart my credibility filled me with nauseous dread. But this was the only way to take down Vince for good. I had to see it through, no matter how brutal.

Ethan seemed to sense my gathering anxiety. "Why don't we get some air? We've got fifteen minutes before they reconvene."

The quiet courtyard behind the courthouse helped calm my frayed nerves somewhat. But I still jumped at every passing stranger, tense and alert. Ethan kept a grounding arm wrapped around my waist, radiating protective strength.

Too soon, we had to go back in. I braced myself at the witness stand once more as Vince's shark-like attorney approached. His manner was civil enough at first, though his accusing undertone put me instantly on edge.

The questions came rapid-fire, designed to poke holes in my account. "Weren't you one of Vince's associates?"

"Yes."

"And didn't you commit crime with him?"

Ethan had prepared me well for this, and I held my own, keeping to the facts. "I was, but that's over now."

"Is it?"

I did my best to stay composed, looking to Ethan for support. Still, the constant implication that I was a lying criminal myself wore me down.

"I regret my criminal past. That's why I'm up here, atoning for it. And

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