Page 92 of Tempted

Chapter Thirty

In the matter of a week pandemonium had broken out and it all stemmed from a car accident. Gregory Hammond who had been Jasmine’s former attorney, had been in the car with a district judge who happened to be presiding over one of his current cases. Drugs had been found in the vehicle. When the local media had gotten wind of it there was speculation as to why the two were seen together outside of the courtroom in the first place. One determined journalist had started to dig and had found the connection between Hammond and several judges whose campaigns he was connected to. It opened up an entire can of worms.

The judge wanting to avoid jail time confessed to taking bribes from attorney’s and kickbacks from privately funded prisons. It brought into question some of the many cases he’d presided over throughout the years. One of those cases had been Jasmine Brooks. Apparently, even back then, Hammond and this judge were working together. It was discovered that the Sandersons had contributed heavily to his re-election campaign.

Coupled with the corruption and the new evidence that had never gotten introduced, Victor was certain not only would Jasmine’s case be overturned but she would get her daughter back.

Victor worked tirelessly for the remainder of the day, making phone calls and working closely with Danny to make sure everything was handled correctly.

With a renewed determination, he focused on getting this all resolved for Jasmine’s sake. And for his because as soon as her conviction was overturned and she got her daughter back, Victor intended to fight for his woman.

* * *

Jasmine’s hands shook and her heart beat a tattoo within her chest. She pinched herself just to make sure this wasn’t a dream. A gasp tore from her lips. If this wasn’t real then this dream felt pretty damn life-like.

Jason took his eyes off the road for a moment to offer a smile of encouragement. “I know you must be nervous but remember, I’m here for you no matter what, babe.”

Jasmine nodded for lack of anything to say. Despite the uncertainty of her future with Jason, she still appreciated his presence. It was good to have someone to give her the moral support she needed.

Jasmine nibbled her bottom lip. She wished she had Jason’s confidence. Would Star adjust to her new home and to Jason? And to complicate matters, how would the Meade clan figure into everything? Since she’d reconnected with Madeline and the kids, they visited her almost every other day. Even Adam had come for a few visits. Dealing with them was one thing but Victor was another issue. He was her unborn child’s father and he’d made it clear he intended to be a part of its life. Jasmine couldn’t deny him that right.

He called her daily just to check on her to see if she needed anything. Victor had insisted on helping her and Jason outfit the baby’s room and paying for everything. He even started a college fund for the baby which, she’d yet to decide a name for. The baby’s room was already full of toys and stuffed animals he had bought. With all the attention came uncertainty. Now that her case had been overturned and she’d regained custody of Star, Victor now consumed most of her thought.

Her relationship with Jason however, complicated matters. He was a dear friend to her but she still couldn’t bring herself to feel anything toward him romantically. It had become clear that she couldn’t marry him but she had yet to dredge up the courage to tell him.

“We’re here.” Jason smiled at her.

Jasmine had been so caught up in her thoughts she didn’t notice the vehicle had stopped.

Jason brought her hand up to his mouth and pressed a light kiss on her knuckles. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Everything will work out.”

She laughed nervously. “I wish I had your confidence.” With trembling fingers she undid her seatbelt and opened the passenger door. Still unable to believe this was happening she whispered a silent thank you to the heavens. Who would have thought something as random as a car accident would lead her to this?

Learning the full extent of the Sanderson’s duplicity didn’t make her angry as it probably should have. They’d partly been responsible for robbing her of her freedom and her separation from Star. But still, all she could muster up for them was pity. They were pathetic human beings who were so caught up in themselves they’d created a monster in their son. And instead of realizing what Phillip had become, they’d covered for him, blaming her for his shortcomings instead of taking responsibility.

Most her distain was reserved for the sham of a lawyer who’d handled her case.He would most likely be disbarred and face criminal charges of his own, while several policeman were under investigation for the cover up involved in all those calls she’d made when Phillip had been using her as a punching bag. But it seemed the corruption didn’t stop at her. There were more people robbed of justice and because of this scandal they might finally get the trials they deserved in the first place.

Jason walked to thepassenger side of the car to help her out. A black sedan pulled alongside of Jason’s car. It was Victor.

Jason threw his arm around her shoulders and held her against him a little more tightly than she would have liked as they walked toward the group home. Under most circumstances, Jasmine would have said something about this little power play of his but she was too nervous to protest.

She and Jason waited for Victor to catch up with them at the door. Did Jasmine imagine it or did Victor’s lips tighten slightly at the sight of Jason holding her so closely.

When Victor halted in front of them, he leaned forward and gave Jasmine a kiss on the check. “How are you feeling today?”

A shiver went up her spine at the casual contact. “Very nervous. I’m scared I’ll wake up and find myself in the middle of a dream.”

“Come on honey.” Jason gave her shoulders a little squeeze.

Taking a deep breath, Jasmine rang the doorbell. This was it.

After what seemed like an eternity but had probably only been a few seconds, Rose Carole, one of the caregivers at the group home answered the door. “Aww, you’re here. We’ve been waiting for you. Ms. Montez from Social Services arrived a short while ago. Come in.” She opened the door wider and stood back enough to let everyone in. “Star is all packed up and ready to go. Poor thing, hasn’t gotten much sleep in the past couple days because she knew you were coming for her.”

Hearing this news lightened Jasmine’s heart a little. When they stepped into the house, Lola Montez, the new social worker handling Star’s paperwork greeted them, but Jasmine only had eyes for her daughter who stood by the stairways. Jasmine’s breath caught in her throat. Star looked thinner making her already large eyes seem too big for her little face. Her eyes were ringed with dark circles and she tugged on one of her braids in a nervous gesture.

Jasmine would have gone down to her knees if she thought she could get back up on her own steam, but instead she walked over to her daughter and held out her arms. “Star?”

The child hesitated, gripping the railing of the stairway as if she was scared of Jasmine.

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