Page 152 of Muted

“I appreciate you for not only letting me speak, but for the time it took to hear this case. I’m sorry his hatred wasted your time.” Tapping her papers on the podium, she crushes them in her hand and turns to come back to us.

The moment she sits, I can feel the way her body is shaking between us. I can’t hear what Theo murmurs, but when she leans her body into mine, I can only wrap my arm around her and kiss her head. Leaning down, I whisper, “I love you so much, songbird.”

Chester Ahearn

My body is coiled, ready to fucking lunge at the man Susu refers to as her monster. This moment right here is the only time having a relationship like ours fucking sucks. She only has two spots next to her, and there are three of us. When we’re home, one of us inevitably either sits in the middle with her on our lap, or we sit in front of her so she can throw her legs over our shoulders as she snuggles with the other two.

I’d give anything to have her in my lap, soothing her and whispering words of praise and affirmation in her ear. My hand is clamped on her shoulder, my arm stretched behind Vance, and I have to accept it’s the only thing I can do at this moment until we’re dismissed from the room. Finally, the judge speaks, and my muscles feel like they’re going to tear apart at the seams as we wait for his sentencing.

“I’ve tried many cases throughout my career, but very few have affected me the way this one has. I have a granddaughter myself, close to the same age as you, Susanna. The thought of her enduring what you have sickens me to my core, and I wish that our penal system didn’t restrict the amount of time we are allowed to assign to a criminal. Unfortunately, this is not the case, so my hands are tied.”

“Fucking die in your cell,” I hear one of Miriam’s men from behind us murmur, then Miriam’s shush following it. I want to reach my hand back to fish bump whoever said that, but I can’t let my girl go.

The judge continues his speech, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more anxious to hear what he has to say than anything in my life.

“Arthur Walston, please rise.” Nobody stands except for Arthur and his lawyers, and I feel some pleasure over how frail he looks between the two men he’s chosen to represent him. The time he’s spent imprisoned so far has not done him well.

“You received a guilty verdict for the charge of false imprisonment of Susanna Walston. This charge comes with the maximum of ten years in prison, which you will receive. In the charge of attempted murder of Susanna Walston, you received a guilty verdict. The charge comes with life in prison with the possibility of parole, which you will receive. In the charge of first-degree murder of Laura Evans, you received a guilty verdict. The charge comes with a life in prison without the possibility of parole, which you will receive. These sentences will be served consecutively, not concurrently, with time spent included. Do you have any questions?”

My fingers kneed Susu’s shoulder as we listen to each charge sentenced, and I’m sure I’m digging them in too roughly, but she doesn’t flinch away from my touch. Arthur’s wife on the other side of the room wails her tears, hearing that her husband is not coming home, but I couldn’t fucking care less.

“I thank both the prosecution and defense for their professionalism and time spent during this trial, which is now adjourned. Good luck to everyone involved. Bailiff, please escort Mr. Walston out of the courtroom.” The judge picks up his gavel and smacks it loudly on his desk before standing. We all rise as he walks out of the room, everyone silent and processing what just happened.

We continue to stand as we watch the bailiff approach Walston, who jerks against his cuffs when the bailiff takes hold of them to escort him out. Never once does he utter a word. He doesn’t look to his wife or to Susu. The only indication we have is his slumped shoulders as he’s shuffled from the room.

Our group sits again to wait for Walston’s family as they exit the room. Arthur’s wife sniffling into a tissue as she ignores us when she passes by. Standing slowly, I signal the rest of our group to stand as well. The only one who stays sitting is the woman I love. Her hands are gripped together in her lap, and she’s staring down at them, seemingly lost and deep in thought.

Theo kisses the top of her head before moving into the aisle as he waits for Vance to do the same. I finally shuffle forward and place my hands on either side of the bench we’ve been sitting on for weeks and press my cheek against hers. “Babygirl… What do you need from me right now?”

Her glassy eyes lift to mine for only a moment, but it’s long enough to know that she’s struggling. “I need a minute.”

I don’t want to leave her and everything in me is screaming to stay by her side, but I can see how much she needs a minute. “You take all the time you need,” I tell her. Cupping her face, I press my lips to hers and enjoy the short moment where she melts under my touch. She always fucking does, and it’ll never grow old.

It tears me apart to leave her sitting alone, but I follow Theo and Vance, along with the rest of our group, into the hallway, letting the door slam shut behind us. I’m turning immediately to go back in when Ronnie grasps my shoulder.

“Just give her a minute. She’ll walk out a new woman,” he tells me, and I nod once, my jaw clenching as I fight my instinct to go to her.Fuck, this woman is everything to me and I just want to hold her.

Susanna ‘Susu’ Walston

The drive home is quiet.

I stayed in the courtroom for close to thirty minutes on my own before I was able to drag myself from my seat and walk out. It was bittersweet for me.

My aunt and uncle gave me hugs goodbye, along with Miriam and her guys. I almost smiled when Theo growled his displeasure when they wrapped me up in their arms, but Miriam shut them up with some hissed threats.

I was ushered quickly into the car and when we finally make it home, I let them lead me inside with a guiding hand on my back. Whispering to Vance, I let him know I need to use the bathroom for a minute.

Now, I find myself standing in front of the mirror, my hands planted on the counter as I stare at myself in the mirror. There are dark circles under my eyes, and a tiredness etched in my face that I don’t think will go away until I sleep for days.

It’s over. It doesn’t feel over, but I know it is. The verdict and sentencing happened so fast that I can barely wrap my head around it. The man who’s haunted my dreams and threatened everything that I love is now behind bars for the rest of his life.

And I’m sad.

Should I feel guilty about that? He killed my mother and tried to kill me as well, but this was a man so lost over the loss of his son that I can’t help but feel a sliver of pity for him. Turning on the faucet, I let the cool water flow as I cup the stream in my hands and splash it across my cheeks.

He killed my mom. He tried to kill me. He threatened to kill Aunt Elaine and Uncle Ronnie. To kill Theo, Vance, and Chester.God. What would I have done if I lost them? I never would have survived.

That knowledge has me straightening my spine and looking myself in the eye once more. “He has no control over you anymore. You’re free,” I tell my reflection. “They’resafe.”

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