Page 80 of Brutal Kingdom

The sexual tension crackles between us. The air charged as we agree to these terms, and yet another game to play. This time we’re on the same side. It’s either an alliance made in heaven or forged in hell, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.

THIRTY-TWO

JORDANNA

It’s day one of Penn’s trial. At the last minute, I changed my mind about coming. I need to be here to see this through to the end. My mom needs the support and I want Penn to know I have no regrets about what I did. I want to hear him confess what he did, to hear why he felt justified in his actions, and I want to know if the prosecutors ever found out where the rest of the money is. It angers me, knowing the victims are getting back less than they lost.

He walks into the courtroom with his lawyers in a brand new suit. Hair cut and head high like it’s a business meeting and not a trial that will determine how he spends the next three decades of his life.

He looks around the gallery, his gaze landing on my mother, giving her the same“I’m innocent and you mean the world to me, please believe me”look he gave her for months. I didn’t like it then. I hate it now. Especially since I know those looks are engineered to keep you in the dark and make a fool of you, while someone else comes through and finishes destroying you by burying a knife in your heart. Mom shifts in her seat in front of me. I reach over, putting a hand on her shoulder, letting her know she’s not alone.

Penn’s gaze sweeps to me and that carefully constructed good guy facade slips. That’s right, asshole. I’m here, and I won’t let you suck my mother back in. Yesterday was the last day of preliminary motions and the prosecutor was still requesting Penn stay remanded, because he’s a flight risk.

The defense attorney refuted that until the prosecutor reminded everyone that there’s still the little matter of the missing money. Penn may have had his assets frozen and is on the no fly list, but the amount of money still out there could help him disappear. My tech guru’s been telling me ways to erase digital footprints, and Graham explained how criminals hide their cargo to get through border and customs or bypass DEA with contraband and drug shipments. It’s not always stealthy and underhanded. There are ways to do these things in plain sight.

All it takes is the proper incentive. Cold hard cash. And there’s enough for Penn to leave and stay gone and off the grid for the rest of his life. It’s all about who to pay. Some of his top investors moved to countries with non-extradition treaties as soon as he was arrested. Others are here waiting for the trial to start. I’m sure they’d be willing to help him vanish just to avoid the trial and being indicted as well.

* * *

“Hey mom. I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the city today. I had a test to cram for. How’d it go?” I didn’t want her to sit through today alone but I have to keep my grades up.

“He wants to talk to you.”

I stop walking, forcing the people in front and behind me to walk around. “This is a joke, right? What the hell could he possibly have to say to me?”

“His lawyers are trying to get one of the counts for money laundering dropped and to do that he has to tell the prosecutor where the rest of the money is.”

“The location of his secret stolen stash isn’t my problem. The SEC and prosecutorial team have investigators. They need to investigate, instead of playing chicken with Penn. If the dummy doesn’t want to help himself by helping the families he defrauded, he can rot in jail just like his idol did.”

“That’s harsh, honey.”

Blowing out a breath, I say, “This is a harsh world, mom. Pretending it isn’t does a disservice to myself and the people I actually give a damn about.”

“I know how you feel Jordanna, but if a conversation with him can help other people…”

“Are you really tryna guilt trip me into going to see him?” What the fuck is even happening right now? “Mom? You’re not getting sucked back in, are you? He’s a con artist. A thief and a liar. He’s not one of those good grifters playing Robin Hood. He intentionally misled people and lied to your face. He’s the reason we had to start all over again. He’s the reason I…”

“You what?”

“Nothing.”

“Whatever you were about to say is important, too. Tell me.”

“Mom, you know I had a hard time adjusting to school and the move here. I’m still not recognized as a member of the town, and I wouldn’t be going through this whole probate process, if it wasn’t for Penn. We’d be happy. Oblivious to the inheritance, and I’d be less stressed.”

She sighs. “Jordanna, I thought you were over your anger at me for making you transfer.”

“I am, mostly. But I still miss Carryville and my friends and the life we had before Penn. The life we had before we moved here. You can’t tell me you don’t miss it too.”

“Yes, honey, I miss it. Parts of it. But I also like the life we’re building here. You don’t, because you’re not all in. You can’t keep holding a grudge and living with one foot out the door thinking you’re going back to your old life. Jordanna,thisis our life now. I love that you want to protect me, but Penn was my husband, and I loved him. You don’t get a say in how I handle that.”

I know she’s right. Hell, I’ve got my own con artist that I can’t quite shake. “I know. You’re right, mom. But you’re not gonna agree to pay any more of his legal fees or take him back or anything. Right?”

“No, sweetheart. I’mdonepaying for Penn’s crimes. I don’t want him back. But if he wanted to speak to me, I’d be willing to hear what he has to say. I think the life we shared warrants that.”

“And out of curiosity, why isn’t he trying to talk to you to spill his guts?”

“I’m wondering the same thing. But I guess we won’t get that answer either, unless you agree to meet with him.”

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