Page 15 of Fast Vengeance

There were other charges too. Human and drug trafficking. Money laundering. Tax evasion.

The judge spoke again. “Having carefully reviewed all of the evidence in this case, I am ready to deliver a sentence on the defendant.”

Victoria held her breath, registered the warmth of Brock’s hand as he curled his fingers around her cold ones, and squeezed.

“Accordingly, it is the judgment of this court that Carlos Ruiz serve three consecutive life sentences in a federal penitentiary.” She removed her glasses and faced Ruiz, holding up a document for him to see, her expression as steely as her eyes. “Mr. Ruiz, for the crimes you have committed, it is my pleasure and privilege to effectively sign your death sentence today. The only way you will ever leave prison is in a body bag.”

At those powerfully spoken words, the courtroom erupted into cheers and applause. Victoria didn’t join in, a chaotic mix of conflicting emotions roiling inside her.

Instead she rose, caught Brock’s look of surprise before he jumped up with her, and followed him out of the courtroom without looking back. It was over. She didn’t want to look at Ruiz ever again.

A sense of numbness crept over her as she hurried to the elevators with the marshals flanking her. Ruiz would die in jail. She’d thought the news would make her feel relieved, even happy. It hadn’t. Nothing ever could. Even if Ruiz had been sentenced to death by firing squad, it wouldn’t erase the grief and pain and loss.

Brock stood close to her as he accompanied them down to the parking garage. She was grateful for the quick escape, and that she would be spared the cameras and crowds assembled outside the courthouse. She just wished she could have had his arm around her.

She felt…disoriented. Maybe even a little numb.

For so long her sole focus had been making sure Ruiz paid for what he’d done. Now that it was done, that chapter of her life was closed forever. She couldn’t talk about what had happened to her and her family from now on. And soon she had to become someone else and start a new life elsewhere.

When one of the marshals opened the back door of the SUV for her, she stopped and faced Brock. If they had been alone she would have wrapped her arms around him and laid her cheek on his chest. “Thank you for being here today.”

He nodded. “You’re welcome. Now move over.”

Surprised, she blinked at him.

“Come on, scoot over and let’s get the hell out of here. You’re free now. Never have to see this place again.”

Free. But lost, because the thing that had been motivating her for so long was gone now.

She slid across the seat while Brock jumped into the back with her and shut the door. “What are you doing?” she asked him. This was way outside of normal protocol, so he must have cleared it with her security team first.

“We’re going to my place.”

She raised her eyebrows. “We are?”

“You okay with that?” the marshal putting his seatbelt on in the front asked.

She looked at Brock. She’d thought she would want to be alone and process everything for a while, but she didn’t want to be by herself right now. She wanted to be with him. Needed to. “Yes.”

Brock reached across the seat and curled his fingers around her right hand. “Good. Got a surprise for you.”

Were they going to be alone? If so…

Got a surprise for you too, Agent Hamilton.

Chapter Five

What was he up to?

Victoria met Brock’s gaze as he paused by the door. Excitement gleamed in his eyes. “You ready?”

“I think so.” A marshal stood behind her as Brock opened the door. But rather than go in ahead of her to check the place, the marshal hung back, against normal protocol. Either they were already relaxing protocol because she was no longer a key witness, or Brock had cooked this whole thing up with them ahead of time.

Taking two steps inside, she stopped, her eyes going wide. Bunches of brightly colored balloons dotted the kitchen, along with a big banner that read Congratulations! hanging from the ceiling. A large bouquet of vividly colored flowers sat on the kitchen table, along with platters of food and what looked like a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket.

“Oh my God, what did you—” She broke off when Oceane came out from behind the wall in the living room with Gabe Lockhart, one of Brock’s teammates.

“Surprise!” Oceane said in her Spanish accent. She wore a bright smile on her pretty face, her long, chocolate-brown curls down around her shoulders.

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