Page 13 of Stella’s Manster

Refusing to look in Ace’s direction, I storm out of the courtroom.

I barely reach the hallway before I feel a hand on my arm that stops me and I know exactly who it is.

“Don’t!” I snap, as I whip around to see Ace. “You promised me! You said you would help. But now? After that performance? My brother’s surely going to prison, again, for something he didn’t do. And I…” I pause for a moment in frustration as I close my eyes and rub the bridge of my nose. “I’m going to lose my brother all over again.”

“Stella, please—” Ace tries to plead his case to me, but I don’t want to hear it. I shake my head with disappointment and hurry away.

Tears stream down my face as I hop into my car and leave the courthouse without looking back.

All night, my phone buzzes with calls and texts from Ace, but I ignore every single one of them. I’m not so childish that I won’t have a conversation with him, but it’s too soon. My fantasy of a happy life with my brother being free and Ace being by my side has gone up in flames, and right now, I don’t think that I can contain the destruction.

Chapter Six: Ace

I fucked up. I really messed up big time. Oh, Stella, please talk to me. I’m over here missing you more than you know.

Over the past two days, I’ve called Stella more times than I can count. I want to explain to her why I asked those questions in court. I need her to know those questions were never meant to be malicious. Every word was calculated. But I understand why Stella drew the conclusions that she did. The questions brought out answers that the jury isn’t too pleased with.

But there is a reason I had to pry for more information.

If I just waltzed into that courtroom and threw in the towel, my reputation would cease to exist. I had to get more information so I can tear apart my own attack in front of everyone while simultaneously building a defensive case for Darren. I know that Darren didn’t put those drugs in his car, and I have a way to prove that.

But Stella doesn’t know that.

I had to throw some fuel on this fire, but as I promised Stella, I’m going to tame it and eventually, extinguish it. I need her to see that. I told her I’m a man of my word and I will stick to what I said I’d do.

…For her.

???

Walking into the courtroom, I go to my table with my mind and heart racing. Now, not only do I have to pull off purposely losing a case to free an innocent man, but I have to prove myself to the woman I’ve fallen in love with.

I glance over my shoulder every time I hear the courtroom doors open, hoping to lock eyes with Stella when she walks in. After several people shuffle in, I spot her. Wearing a black dress with emerald green heels, she’s gorgeous as ever. She walks to her seat, and I note how red and swollen her eyes look.

Hang in there, sweetheart. I’ll fix this. I promise.

As the hearing starts, I keep my head straight while trying to focus on the end goal.

I have to lose.

When the judge motions for me to start, I look over at Darren. Taking a deep breath, I stand with my shoulders back and say, “I call Darren Gold to the stand.”

Darren shoots daggers at me with his eyes, and in a way, I completely understand. This guy has no idea who I am or what I have planned. He has no idea I’ve fallen so hard and fast for his sister that I’m putting my career on the line to help him.

Darren complies, shuffling in cuffs over to the stand. He stares straight ahead with nervousness washed over his face and anger behind his eyes.

I begin, “So, Mr. Gold, at the last hearing you said that the guys you used to hang out with became angry with you when you told them you wouldn’t comply with their demands. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” Darren speaks meekly into the microphone. “Those guys don’t like that I’m clean. It’s as if they feel I betrayed them or something.”

I nod along. “Does the name Travis Birk ring a bell to you, Mr. Gold? Is Travis Birk one of the men to which you refer?”

Darren raises a brow as he looks up at me curiously. “Yes.”

The research I’ve been doing fills my head. I did a lot of digging in places that others have ignored. I have lots of information to pull from after spending hours looking into this case. I just need to use it correctly.

I clear my throat sternly and pace in front of the judge. “The police provided the number that made an anonymous tip about your car. That number belongs to Travis Birk,” I state to the court, coaxing whispers to spread throughout the audience. “Would you say that it’s possible that Travis Birk planted those drugs in your car, Mr. Gold, because you refused to associate with them?”

Darren speaks up, “That makes so much sense! I fully believe that Travis would do something like that. He’s the type to always get his way.”

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