Page 126 of That Girl is Trouble

“You’re going to indict him on a first-time weapons charge? You’re right, Judge Winden. This isn’t a trial, it’s a witch hunt.”

“All right, enough,” the Judge says. He sits back in his chair, an irritated scowl marring his face. “Ms. Danforth, Mr. Radley is not wrong. Whether your client was justified in his actions isn’t up for debate today. The two of you may argue about that in a court amongst a jury of your peers. As is the law.”

Radley smiles at Triss. “And to be clear, if this goes to court, the Crown will be seeking the maximum.”

Axe’s shoulders tense again, and Triss lets out a sigh. She clenches and unclenches her fists as she peers over at him. They share a look, and he nods.

Triss sighs through her nose. “This is a summary conviction at most.”

“Am I sensing a plea deal?” Radley asks, cocking an eyebrow. “Because I was under the impression that the defence wasn’t interested in a deal.”

Graves shifts beside me, his hand on my knee squeezing. “I’m sorry, Kitty,” he murmurs.

I swallow. Because I sense what’s coming too.

“The defence accepts a summary conviction,” Triss grits.

Judge Winden waves his hands. “Glad we could all waste each other’s time,” he says, picking up his gavel. “The defendant is found guilty of the summary conviction and is sentenced to two years less a day.” He slams the gavel, the jarring sound making me jump in my seat.

Two years.

I let out a shaky breath as I move towards him. Axe pushes up in his seat, his face hard and emotionless.

“I’m sorry, Axe,” Triss says, squeezing his shoulder.

He wraps an arm around me and pulls me tight to his chest. The wooden rail between the spectator seats and his spot at the defendant’s table makes it impossible to hold him like I need to. One more thing keeping us apart. For the last two months, it’s been tables and time restrictions. Visiting hours. An hour’s drive. Space. Distance. It’s wrong to have so much between us. I need Axe close. A heartbeat away.

“All good,” he says, laying a kiss on my temple.

I circle my arms around his middle and bury my head in the crook of his neck.

He clasps hands with Graves and says, “You keep things running while I’m away. And keep her out of trouble.”

Graves snorts. “I’m only promising one of those things.”

A man in uniform approaches, armed with handcuffs meant for my biker.

Axe clears his throat. “Give us a minute?” he says to Graves and my sister. He doesn’t wait for a response before he turns his full attention to me. Holding my face in his hands, he gives me a solemn look. “Two years is a long time, Kat. I’ll understand if—”

“Shut up, Donovan,” I say before pulling him into a kiss. Two years is a long time, but it’s better than the alternatives that have been running through my mind these last few weeks. Could have been ten years. Could have been life. Or death. It could have been that too.

He smiles against my lips. “Cherries. Gonna miss that taste on my tongue.”

“Gonna miss your tongue,” I tease as I pull him into a tight hug. “I love you,” I whisper.

“Love you too, Kitty Kat.” He brings my hand to his chest. The thrum of his pulse beats hard on my palm. The sorrow seeps in, that feeling of loss. I still have him. He’s alive. But the thought of being without this for two years is its own kind of grief. “My goddamn heart beats for you, Kat. It’s you and me. Always. You got that?”

Tears slip down my face. I nod as I press his hand to my heart, letting him feel the steady beat of it and how it matches his.

“Words, baby,” he whispers.

“Yes. You and me.”

He steps away, letting the officer behind him slap cuffs around his wrists and escort him towards the exit. Axe smirks at me over his shoulder as he’s being pulled through the door.

My fucking heart breaks as I watch.

“Stay out of trouble, Kitty,” he warns.

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