“The jury finds Owen Mills innocent on all counts, citing self-defense.”
The courtroom instantly erupts into shouts and cheers. The prosecution looks as shocked as I feel.
Innocent on all counts? Not possible.
Everyone is out of their seats in a second, trying to get to Owen. I stay seated in stunned silence, the crowds’ bodies blocking my view of him. Declan sits with me, squeezing my knee even harder.
I know I’m in shock as my hands begin to tremble fiercely.
Declan grabs them and rubs them between his own. “Nova?”
I meet his eyes, and there are unshed tears there. “What are you going to do?” he whispers among the loud commotion all around us.
My voice wavers when I answer him. “I wasn’t expecting him to go home.”
Declan gives me a comforting smile and holds up a hand to stop whoever is approaching us. “He’s going home because ofyou.”
I nod, not really registering anything.
“Are you going to try to talk to him?”
“He’ll never forgive me,” I whisper.
“You’ll never know unless you try. You’ve done harder things than this, Nova. Isn’t it worth a shot?”
I might sob, so I deflect. “I’ll try if I don’t trade places with him and land my ass in jail tomorrow.”
Declan doesn’t fall for my antics, rolling his eyes. “You won’t end up in jail, dumbass.” He throws my insult back at me. “You took down the largest crime syndicate in the world and provided evidence that landed your target in jail—and then provided evidence clearing him.”
“But I broke about a million laws and rules to do so,” I grumble like a child.
Declan shakes his head, finally pulling away from me and standing. “Allow yourself a win, Nova. You deserve it.”
I nod, but it doesn’t feel like a win if Owen never wants to see me again.
I don’t ever work up the nerve to speak to Owen in the courtroom before security starts kicking everyone out. I’m too afraid and too wrapped up in conversations and congratulations from everyone at Regenerative Industries. The few times I catch sight of Owen, I don’t think he even notices I’m there as he chats with everyone around him. He still looks tired, but the tension has fallen away from his shoulders. A small win.
I walk out of the courtroom with Declan, Jax, Evan, Ella, and Eagan surrounding me. No one speaks, which I’m thankful for because my emotions can’t handle any questions.
I’ve gotten Owen free. The relief finally hits me along with severe exhaustion, and I almost stumble down the concrete steps.
Declan grabs me under the elbow and holds onto me until we get to the car, where he gently settles me into the backseat without a word.
Jax and Evan flank me on either side as Declan slides into the front and says a quick goodbye to Ella and Eagan. They pile into the car next to us. Ella gives me a quick wave, along with a concerned glance, before heading back to my apartment.
My brain decides the best thing to do with the emotional overwhelm is to fall asleep with my head on Jax’s shoulder.
Jax carries me up to my bedroom, cradled in his arms, and deposits me gently on my bed. Neither he, Evan, or Declan say a thing as they pile on the bed, surrounding me with their warmth.
I almost cry at their silent support but pass out before a single tear falls.
“Up!” Declan’s voice booms, throwing open the curtains, letting the light filter through the window and spill across the bed.
I throw my arm over my face, groaning at being woken up from the best sleep I’ve had since Owen got arrested.
“Time to get your ass cleared and be done with all these trials.”
Declan encourages me to get up by pulling my arm away from my face and flinging new clothes at me.
