Hasworth shot out of her chair. “Objection.”
The judge said, “Sustained. Mrs. Jaxton is right that Preston Lightwood isn’t the one on trial.”
The defense attorney said, “And yet, he’s also conveniently absent. Almost as if everyone in Mrs. Jaxton’s life has left her to face this court alone. Interesting that she refers toher associates often. Actively protects them. Hides their real identities. Is almost brought up on charges of interfering in a police investigation and aiding and abetting a fugitive.Andputs her life on the line for people who don’t even have the decency to show up when she’s testifying in the biggest case of all.”
Kenna bit the inside of her lip. She didn’t want to cry. Mostly because this guy would think he’d upset her.
She didn’t want to think about watching that coffin lowered into the ground.
Rain streaming from the sky like tears. Her black shoes sinking into the grass while she held her daughter tight to her chest, wrapped under her coat. Jax beside her, holding an umbrella.
All of them huddled around her. Locked together in their grief. Supporting each other.
Preston had beenthere. Why did he need to be here?
Kenna bit out the words, “No charges were filed.”
She wasn’t the one on trial.
“Do you want to know aboutDominatusor not? Because those people are responsible for the death of the former president and the head of the CIA. I think that would be more significant than talking about my friends.”
The defense attorney asked, “Did you ever meet the president? That’s another crime you weren’t present for, correct? Seems to be a pattern.”
“Yes, I did meet him,” Kenna said. “In London.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Salt Lake City, Utah
Fourteen Months Earlier
“There!” Maizie pointed out the front windshield.
Kenna jerked the wheel to the side of the street where Preston stood on the sidewalk, waiting for them. As soon as she’d put the car in park to disengage the door locks, he climbed in the back seat.
“Are you my rideshare?”
Maizie giggled.
“Buckle up.” Kenna threw it in drive and hit the gas. “We’re already late.”
“Funny how that works.” Preston sounded amused.
“You want us to get there and not be able to help?” She gripped the wheel and focused on following the car’s directions to where Jax was currently pinging on the map.
Maizie turned in the seat and looked back at him.
Preston said, “No offense, but Jax is already there. Zeyla knows what she’s doing. What are a pregnant woman and a nineteen-year-old tech genius going to do in a firefight?”
“I’m not offended.” Maizie straightened in her seat. “But Zeyla is going to take me to the range when we get the chance. She’s going to teach me about weapons and keep working with me on self-defense.”
“I could hit them with the car.” This thing was indestructible. Kenna, unfortunately, was not. But right now, that wasn’t the point.
Preston gasped. “It was only just fixed!”
Kenna got distracted from being amused and nearly missed her turn. She took the corner sharply and spotted two black SUVs blocking the entry to a shopping mall parking lot. Beyond them, in the dark, she saw flashes of light.
Gunfire.
