Chapter Twenty-Six
Caroline
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THE HEARING WAS SMALLERthan I’d expected, but every bit as formal as I’d feared.Not that Jackson didn’t deserve the procedure—he warranted that, and much more for all the harm he’d caused—but something about the austerity of the event stirred old anxieties.It reminded me of all those times unqualified men had presided over me in the past and rained down judgments with inconceivable consequences.
Jackson was lucky by comparison.The worst that would happen to him if the ICC found him guilty was a lengthy imprisonment.There would be no beatings, no ritualized humiliation, and no sweeping plans for mass murder.
His fate would be far better than the verdicts he had presided over.
Bringing my attention back to my racing heart, I concentrated on slowing its pace with two deep breaths.I’d been a lot calmer since Harper had returned from his mission to ensnare his former boss, tending to his wounds and enjoying the comfort and safety of the ICC’s hospitality.With Jackson in custody, the wheels of the written plea deal Akari had given Harper were finally set into motion, and we knew, within weeks, our claims for asylum would be fast-tracked.In further good news, the Dutch seemed to have accepted our request to seek asylum there, which would mean we could settle in the EU while Harper pursued his claim for French citizenship.
Beyond that, there wasn’t a plan, but for the first time in what seemed like forever, we had access to both moneyandtime.More importantly than that, though, we were safe, and no bad actors were after us.
We’re going to be okay.
Better than okay, really, so I struggled to understand how the somberness of the pretrial courtroom could still have the power to unsettle me.
“Are you all right?”Harper’s hand slid over mine, and he leaned closer to speak.
Turning his way, I forced myself to smile.If he was beside me, of course I was all right.I had no choice but to be.
“I’m fine, Sir,” I mouthed, grateful for the warmth of his large hand.
I’d been so brazen and free-spirited in the suite, happy to take advantage of his arousal and enjoy my dedication to his pleasure, but the severity of the surroundings and my upcoming contribution to the hearing had brought out that old, familiar anxious facet of me.The little girl who still sought his strength and support.The one who wanted him to fix her problems.
“Yes, you are.”He murmured the praise into my ear, the heat of his breath tickling my sensitive skin.“Fucking fine.”
Blowing out a breath, I inched closer to where he was sitting.I’d had the choice not to attend the hearing, yet for some crazy reason, I’d decided to not only show up, but also to give a victim-impact statement, believing it would be cathartic to look that fat prick in the eye while I told the court the way he’d treated women.
It will be, I assured myself.I’ll stare him in the face and tell the truth.
As though the prick in question had heard my thoughts, Jackson turned his head toward us, his gaze narrowing as it landed on me.He’d been led out a few moments before by two officers, who bookended him as he waited in the dock.
I shook my head at the sight of him, irritated that, even after facing multiple indictments of crimes against humanity, he still looked as pompous as ever.Dressed in a dark blue suit for court, he’d been uncuffed for the proceedings, but I saw right through his fancy façade.As far as I was concerned, Jackson was the worst kind of scum; a man with no obvious proficiency or purpose, whose only unrivaled skillset was his arrogant lack of self-awareness.
