The files for the trial are still scattered across my living room, but I have no motivation to even look at them or clean the mess. What’s the point? Months of hard work and late hours at the office, for nothing. I poured my blood, sweat and tears into this case, all for it to blow up in my face.
My spirit is crushed and my heart is splintered when it has no right to be. I don’t even know them, yet I yearn for them and it’s fucking pathetic.
The trial is supposed to be tomorrow and yet, I know Monte Frondozo won’t show up because he’ll be dead. Criminals like him always get away with it. They are never served justice. Regardless of what I know, I still have to show up to court tomorrow. When it’s all done, I’ll be handing in my resignation. I broke my oath and there is no way I will ever be able to stand in a courtroom with my head held high.
The thought of having to get my ass off this couch, shower, change and actually leave the confines of my home in the morning is stressing me out. I decide to push all those thoughts away and watch reruns ofGilmore Girlsto numb my brain. I need to focus on something else right now.
I wake the next morning feeling like a boulder is resting on my chest. I run through the motions of getting ready. I don’t even look at the documents or the files on the floor as I gather them all up and take them with me. The drive to the courthouse ends too damn quickly, my nerves riding me harder than the guys do.
Vlad, Vegah and Dimitri.
Their faces flash through my mind and I have to force myself to not think about them. I’m in this fucking mess because of them. I now have to go in there and face my boss, not wanting to dwell on it any longer. I gather my belongings and step out of the car. As I make my way to the front of the courthouse a sense of numbness washes over me. I sigh in relief. Every time I step foot in the courthouse, I forget about everything else except the case I am trying and I had hoped I would have this same feeling today.
This is why I love my job.
Months of hard work and determination all come down to this moment and this damn feeling. I love the high that I feel when I know the fate of someone else's life hangs in the balance and I’m the determining factor on if they get freedom or life behind bars.
I push through the doors and make my way toward courtroom three. As I round the corner I spot Derek first, standing off to the side with Simon and Todd. My brows bunch at the sight of all three of them here, it’s not unusual per se, but it's also not common. As I head toward them a sense of being watched skirts down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I pause in the middle of the bustling walkway and try to calm my racing heart. My three bosses spot me and look at me with confusion, but then their faces morph into one of worry and panic as I feel the heat of them behind me.
“Prosecutor,” Vegah growls huskily, sending a shiver down my spine. I dart my tongue out to moisten my lips and hold my head high but don’t turn to look at them.
“Frondozo,” I answer in a cold tone. I inhale sharply when he shifts forward and I feel the heat of his chest against my back. My bosses are staring at me in horror. I know they are thinking that Vegah is here to intimidate me.
“Careful, Prosecutor. Keep pushing me and we’ll have to punish you in front of everyone.” At his threat, I whirl around ready to unleash all my pent up rage on him, not giving a fuck who hears or sees, but when I take in the sight of him, Vladimir and Dimitri dressed in form fitting suits, my mouth dries up.
They look edible in plain clothes but seeing them dressed in Armani suits has my pussy clenching and my panties soaking. These men are fucking lethal on the eyes. All three of them wear cold looks on their faces. Dominance and power wafts off them like a beacon calling to the underworld.
They look like cold-blooded killers, but the look in their eyes is what has my breath catching and my stomach tying in knots.
Hunger.
That's what I see when they look at me.
“Truth or dare?” Dimitri asks in a gravelly tone.
“I’m not playing games,” I answer firmly. “Why are you here?” I counter.
“Jenna?” I hear Simon call out from behind me. I look over my shoulder and hold up a finger, telling them to give me a minute.
“Truth or dare?” Vlad presses.
“Truth,” I grit out.
“Do you still plan to defend us in there?” Vegah asks.
“You aren’t the ones on trial. I told you before that I just want Monte,” I grit out through clenched teeth. “I can’t have him now though, can I?” I sneer.
“Says who?” Dimitri fires back.
I eye them all warily. “Don’t fuck with me,” I warn.
“We’ll never not fuck with you, Prosecutor,” Vegah promises, sending a thrill through me.
“Go. You have a case to win,” Vlad urges. Before I can press him on what he means, the three of them turn and walk away, leaving me standing here staring after them in utter confusion.
“Jenna!” Derek calls, snapping me out of my stupor. I turn and rush over to them.
“Sorry,” I say breathlessly.
