“You can do whatever you want, Mags. I know you didn’t originally want to have kids, and we probably have Dave Donnelly to thank for this little miracle, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to make you have more. Your life is yours. We’re just here to love and support you through it.”
“I can do whatever I want?”
Her voice is barely a whisper, and her eyes widen with wonder.
It never occurred to her that we’d be okay with her working. Our poor girl thought she’d just have to spit out babies at our leisure. Before the mate bond joined us, I didn’t know that it was her own mother that poisoned Mags against omegas—against her true self. I’d hate the woman, but she gave the world Mags, so she couldn’t have been all bad.
“Take your time. Think about it.” I rub her back gently, and I notice a tear in Kaden’s eye. “What’s wrong, Kaden?”
He swallows hard and points at the judge’s door. “Kip. They’re asking him some really private stuff, stuff about Mags and … It’s just hard for him. I wish they had let us testify together.”
“They can’t do that. We could easily corroborate each other’s stories if we were in the same room. This is better for the defense—more likelihood that one of us will fuck up—but it makes sense.”
“I know, Mags, but it doesn’t make it any easier to feel his pain.”
I frown at Kaden. “Is he hiding it from the pack bond? I don’t feel anything off.”
“Yeah.” He nods as his eyes lose their focus. “I think what he’s feeling is too strong to block it from both bonds, so he had to pick one. No offense to the two of you, but he’s probably just more comfortable with me knowing this. Feeling it.”
“Do you think you’ll be okay in there?” Mags asks. “You won’t need to shut us out, will you?”
Kaden shrugs. “I don’t think I will. It all depends on what they ask. I don’t think I had as many strong, private thoughts and feelings around you that he had growing up, so I probably won’t take the cross-examination as personally. To him, though, each question about Mags is like a gut punch.”
Hours pass. Kip emerges, shaky and pale like Mags was, and Kaden goes in.
Kaden’s determination shines through the bond the entire time he’s being questioned. He doesn’t falter or stutter, doesn’t back down. He leaves the bond wide open, and now I can hear the questions as they’re asked. It’s pretty standard stuff, questions about working for the Langleys, about discovering the altered contracts, and, of course, about our previous grifts. Kaden takes it all with grace and aplomb, though, and the next thing I know, it’s my turn.
The judge’s office is lined with bookshelves filled with legal volumes. There’s a leather armchair across from his desk, so at least I’ll be comfortable, and they’ve set up cameras and monitors for the attorneys’ questioning. Harsh lights glare intomy eyes as I sit down, and the judge makes introductions for myself and the lawyers.
I expected a man in a long black robe, but he wears a suit much like mine. The judge is an omega, which surprises me at first, but after a while it makes sense. He’s not gruff or aggressive, and any time one of the opposing counsel pokes too hard, he quietly redirects them to keep their questions relevant to the case at hand.
With my hands in my lap and my eyes focused on the main camera lens, I answer each question with complete honesty and transparency. There’s a heavy feeling in the air, like our testimony matters more than the other servants that Kaden saved with his quiet heroics.
We were the first to discover the scam. The first to report it.
The first to beat the cartel behind DeltaCorp at their own game.
Sure, there were personal questions thrown in by an alpha defense attorney, but I think he overestimated his intimidation ability when it comes to me. I’m an alpha, too, so the aggression and posturing don’t bother me. Water off a duck’s back. He could be as gruff and pushy as he wants; it’s not going to affect me.
I don’t track the time while I’m in that room. I don’t dare look away from the camera to check the clock. Looking away is a sure sign of guilt, and I’m not about to give the defense any ammunition in this case.
Maintain eye contact—or lens contact, in this case. Be direct. Only give details when asked. Do not offer any extra information.
Mags trained us well. By the time my testimony is over, I can almost feel the frustration radiating off the opposing counsel through the monitors. Clenched fists, red faces, the whole works.
They’re pissed, which means we did it.
We fought, and we won.
Chapter 30
Mags
By the time the not-so-secret agents deliver us back to our new home, we’re all exhausted. I could have done without the caravan of conspicuous black SUVs transporting us, but Agent Elgin refused to back down. She insisted it was safer than us taking a cab, but in my opinion, one small car is harder to track than a long line of big cars.
Nik, bless his heart, cooks dinner while the rest of us collapse on the couch. I barely have the energy to eat the pork chops and potatoes, but I nibble at it until he’s satisfied that I’m not going to starve the baby.
The twins, being typical guys with typical guy appetites, devour their meals in no time.
