Grace laughed and made inroads into her food.
“Is everything going okay?” I finally asked, something tugging at me.
Her sigh said everything. “I mean, it’s nothing compared to what you’re going through.”
“It’s not a competition. Talk to me?” I ate another delicious rib.
“The lawyer that the pack lawyer found to help handle the whole thing with Adriana called me today.” Grace poked at her mashed potatoes with her fork.
We’d wanted a lawyer who could practice in both states, fortunately, our pack lawyer was able to find someone who could handle both cases against Adriana.
“It’s going to trial. There’s a date and everything. But what I don’t understand is that when I give a testimony, it’ll be done in a lawyer's office, not on the stand. I’m confused.” She nibbled on her corn.
“Some trials are like that, depending on the crime. It’s to protect the victim from having to face the person who harmed them and having to recount everything with them there, unless they want to, of course. I’m guessing since you were a child when it happened, that’s why they’re offering you that. Do you want to testify in court? You can,” I offered.
“Fuck no.” Anxiety wafted off her. “In the trial for the Authority, it was awful as the defense picked me apart, belittled me, and tried to make me out as an unstable mastermind.”
Oh. I hadn’t known that.
“Come here.” I held out my arms.
Grace slipped out of her chair and onto my lap.
I held her tight. “You don’t have to face Adriana. You probably don’t have to even attend the trial, just your lawyer."
“People don’t have the right to face their accuser here?” She frowned.
“Alphas who commit certain crimes don’t get that right unless you grant it to them. They just get your lawyer.” I planted a kiss on the top of her head.
Grace thought for a moment. “Oh, I could see how that could be a great thing sometimes.”
“Yeah, it is. Spencer will probably testify, but the stabbing case is separate," I told her. “They’ll probably want witness testimonies, but yours can be filmed ahead of time.”
She nodded slowly. “Good to know.”
I looked at my phone. “My sister’s wrath is wrathing today.”
“We should send her a cake or whatever treat she’s craving.” Grace reached for her phone and texted someone, probably Rami.
I finished eating, holding Grace, who seemed mostly done.
A uniformed police officer walked in.
“Whoops, we’ve been caught,” Grace giggled.
Jett came over to our table. My husband smirked at me holding her.
“I got a call about a possible kidnapping?” Jett looked us over.
A few people looked at us.
“Yes. I kidnapped this alpha and am making him hold me, eat barbecue, and go buy chickens,” she told Jett solemnly.
“I see. And what’s your ransom?” Jett asked her.
She shook her head. “No ransom. I’ll give him back by dinner.”
People chuckled as they realized what was going on.
