Page 76 of Revenge & Truth

Applause filled the room as the man himself walked up onstage, waving and smiling. “Thank you, Andy, for that warm welcome. It is such an honor to be stepping into this role and growing the reputation of this company. My goal is to challenge Byklyn Ventures to keep up with technological changes and consumer mindsets. There is much for us—”

Domenico was cut off as the main doors to the room burst open, and a flood of cops poured in. Women began to shriek and yell as cops fanned out, searching the room for someone. I spotted the police chief himself climb on stage and ask for the microphone to be handed over. Domenico gave it to him right away and motioned for him to go ahead and speak.

“I need everyone to remain calm,” Chief ordered. “For your safety, we ask that you allow the officers to do their job and not interfere. We are only here for two people on charges of conspiracy and tampering with evidence. Once we have apprehended them, we will be on our way, and you can resume your party.”

A chorus of women screaming drew my attention.

“Someone call 911. This woman isn’t breathing,” someone yelled.

“Is there a doctor or nurse in the room?” another person added. “Please, anyone with CPR training will do.”

With a flurry of movement, I spotted an officer with a woman in his arms rushing out of the museum. From where we were, I couldn’t tell if it was Flora or not, but I’d make an educated guess it was. After all, it had been quite some time since I poisoned her.

“What do you think that’s about?” Atticus murmured, adjusting his glasses as he scanned the crowd.

“Remember when I said earlier that you’d know what I set into motion circled back?” I asked, to which he nodded. “I’m fairly certain that was my evil stepmother being carried out.”

Understanding dawned on his face as he looked from me to the door. “She’s dead, isn’t she?”

“Ding-dong, the wicked old witch is dead,” I said in a singsong voice. “Shall we go see if the wizard has been exposed for the fraud he is?”

“Forgive me, but are you referencing something?” Atticus whispered.

I gawked at him in disbelief. “Have you never seen The Wizard of OZ?”

“I don’t believe so. It doesn’t sound familiar,” he answered.

“Well, that is just tragic and something we will fix in the near future. It’s a classic. How did your mom never have you watch it as a kid?” I questioned as we headed for the closest exit to make sure we didn’t miss the fun of seeing these assholes in cuffs getting shoved into police cars.

“She might have suggested it, but I wasn’t a child who was entertained by fictional films. I much prefer documentaries or something educational if I’m going to devote an hour or more of my attention,” Atticus explained. “Only recently have I changed my mind on it being a waste of time since it allows me to spend time with you. It’s even more enjoyable when you fall asleep on my lap.”

Pausing in our rush down a back hall that I’m fairly certain was for employees only, I turned to face Atticus. “How is it that you are so unaware of how sweet and romantic you are? God, I just want to kiss the shit out of you.”

“I don’t think this is the place or time to do that,” Atticus reasoned.

Grabbing the lapels of his jacket, I ignored his opinion and kissed him deeply to the point it had us both moaning. Before I let myself go completely, I pulled back, gave him a peck on the nose, and grabbed Atty’s hand, dragging him after me.

People who say women can’t run in heels didn’t buy the right heels. If they fit your foot like a glove and you didn’t slam your weight onto the heel, you had nothing to worry about. Atticus kept up easily, reminding me that even though he wasn’t a gym rat like the others, he took care of his body. Finally, I spotted an exit and slammed my hands on the safety bar releasing the door to swing open. We stepped out onto a concrete slab with a short set of stairs leading down to the ground, but this gave us the perfect vantage point.

Judge Rupp was already in the back of a car, window open, and his expression of resignation was illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of the other cop cars.

Kody was thrashing about, screaming at the top of his lungs, with three officers trying to control him. “You have no idea what you’re fucking doing. I’m a goddamn detective. How can you think I’d do what you’re accusing me of? This is all her doing, isn’t it? I know that bitch owns you, Freemont. You’re a disgrace to the title of chief.”

With an accidental fall that slammed Kody’s face against the window of the cop car, he was stunned long enough for them to throw the asshole in and slam the door shut.

God, that idiot wasn’t doing anything to help himself, was he?

Movement to the left had me pulling my gaze from Kody to find Harvey O’Hagan cuffed with an officer on either side gripping his arm. The bastard stood tall like he was above all this. Sure, he was used to getting out of jail with his three expensive-as-hell lawyers, but that wasn’t going to work this time. I’d come up with a special plan just for him now that I was buddy-buddy with the man who owned a certain private prison.

“You did it,” Atticus whispered in my ear as he stood behind me, arms circling my waist. “People say that I’m brilliant or a genius, but I never would have been able to come up with a plan like this.”

“I didn’t do it alone, so I can’t take all the credit,” I reminded him.

His lips brushed along my neck. “Yes, you can because without your leadership and knowledge of how best to use all the tools at your disposal, it never would have worked. Take the compliment, Asta. You earned it.”

“Thank you, Atty, but this is far from over,” I said with a sigh. “We still need to get Luca home and free of charges so we can head to Nepreea. That’s where we can end this battle once and for all.”

Atticus pulled back only to step toward the stairs, offering me his hand. “Then let’s get to work.”