Total D*ck(68)

Kennedy scratched his jaw. “I’ve actually heard of that.”

“But you’d have to turn Rhone in, and Eric, if you have any hope of gaining immunity and the cash.”

Charlotte’s Web narrowed her eyes and walked to stand in front of me, her nose only inches from mine. “Immunity? So you’re saying you want us to go legit?”

“I’m saying you can. You can erase your past crimes, whatever they may be, and start over.”

“I did it.” Carey chimed in.

I grabbed and squeezed his hand in silent thanks.

“But it’s not as fun, is it?” She turned her gaze to him.

“No, of course not. But I don’t have to look over my shoulder anymore.” He scanned the room. “I know all of you know what I mean. I don’t have to constantly worry that the feds will go to my family and try to get information on me. I don’t have to worry that a simple traffic stop will result in a sentence in a federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison. And, since we’re among friends, I’ll go ahead and tell you I still download movies and music illegally. So I’m a rebel, just not one with prison bars in his future.”

“Look.” Kennedy stepped forward. “She could really be onto something here. I’ll take it straight to my brother Lincoln at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. You’ll be given the fairest shake there is, because that guy is a hard-core, pain-in-the-ass stickler for federal procedure. Trust me.”

Charlotte’s Web pinned me with her dark eyes. “Why do you want to save them after what they did to you?”

I shook my head. “It’s not them I want to save. It’s you.”





Epilogue


Scarlett

Charlotte Morris a.k.a. Charlotte’s Web sat on the witness stand, her face serene as she recounted how Frank Rhone and Eric Stiles hired her to break into their system, steal their algorithms, and make it appear as if Greenwood were behind the theft.

Lincoln Granade, Kennedy’s brother, took her through the details of her past with Discord and her present as a forthright citizen. Eric and Frank sat at their counsel table. I made a point never to look at them. I wouldn’t give them so much as a glance, not even when I was on the witness stand.

Kennedy watched his brother walk around the well, speaking to the judge more than to his witness. “He doesn’t seem like a man who’s going to get hitched in forty-eight hours,” Kennedy whispered in my ear. “I’d be vomiting, maybe running for the Canadian border. Something like that.”

I glared at him and he pulled me closer into his side.

“Why did you wear your hair up today?”

“Shh. I’m trying to watch a real lawyer do his job.” I smiled, knowing full well why I’d wrapped my hair up in a tight bun.

“I think you need to go to the bathroom.” His breath tickled my ear.

“No. I went before the session started.”

“Then I think you need a drink of water.”

“I think you need to be quiet before we get tossed out of the courtroom.” I glanced up to the bailiff, but he wasn’t paying us any attention.

“Do I need to go full screamer? Is that what it will take to get you out of here?”

I pinched his leg. “We’re here to support Charlotte. Can you not be good for a little while longer?”

“Fine.” He slumped back against the wooden pew.

“Let’s take a short recess before we continue. Ms. Morris, you may step down.” The judge stood and retreated to her chambers.

“Score.” Kennedy entwined his fingers with mine and pulled me to my feet.

We stepped into the middle aisle, and I turned toward the front of the courtroom, where Charlotte and Lincoln were talking.

“Nope.” Kennedy pulled me away, toward the hallway.

“Kennedy!” I whispered, but he ignored me and kept walking, my hand firmly in his. Pink bloomed in my cheeks, and a rush of adrenaline coursed through me.

We hurried past a couple of jury deliberation rooms, but then he stopped and pulled me into one. He flipped off the lights and turned the lock on the door. We could see into the hallway through the side panes of glass, but no one could see into the darkened room where we were.

“Get on the table.”

“No, we can’t.” I reached to click the lock back over, but he seized my wrist.

“Assume the position, Scarlett.” He laughed and walked me to the long conference table.

My breathing sped up and excitement built inside me. “We’ll get caught.”

“That makes it even hotter. Bend over.” He put my palms flat on the table and pressed his erection against my ass. “Are you wearing the garters I like?” He slid his hands under my skirt and groaned. “Yes, yes, you are.”