Page 103 of Locked in Wonderland

Would seeing them again have been easier if I hadn’t watched the recording?

Probably.

Unfortunately, I had, and there wasn’t enough brain bleach in the world to erase that memory.

“Did the defendant intend to pay?” the lawyer asked.

Zane shook his head. “He was adamant he was leaving. He kept arguing.”

“It was one fucking drink,” I shouted. “I didn’t even want the drink. And nobody asked me to pay for it when they handed it to me.“

The judge banged his gavel. “Silence, Mr. Carroll. You mustn’t obstruct proceedings.”

“What proceedings?” I shot back. “This is a kangaroo court. It’s a joke. You’re a joke. Everyone in here is a joke.” I turned toward the audience. “And yes, I’m including all of you.”

Reactions were mixed. Some looked mildly offended, others openly amused. One man in the front row jeered as if he were at a football match.

The judge struck the bench again. “I will not warn you again, Mr. Carroll.”

“What are you going to do?” I challenged. “Put me on trial?” I pointed to Mr. Cartwright, the scroll still in front of him. “Actually, someone get him a pen. We can add this to my list of offenses. It’s ridiculous enough to fit right in. How about... refuses to speak only when spoken to?”

The judge looked toward Queenie. She considered me for a few moments before giving the smallest shake of her head. “Perhaps one more chance,” she said smoothly.

Henry Hart smiled adoringly at her. “You are too kind, my angel.”

I stopped talking. For now.

The lawyer cleared his throat. “Let’s continue.” He turned back to the twins. “This debt the defendant incurred. Did he leave without paying it?”

“He did not,” Zane said smoothly, offering Henry and Queenie an obsequious smile. “We run a much tighter ship than that.”

“Glad to hear it,” Henry said.

“So, how was the debt settled?”

“We made a film with him,” Zeke replied with a grin.

“A film? What sort of film?”

I fixed my gaze on my hands, my cheeks burning. Don’t say it.

“A porn film,” Zane supplied cheerfully. “The three of us. You know. Fucking. Sucking. Blindfold. Handcuffs.” He smiled. “Premium content.”

A collective gasp that said the audience simply couldn’t imagine such depravity swept through the courtroom. Fucking bunch of drama queens.

“I see,” the lawyer said. “Do you have a copy? We’ll need to play it as evidence.”

My head snapped up, and I forgot how to breathe.

Surely not.

The twins exchanged a glance.

“Unfortunately, no,” Zane said after what felt like an eternity. “The master file disappeared before we made a copy.”

“Disappeared?”

Zeke shrugged. “Or got corrupted. It happens sometimes.”