Page 81 of Worth of Waste

“So, if you go in there, you’re going to ruin all the effort he’s made,” Theo said quietly. “I think it’s probably had a lot to do with the people he doesn’t trust, and maybe even a bit about how we grew up. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re about as much of an outsider as he could get, but away from it all like this, he’s managed something much more important where you’re concerned.”

“And what’s that?”

“He’s kept you safe.”

Oh.

Karen blinked, the sudden stinging sensation in her eyes making her look away to hide the wetness starting to gather there. “I just wanted—”

“Yeah, I get that,” Theo interrupted. “It’s still not a good idea.”

It took a lot—a few more minutes of her standing there trying to internally convince herself otherwise, that what Theo said didn’t really matter. But eventually, Karen accepted that what it was, was unfortunately, exactly what it was.

Theo was honest.

Honesty sometimes hurt.

She shouldn’t be here.

Dino wouldn’t want her here.

“He’ll be arraigned on Monday—bail soon after,” Theo added after a minute.

Karen wiped at her cheek, nodding. “Okay, thanks.”

“Don’t come back here, Karen.”

She wouldn’t.

Even if it killed her.

“Will you let him know—”

Theo laughed, but the sound was colder than she expected. “No, I won’t tell him a thing. We’re not like that, never have been. Shit, he doesn’t even know I’m here. Believe it or not, but he wouldn’t want me here, either.”

Well, then.

That was that.

Dino

“YOUR Honor, my client is—”

The doors to the courtroom swung open, stopping Dino’s public defender from arguing his case for bail any further than he had. While he appreciated the lawyer, the guy certainly wasn’t like his previous public defender. Mike had been someone Dino was able to trust inexplicably. His new public defender—another man, Carl—didn’t have much interest in actually talking all that much to his client.

Dino didn’t care, as long as the man got him bail.

“Sorry to interrupt,” said a tall, well-dressed man.

Dino didn’t recognize the man as he pushed beyond the gate, ignoring the glower of the judge from her bench. He thought maybe it was someone for the prosecution’s side showing up late, but when the guy made a beeline for Dino’s table, he sat a little straighter in his seat. The guy wore a suit that looked like it probably cost him a small fortune, not to mention the glimmering gold cufflinks in the sleeves. Dino only knew an expensive suit when he saw one because he too owned a whole closet full. It was a part of the life, really.

“Can we continue?” the judge asked.

“Two minutes?” the guy asked. “I need just a couple of minutes to explain to my client a few things he wasn’t aware of.”

The judge didn’t look pleased, but muttered, “Make it worth it, Mr. Santiago.”

Now that name, Dino did recognize.