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“So it looks like the NYPD are going to be able to afford that summer barbecue based on all the fines you’ve paid,” the Judge chuckles to himself. Despite the surroundings, I can’t help but smile and be amused. Every time I fucking parked in a loading zone, all the red lights I’ve run, all the driving on the other side of the road is now paid off. Hell, I once landed a helicopter on Park Avenue – snarling traffic. That was a pretty hefty fine - $50,000. I paid that off to in preparation for this court date. In fact, it was just a matter of listening to Larry telling me that the best thing I could do for legal issues was to start by paying off all the claims against me.
“I also see that you’ve managed to keep yourself out of trouble for the last six weeks – there have been no citations against you so far,” the Judge went on, his eyes widening. “Not a single citation,” he repeats with awe.
I smile at him. I’ve been holding back. Redirecting all that energy towards fucking Daphne.
Like literally fucking her.
After talking at length with my father, I now know that there are demons that I’ve inherited from my mother that will destroy me if given half an opportunity. Honestly, if it weren’t for Daphne, then I’d probably be neck deep on the spiral of self-destruction by now.
“That’s right, Your Honor,” I say, giving Samantha a sideways glance. “I’ve been staying out of trouble.”
“Well, I daresay that it will be carving a hole out of the city budget that’ll be a rather nasty surprise,” the Judge says with amusement. “Although it’ll be a good one for me to not to see you in here again.”
The judge is smiling at me and I decide to humor him and smile back. I can make out the DA, Samantha, bristle.
“Your Honor,” Larry says to the Judge. “My client would like to file a motion to dismiss all summary actions against him at this time,” Larry speaks up.
Judge Byrd, who I’ve seen in and out of Court over the last few years’, sighs, looking up from his file towards Larry.
“I’m inclined to agree, Counsel,” Judge Byrd says. He looks over at Samantha. “Do you disagree?”
Samantha visibly darkens. “Your Honor, Prince Blaine has utter contempt for the law and the rules of civilized society,” she begins. “A few days of good behavior could just as well mean he was out of the country on a debauched vacation.”
The Judge looks at me. “Now, Prince Derrick,” he begins. “I read the papers just like anyone else. I’ve seen you open battered women’s shelters, animal shelters, drug counseling clinics, pop up food pantries, you name it.”
I nod. Best to stay fucking silent.
“Let me ask you this, Prince, and I can tell when you’re lying,” the Judge continues. “Is this all just the calm before the storm?”
I shake my head indicating that it's not and I say, “Have you ever had a better angel, Your Honor?”
The Judge takes a long look at me. He notices Daphne staring at me and my sideways glance back at her.
Finally, he smiles. “All charges dismissed,” he says, banging his gavel. Photographers start flashing their cameras and taking pictures as I turn around and take her hand to walk out of the courthouse.
* * *
“It’s beautiful, Derrick,” Daphne says gazing out at the city. “How did you ever manage to book this?”
We’re at the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center and I’ve managed to buy the entire observation lounge. It’s just me and Daphne and all of New York City.
“Do you like it, love?” I ask her, coming closer. “I wanted to take you somewhere to celebrate.”
I pick up two glasses of champagne and hand one to Daphne. We clink our glasses and take a sip.
“What are we celebrating, baby?” Daphne asks me.
I grin at her. “Complete freedom, love,” I say and draw her closer. “No more legal troubles to worry about. No mor
e entanglements with the law.”
Daphne leans closer and kisses me. “No more deportation?”
I shake my head. “And a trade deal that's almost ready for signature.”
Her eyes go wide. That’s right. I may have forgotten to tell you. I’ve been on the phone back and forth with my father the last couple weeks. I’ve been getting pretty into the trade deal that he’s working on with the States.
And so tonight, I have two things to celebrate.
