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“Mr. Montgomery, are you objecting to this plea?”
“He can’t object.” Kinsey jumps up.
“Move for a continuance,” I bark, testing my luck.
“We have a plea deal.” Pratt leans against his table, smiling.
I glare at the judge, who knows me. Knows I’ve been blindsided.
“Your honor, Mr. Sterling conducted a meeting with my client without me present. I haven’t had a chance to review this plea. I need time to get caught up.”
“What the fuck is this?” Michael grabs me, but the court officer sits him down. He just earned himself time in a cell here.
“Revenge, asshole,” I murmur to this piece of shit.
“Mr. Sterling, you really should have contacted Mr. Montgomery instead of doing a deal with the defendant directly. You know better,” she harshly criticizes him. “A continuance until five o’clock is granted. Anything else, counselor?” the judge asks, looking at me over the rim of her glasses.
“No, your honor. Thank you.” I stand, then rush outside to look for Ashton.
I think I’ll have to search everywhere, but he’s right there. Leaning against the far wall across from the courtroom entrance.
My heart explodes, seeing the pain in his eyes.
He straightens, but his gaze lingers over my shoulder.
I glance that way and see Pratt.
I watch it happen. Those two seeing each other for the first time in months.
Pratt smiles, but then stops and glares at me. “You’re a prick.”
“You’re just figuring that out?”
“You took this case to ruin my chances for a promotion because of him.” He points to Ash.
“Fuck off, Sterling. You go near him...” I stop because threatening him will get me in a lot of trouble.
“Sounds right,” Ashton says, striding toward us. “Makes sense that you’d put Bernadette at risk ofnever seeing her designs again so you can get even.”
I pull Ash next to me.
Pratt stomps away, angry to have his win on hold because of me.
I face Ash, who looks at me like I’m garbage.
“Be honest,” he mutters.
“I plan to. You need to be honest, too. For fucking once.” I pull his face toward mine and kiss him.
Hard and rough, my fingers digging into the back of his neck.
“You leaving me, destroyed me. How’s that for honesty? Hell, yes, I took this case to ruin Pratt’s perfect record. Ruin his chance to make DA. There’s more honesty for you. I love you, and I love Bernadette. I want you both forever. Is all thistoohonest for you?”
Ash shivers at my confession. And that I wasn’t exactly quiet about it.
“You did all this for me.”
“Becauseof you.”
