We step past cameras and reporters until we step into the climate-controlled lobby. Aiden, Jon, and my mom stand by the elevators with worry etched into their expressions. Jon turns first, rushes toward us, and steals her from my grasp.
If I’d blinked for just half a second, I would’ve missed it. But of course I don’t; I see her always. I see her everything.
I see her face crease in pain when he takes her in his arms.
Maybe her flinching isn’t about me.
That both terrifies and excites me.
“Is Bobby here yet?” I slap Aiden’s shoulder, then move to my mom.
“Hey, honey.” She presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “They’re not here yet.”
“Actually.” Aiden nods toward the glass front doors as the horde of reporters swarm on a town car.
Jack jumps out first, then Bobby. He uses his broad frame to block the door and allow Kit to climb out without being bumped. They slam the door and the guys use their thick chests to bull their way through the crowd as though Kit were as stable as a soap bubble. My new sister is made of steel, but if it makes the guys feel better to bubble wrap her, then when it suits her, she lets them.
They don’t stop to talk to anyone. They don’t stop for pictures. And I’m a little disappointed when they don’t stop to flip the middle finger to the cameras.
It was starting to become tradition.
As soon as they move through the doors and Kit unlatches herself from the guys, I step forward and take her in my arms. “Hey, Princess.” I press a kiss to the crown of her head. She lets out a content sigh and snuggles in for half a beat. She’s trying to act badass, but I feel the tremors rocking her body. I know why she came to me; because I won’t rat her out to Bobby. “I’ve gotcha, Princess.”
Pulling back with a smile, her twinkling eyes meet mine, then with a brand-new big-girl bravery-star smile, she turns to Iz and pulls her in close. I watch closely. I wait for the flinch, but as though Kit soothes Iz like she soothes me, it doesn’t come this time.
“Hey.” Bobby steps in close. “How’s it going?”
“All good here. How is she?”
He shrugs. “She’s okay, actually. Nervous. She doesn’t wanna be here, but she’s not stepping down.”
I nod. “And you?”
His blazing eyes meet mine. “They almost killed her, Jim. They almost took her from me.”
Hold him down. Stop my big brother from murdering them today.
Noted.
“She’ll be okay,” I promise. “Everything will be okay. We’ll do our shit today, we’ll put them away. Then we go back to our lives and forget them.”
I turn just in time to catch Jack’s blazing eyes and adjust my mental plan.Hold him down, too. They almost killed his last living relative.
“Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid.” We turn at the sound of Kit’s lawyer.
An impenetrable wall of men, we step forward and take up Kit and Izzy’s backs.
“Mr. Whitmore.” She takes his hand.
He smiles confidently. “If you’re ready, we can go in.”
“Not yet. Casey’s not here yet.”
“You go in,” Jon speaks to Kit, but his hands are on Iz as he pushes her toward me. “I’ll wait out here. As soon as she gets here, we’ll be in. Promise.”
With a hesitant grin, Kit nods. Whitmore sets off first, then Bobby, he pulls Kit along, then Jack follows, then I pull Iz along, then Aiden and Mom. We follow Whitmore through a few corridors and past groups of people milling around. Entering a large courtroom, my chest beats wildly at how official this all is. It’s been coming for almost a year. It’s time to put these assholes away.
The courtroom is empty besides a few clerical staff. Jurors will be escorted in soon. The judge will come in after them. Then the defendants.