The prosecutor then tries to argue that the video could’ve been tampered with to make the DA’s son look innocent. My father glares at him over his shoulder, daring him to push his limits.
If I weren’t the one being accused, I’d almost believe my dad would go to the necessary means to tamper with such evidence, but considering I know what happened, I’m tempted to shoot a glare at him myself. Though it goes to show by the prosecutor’s accusation that corruption and bribes and anything else aren’t too far-fetched in this situation.
“Your Honor, I would not have had the time nor risk my ethics as the district attorney to do such a thing,” my father says loud and clear. “The prosecutor is free to analyze the video themselves if that would untwist their testicles.”
Serena’s eyes nearly fall out of her head at my father’s bold words. He has balls of steel, that’s for sure. I, on the other hand, am not one bit shocked that he’ll do or say whatever it takes to win a case.
“That’s enough, Attorney Holt,” the judge snaps. My father raises his hands up in mock surrender with a small smirk playing on his lips.
“My apologies,” my father chastises the prosecutor.
“Due to direct evidence of the incident, it’s clear the defendant was acting in self-defense to protect himself and his two friends. The victim’s weapon was brought out illegally, and even after the defendant tried to surrender, the victim continued to make threats to his life. This case is dismissed. You’re free to go.”
My heart fucking drops.
Holy shit.
Serena turns to me, but I stand frozen in shock. “Mason! Oh my God.” She wraps her arms around me, but I can’t move. I was so damn certain I was going to be preparing for a trial to prove my innocence in front of a jury.
She escorts me out of the courtroom, my head spinning as I wrap my mind around it. I knew Serena told me not to worry, but I know firsthand how our justice system can screw innocent people. I wrestled a man with a gun, and it went off and killed him.
In some people’s eyes, I’m sure they’d think justice wasn’t served at all. But I know the truth of what happened that night.
Once we’re out in the parking lot, I meet up with my father by his Range Rover. He’s not parked in his usual spot, which means he came today just for me. Well not me, but to make sure I didn’t make him look bad again.
“Mason,” he says curtly with his hands in his pockets.
“Dad,” I respond, mimicking his stance.
“Mr. Holt,” Serena says behind me. “Thank you for providing the evidence on such short notice. Saved me a lot of work…” Then she turns to me, smirking. “Less billable hours.” She winks because we both know she’d never charge me.
“Just doing my job,” he states, though we both know it’s a load of shit.
“Right.” She flicks her gaze to me. “I’ll meet you at the car. Good to see you again,” she tells my father before walking away, leaving us in an awkward silence.
“You look like shit,” he begins.
“Thanks for noticing.” I grunt.
“You been sleeping?”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“You wanna tell me what provoked that fight in the first place?” He crosses his arms over his chest, straightening his stance. He stands well over six feet, his body large and demanding. “Or tell me how you got yourself into that situation?”
I hear the judgment in his tone; his questions aren’t borne out of sincerity or genuine concern.
“A friend of mine was dating him. He’d been hitting her, and he showed up that night shit-faced. My friend arrived with a black eye, and we were chasing him out of the reception hall before he started a scene at the wedding.”
“There was history there previously,” he says, not asking. “I could tell.”
“Yeah, we threw some words and punches before the first time I suspected he was hurting her.”
“This girl sounds like an idiot if she stayed after he hit her once,” he blurts, making me see red.
“She’s not,” I grit between my teeth. “She’s a victim, and if I hadn’t confronted him that night, I have no doubt he would’ve killed her. He had threatened it more than once.”
Just saying that aloud causes my heart to pound.
“Yeah, I read the police reports,” he says gruffly, his lips in a firm line. “Still don’t understand why you had to get involved.”
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to see the hollow part of his chest where his heart should be. “Because she’s a friend and it’s important to me.”
“Yeah, well, remember the last time you had an important girl in your life.”
“That’s not even the same thing, and you know it!” I shout as I step closer to him, daring him to push me right now. I don’t fucking care who he is or where we are, I’m so goddamn tired of him bringing up my past and throwing it in my face anytime it suits him.