Chapter 95

The next morning, Marcus and I are having coffee in the villa kitchen when my phone rings again. I tense up and check the caller ID to make sure it's not my father again, and I heave a sigh of relief when I see that it's Jack Darlington.

"Hey, Jack," I say when I answer the phone. Marcus raises his eyebrows at me in question, and I shrug. "What's up?"

"What's up is that I have some fantastic news for you," Jack says at the other end of the line. There's a rush of traffic and voices in the background of the call, and he's puffing a little as if he's walking fast.

"Really?" I ask. "What is it?"

"I only have about two minutes," he says. "So, I'll make it quick. Basically, it looks like we're going to get your previous charges expunged pretty effortlessly. Charles has taken a plea deal on advice of his defense lawyer, which means he's admitted to everything."

"Really?" I say again, this time gasping in disbelief. "They're going to wipe away all the charges against me?" Marcus is tense and alert, staring at me with hope.

"Yes," Jack says. He mutters "excuse me" to someone else and then turns his attention back to me. "Definitely get the Alpha family lawyers on this, too, but you're in a good position to get monetary reparations from the state, too.

"The evidence against you was flimsy to begin with, and it's really only your confession that cinched your conviction. Your defense lawyer was useless; he should have advised you better, for one thing, and for another, your confession was clearly a rehearsed one. It didn't even match up with the evidence.

"The prosecution was clearly gunning for an easy win on that one, and they mucked it up pretty substantially, I'd say."

"What about my medical license?" I ask, holding my breath. "Do you think I can get that reinstated?"

"Without a doubt," Jack says. "Again, have the family lawyers handle all of this, of course. I'm just calling you quick to give you an off-the-record update, between friends."

"Thank you so much, Jack," I say, almost tearful in relief and gratitude.

"Don't mention it, Nick," he says. "You can pay me back by seating me with a lot of pretty single ladies at your wedding."

I laugh, as does Marcus, who obviously can overhear the entire conversation. I thank Jack again before hanging up and turning to Marcus with a grin.

"What now?" I ask.

"First, I'm going to call my lawyers to get a jump on handling this," Marcus says, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "And then, we're going out to celebrate. With everyone."

"Everyone" really does turn out to mean almost…well, everyone. One of the major perks of being the Alpha Heir Apparent must be the ability to throw together a fantastic party on a few hours' notice, plus convince everyone to actually show up.

Aside from the fact that Marcus was able to rent out an entire upscale bar for a private event, he was also able to get almost everyone I know and love to come. Kent and the gang are here, along with the Alpha and Jeanette, plus Daisy and Liam. Even Jack is here.

Roger and Callum are here, too, and so are several of Marcus's other friends whom I haven't met yet, plus their partners. A woman I've never seen before is standing uncertainly on the fringes of the crowd, and Marcus comes over to whisper to me.

"That's Kara," he says, "Joel's wife. The Council has cleared her of all wrongdoing, without a shadow of a doubt. I really wanted her to come, and I'm glad she did. She needs us right now. She could use a friend, Nicole."

"I'll go talk to her as soon as I can," I promise, and I mean it. I'm looking forward to meeting Kara. I hope we can become good friends. We both could use it.

"Hey, soon-to-be sister," a voice says in my ear. Daisy's arm drapes casually around my shoulders and gives me a little side hug. I turn to look at her: she looks stunning in a loose red maternity dress in a sort of Grecian style.

"Hey!" I say, genuinely glad to see her. Daisy smiles broadly at me.

"Look, I just wanted to say thank you," she says. "For sticking up for me and standing by me. I don't think my father would have forgiven me if you and Marcus hadn't backed me up so sincerely."

She takes a deep breath, suddenly looking as if she might cry, and then continues.

"They don't make cards that say 'sorry I tried to kill you,' funny enough," she says, giving me a watery grin. I grin back, tears pricking my own eyes. "But I am sorry.

"It was never personal - I know that sounds weird, like I'm trying to make excuses, but I'm not. I'm just trying to say that I truly never had anything against you. In fact, I liked you a lot. I just…I guess I just couldn't see any way out, and…"

"And Charles is incredibly manipulative," I finish for her. "Trust me, I've been there. You know I have. I get it, more than probably any one else can or ever will."

"Thank you," she says. "I know there's a better way forward now, and I know that I have a lot of trust to rebuild - with you, with Marcus, with my parents." She looks over to where the Alpha is laughing over a whiskey with Liam.

"But I promise that I'm sincere, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to prove that to all of you," she says. "And I really hope that you'll be by my side while I do it."

"I will," I tell her. "I will."

Daisy looks like she's about to say something else, but at that moment, we're approached by Kent. He gives Daisy an appreciative look up and down, and I introduce them.

"It's nice to finally meet the person who has been so protective of my almost sister," Daisy says, shaking Kent's hand. He flashes me a grin and asks if she'd like a drink.

"Well," she says, gesturing toward her belly. Kent laughs.

"I make a mean mocktail, girl," he says. "Let's see if I can persuade the bartender into teaching him how to make one for you."

Before he leads her off, Kent looks at me with genuine happiness in his eyes.

"I'm so glad this has all worked out so well, Doc," he says. "Let's you and me make a trip to lock up soon, to tell Trina about it. She's going to be thrilled."

"I can't think of anything I'd like better," I say, meaning it. I haven't spoken to Trina since I left prison, but I know she'll be happy for me. And now, I'm in a position to help her, when she does get out.

That feels really, really good.

"Nicole?" I turn to see Kara standing nervously behind me.

"Hi, Kara," I say, extending my hand. "It's so good to finally meet you."

She shakes my hand. "I just wanted to apologize to you personally," she says. "For my husband - well, soon-to-be-ex-husband, I guess I should say - and everything he's done. I promise you, I didn't know."

"I know you didn't," I say. "It sounds like you were in a bad situation. I'm so sorry. I'd really like to get to know you, though. And your kids - I'm going to be their aunt soon, after all."

Kara smiles softly at that.

"I'd like nothing better," she says.

"Can I get you a drink?" I ask.

"That would be lovely," Kara says, and follows me to the bar.