Chapter 236

Ella

The courtroom was silent when Logan and I were called up to the stand. It had been two weeks since the night that Logan was arrested; two weeks of paperwork, late nights spent in my office, of what-ifs and trying to track down Marina and Harry, who had dropped off the face of the earth and left no trace of their crimes.

But not all was lost. I may not have been able to put them behind bars just yet, but I could keep Logan from that fate.

The judge, an austere woman with gray hair pulled back into a tight bun and a stern look on her face, addressed me as I sat in front of her.

“Ms. Morgan,” she began, her voice echoing through the silent courtroom. “You’re representing Mr. Barrett today. What is your defense for his actions?”

I stood, smoothing down my skirt. “Your Honor, while it’s undeniable that Mr. Barrett engaged in a high-speed chase and broke several traffic laws, it's imperative to understand the context behind these actions.”

The judge raised an eyebrow. “Context, Ms. Morgan?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” I continued, gathering my thoughts. “Mr. Barrett’s actions, though reckless, were driven by a desperate need to save a life. Mine, to be precise.”

A murmur rippled through the courtroom. I kept my gaze fixed on the judge, who motioned for me to continue.

“Your Honor,” I said, “I was kidnapped that evening by a man who has since been apprehended by the police. A man who, as you well know from his earlier testimony, was a servant of the city’s mafia. Mr. Barrett was aware of my peril and acted as he did in a bid to rescue me.”

The judge leaned forward, her gaze piercing. “So you’re saying that his actions were of a heroic nature.”

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” I replied. “While I don’t condone breaking the law, Mr. Barrett’s intentions were to save a life—mine. His actions, though misguided, came from a place of…desperation. And concern.”

The judge tapped her gavel pensively. “And what do you propose, Ms. Morgan? A complete dismissal of charges?”

I shook my head. “No, Your Honor. We understand that there must be consequences for Mr. Barrett’s actions. However, we are requesting leniency given the extraordinary circumstances.”

“Leniency,” the judge echoed, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

“Yes, Your Honor,” I continued. “Mr. Barrett is prepared to accept responsibility for his actions. However, we’re requesting a suspended license and probation instead of jail time. He’s also willing to participate in community service.”

The judge looked over her glasses at Logan, who was sitting patiently beside me. “Mr. Barrett, do you understand the gravity of your actions and the potential risks you imposed on the public during this chase?”

Logan nodded, his voice steady. “I do, Your Honor. And I deeply regret my actions. But at the time, it felt like my only option to save Miss Morgan.”

The judge sighed, closing the folder in front of her. “While I understand the urgency of your situation, Mr. Barrett, the law cannot be taken into one’s own hands. However, I am also mindful of the unique circumstances you found yourself in.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the two of us. “I will take Ms. Morgan’s request into consideration. This court does not take such decisions lightly, but given the situation and your willingness to take responsibility, I am inclined to show some leniency… Especially given the fact that the mafia in this city has been troublesome for decades, and your actions—no matter how reckless—may just serve to put some of the city’s biggest mobsters behind bars.”

The room seemed to hold its breath. So did I.

“I am sentencing you to a six-month suspension of your driver’s license, six months of probation, and one month of community service,” the judge announced. “Let this be a lesson about the sanctity of law and order, even in times of personal crisis.”

A collective exhale filled the room. I felt Logan’s hand squeeze mine, a silent thank-you passing between us.

“Thank you, Your Honor,” I said, relief washing over me.

The judge nodded. “This court is adjourned.”

…

The courthouse doors swung shut behind us, leaving behind the tense atmosphere and the sound of gavels far behind.

“I need a vacation,” I said to Ema as Logan and I descended the steep marble steps. “A long one.”

Ema chuckled. It had taken her a few days to recover fully from whatever drug Devon had administered, but she was back to her old self by now. “A honeymoon, perhaps?” she asked.

I blushed, glancing up at Logan and taking in his profile. He looked relieved, but there was a weight in his eyes, a shadow of the ordeal he had just gone through. His high-speed chase and reckless behavior had landed him in hot water, and even with my legal expertise, it had been an uphill battle to mitigate the consequences.

But we had done it.

Logan let out a slow breath, his gaze fixed on the bustling city around us. “Six months without my car,” he mused. “I guess it could have been worse.”

I laughed, feeling the tension ease from my shoulders. “It’ll fly by,” I said. “And besides, I might just take this time to learn how to drive myself. Maybe even get my license.”

He turned to me, a smile playing on his lips. “You, behind the wheel? Now that I’d like to see.”

His words sparked a warmth in my chest, a reminder of the normalcy we both craved. I reached up, pulling him into an embrace. His arms wrapped around me, strong and reassuring. For a moment, we just stood there on the sidewalk, two people reunited after a storm, finding comfort in each other’s presence.

When we pulled away, though, there were still tears in my eyes. So much had happened, and yet it felt like nothing at all. Devon had confessed to his crimes, Logan’s charges had been diminished, Leonard’s body had been found…

But Harry and Marina were still far away, and we couldn’t find them. They had taken all of Leonard’s money; they had drained every last drop from his bank account, taken every jewel from his vaults. All that was left was an urn full of ashes and a house full of bad memories.

We hadn’t held the funeral yet. We were both too busy; Logan had just arranged for Leonard to be cremated and that was it. Although if I was being honest, I wasn’t entirely sure if Logan would even hold a funeral for him. Leonard was his father, but only by blood.

“So,” I said softly, “what now?”

Logan paused. I could tell that he knew what I was thinking about, and if it perturbed him in any way, he certainly didn’t show it. He hadn’t even shed a tear when Leonard’s body had been found. He had just moved on with his day as though he had expected it.

“Still lots of work to do,” Logan finally said after a few moments. “Gotta find Marina and Harry, and then I’ve been thinking about this other mobster who has been running a human trafficking ring. We should take him down next.”

I furrowed my brow. “I mean, what now?” I asked. “Not work, not the mafia.”

Logan shot me a quizzical look. “What do you mean?”

I let out a soft sigh and took his hand in mine. “Our entire existence together has been nothing but turmoil,” I said. “Well, that turmoil has ebbed away for now. Why don’t we enjoy… I don’t know. A date night or something?”

As I spoke, Logan’s eyes flashed with a mixture of confusion and excitement. “A date night?” he asked.

“Yes, a date night,” I said, nodding. “Dinner, maybe a movie?”

“Hm. Dinner and a movie…” Logan chuckled, looping an arm around my shoulders.

We began to meander down the sidewalk, and it was in that moment that I felt free—truly, utterly free—for the first time in a long time.