Unforgivably Broken (The Broken Series Book Two) (40 page)

As a parent, what could you do with that kind of information?

The only people called were those immediately involved with the event. I called Denni and Kaitlyn but, against their protesting, asked them to stay away. The media was here, they had been the whole time, waiting to hear the verdict of the “Golden Boy of Gymnastics”.

That shit made me sick to my stomach
.

The last thing I wanted was to see my parents again but
Denni assured me that she would keep them at home. I was supposed to go by and see them all after the verdict was issued. Regardless of what was said, that was the last place I wanted to go.

I froze in my pacing when the side door to the room opened. Two officers led Hunter through and the sight of him in a suit, his eyes downcast as he walked, made me wonder if he felt remorse. Was it possible? Was a monster like that, full of lies and deceit, capable of such an emotion?

I remembered what it felt like sitting on that witness stand, meeting Hunter’s eyes for the first time in years. Nothing, no pep-talks or strength, can prepare you to see your attacker again.

His gaze lifted slightly, pinning me in place as if he knew exactly where I was in the room. The corner of one lip curled up just slightly and the hollow look in his eyes was replaced by something much, much darker; something malicious that sent a shudder through my body.

The feel of Zane’s hand on my hip as he pulled me to him, helping me sit beside him on the bench, grounded me. I averted my eyes from Hunter, turning toward Zane as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. It was an act of support and I knew it wasn’t to help hold me together, but to remind me he was there.

Once Hunter was in place, the judge entered. He explained that the foreman of the jury would hand over the verdict sheet to him and he would read the verdict for each charge aloud, followed by the jury’s suggested sentence. He warned us that the jury had been in deliberations for quite some time and at one point, were brought back into the courtroom because they were
n’t certain they’d be able to come to a unanimous decision. Hunter didn’t show any reaction that I could see but his family seemed to find it encouraging news.

My heart felt sluggish in my chest.

Once the jury was in place, Zane reached across his body with his free hand, steadying the fingers that I hadn’t realized were aimlessly fidgeting. I just needed this to be over, but I wasn’t sure I could handle being here. Was it too late to leave? Did I really want to leave?

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” The judge finally asked after court was in session once again.

“We have, Your Honor,” a man’s voice said. The bailiff walked over, taking an envelope of papers from the man before heading back toward the judge.

For the first time, I noticed almost every one of the twelve jurors
were crying. Some could barely control sobs while others had silent tears streaming down their cheeks. I felt for them. It couldn’t be easy. Watching the horrors of someone else’s life and having to make decisions that would affect everyone involved would no doubt leave scars on these people’s lives as well.

“On the charge of aggravated sexual assault of a minor in the case of Kylee Asher Camden, the jury finds the defendant guilty.”

I heard the words but it took a moment for them to register. The two mothers in the gallery, both Hunter’s and Brooke’s, sobbed from their opposite sides. Zane let out a relived breath beside me. But I was still stuck, unable to process the words that were spoken.

Guilty.

Hunter was found guilty.

I won.

Some part of me had been so sure his money and stature would get him out of this that the shock of hearing the word had me unable to move.

“On the charge of aggravated sexual assault of a minor in the case of Brooke Danielle Hansen, the jury finds the defendant not guilty.”

My heart, which had finally started beating again, broke at the horrified sound that came from the direction of Brooke’s parents.

“On the final charge of manslaughter in the death of Brooke Danielle Hansen, the jury finds the defendant not guilty.”

The sobs were the only thing heard in the room for several moments when the judge finished speaking. Both the relief of Hunter’s family and the devastation of Brooke’s surround me, pricking at my resolve to stay silent until I was away from these people.

I couldn’t break down. Not here.

Once the room quieted down a little, the judge continued. “On the guilty charge for aggravated sexual assault of a minor, the jury recommends a sentence of five years, less the time already served.”

My blood ran cold. I couldn’t breathe. Five years? How long had it been since he was arrested?
Two? Two and a half? I couldn’t remember. I felt eyes on me and when I looked up, Hunter was sitting with his head half turned, watching me from the corner of his eye. His mouth held that same malevolent smile he’d had when he walked in the room.

I didn’t hear what else was said. I didn’t remember the walk out of the courtroom or to the elevators. It wasn’t until the doors closed, leaving Zane and I alone in the small enclosure, that I
even remembered he was with me. He gripped my face in both hands, his eyes wildly flipping back and forth between mine.

Words.
He was saying something to me. I dropped my gaze to his lips, trying to focus my ears enough to hear something other than the rush of blood as my heart struck my chest in an almost painful way.

Too fast.

It was all too fast.

My heartbeat.
Zane’s words. It was all coming in a rush.

“Pixie.”

I finally heard him and I blinked back up at the word, finding his eyes.

“
Lili, please. Fuck.” He dropped his forehead to mine, his eyes closing as the chime sounded, signaling our arrival on the bottom floor.

Zane blew out a breath, taking my hand as he led me out of the elevators. Once we rounded the corner, we’d be in view of the front doors. As empty as this building was this late at night, I knew the reporters were out there. I knew they were waiting.

Pausing at the end of the hallway, Zane turned back to me. “It’s gonna be okay. I promise. We just have to get back to the room.” He brushed his fingers over my forehead and I realized I was sweating.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders before pulling me around the corner
and to the tunnel leading out. I did my best to ignore the shouted questions and the nearly blinding flashes of the cameras in the dark night as Zane led me toward the street. A few of the photographers followed us but I couldn’t focus on the path that Zane took. It was all I could do to keep moving one foot in front of the other.

Eventually, I recognized the
motel and followed Zane up the stairs. He kept his hold, doing everything with one hand as he unlocked the door and bolted it behind us. He pulled me forward, helping me to sit on the foot of one of the beds while he moved around the room. He was either mumbling under his breath or I was back to not being able to hear his words.

I finally found the connection to my mouth. “I’m okay.” Zane’s head whipped around at my words. I nodded, realizing the words were more to convince myself than him. “I’m okay.”

“Thank fuck,” he said, taking the few steps to stand in front of me. He dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around my waist as his head rested in my lap. I could feel his relief and I let it help ease me into the contentment of the moment as I ran my fingers through his hair.

Things m
ight not be perfect, but it was over.

“Is this a joke?” Lili hissed at me, clearly not wanting to draw attention to where we stood in the short line for airport security. I’d hoped she wouldn’t notice the seat numbers until later but I should’ve known better.

“Is what a joke?” I played dumb, glancing back at her as I toed off my shoes and put them in one of the square, plastic containers. I’d already stuffed my phone and wallet in the side compartment of my bag so I took
Lili’s duffle from her, setting it on the conveyer while she kicked off her flats.

“First Class, Zane?” She gave me a pointed look. I shrugged, moving to the yellow line to wait my turn to be scanned.

I had my shoes on by the time Lili stomped over to the bench at the end. “You’d think these motherfuckers had never seen fucking hair clips,” she huffed as she dropped her duffle, shoving the little metal clips back into her hair to hold it out of her face. I couldn’t hide my smile, though I tried. “You’re such an asshat.”

Leaning over, I kissed her on the forehead and picked up her bag, pulling the strap over my shoulder. “You’ve used that one already.”

The look she leveled me as she shoved her feet into her shoes could have melted glass. I felt my lips twitch as I once again fought my smile. “Are you seriously challenging the creativity of my insults? You do realize it’s three o’clock in the fucking morning, don’t you?”

Holding up both hands in surrender, I took a tentative step toward her. Her only response was a narrowing of her eyes but I could see she wasn’t too angry. I reached out, wrapping both arms around her and pulling her almost roughly against my body. There were very few people in the airport this time of morning so I knew the TSA agents were probably watching us closely. I leaned in, pressing my lips lightly to hers. “I’m not the challenging one.”

Stepping back, she raised an eyebrow. I held out my hand and she took it, letting me lead her once again toward our terminal.

“Dick bag
.” She jabbed me in the side before dancing over a few steps, putting herself just out of my reach.

“Dick bag?”
I asked through a laugh. “What is that, like a banana hammock?” I lunged and reached for her again but she backed away. She walked backwards down the wide hallway, grinning in a way that made me ache inside. I hadn’t realized just how long it had been since I’d really seen her happy.

My
Lili might finally be returning.

She shrugged at my question, still walking backwards. “That’s one way to look at it.”

I shook my head, waiting until she wasn’t expecting it before I jumped, catching both of her hands and holding tight. Spinning her, I used my arms to lock us together as we walked. She was laughing as I attempted to keep my feet on the outside of hers so we didn’t trip.

“I love the sound of your laugh,” I whispered in her ear as I pulled her over to the hard, plastic seats at our gate. We still had about thirty minutes before our flight and I knew she was exhausted. Plopping down, I didn’t release her
, pulling her into my lap instead.

Leaning her head into my shoulder, she pressed a kiss against my collarbone. “Well
, maybe I just love
you
.”

“I know.”

I was rewarded with the sound of her laughter again as she turned so she could see my face. “You know? What, you think you’re Han Solo?”

“Actually, I can’t believe you got a Star Wars reference. And I’d make a fucking awesome Han.”

She reached up and patted my cheek, the gesture clearly placating. “Sure you would.” I grabbed her hand, pulling it to my mouth as I stuck out my tongue like I was going to lick it. “Ew. Stop! Zane, let go!” she yelled, squealing when I made contact with her palm. From the corner of my eye, I saw the security guard stop to watch us. Lili snorted a laugh and slid from my lap, curling into my side as we watched him continue on his path.