“They’re going to clear the courtroom, you cannot be here when that happens,” Carter states.
“I think she’s got a concussion,” Ollie says, turning my head as he stares into my eyes.
“And you’re a medical expert?” Carter retorts.
“No, but I’m an ex-skateboarder. So I know the signs better than most,” he snarks.
“We’ll get her checked out after we reach the hotel,” Johnson says.
Wincing, I press my fingers to my pounding temples. Jostled and guided by officers, my stomach spins. We step outside, and I inhale deep, willing my stomach to settle. I will not hurl. I will not hurl. I will not hurl. We’re shuffled inside the town car. The first ting almost goes unnoticed. Two more follow, and I throw myself onto the ground as shots are returned. Ollie throws himself over me, and I curl into a ball.
“What’s happening?”
“I don’t know. I’m pretty sure Carter and Johnson are shooting back.” The doors open, and they fling themselves inside.
“Punch it, Johnson.”
Relief fills me as we speed away from the courthouse. Our testimony is complete. Whatever happens now is out of our hands.
“Are you okay?”
His words make me realize I’m crying. My body shakes as I release all the pent-up pressure.
“What happened?” Ollie asks as he pulls me into his lap and keeps us planted on the floor.
“We took some fire. From one of Santiago’s flunkies, I’m sure. I ended up hitting one in the shoulder, and he ran off. It’s total chaos right now. People are flooding out of the courtroom. Cops are coming in. We need to get you guys to a secure location,” Carter explains, peering at us over the seats. “Is everyone okay?”
“I’m okay,” I croak.
“Me too,” Ollie adds.
“Make sure we’re not being followed,” Carter demands.
“I’m on it,” Johnson says.
I close my eyes, grateful for the familiarity of these three men.
“Hey. You can’t sleep.”
I force my eyes open. “Huh?”
“You can’t sleep. You might have a concussion. I’m sorry Allie did that. She’s completely misplaced her anger.”
“She’s never going to see it that way. She needs someone to blame, and I’m a convenient scapegoat. I don’t think she’s going to come at me again, though.”
“What happened in there?”
“I was leaving the courtroom, and she launched herself like a damn missile. I had no clue who it was. Once I was on my back, it was kill or be killed. I got my legs up under me, kicked her off, and then when she lunged at me again, I socked her in her eye.”
“Jesus.”
“I sympathize, but I’m no one’s punching bag.”
“No, you did the right thing, sassy. I’m just sorry that it happened.”
“Me too. I’m hoping like hell it’s not going to taint the trial. I need this to be over. I want to move on with my life, and I can’t while we’re wrapped up in this insanity.”
He nods his head. “I know. It’s all I can do to keep it together while his lawyer tries to play on the client’s conscious with the no father, working mother with little money, and fell in with a bad crowd story. How anyone can look at that man and not see pure evil is beyond me.”