Page 125 of Notorious

And then we wait.

But unlike last weekend, Johnny’s calm. When we get home, I ask him how he’s doing, and he says, “Got my story out. That’s what I wanted. The rest ain’t up to me.”

CHAPTER 42

Johnny

The jury’s been deliberating for two days, and I don’t know if that’s a good sign or a bad one. If I lost, they’d make the decision fast, right? So maybe they’re debating how much money is right to punish Pinkerton Studios? That may be wishful thinking on my part, but I’m a big fan of wishful thinking.

Then we get the call to head back to court, because the jury’s made its decision.

“All rise.”

I stand next to Danny and August and my husband–boyfriend–love of my life. I ignore everyone in the courtroom associated with the studio. They don’t matter one bit.

“Have you reached a verdict?” The judge is addressing one of the jury members. I guess she’s called the foreperson.

Kurt takes my hand and squeezes it.

“We have, Your Honor.”

My heart’s beating so hard, I think I’m going to explode. This can’t be healthy.

Please have believed me. Please have believed me.

The judge starts reading the verdict out loud, and the language is so convoluted that I can’t quite tell what’s going on. But then he says that they find for the plaintiff, which is me, and then he says the amount, and it’s $500,000.

I blow out a good long breath. More than I was gonna settle for. Take that, Gary.

And then he keeps going, and he says punitive damages are awarded in the amount of $20 million, and I blink.

That’s the amount to punish the bad guy, Danny had explained. And if that’s what the jury’s saying, then they’re really pissed at Gary.

“You won,” Kurt whispers, and I turn and hug him, burying my face in his shoulder. A tear trickles down my cheek, but I get myself together as the jury files out, trying to keep a poker face.

But in reality, I’m dazed.

A few members of the jury smile at me, which makes my chest expand.

“They believed me,” I murmur to Kurt.

“Of course they believed you. You told the truth,” he whispers back.

“I’ve gotta call Tawni and thank her.” Giddiness breaks through the fog of my last few weeks.

“You do that, but while she helped, you’re the one who did this.” Kurt pauses. “Along with your lawyers.”

“They’re great, aren’t they?” I stand, and Danny holds out his arms.

“Congrats, Johnny,” he says. “Justice was served.”

I’m still keeping it together, but I want to fold inward. Nevertheless, I give August a hug, too, and we gather up all their boxes of stuff and file out.

In the hallway, Gary storms by us without a word.

“Holy shit, I won,” I say, sitting down hard on the nearest bench.

“Do you think he’s going to appeal?” Kurt asks Danny, and my heart continues on its goddamn roller coaster.

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