Page 114 of Shattered

Mackenzie’s gaze snapped to Kalkin’s. “What?”

“Yep. She told on herself. Not really a need for a lawyer after that, plus, I think she realized how fucked she was.” His brother shrugged. “Anyway, get inside. It’s about to start.”

Mackenzie held the door for Aurora, and he found the rest of his family sitting in the middle section of the sitting area. Royce waved at him and pointed to the two chairs next to him. Mackenzie placed his hand on the small of Aurora’s back and eased her over to the bench where his son sat. The relief he spied on everyone’s faces loosened a knot in his gut.

Aurora had been right, having sex with him, took his mind off the impending trial. It gave him a minute to escape from all of his problems and allowed him to believe he was free. Sitting there with him family, he finally was. With Holly agreeing to the plea deal, he could move on and start living for himself and hismate.

“Hey, you almost didn’t make it,” Royce said.

“My fault,” Aurora said. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Royce murmured. “Mates always come first.”

“We ran into Charisma. Thank you,” Mackenzie said.

“She wanted to do it. Who am I to tell her no?” His son chuckled. “Plus, I think she, and Lorenzo are plotting something for Liam.”

“Don’t have to,” Mackenzie said. “Alika is the boy’s name, and he’s at the house right now.”

Royce’s eyes grew round. “That was fast.”

“Tell me about it.” Mackenzie sighed. “The boy will make a fine addition, though.” He took Aurora’s hand. “My mate pointed it out to me.”

“Looks like we have another Hayden and Nico situation on our hands,” Royce muttered.

“Nah, they’re the same age,” Mackenzie stated. “We do have to be careful with them, though. Don’t need Liam biting the boy before they’re old enough to understand the significance of it.”

“Least you don’t have to worry about pregnancy,” Aurora muttered.

“True,” Royce agreed.

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.” He glanced down at the floor. “I wish I had more practice at this.”

“Better late than never,” Royce murmured. “You’ll get the chance again with Riley and Abby and maybe with any children you and Aurora have together.”

“Uh...” Aurora’s cheeks grew bright-red. “Can we not talk about it here?”

Mackenzie’s gaze snapped to her, and he inhaled. Then he buried his nose in the crook of her neck and breathed deeply again. He pulled back. Shock filled him. He knew it was possible, but so soon, especially after everything he’d been through? Aurora gazed up at him, fear and confusion filled her pretty, blue eyes and he regretted smelling her in the courthouse. “Sorry. Forgot where we are.”

“Get a room later,” Royce grumbled.

He laughed. “Sorry, son.”

“It’s okay,” Royce replied. “I under—”

The side door opened, and Holly emerged, surrounded by two deputies and the bailiff. Her features were drawn, and she appeared thinner than she had only days prior to that moment. They placed her in the first chair on the right of the podium and both deputies blocked her view of the people in the room. Mackenzie supposed it was for a good reason, considering the last time they were all there and the fit she pitched.

“All rise,” the bailiff said, as the judge’s door opened. “The Honorable Stanley Wright presiding.”

The judge took a seat then motioned for everyone to sit. “Come to order. Today we have gathered for the sentencing of Holly Geithner, defendant in the case of Apache County vs Holly Geithner and the Paranormal Bounty Hunters.” He looked to Charles. “I have been instructed that you and the defended have agreed to terms?”

Charles stood. “We have, Your Honor.”

“And what are they?”

“Your Honor, Miss Geithner takes full responsibility for her actions, and for that, she will spend the next forty years in one of Arizona’s state penitentiaries. She will also be remanded to the Massachusetts Federal Courts to stand trial for her crimes consisting of the actual auction and victims PBH subsequently abducted,” Charles said. “In addition, she will turn over state’s evidence to several open cases in regard to PBH.”

Mackenzie blinked. Surprise filled him. She was really going to give the government all of the information she had? He glanced at the woman he’d tried, a long time ago, to protect while also getting to know his niece. This woman wasn’t the same person he’d met eleven years ago nor was he.

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