Page 108 of Her Knotty Alphas

"Not at all." Niles' eyes widen like he didn't expect me to say that. He must think he's caught me in a slip up. "I mean, I'd been taking care of her for years at that point, so it must have sunk in that her so-called 'real' grandchildren didn't give two shits about her."

"Ms. Beckham, you will mind your language." The judge sounds so exasperated with me, but I can't bring myself to care. Not when my response is what put that pissed off look on all my step-sisters' faces.

"Yes, your honor," I say with a smile, and Niles' jaw tightens.

"We have no more questions."

"Good. We will take a thirty minute recess." Judge Doyle slams his gavel down, and I stand from my chair on shaky legs. It's almost over.

"This is bullshit," Austin spits, pacing in front of a tree that we've all settled by at a park next door to the courthouse. "How could the judge let him talk to you like that?"

"It's a trial, Aust." I shrug. "They're going for the throat."

"If Austin hadn't said anything, I would have." Charlie shakes his head, crossing his arms.

"Listen, I know it must be hard to see Hannah interrogated like that," Brody says, running a hand through his hair. "But Judge Doyle will kick all of you out if there's another outburst."

"We have it under control," Enzo nods at him, then looks to Austin and Charlie, "right, guys?"

"Yes," they grumble, but then Austin frowns. "Though, I can't say the same for Noah."

"Where is he?" I ask, trying not to sound hurt.

"I'm here, princess." Noah jogs up to us, sounding out of breath and presses a kiss to my lips. "I'm so sorry I'm late."

"What were you doing?" I frown, wondering what could have been more important than my trial.

"Well, when Lizard said that she enrolled in college under her mothers maiden name, it got me thinking…well, actually it's better you don't know." He turns to Brody, handing him a USB drive. "This was left on our doorstep after you guys left for court, and I just looked through it. There's evidence there that shows what devious snakes all Hannah's step-sisters are and shows what lengths they'll go to for money."

Brody takes the drive, "Was this really left on—"

"Yes, and if that wasn't true, we'd have to answerhowwe got it.Capisce?"

"Are you Italian now?" Brody asks, raising a brow.

"No." Noah snorts. "I've just always wanted to say that."

I don't even have time to laugh at my alpha's antics before a figure approaching has my hackles rising.

"Last chance, Hannah!" Cat's voice grates on my nerves.

"Last chance for what?" I ask, crossing my arms.

"We'll drop the case now if you just hand it all over. I'm even willing to let you keep two percent."

"Not a chance." I scowl at her. "You think I'd do you a single kindness after what you did to me and Charlie? Weknowwhatyou did all those years ago." Charlie comes up next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulder in a supportive gesture.

"Yeah, so?" Cat snorts. "It's not illegal to change Rue's name to Charlie in my phone and make you think he never loved you. The only thing I regret about that is that you ran to Nana and became her favorite."

"Oh?" My brow arches. "So you believe that she willingly put me in her will?"

She scoffs. "It doesn't matter. It never should have happened."

With that, she starts to walk away, but I can't stop the question from coming out of my mouth. "Why? Why did you have to rip us apart? Why do you hate me so much, Cat? I've never done anything to you."

She stops in her tracks, and for a second, I think she's not going to answer me. Or that she'll give me some kind of bullshit answer. But instead, she says in a flat voice. "You had a mom, and I didn't. You had everything. Why should you get Nana too?" Then she keeps walking, and I'm left with my jaw dropped.

"Um…hey guys." My brother's voice shocks me, and I whirl around to find him coming out from behind a nearby tree.

---