Page 43 of Double Standards
The room is frozen. No one dares move. Even Hunter mutters from behind, “That’s hot.”
I shoot him a glare, but my mouth betrays me with a grin. Trigger elbows him hard, but he's smirking too. We're allwatching her unravel the case, piece by piece, armed with nothing but her voice. And if that isn’t sexy as sin then I don’t deserve to be in her presence.
The judge looks between Cassie and Daniels like he’s watching a match he didn’t realize was so one-sided. The tension is razor-thin.
Then—bam—the gavel strikes.
“Dismissal denied.”
The words hit harder than any punch I’ve taken. My stomach sinks. I rub my damp palms over my trousers, fingers twitching. I stare at them, willing them to steady, but I can feel myself unraveling, the frayed edges I thought I’d stitched shut years ago tearing open again.
Cassie must sense it. Her hand brushes against mine under the table, subtle yet reassuring. I glance down just as she gestures with a single finger:wait.
So I do.
Judge Michaelson exhales like this whole circus has exhausted him. I echo it, lungs finally giving up the tight hold they’ve had for the last half an hour.
“But I’ll allow bail to continue,” he announces, his voice firm. “You understand the conditions, Mr. Bonanno?”
Shock stabs through my chest. For a second, I don’t even register the words. Cassie nudges me again. I rise slowly, blood thrumming in my ears.
“Yes, your honor,” I answer, my voice steady even as everything inside me quakes.
The gavel slams down again; I flinch.
“Court will reconvene in two weeks. Mr. Daniels, if you don’t have evidence by then, I’ll have no choice but to dismiss this case.”
Cassie’s shoulders visibly relax and it’s like the room is suddenly flooded with oxygen.
The courtroom buzzes as people rise, but I’m still rooted in place, trying to piece together what the hell just happened.Cassie told me this would be the worst-case outcome. And she was right. It’s barely a scratch because I still get to walk out that door.
She leans close, her breath warm against my ear. “Told you so.”
Her voice drips with smugness, but her eyes sparkle with something softer. And all I can think about is how much I want to kiss that look right off her face. I want to pin her to the defense table and thank her properly, recklessly, sinfully. But I don’t. I can’t. Not here. I’ve still got an empire to protect, a name that means something—even if it’s soaked in blood.
Butfuck me, watching her rip Daniels apart like that, command the room like she was born to rule it? That’s the hottest goddamn thing I’ve ever seen.
She lifts a brow, like she can read my filthy thoughts. Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t look away. That spark’s still there, dancing in her expression like sheknowsexactly what she’s doing to me.
My lips curl into a slow grin.
And I think I’m in trouble.
Chapter Fifteen
Idon’t let myself look back.
Not at Axel. Not at the smug look Iknowhe’s wearing. Not at the way his eyes lit up when Judge Michaelson granted bail. It’s like he didn’t think I’d actually pull it off. I keep my spine straight and my heels sharp as I walk out of that courtroom. My posture filled with control. Composure. Confidence.
Everything else gets buried.
Jada’s waiting just outside, leaning against the marble wall like she owns the courthouse. Her braids are pulled up high, lips glossed, tablet in hand, eyes already scanning through something with laser focus. She raises an eyebrow as I approach.
“Well?”
“Could’ve gone better.”
She lets out a slow whistle. “Could’ve gone worse. Daniels looks like he’s gonna piss himself.” She falls in step beside me, grinning. “You eviscerated him. Nicely done.”
