That Day, Karen Deen [early readers .txt] 📗

The bang on the door and the message on my phone tells me it’s time.

Checking the security peephole, I see Hawk dressed in his suit. One of the parts I hate about court day. Dressing up like you are heading to a funeral, as I look down at my own suit. I might hate them, but they are the easiest item of clothing to hide your gun under, and Ghost got me a security pass, so I appear as a WITSEC agent for the courthouse. It lets me stay near her and to carry my weapon without any questions.

“Hey, Hawk.” Opening the door to him, we exchange a handshake and shoulder slap.

“Bull. Asha,” he says, and I can tell he is in work mode. “You ready? Car’s downstairs.”

I want to say no, but it’s time.

I walk to Asha who is standing there looking petrified. Putting my hands on her shoulders, I kiss her forehead. “You are strong. Never forget that.”

She looks up to me.

“Let’s do this together.” I try to give her all the strength I have in just a few words.

A subtle nod from her tells me it’s time to move.

I slide my arm around her shoulder and pull her into my side. We start walking to the door, and Hawk checks the hallway.

I give her shoulder a squeeze. “Time to go fuck up these assholes’ day. What do you say, baby?”

“I’m ready.”

Even though I know she’s not, we continue out the door anyway.

Again, her strength continues to floor me.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper in her ear as I kiss her cheek.

Then we step into the hallway, prepared to end this.

Chapter Thirty

ASHA

I feel like it’s my execution I’m heading to.

Being a witness is not supposed to feel like you are the one on trial. Yet it does. I feel so exposed.

This is the first day that I will enter the world again as Jenna Burns. Housecleaner and only child of Rhett and Diana Burns. Not Asha Elders, the daughter of Fred and Mary Saunders, which are the names we had to live under in the program. I’m a girl that I’m not sure I even know anymore. It’s been so long since I was allowed to be me, that I feel like Jenna has died too.

Kurt fought hard to have my identity kept a secret during the trial, but we lost that one, and I hope it’s the only thing that is going to go against us.

I’ve managed all this time to get through without them, but god, I wish Mom and Dad were here today. I know they need to stay out of sight to be safe, but there is nothing like a big dad hug when you’re feeling scared.

Like he knows I need him, Kurt squeezes my hand. I can’t look at him, otherwise I will lose the shield I’m trying to hold up. Just his touch is what lets me know I’m not alone.

The streets we are driving down are a blur of colors and movement. I can’t concentrate on anything. I’ve never been to Chicago before, but I can’t say I will remember one thing about it when I leave.

As we pull into the underground parking, I can hear every little noise in the silence of the car. Kurt’s breathing is strong and constant, which is so different to mine which is fast and erratic. I know I need to calm down, but that’s easier said than done.

I feel like some famous person with the amount of security that are there waiting for me. I think Ghost has gone overboard, but I can’t say I mind.

The more agents, the less chance of Kurt or me getting hurt.

The car coming to a stop, we just sit there for a minute while Scott is talking to Ghost. Once he signs off, I know I can’t put this off any longer. I need to just take it on full steam and not look back.

Today I’m taking my life back, and they can all just fuck off.

“Let’s go, I’m sick of waiting. I need to just get this over with.”

Kurt has a half grin as he squeezes my hand again. Leaning over, he gives me a kiss on the cheek. “That’s my girl. We have some assholes to put behind bars for today.”

He slips his hand off mine and gets out of the car, leaving me with Scott while he walks around to my door, talking to the other agents on the way.

“You okay, Asha?” Scott asks quietly.

“Five minutes ago, my answer was no, but you know what? I think I am. I can do this, and they aren’t going to keep me trapped a minute longer.”

“Always knew you were stronger than you gave yourself credit for. Good luck, and know that I always had your back and always will.” He smiles at me for the first time since I met him.

“Thank you for everything,” I say as my door opens, and Kurt’s hand is there to take mine.

“Let’s move. No stopping until we are inside the courtroom.” Kurt speaks into his mic, tucked in his suit sleeve.

I know I don’t talk now and just do everything he tells me, as he and Ghost have both been drilling into me for days.

We are moving like the machine in a well-executed plan. I’m sure if he were asked, Ghost could plan the invasion of a small country.

I’m tucked tightly against Kurt’s side with Scott now on my other side. There is an agent in front of me that looks like a bulldozer, moving people out of our path so we don’t need to stop.

Entering the doors of the courtroom, my stomach plummets into my feet. For all my bravery, this is the real deal. Shortly, the judge and jury will enter, and even worse, the accused mastermind behind the whole drug ring and murders.

I don’t remember how to walk, and Kurt is dragging my down the aisle to the front row behind the prosecutor’s desk.