Page 45

Capella held up a key ring with two keys on it. “Capella, what is this?” She could hardly hold her excitement as she watched the key ring.

“My aunt got you into bikes, so it was only right that me and Rory got you a bike from us.” The squeal that Aimee let out as she jumped into her husband’s arms was piercing and contagious at the same time.

“I know you got more practice but figured you should learn on your own bike.” He kissed the side of her face as she snatched her heels off and ran toward the exit.

Cappadonna looked at his son and nodded in approval. “No need to be Cappadonna when you Capella, kid.”

He squeezed his son’s shoulder as he went after his wife.

“You did well with them, Capp. Never gave up on them, even when I know you wanted to.” I smiled at him.

“Thanks, Michael. I really ap?—”

“Bye, Cappadonna.” I pushed him and laughed as I headed to the exit to get back to my husband.

If Aimee Delgato ever needed a reminder that she was pressure, I would be there to remind her.

Every time.

The courthouse was packed with everyone wanting to be inside and see if Mercer would be given bond. I wasn’t only here to see the outcome of if he would be released, but as a representative for Elijah. This man had abused him, and he deserved to rot in jail.

Wylie and Havoc walked into the courtroom with me, and I watched Havoc whisper something to three men in the back row. They both jumped up out the pew, and then went to stand toward the back with the others who didn’t have seats.

“After you, Queen,” Wylie said as I scooted into the row, and he and Havoc followed behind.

“I’m so nervous. What if they allow him out?”

“Then we kill him, Queen. He doesn’t win either way… he need to be praying to stay in this bitch.” Wylie put a black and mild in his mouth as he looked around at everyone crowding in.

“No smoking,” the court officer said.

Wylie looked over at him slowly. So slow that I thought he was having a stroke from his lack of response. “You see it lit?”

“Take the cigarette out your mouth or leave.”

“Worth dying for?” Wylie had this manic smirk on his face like he would catch this man in the bathroom and kill him.

Knowing Wylie, he would.

I snatched the black and mild from his lips and tossed it into my purse. “Wy, you have to chill out.”

“This is chill for his ass.” Havoc said, as he checked his phone. “You heard from Synthia?”

“Not today… why?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, you was being weird, and she left you where you were being weird at?” I laughed, and he signed something, knowing I didn’t know what it meant.

“Said you a hater and you got spinach in your teeth.” Wylie nonchalantly replied.

“You know sign language, Wy?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged like it was no big deal that he knew sign language.

Havoc put his phone away as we paid attention, so we didn’t miss anything.

Me: Ignoring Havoc?

Syn: I’m a single mom, B. Don’t have time for games.

I looked at my phone and didn’t bother to reply. Between the both of them, they weren’t going to drive me crazy.

“All rise. The United States District Court for theSouthern District of New Yorkis now in session, the Honorable Judge Case presiding.”

A petite woman with black curly hair appeared and sat up on that bench and looked at those in front of her. Had I not known Zoya, I wouldn’t have known this was her sister.

I didn’t know Kora that well, other than meeting her a few times, but I felt this immense sense of pride like I had known her forever.

Not only did Menace raise a federal judge, but he also raised a top-ranking defense attorney.

The shit was admirable, and although he was somewhere flying off the handle, I hope he was proud of what he accomplished with his sisters.

We sat back and listened to Mercer’s lawyer present the facts of allowing his client out before trial, and all that he would surrender to be able to do so. My stomach growled, and I felt a nudge and Wylie handed me a protein bar.

“Thanks, Wy.”

He winked and continued to lean back with his arms folded while I discreetly took pieces of the bar to eat.

The US district attorney stated her case as to why he shouldn’t get bail, and Judge Case listened to both sides with a stone-walled face on. You couldn’t tell what she was thinking because her expression was cold.

I didn’t know if things were looking good for Mercer or not because she remained seated, and her head slowly moved from each side, listening to them argue why he should or shouldn’t be granted bail.

“Alright, enough with the pissing in my courtroom. You both have made your case... enough,” she sternly replied, and they both backed down as she looked at Mercer.

From the back, I couldn’t see his face but the back of him looked pretty pitiful. When he was arrested at that gala, he didn’t know what overcame him. He had no clue because he didn’t think people like him ever got caught.

People with his power were able to cause pain and trauma without ever having to pay for it.

I watched as Capri walked over there and spoke to him before waving the agents over toward him.

His what is the meaning of this? act was comical because he truly wanted everyone to believe this was a mistake and a case of the wrong person.

“Your Honor, my client is not a flight risk. He is a decorated public servant. The Surgeon General, with an impeccable record of service to this country. The prosecution’s argument rests on speculation, not substantiated risk.

Yes, my client has traveled extensively because his role required it.

He does not possess dual citizenship, nor is there any evidence that he has attempted to flee or evade justice. ”

“Hmm.” Judge Case replied and everyone hung onto her every word as she looked down at papers she had in front of her.

The courtroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The only sound was of the papers moving as she took her time to scan everything. Tension was thick in the air from Mercer and his legal team wanting her to say something.

Anything.

“If we need to take a recess for you to decide, your honor. The people are perfectly fine with that.”

She looked up.

“I can make my decision right now, actually.” She cleared her throat and sat up in her chair as she looked at Mercer and his team.

“While the defense has proposed various conditions of release, including surrendering passports and home confinement, the Court is not persuaded that these measures would effectively mitigate the risk. The weight of the evidence against the defendant, combined with his elevated status, influence, and global reach, creates a scenario where traditional monitoring would be insufficient.”

“Your hono—” The way she cut her eyes at Mercer’s defense would send a grown man crying.

“This Court finds that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the defendant’s appearance as required. The motion for bond is hereby DENIED. The defendant shall remain detained pending trial. Thank you.”

She slammed that gavel and stood up, leaving the courtroom as quickly as she came. Mercer was so red that he looked like the same shade I wore on my nails.

He was aggressively whispering something to his lawyer while they waited to put cuffs on him and hand him to the back.

“Good. Keep his sick ass in jail… give him a lifetime supply of fucking soap. The slipperiest soap they have.” Wylie stood up and held his arm out, and I linked mine with his as they both whisked me out of the courtroom.

Tookie: Can I see you? Want to make sure you’re good.

I cut my eyes at my phone, knowing that when he eventually saw me, it would be the last thing that he saw.