Page 76 of Hart's Redemption

Seeing the complete panel in all their formal regalia, I couldn’t help but wonder what some of them had done to attain their seat. Unsurprisingly, the three I’d seen earlier held positions opposite their human counterparts. It was an interesting point of fact that both sides despised me, albeit for different reasons. Those belonging to the CoS resented what my office represented, while the human faction hated how I’d jeopardized their authority.

I held my head up as I was marched to a seat beside my legal counsel, too busy tweaking my plan of attack to really take noteof the attendees. It wasn’t until my manacles were removed and I reached for my chair that my eyes fell on the last person I wanted there.

“What in the seven hells are you doing here?” I hissed beneath my breath when I was close enough.

He cocked an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest. “I have every right to be here.”

My gaze flitted behind him, taking in the host of people that had gathered to witness my trial firsthand, at least two-thirds of whom openly hated me. I prayed my panic didn’t show in my face as I returned that same gaze to Elijah. “What have you done?”

His cognac eyes hardened to solid amber. “What I had to do.”

Pain tightened like a band around my chest, even as the bond hummed contentedly. The relief that I wouldn’t be going through this alone paled in the face of my concern for Elijah’s safety. A demand for him to be removed at once was on the tip of my tongue when Lombardi’s voice cut through my distraction.

“Sit down before you draw any more attention to yourself. You can argue with your spouse later.”

I whipped my head around to look at him while my ass fell heavily into the seat. “What did you say?”

“You heard me. Congratulations may be in order, but they will have to wait until these other pressing concerns have been dealt with accordingly.”

I swallowed past the sudden dryness in my mouth and cast a quick glance at Elijah behind me.

We’re married?

Near-debilitating fear quickly tempered the elation surging through my chest. Almost this entire room hated me enough to kill me, and anyone not present would learn the truth soon enough via live broadcast. I may be inaccessible in my confinement, but Elijah had no such security.

“Is there anything else I should know?” I asked through gritted teeth.

Lombardi finished organizing his materials. “Your mother was apprehended attempting to flee the country.”

My entire body went cold. “What?”

He cast me a sidelong glance. “Seems she was in possession of a biological weapon.”

I slumped back in my chair, my ears ringing with white noise, and my mind a cacophony of thoughts. “Who else knows?”

“Considering the fact that she immediately tried to pin it all on you? I imagine everyone.”

Fuck.

“Mr. Hart, if you are quite finished meeting with your council, the world will not wait for justice.”

I glanced at Senator McMillan. They spared me a disapproving glare. Rather than call attention to the fact that I’d been held for months without reasonable expectation of a trial, I turned to ask Lombardi one last question. “Is the press I requested in attendance?”

He offered me a feral smile that hinted at his true nature hidden beneath his crimson suit and unassuming facade. “Of course.”

I promptly stood and addressed Senator McMillan, ensuring to encompass the rest of the panel as well. “If the world cannot wait for justice, then why was I held without the promise of a trial in a government-sanctioned, classified cell?”

Shocked gasps rippled through the room. Amidst the panel, an interesting array of fury and begrudging respect met my query.

“Mr. Hart—”

“Detective.” Lombardi stood beside me. “My client’s professional title is Lycan Detective Joshua Hart, and you will address him as such.”

Senator McMillan looked as though they’d swallowed a hot coal. “You will both compose yourselves, or you will be found in contempt of court.”

Just then, General Zarka, a fire demon of great renown, stood from where he sat five seats down. “Perhaps if you spent more time addressing proper due process, then there would be no contempt to be had.”

“You forget yourself,” Senator Cowan stated from the opposite end of the arc, her face a mottled purple.