The Revenge by Tijan

“To the Francis family’s main home. It’s a large estate and it was given a name.”

“I see.” But the lawyer’s tone wasn’t sounding sure. His head twisted, taking in his team once more. His papers were in his hand, his fist clenching around them for a moment. “Your Honor, we’re done with the witness.”

The judge nodded, turning to the prosecution. It was now their turn to question her, and they did. The district attorney hopped up, and her first question was out even before she got behind the podium. “Miss Callas, please tell us more about your relationship with your sister.”

“Objection!”

Before the judge could rule, the district attorney spoke. “It was introduced in their questioning. I can explore it.”

The judge nodded, looking as if he was going to say the same thing. “Overruled. Proceed, counselor.”

She cleared her throat, taking on the same posture that the defense lawyer had used—hands tight on the podium, head forward—but with her, it was a whole different feel. She was eager. Her next question came out and you could hear her salivating for the answer. “Payton, please tell us about your relationship with the defendant.”

“Quinn and I have never gotten along.”

“How so?”

“She’s not a good person.”

“Objection!”

The two sides argued over this point until the judge sighed and asked Payton to keep her personal opinion of her sister from her answers. “Only facts, Miss Callas. That would be more helpful.”

She nodded, her eyes earnest. “Okay, well then … fact. My sister would lock me in the closet when she wanted to spend time with her friends.”

“Objectio—”

The judge raised his hand. “She can testify. It’s why you called her here.” He nodded to Payton. “Proceed.”

“Fact.” She didn’t miss a beat. “Our father was a gambler. He was old-school. To pay off his debt, he sent Quinn and myself to live in Greece with someone, and when we were there, Quinn became a big partier. That’s when she’d lock me in a closet, but…” Her mouth parted and she faltered.

“But what, Miss Callas?”

Payton’s eyes were glued to Quinn now. “But…” She blinked rapidly and her head raised up. “But I think she did it somewhat to protect me.”

Quinn’s lawyer had started to stand, but hearing the rest, he sat back down.

The DA glanced over, her eyebrows up. “Protect you from whom, Miss Callas?”

“From the men who were there where we were staying.”

Oh no.

I got it.

It was all coming together, and I slid down in the bench.

I didn’t think I wanted to hear this.

My stomach began tightening up, knotting.

“Miss Callas, whose place was it that you and your sister were staying at?”

She didn’t answer.

A look came over her. It was a slow slide, and her eyes closed, but I saw it. Everyone saw it. Terror. I knew who she was going to say, but for a moment I didn’t think she was going to do it. It was all leading there, to him.

“Calhoun Bas—”

“Objection! This line of questioning has nothing to do with Ms. Callas’s case. I move for the entire line of questioning to be stricken and tossed out.”

The DA didn’t waste time, either. She shot back, “Miss Callas was brought as their witness. They opened the line of questioning by asking about her relationship with the defendant. I think it bears exploration, Your Honor.”

The judge was silent, taking in both lawyers before his gaze searched the room.

He found me, his eyes narrowed. His head raised. He was scanning the entire room.

Matt leaned over, whispering, “I think he’s looking for Kash.”

Right. My lover, who was now “on the run,” though I hadn’t had time to digest that, either. I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t respond.

“I’m going to allow it.”

“Your Honor!”

He raised his hand up, silencing the defense. “I want to see where this goes.” He nodded to Payton. “Keep going, Miss Callas, but bailiff, I’d like more security guards added to the room.”

Two men left the room and Payton closed her eyes.

“Miss Callas.” His tone was gentle.

She opened her eyes.

He nodded, his entire demeanor softening. “You’re safe. You can say what you need to say in here.”

Her head dipped in an abrupt nod back, her eyes glistening. She closed them, then reopened them, and she swiped at her cheek quickly before leaning forward.

She started, and once she got going, she told everything.

She and Quinn were “sold” to Calhoun when they were young.

They were raised in Calhoun’s main house, but he treated them almost as if they were his daughters.

Quinn had been angry, rebellious. She partied, acted out.

Not Payton. She withdrew.

She learned that Quinn had begun working for Calhoun. She was taken from the home and she didn’t see her sister for two years.

“Where did you see your sister again?”

“In California.”

The DA’s head straightened at that information.

Even the judge looked shocked.