Nikki is still working at the salon, but talks about opening her own someday she’s even asked me to build it for her. We spend nearly every night together, but it’s getting a little ridiculous shuffling from her mom’s house to Anthony’s apartment. I’m hoping to convince her to live with me, but I’ve been waiting for after the trial.
We pulled up to the courthouse and immediately were bombarded with reporters and camera men asking us questions about Victor. We brush passed them and head into the courtroom. Nikki, Grace and Adrianna are already there waiting in the row right behind where the defense sits. We make our way into the row and I take Nikki into my arms and kiss her softly.
“Hi Princess.” I whisper against her soft lips.
“I’m glad you’re here.” She says, taking my hand in hers and we sit down. Moments later the courtroom fills and the warden brings Victor in. He looks at his family and mouths that it’s going to be okay. Grace sobs quietly between her two daughters, her hands are balled into fists on her lap because she’s not allowed to touch him. We all rise as the judge enters.
“Will the defendant please rise.” The judge says before turning around to face the jury. “Has the jury reached a verdict?”
“We have your honor.”
There is a pause and I swear it’s the longest pause in history. Nikki clutches my hand so tightly I think she’s broke my fingers, but I don’t say a word as I let her crush my hand.
“In the people verses Victor Pastore we find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree.” The head juror reads and gasps are heard throughout the courtroom. Grace lets out an anguished sob and Anthony has practically has to hold Adrianna up as she starts to cry. Nikki stares at the jury in shock and I take her in my arms turning her face into my chest muffling her cries. Victor turns around and his eyes meet mine as they continue to read the verdict finding him guilty on all counts.
I don’t know why he made the decision to turn himself in but he doesn’t look like he regrets it, in fact, he looks as if a load has been lifted from his shoulders. I’m sure he’s dying inside the thought of being in prison for the rest of my life is terrifying, especially if I had a wife and children to leave behind. The warden allows Victor to say goodbye to us before they take him back to jail as we wait now for the judge to decide his sentence. It could be days I guess not really sure, no one close to me has ever gone to jail before. All I know is that it’s my job to be there for Nikki.
After we leave the courthouse, we go back to Victor and Grace’s and it’s like a repass after someone dies. Everyone is gathered together food is brought in and we temporarily forget that Victor is most likely going to spend the rest of his life in prison. Nikki comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist, leaning her chin on my shoulder.
“Can you do me a favor?” She says as her hand trails over my abdomen slowly.
“Anything for you.” I say placing my hand over hers.
“Can you take me away from here for a little while?” She asks kissing the back of my neck.
I laced her fingers with mine and brought her around me so that she was standing in front of me.
“I thought you’d never ask.” I say, snatching the keys to her mustang out of her hand as I lead her towards the door. “Where do you want to go?” I ask even though I already know where I’m going to take her.
“Anywhere but here.” She says as she climbs into the passenger seat. I lean down and kiss her quickly. I will kiss her properly eventually, but not until we get to where we’re going. If I’m lucky, everything will go the way I’ve planned and I’ll even get to taste that sweet pussy of hers. I’ll ride her all the way to oblivion and make her forget all her troubles. After all, I did vow to take care of her and I planned to take good care of her tonight.
The drive is quick and when I slowly roll up to our destination Nikki looks confused. She stares out the window at my childhood home in wonderment before looking back at me.
“What are we doing here?” She asks curiously.
“Do you trust me?” I ask reaching for my door handle.
“Of course I trust you.” She says with a smile. “But that doesn’t mean you get away without answering my question.” She said slyly causing me to laugh.
I walked around the car as she slammed the door closed and I took her hand pulling her towards the house I grew up in. We climbed the stairs together before I reached into my pocket and pulled out the keys.
“How did you get the keys?” She asked as I unlocked the door.
“Jimmy gave them to me when we got back from Florida.” I pushed open the door and flicked the lights on stepping aside for her to enter the house first.