Dwayne stood in the courtroom, facing the jury, his voice charged with conviction.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I stand before you today not as a lawyer, but as a seeker of truth. I implore you to look at the evidence that was presented throughout this case, look beyond the shadows cast by who you think Matteo Leone is. The evidence proves that Mr. Leone is innocent. I trust each one of you to make the right decision."
Confidently, he took his seat, exchanging a glance with Matteo. The room seemed to constrict around them as the jury filed out for deliberation.
Time crawled at an agonizing pace. Dwayne's palms were clammy, and his heart raced with anxiety. The judge's stern expression added to the gravity of the moment, intensifying the silence that hung over the courtroom.
When the jury returned, the foreperson handed a folded slip of paper to the court clerk, who then passed it to the judge. The judge opened it, read it silently, then gave a small nod before handing it back.
Dwayne's eyes were fixated on the jurors, searching for any hint of the impending verdict.
The judge surveyed the courtroom before addressing them.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?"
The foreperson, a middle-aged woman, rose from her seat and cleared her throat. "We, the jury, find the defendant, Matteo Leone, guilty as charged."
As the guards moved to apprehend Matteo, the courtroom erupted into chaos.
Matteo's eyes burned with an intense fury that sent shivers down Dwayne's spine.
"You! You were paid to get me off, you son of a bitch! You failed, Mr. Jackson! You won't get away with this!"
During the struggle to contain Matteo, he seized the gun from one of the guard's holsters. He aimed it at Dwayne and pulled the trigger, the gunshot echoing in the courtroom.
Dwayne jolted upright in bed, gasping for breath, drenched with sweat.
He checked the alarm clock on his bedside, it was 11:30 p.m. He had an early meeting with Matteo and the information he needed the most was yet to be in his grasp.
Dwayne felt restless after his dream and unable to find solace in sleep, he decided to check in on Eddie to see if he found anything on the two temporary workers who had called the police to inform them about Matteo's shipping container. He shifted from his bed to the desk in his bedroom.
After Eddie had informed him about Olivia, he had given him all the details about the case.
Hey Eddie,
Have you found out who the guys are yet?
He told Eddie that all security footage within the container yard had been erased. But, thanks to Eddie's quick thinking, footage from the camera across the street was able to capture when the men exited the area before the police arrived.
After searching the database, Eddie concluded that the men's real identities couldn't be found which meant they were wearing wigs, prosthetics and possibly contacts to hide their true identity.
Eddie concluded that he'd need to run a high-tech advanced facial recognition software but it would take some time. Time was something Dwayne didn't have.
As he waited for Eddie's reply, he glanced at the missed call on his phone. The one he had received while he was asleep. There was no way he could've called it back since the number had been set to private.
He wondered if it was from McKenzie or even Olivia. Did they need his help? Were they safe? A pang of regret hit him for missing the call.
A notification from his laptop buzzed.
Dwayne,
I've got two names for you Milo and Pedro Lopez. And I've attached pictures as well.
Eddie,
You're a God sent.
Dwayne,
I know. I'll send you the pictures.
Eddie,
Thanks.
Just then he heard an insistent knock on his front door. Still jolted by his dream, he grabbed the gun that he got from Richard's PO Box. He slipped his phone into the pocket of his slacks, and with gun in hand, headed downstairs. Whether or not his dream was an omen, he decided it was best that he took precautions.
When he reached the front door, Dwayne peered through the peephole. He was shocked to see who it was.
Yellows and Gallows.
His gaze settled on Yellows. Once, a picture of suave, was now a battered mess. His face was bruised and swollen and he wore a bandage on his left cheek. It looked like someone had beaten the shit out of him and won. Dwayne couldn't help but smirk.
Slowly, the memory of Yellows stating that he had something to do with Jasmine's removal, and being unceremoniously kicked out of the bunker replayed in Dwayne's mind, fuelling a growing anger that countered his initial shock.
Breathe, Dwayne, breathe.
Tucking the gun in the waistband of his slacks, against his back, he opened the door.
"What are you doing here?" Dwayne demanded as he glared at the men.
Yellows met Dwayne's gaze, his voice tight as he explained, "Let's just say if we don't work together to get Kitten back, we might lose her forever."
Dwayne stiffened. "What are you talking about? Isn't Zee with you?"
"May we come in?" Yellows asked, his expression blank.
Dwayne's gaze shifted from Yellows to Gallows. If Yellows truly wanted to get into his home, he would've already forced his way in. And if he wanted him dead he would be.
Reluctantly, he stepped aside and locked the door when the men walked past him.
Yellows winced slightly as he sat in the armchair while Gallows stood guard by the window closest to the front door.
There was a cold glint in Yellows' eyes as he spoke, "Let me be clear. I don't trust you and I know you don't trust me. That aside, we have no choice but to work together. Focusing on finding Kitten before Alejandro does should be our main goal. Because once again your sister fucked up."
"What the hell are you talking about? Alejandro was pursuing Zee long before Olivia removed Jazzy from her care." Dwayne dropped into the seat across from Yellows. He leaned forward, clasping his hands together.
"You're right, Alejandro had been hunting for Kitten before Olivia stepped into the picture. She's his wife, he wants her back."
Dwayne flinched.
She's his wife.
Frustration began to build inside Dwayne. He still couldn't wrap his head around how McKenzie ended up with a guy like Alejandro.
Yellows continued. "But, because of your sister, Alejandro knows Kitten has been getting help from me...his right-hand man and best friend. Betrayal in Alejandro's eyes equals death. I escaped because I have men loyal to me within his ranks."
Yellows' eyes flickered to Gallows who gave him a slight chin up before his gaze returned to the window.
"Before your sister ran her mouth, like a third grader, Kitten had a chance at staying alive. However, if Alejandro finds her now she's as good as dead," Yellows growled.
Dwayne's head spun. Why the hell would Olivia do something like that? Was Yellows telling the truth? Was he willing to risk his life if it was a trap?
The only thing he knew to be true in that moment was the love he had for McKenzie. He'd stake everything he owned, including his life, to save her.
Even if it meant working with the enemy.