Crazy Thing (The Brighton Family #5)

Chapter 15

15

DARIUS

Z iggy came through. Of course she did. I’m starting to feel like a fool to have ever doubted her.

In my defense, I’ve had a terrible history with hiring assistants here in Starlight Falls. But it seems that my luck has changed. Just days after Ziggy started working for me, we’re sitting in a courtroom, listening to all the witnesses she coordinated as they rake Edison’s character over the coals.

She’s been seated right here next to me throughout the hearing as my lawyer argues the case for an injunction to the county judge. Listening to him, I’m impressed. Frank may look like a harmless, old man, but only a fool would underestimate this guy. He has a whole lot of bite left to him.

Rainbow and a handful of her friends all testify. Then, my lawyer opts to have my sister and each of my brothers testify, too.

Most of the witnesses are asked the same questions, centered around the public’s interest in the waterfall, and why it shouldn’t be sold to the greedy dickhead who’s seated on the opposite side of the courtroom, snarling at everyone from under his vintage pornstar mustache.

“Can you describe your interactions with the defendant?”

“Have you ever witnessed Mr. Sinclair acting unethically?”

That’s easy enough. No one likes that man.

It’s pure entertainment as we listen to stories about how Edison once ran over one of the witnesses with his shopping cart at the grocery store. About how he flipped off Rainbow—with both hands—in a road rage incident a few months back. About how he conned the city committee board into selling a playground last year, so he could bulldoze it and start building an apartment complex that nobody wants to live in. About rumors of him embezzling money from his own dad’s business.About how he cheated on his former fiancée.

It’s clear to anyone with eyes or ears that Edison is an unethical asshole.

But Edison’s lawyer is putting up a fight that’s starting to worry me.

“Are you personally aware of the defendant’s plans for the property in question?”

“Were you present during any discussions about the sale of the property?”

“So basically, you’re just repeating local gossip on the witness stand?”

“Do I need to remind you of the definition of ‘perjury’?”

Hearsay and rumors run rampant with each question. No one knows anything for certain, but I’m hoping that each witness at least plants some doubt in the judge’s mind. At least enough to cast a shadow on Edison’s plans.

As the opposing lawyer pursues his line of questioning, I’m becoming less and less confident about the situation.

Then he asks a question that leaves each witness fumbling.

“Did you witness anything that could suggest the current owner was pressured into selling to the defendant?”

This one is met with confusion. A lot of no’ s. A few ums .

This particular question is key for us. Frank is trying to establish that Edison pressured the owner into selling the waterfall under unfair circumstances. He thinks that it’s the only angle that really works for the type of injunction we’re seeking.It’s the one that I’m betting on, but it’s also the one that comes with zero evidence.

Things don’t get much better for my case when the witnesses are asked about me directly.

“And how do you know Mr. Brighton, the plaintiff?”

This is a ‘fun’ moment each and every time the question is asked.

The only people in the room who actually like me are the ones who share my last name. Meanwhile, the other witnesses are cringing painfully and struggling to hide their disdain for me, all without perjuring themselves.It’s not an easy feat, apparently.

By the end of the day, I’ve deemed the testimony as a whole to be a bit of a shit show.From where I’m sitting, it’s not looking good.

The court won't grant an injunction lightly. It’s the first time this reality has smacked me so hard in the face. If this doesn’t work, Edison will be the new owner of the waterfall and everything around it, all before we can even figure out our next move.

There's not really anyone else around town who can file a last minute injunction. Not unless they can show that they have the capability to purchase the property themselves.

At this point, I’d be fine if someone else wanted to throw their hat in the ring, but I’m not being an ass when I say no one else can afford it. This is a lot of land, and it’s not cheap. But legally, you’ve got to show financial interest if you want to request an injunction.From the way Frank explained it, at least.

That’s what makes me a critical piece for solving this mess. Even if the locals don’t like me all that much.

When the judge disappears to deliberate in his chambers, I can’t help but notice how nervous Ziggy becomes. This waterfall means a lot to her. And as much as I’d like to think it’s because of the history we shared down by the water eons ago, I know that I’m the furthest thing from her mind.

The waterfall means a lot to her because it means a lot to her friends and family. And I’m realizing that one of Ziggy’s weaknesses is taking on everyone else’s problems as her own.

Or maybe it’s a strength.I haven’t decided yet.

Without thinking, I reach over and put my hand on her back to comfort her.It seems to have the opposite effect on Ziggy, as she jolts in her seat and looks at me with wide eyes.

But she doesn’t pull away. Instead her gaze remains locked with mine, her chest rising and falling jaggedly as fire sizzles between us.

And then she goes and bites down on her rosy bottom lip. Well, fuck .

I’m tempted to push things further, to really test her reaction to me. But a few seconds later, the judge strolls back in and the hearing resumes.

Once he has the room’s attention, he doesn’t waste any time. The judge grants the injunction, gives a few stern warnings to all parties, bangs his gavel, and storms back out.

Wait—did we just…win?!

I’m still trying to make sure I heard the judge correctly when Ziggy jumps into my arms. I can vaguely hear the town in the rows behind us celebrating and cheering as her arms come around my neck and she crushes her body against mine.

My attention is firmly focused on two things.

We stopped the sale. Ziggy is rubbing up against me.

We stopped the sale. Ziggy is rubbing up against me.

That fire that was sizzling between us just a few minutes ago is back and burning hotter than ever.

Holy shitballs.

The way she’s grinning up at me. Eyes shining. Skin burning.Has it always been this hot between us?

Seriously though, what’s the temperature in here? I’ve never been more desperate to rip a woman out of her bell bottom pantsuit.Is it even legal to be having these thoughts inside a courtroom?

Clearing my throat, I pull away first because I feel myself starting to get hard. If we keep this hug going any longer, I might drag Ziggy back to those judge chambers to have a deliberation of our own.

“Oh, uh…” I mumble, scratching the back of my neck.

“Erm, I should…” She waggles her head.

I point toward my lawyer and she points toward the back of the courtroom.

“Yeah,” I say awkwardly as I try to get my shit together.

“Oh yeah. Me, too.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“So, I’m going to go talk to my Rainbow. I mean, my aunt. My aunt Rainbow . Okay, bye.” Ziggy flutters off toward the crowd. I watch her make a beeline across the room. And I know exactly what it means that she refuses to even glance back at me. I’ve flustered her.

Now, that feels like a victory.

“Darius?”

I tear my eyes off of Ziggy long enough to notice my lawyer approaching me. I reach out to give him a firm handshake. “Nice work, Frank.”

Instead of joining in the celebration, he wears a grave expression. “Things worked in our favor today, Darius. But you know this injunction is only a temporary restraining order. The sale will only be blocked temporarily. We need to find a permanent solution, and it won’t be easy.”

I sigh at the reminder.More work. Always more work.

Back in business mode, the sounds of celebration are only a background buzz at this point. My eyes swing over to where Edison is scowling at me from under his funny mustache as he leaves the room with his lawyer, and I know this fight is only getting started.

My attention moves back to the old man. “I pay you the big bucks to solve the problems, not to sit here and complain that it’s hard. Now fix this, Frank!”