Their Queenpin (The Ridge MC #6)

Chapter 32Sas

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sas

I walked into the courtroom, and the first thing I saw was Adelina. She was sitting in the front row, her eyes finding mine the second I crossed the threshold. A wave rolled over me—relief, love, anger.

Whatever it was all blended together like a potent cocktail.

Seeing her there, sitting strong and proud, grounded me. My woman.

Wifey. Always at my side, even when everything else was falling apart.

And Rafe came too. I dipped my chin in a silent acknowledgement.

The judge, an older woman with steel-gray hair and sharp eyes, tapped her gavel, and the room fell silent. She scanned the paperwork in front of her with a cold and unreadable manner, and tension squeezed my chest like a vice.

Her expression seemed disinterested, like she’d already made up her mind before we even stepped into the room. This wasn’t going to be an easy sell.

“Mr. Tate,” Judge Hargrove began, “you are here today for an appeal regarding your current charges: possession with intent to distribute, specifically the five kilos of cocaine found on your motorcycle.”

“Your Honor,” Harper Fitzgerald, my co-counsel, began, their voice even but direct, “we believe the evidence presented against my client, Mr. Tate, while incriminating on its surface, does not tell the full story. We’d like to propose an alternative to prosecution.”

I stood straight, my hands at my sides, and gave a curt nod in support of Harper’s words. Melanie was standing to my right, her presence a small comfort, and Harper to my left.

Harper stepped forward, “My client has pertinent information regarding individuals involved in the cartel operations responsible for orchestrating these events. He is willing to cooperate, which we believe warrants a reconsideration of his detainment.”

The judge’s gaze moved to me.

“Is that so?” She didn’t sound convinced, not by a long shot. “Mr. Tate, these charges carry a mandatory minimum of ten years and possibly a life sentence. So, what exactly are you proposing?”

I swallowed, my voice steady, though the tension in my gut didn’t ease. “I’m willing to help the authorities track down the men responsible for the cartel connections—the Rojas brothers. The information I have could help put an end to their drug-trafficking operations.”

The words tasted like ass passing through my lips, but both Melanie and Harper had made it utterly clear I wouldn’t get out without giving the prosecution a bone.

A murmur came from the back of the room, and I could feel the eyes of everyone on me. Harper paced a few steps back and forth, then stopped with serious eyes locked on the judge.

Judge Hargrove leaned back in her chair, taking me in. She didn’t buy it—not yet, at least. I couldn’t blame her. A guy like me, standing in front of a judge like her, with charges like mine? It reeked of desperation.

But Harper’s voice cut through the tension. “Your Honor, Mr. Tate understands the gravity of his actions and the allegations against him. We’re not here to excuse what has happened, but rather to offer a pathway toward resolution. My client has information that could be crucial in dismantling cartel operations—specifically, a faction of the Medellín cartel’s activities that have affected the entire Southwest.”

The judge tapped her fingers thoughtfully against the gavel. “Why should I believe any of this? Men like Mr. Tate aren’t known for their honesty.”

Harper nodded, acknowledging the skepticism. “We understand your position, Your Honor, and we are prepared to offer proof of Mr. Tate’s willingness to cooperate. He has already shared preliminary information with federal authorities, which has been verified to an extent. We are asking for a chance—for Mr. Tate to continue this cooperation under your conditions. He isn’t asking for freedom without accountability.”

The judge studied me for a long moment, the silence stretching unbearably. Lanie placed her palm face down on the table, the signal she said she’d give when I needed to sit tight.

Finally, Judge Hargrove glanced down at her notes.

“Mr. Tate, stand.” She leaned forward.

Harper turned and gestured me up.

“What you are proposing involves handing over information on a global crime ring’s criminal activity. This would be in exchange for your release.” She paused, looking up at me with those cold eyes. “Do you understand the consequences such an action might carry?”

“I do.” I answered simply, the way Lanie and Harper had coached me.

The judge continued. “If you agree to this—under oath in a court of law—you understand that your freedom will come with stipulations?”

Swallowing the words I wanted to throw at her, I answered, “I do.”

Shit, this was worse than getting married.

“You will be monitored, Mr. Tate.” She laced her fingers and leaned further forward. “And should you fail to comply with the terms, you’ll find yourself back here, facing more severe charges.”

I nodded, even as my ribcage closed in on my lungs. “Understood, Your Honor.”

The judge pursed her lips, thinking for a long moment, then said, “And why should I consider this, given your past record and known associations with criminal organizations?”

I swallowed hard and cut my eyes over to Melanie. She nodded, a silent “just like we practiced.”

Taking a deep breath, I answered, “Because I’m not the man people are painting me as, Your Honor. Yes, I have ties to the Rojas brothers, but it wasn’t by choice. They came after my family, after the people I care about.”

Pausing, I let that sink in. It wasn’t a hundred percent true, but it was my word against the Rojas brothers. And they weren’t here right now to say otherwise.

I continued, “But I’m not here to make excuses. I’m here to make a deal.”

The room went silent. I could feel Adelina’s eyes boring into me from behind, but I didn’t turn around. I had to project confidence at all costs.

Calm, cool, and collected, Lanie had said.

The judge arched an eyebrow. “A deal?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice firm. “I have information on the Rojas brothers and their boss. I’m willing to hand it over, but only if I walk out of here today. Not just on bail, but with immunity for the actions tied to their operation.”

A murmur spread through the room. The prosecutor shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly not expecting me to come out with this kind of leverage.

The judge’s gaze sharpened, and she leaned forward. “You’re asking for immunity in exchange for information? How do I know what you have is worth it?”

I held her gaze, refusing to back down. “I have details on their drug routes, their money laundering schemes, even the locations of their safe houses. I’ve been in deep enough to know things no one else does. I can give the Medellín cartel to you on a silver platter.”

The judge leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping on the desk. “And what happens if I grant this request and your information turns out to be worthless?”

I didn’t flinch. “It won’t be. You’ll see. I’m giving you names, dates, everything.”

The judge tapped her gavel again, the sound echoing through the room. “Very well. Against my better judgement, I will grant a conditional release, pending your cooperation with law enforcement.”

She turned to Harper and Melanie. “Mx. Fitzgerald, you will report to the court in six weeks to with an update on the progress toward stopping the flow of illegal drugs into our country.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Harper said.

“Both of you,” she said to Melanie and Harper as she removed her glasses. “Make sure your client understands the gravity of this situation. I will not hesitate to revoke this if there is any indication of misconduct.”

Harper gave a firm nod, their gaze steady. “We will, Your Honor.”

A weight lifted, just slightly. It wasn’t freedom—not fully—but close.

Adelina sucked in a breath behind me, her presence grounding me even as the judge continued speaking.

“Mr. Tate, your cooperation must begin immediately.” The judge looked over the courtroom, her expression stern. “Court adjourned.”

The gavel hit the block once more, and with that, it was over.

As the judge stood and exited, Harper’s hand rested on my arm.

They gave me a slight nod and shot a thumbs up to Adelina. “You did well. Both of you.”

Melanie leaned in, her tone a mix of relief and warning. “We need to move quickly on this, Sas. The Rojas brothers aren’t going to be easy targets.”

“No shit,” I hissed at her. “I gave you all the contact information.”

Lanie nodded. “Yeah, and since Ward said they flew out, maybe luck will be on our side and have the feds chasing the cartel down to South America.”

“Sure as fuck hope so.” My gaze drifted to where Adelina sat. Her eyes met mine, and I could see the relief there, mixed with determination. We were far from finished, but at least now, we had a fighting chance.