Impeached

by Brenda Trim

  “Is that good or bad?” Liv asked.

  “It’s neither. I’m not happy he rejected the murder charge, but I still feel we have enough evidence to move this to trial. She never denied kidnapping shifters or holding them captive. As Bart pointed out, that’s against the law,” Lloyd muttered as he stared toward Elaine.

  Erika looked over at the female. She was calm and collected which worried Erika. If Elaine was concerned, she sure as shit wasn’t showing it.

  Forty-five minutes passed before the bailiff entered and announced court was back in session. Erika’s heart hammered in her chest as the judge stepped back into the courtroom. Closing her eyes, she prayed for justice. She wrung her hands in her lap, trying to calm her frayed nerves. Bart reached over and grasped her hand, squeezing. Immediately, his touch put her at ease and she couldn’t deny it was what she needed.

  As the judge took his seat, he glanced at Elaine, and Erika swore she saw him smirk. What was that about? Once again, her gut turned. A sinking feeling overwhelmed Erika. This was not going to go in their favor.

  “I’ve given great consideration to the charges against Elaine Jensen,” began Judge Maynor, “and while I don’t condone her methods, she hasn’t broken any laws.”

  Erika gasped and clenched her fists. Her wolf demanded she shift so she could rip out the vile female’s throat.

  “Your Honor,” Lloyd Greene interrupted, but the judge raised his hand, stopping his comment.

  “The bottom line is shifters aren’t regarded as human. Surprisingly, they aren’t considered animals, either. It’s a very gray area, and my judgements are bound by the law. I’m truly sorry, but this isn’t the forum for these issues. Laws must be put in place before judgements can be made on their behalf. Therefore, I am granting the motion and all charges against Elaine Jensen are dropped. Court is dismissed,” the judge declared then stood and left the courtroom.

  Erika’s mouth dropped. Did she hear him correctly? Shifters were basically nobody, with less rights than animals. No rights, no laws protecting them, nothing. Everything Elaine did was okay in the eyes of the justice system? How was that even possible?

  She glanced over as Elaine and her attorney embraced, celebrating their victory. Elaine’s gaze met hers and a wicked grin spread across the female’s face. Rage boiled beneath the surface as Erika scowled at the despicable human. The charges might’ve been dropped, but this was far from over.

  Erika stood up, and turned to leave. And then chaos erupted.

  Chapter 12

  Ryan leapt from his chair and Bart was tossed to the floor in Ryan’s scramble to get to Elaine. Before anyone could stop the shifter, Ryan grabbed Elaine by the throat and growled, “You’re nothing but a cold-blooded murderer. You should be executed for the things you’ve done.” Claws extended from the tips of his fingers and sank into her neck. Elaine gasped for air as her arms flailed wildly.

  Bart rushed forward but Lawson was two steps ahead of him. He grabbed his brother around the torso and dragged him off Elaine. The female clutched her throat, coughing uncontrollably, and Bart watched blood trickle from where Ryan’s claws found purchase in her tender flesh.

  “You’re nothing but a bunch of savage beasts. Animal is too nice a term for you…shifters,” she spat, and her attorney snatched her arm then scurried from the courtroom.

  “This isn’t over,” Erika yelled to their retreating backs then turned to the District Attorney. “Tell me you have a backup plan because this is bullshit!”

  “Miss Pittman, I know the judge’s ruling wasn’t what we hoped for, but you have to understand the way the law works,” Lloyd Greene relayed as he gathered his papers and stuffed them in his briefcase.

  “What law? Apparently, there isn’t any for us,” Lawson barked as he pinned Ryan against the large table.

  Ryan’s eyes blazed with fury as his chest heaved. He fought Lawson’s hold but was no match against his brother. Lawson was the alpha, and dominated all pack members. Thank God for that, Bart thought. Without Lawson, no one would’ve been able to stop Ryan from killing Elaine.

  “Get the fuck off me,” Ryan shouted, but Lawson didn’t budge.

  Bart’s emotions scattered. He’d prayed for justice, and the disappointment was all-consuming. Worst part was he felt like part of the problem. He was governor, yet what good had it done? Humans were so caustic. Where was the empathy they loved to boast about? Bart knew what needed to happen, but he questioned if he was up to the task. It could mean suicide for his career. Was he willing to risk it all for them, he wondered, as his gaze landed on Erika.

  “Look, everyone is extremely emotional right now,” Mr. Greene acknowledged and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Let’s get you to your vehicle and we can discuss our next move in a day or two when things settle down.”

  “There’s one more issue,” Bart interceded. “The media will surround us when we get outside. I suggest we––,” he trailed off as Lawson released his hold on Ryan and bolted from the courtroom.

  “Oh shit!” Liv shouted. “Lawson, stop!” but the doors slammed shut, and Bart’s gaze darted to each member of the group, waiting to see who would take charge of the situation.

  Everyone froze in place, shock splayed across their faces. When no one made a move, Bart turned and fled from the courtroom. Lawson had to be stopped before he made matters worse.

  As soon as Bart breached the front steps of the courthouse, the media descended like an agitated swarm of wasps. There were dozens, possibly a hundred, gathered at the main entrance. He immediately spotted Lawson off to the side, talking to a news reporter, Charles Heade. Since Lawson stood a good foot taller than most in the crowd, he was easy to locate. Bart rushed to his side, hoping to minimalize any damage Lawson caused.

  “What is your reaction to the charges being dismissed against Elaine Jensen?” the man asked and lifted the microphone to Lawson’s mouth.

  “It’s deplorable. The judge made it painfully clear that shifters have no legal rights under the existing laws. I’m furious at the injustice served today,” Lawson barked into the microphone.

  “What’s your next move?” Charles asked.

  “Well, I promise you, we won’t crawl into a hole and disappear. I’m sure that’s what most of you would like to happen, but we’re done being treated as second-class citizens. We will fight back,” he growled, and several protestors shoved their way to Lawson. “We will ensure laws are passed to protect shifters and elevate those protecting animals. It may be okay with the law if shifters are kidnapped, tortured and killed, but we won’t stand for it.”

  Bart grabbed Lawson’s arm to get him away from the scuffle but not soon enough. One man charged forward, and yelled, “Go back to the woods where you belong! We don’t want your kind invading our peaceful city!” and shoved Lawson’s chest. The shifter’s burly frame didn’t move, and it was a grave mistake on the man’s part.

  “Don’t put your fucking hands on me,” Lawson roared and pushed back. Lawson was twice as big as the man, and the guy flew backward into the crowd.

  Bart watched as Liv and the others stepped from the courthouse, but they got lost in the shuffle as they tried to make their way toward him and Lawson. Bart scanned their group, searching for Erika. He spotted her at the back of the line, and noted she looked both pissed and terrified. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn’t get through the tight cluster of people.

  Off to the side, Bart noticed a large group of hostile shifters making their way to Lawson. They were chanting but he couldn’t decipher what they were saying. As they moved closer, he understood their shouted words.

  “Shifters unite! We will fight! We have rights!” The group repeated the saying as they pumped their fists high above their heads.

  One side of Bart cheered along with them, happy to see the shifters taking a firm stand, but the other side cringed because he knew what this meant. The longstanding peace between humans and shifters was coming to an end, and it scar
ed the shit out of him.

  Suddenly, another man stepped forward and spit in Lawson’s face. “That’s what I think of your rights,” he sneered, then all hell broke loose.

  Lawson unleashed his rage, punching the human in the face just as Ryan made his way through the crowd to his brother. He pounced on the human that shouted obscenities to Lawson. Fight after fight broke out between the shifters and humans, and all Bart could think about was Erika. He couldn’t see her in the crowd and that worried him. He turned in a circle, scanning the area, then headed toward the courthouse entrance. Hopefully, their paths would cross because if he knew Erika, she was on her way to Lawson, ready to defend her pack.

  People were pushing one another, shouting profanities, and throwing punches. Hell, he couldn’t tell if the humans were fighting the shifters or one another. It was total chaos and none of it made sense to him. All that shifters wanted was the same basic rights as humans. Why, exactly, were they fighting them? He wanted to see the two races come together and support one another. That was the only solution that benefitted all.

  He scanned the crowd as he pushed his way deeper into the herd of people. Thankfully, it was a cool day or he imagined it would be a sweaty, smelly cesspool of heated bodies. He felt a tug on his suit jacket, and Bart turned, locking gazes with an elderly face. The woman’s red cheeks and neck were accentuated by beady green eyes he thought would pop from their sockets with all the anger emanating from her pores.

  “Governor Smith, why aren’t you stopping this? It’s a madhouse, and someone is going to get hurt if you don’t do something,” she shouted, spit flying from her mouth.

  “Ma’am, that’s what I’m trying to do. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he replied curtly then continued his trek. Like he had the power to stop the insanity. All he cared about right now was finding Erika.

  A young boy fell in front of Bart, and he reached down and helped him to his feet. He couldn’t have been more than four and appeared scared and lost. “You okay? Where are your parents?” Bart asked as he searched for anyone that appeared to be looking for the boy.

  “I don’t know,” he muttered as tears filled his eyes. Bart picked him up, and held him close.

  “Tell me if you see them anywhere,” Bart instructed him and turned in every direction so the child could look for his parents.

  “There’s my mom,” the boy said as he pointed to a nearby woman. She turned around as if she’d heard the boy’s voice.

  “Sammy!” she yelled and rushed toward them. “You scared me to death,” she quickly added and grabbed the boy from Bart’s arms. “Thank you so much. I was worried sick.”

  “No problem. You should get away from the riot. It’s not safe,” Bart explained as he spread out his arms, protecting them from a nearby scuffle.

  “We’re trying. We just came out of the courthouse and didn’t realize a protest was taking place. As soon as I find my husband, we’re leaving. Thank you again,” she voiced as she scurried down the staircase that led to the parking lot.

  Bart waved to them then turned back to the crowd. Several yards ahead, he saw Erika. She was trying her best to fight off a couple of humans while protecting Cassie at the same time.

  “Erika!” he shouted and shoved his way through the crowd.

  As Bart got closer, he watched one of the men grab her, forcing Erika’s arms behind her back. The other guy reached out and grasped her face. “Look at you, pretty thing. You’re not an Amazon like the rest of them. I’d like to adopt you as a pet,” he leered as his gaze roamed her body.

  “I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole,” she snarled as she kicked out. Her feet slammed into his stomach, and the man slumped to his knees as his breath left in a rush.

  “Yeah, asshole!” Cassie screamed and started beating the guy’s back with her fists.

  “You, bitch!” he choked out as he got to his feet and shoved Cassie. “Now, let me show you what happens to a disobedient dog,” he threatened and punched Erika in the face.

  Bart lunged, tackling the man to the ground. He unleashed his building anger and frustration over the situation. His fists flew, pummeling the man’s face with every ounce of strength he could muster. This douchebag picked the wrong shifter when he targeted Erika. Bart recalled her abuse at the facility in Nashville, the prejudice she endured at the Italian restaurant, the judge’s unfair ruling, and now, this jackass. She deserved to be cherished and loved, not treated like some rabid animal.

  Bart felt hands on his shoulder then a hard tug. “C’mon, let’s get the hell out of here,” Erika yelled. When he turned, he wanted to pound the guy harder when he caught sight of her beaten face. “We need to go,” she said in a rush.

  The guy beneath him scrambled away and took off running. Bart got to his feet and grabbed Erika, pulling her into an embrace. “You okay?” he muttered against her ear, and she nodded. He squeezed tighter, not wanting to let go of her. Ever.

  “Damn, dude. You went postal on that guy. I didn’t know you had it in you,” Cassie mumbled, and he turned to his friend.

  “Guess you’re rubbing off on me,” he teased Cassie with a wink then turned back to Erika. God, how he wanted to kiss her. Take her in his arms and show her how much she meant to him. “Seriously, are you alright?” he asked and stroked her swollen cheek.

  “I’m fine. You? Your lip is bleeding,” she replied as she put her finger on his mouth, caressing the injured area.

  “I’m good. Let’s get Lawson and the others, and get the hell out of here.”

  Suddenly, a piercing scream rent the air. Bart pulled Erika closer as he searched for the source of the sound. The area cleared as a figure tumbled down the stairs of the courthouse. Bart gasped when his gaze landed on the woman lying on the ground. It was Liv.

  “No!” Cassie shouted and the three of them pushed their way down the stairs.

  When they reached the bottom, Lawson was at Liv’s side. He cradled his mate’s unconscious body and Bart immediately thought about the baby. “Is she okay?” he blurted. There was no blood but that didn’t mean she didn’t suffer internal injuries.

  “I’m not sure. We need to get her back to Safe Haven,” Lawson replied as he lifted her body and started walking.

  “No, Lawson,” Bart countered. “That’s a three-hour drive from here. The hospital is five minutes away.”

  “I told you we don’t do hospitals!” Lawson roared.

  “Just listen to me. She needs immediate attention. She’s human. Our bodies aren’t as impervious as yours. Lawson, I’m thinking of the baby, too. Please. Let’s take her to the hospital,” Bart pleaded.

  “He’s right. It’s the smartest choice,” Cassie added as she wiped blood from Ryan’s face. They all looked like they’d been in a bar brawl. Luckily, no one suffered anything dire. Except Liv. Lawson had to understand that taking her to the hospital was the best option.

  “Fine, but I’m not leaving her side. I don’t care what you or anyone else says,” he barked.

  “You’re her husband. No one will keep you from her,” Bart replied and held up his hands. “Let’s go,” he added and led them to the parked limousine.

  Several protestors shouted at their retreating backs, but they ignored their hateful words. At least, for now.

  Like Erika said, this wasn’t over. But first, they needed to get Liv to the hospital. Bart prayed she and the baby were okay. If not, there was no telling how Lawson would retaliate. God help them all if that happened.

  Chapter 13

  The limousine squealed into the parking lot, and Bart was thrown against Erika as the vehicle weaved in and out of parked cars. Apparently, his driver, Steve, took it literally when Bart told him to haul ass to the hospital. Within minutes, the back end of the limo swerved as they peeled rubber toward the emergency entrance.

  As soon as the vehicle stopped, Bart jumped out and dashed through the sliding doors. “I need help! We’ve got a pregnant woman who was pushed down the courthouse stairs. She�
��s unconscious,” he yelled to the lady behind a large reception desk.

  The woman immediately picked up a telephone receiver, and her voice blared through the speakers as she called for assistance.

  Two men appeared with a gurney moments later. One was very young, probably in his early twenties and the other was much older, with gray hair and a beard. “Lead the way,” the younger man instructed.

  When they approached the limousine, Lawson stepped out of the car, and the older attendant paused. “We don’t treat shifters,” the man informed them as he eyed Lawson.

  “The injured woman is human,” Bart snapped as his temper shot through the roof. He was sick and tired of this shit. “And, you will treat her. Now!” he demanded.

  “Of course, we will,” the younger man interjected as he glowered at his coworker. Clearly, he didn’t like the older guy’s comment.

  Bart wondered if the discrimination against shifters was primarily the older generations or if the young were just as biased. He surmised it was the older, more rigid, generation. He thought about the protestors at the courthouse. Most were older than Bart which would support his theory. But why?

  Lawson gently picked up Liv and placed her on the gurney. The two attendants rushed toward the entrance with Bart, Lawson, and the others hot on their heels. As Liv was wheeled down a long corridor toward a set of double doors, the woman behind the reception desk stopped them.

  “You’ll have to wait here while she’s examined,” Rusty Morgan (according to her nametag) informed them then held out a clipboard. “I need you to fill these out, please.”

  “I’m going with her,” Lawson blurted, and shoved the clipboard away. Bart saw worry and fear etched across the shifter’s face. He’d never seen Lawson so upset.

  “Sir, you aren’t allowed back there. We will take care of your…wife?”

  “My life-mate, which is far more than just a wife. I need to go with her,” he pleaded and Bart placed a hand on his shoulder, holding him back.