Thirty-Seven

Ryan was going to his preliminary trial in a couple days and I went to the jail house to see him. I downloaded the video onto my phone and explained to the police officer on duty that it was of the utmost importance I keep my phone as it deals with his Uncle's trial that is coming up in a month. The officer reluctantly agreed. I wanted to go to my father first but Ryan needed to know what was going on.

"Ryan!" I yell as I jog towards his cell. I reach the bars and he stretches his arms up smiling. He stretched and yawned.

"Hey Athea." He looked happy and slightly rugged which was weird on him but surprisingly attractive.

"I got evidence to clear your Uncle. With his help of course." I smile and gasp for breath. I practically rushed everything out and ran in here and I'm not used to cardio. It reminded me to get back into shape.

"Wait? Really?" He asks as he wraps his hands around the bars. He looks excited and concerned all at the same time.

"Yeah. Watch." I pull my phone out and play the video for him. Once it was finished he looks to me in astonishment.

"You took a pistol whip to the face and didn't black out? And Meghan Blanch really?"

"Yeah. Uncle Chris told me how he didn't trust her and neither did your father. But needless to say you tried to give someone the benefit of the doubt and even though it was not a good choice they are both so happy with how you ruled in your Uncle's absence." I was so excited. I had a chance to convince my father to let Ryan go. This is evidence that Ryan was desperate and evidence that my feelings for him are real.

"You're going to be my mafia queen. You are amazing." He said and I see his eyes flick down to my lips.

"I wish I could kiss you Ryan." I smirk at him. He smiles and we talk for a few minutes before the officer tells me I have to leave now.

"I'll see you at your prelim. I'm going to continue to try and get my father to see you the way I do. He's not really talking to me though. Hopefully after this he will." I said silently crossing my fingers. I see the spark in his eyes come back now that there is hope. Oh and we raised a couple mil. tonight for your bail." I added as an after thought. I was at the door to go to the waiting room.

"How much did you donate?" Ryan asks shocked. He really must not know how much he means to everybody.

"Half my savings. Had to prove my loyalty somehow." I wink and hurry off yelling a bye behind me. I was feeling great and it carried over until I rang the doorbell to my fathers' house. It was two in the morning and I was starting to feel the effects of sleep deprivation. I was exhausted but I had to get home. Trepidation was starting to seep into my thoughts and bones.

"What do you want?" My father asks me gruffly when he opens the door. He was tired and more than likely not happy to see me.

"You know how the Uncle. Uncle Chris is going on trial in a month?" I ask as I step inside slamming the door behind me and trailing behind my father. I didn't even care that I called him Uncle Chris in front of my father. It wouldn't matter if I did because my father is too tired to notice anyways.

"Yeah. What about it?" He asks narrowing his eyes at me.

"I have evidence. A confession from someone who orchestrated it. Uncle Chris is innocent." I hold my hand out with the flash drive sitting in the palm of my hand.

"This couldn't have waited unt- wait did you just call him Uncle Chris?" Now he realized I called Montoya Uncle Chris.

"Yes. I was with him until an hour ago. I went and saw Ryan in jail showing him the video too." I smile at my father letting him know he is going to have to deal with it. He would be mad but I didn't care. I didn't care how my parents felt anymore. This was about proving that Ryan was not in the right state of mind concerning me and that his Uncle is innocent in a crime he was unjustly accused of committing.

"Whatever. Listen stay here then we can discuss this in the morning."

"No. You're going to watch this video. " I grab my parents laptop and insert the flash drive. I play the video and watch my fathers reaction. His face changes quickly when he sees I was pistol whipped. The video stops and he looks at my brow. I know a bruise had to have formed by now and I was really feeling the pain but I was so jacked up on adrenaline it was kind of numb. Also, the bandage brought attention to it.

"You got pistol whipped for the mafia family? The son, Ryan, kidnapped you." My father wore an expression of incredulity.It was hard for him to imagine why I would go to such lengths to prove one mans' innocence.

"Of course Dad. Uncle Chris is innocent and as far as everyone in that family is concerned I'm a part of them now. Listen I just want you to think. I came across some old papers and whatnot. There are plenty that deal with community service, fundraisers and legal ways of obtaining money. But I can't see any trace of illegal activities which means that they are smart enough to cover their tracks and they stay under the radar. Don't you think that Uncle Chris would have done the same thing had he actually killed that family? Don't you think Ryan would have killed me instead of letting me live? Ryan needs to be let go. I'm not mad. Uncle Chris needs to have the charges against him dropped."

"Honey..."

"I'm serious or you're going to lose me. Ryan was desperate. He wouldn't have done what he did otherwise." I pat my father's shoulder and download the file to the laptop and ejecting the flash drive. I leave everything on the table and left. I lock my apartment door and fall into bed fully dressed.

I wake up in a panic. My dad was saying Ryan was guilty and set his bail so high we couldn't raise enough money to get him out. I place my hand over my racing heart and slow my breathing down. I had to remind myself it was just a dream and Ryan was going to his prelim the next day. I get dressed and look at the clock noticing I'm late for work.

I run to the office and catch my breath once I sit down.I go through the next couple of manuscripts quickly throwing them in the trash next to my desk. I finish editing one when Mark comes out of his office looking at me strangely.

"Athea. You were late."

"Yes sir. I'm sorry. I had a really late night last night. I didn't get to bed until three-thirty. Here is the first edited manuscript and the two I needed to read were not what we were looking for so they are in the trash. I also, ordered your lunch already and sent the emails out letting those two authors know that at this point in time we are not interested in publishing their books and to try again with us in a couple years if need be."

"How long have yo been here?"

"About ninety minutes sir."

"This is why I like you!" Mark guffaws and pats my back. He leans down and looks over at my shoulder at the next manuscript I grabbed and nodded. "What'd you order me for lunch?"

"I ordered you some Sub Way. A sunflower crunch subway club foot long. Toasted with shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, black olives, jalapeno and banana peppers. Mayonnaise, sweet onion, subway vinaigrette, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and honey mustard sauce. I also ordered you some fried pickles and a blooming onion with a Dr. pepper. It should be here in," I pause to check the time. "It should be here in ten minutes sir."

"You are a godsend. Did you get a few packs of cookies from Mcdonalds? We want them for the staff meeting this afternoon."

"No but I can run to the Mcdonald's at the corner and order them."

"Sounds good. Get it done." Mark points at me and walks back into his office.

I pick up the phone and put the order in for three packs of the thirteen cookies. Then Uber Eats shows up and I collect the food for Mark and carry it into his office. I walk out and finish reading the manuscript I had grabbed marking it with a check mark. I was feeling very accomplished on the little bit of sleep I received and after my victory last night over Meghan and hopefully my father.