Page 64 of The Heir
“And does the state confirm this?” the judge asked.
Blaze whispered feverishly at Clive who smiled and held up a finger, while mouthing, “Let me handle this.”
“Yes, your honor.” Talon sounded like he had personally lost something by agreeing to it. “The state has come to learn that Mr. Aviston has no prior arrests or convictions, he has been a model citizen and is not even a resident of this state. It is believed that his involvement with parties he would not have otherwise been engaged with led to a series of unfortunate events, most of which stem from the 2006 kidnapping of both of his aunts, and the loss of his father. It is the state’s understanding that Mr. Aviston never received victim services at that time. Much needed therapy that perhaps could have circumvented all of th–this.”
Talon began to stammer as Blaze took to hissing at Clive in an animated fashion.
Talon cleared his throat and continued, “Due to his lack of criminal history, and a sound referral from Pastor Don Winehopper, it is believed that Mr. Aviston may benefit from the Offender Initiation program. He would be released under house arrest and to the supervision of Pastor Winehopper, on a delayed prosecution with the agreement that he will participate and complete a rigorous program that includes anger management,therapy, drug and alcohol assessments, and routine check in with the special court system designed for such cases. If he completes everything to the court’s satisfaction the state is willing to drop all charges.”
Blaze stopped hissing and looked at Talon.
“Mr. Aviston, do you understand the agreement being laid out before you?” Judge Kemper asked.
Blaze looked at Clive who gave a heavy nod of encouragement.
“I–” He paused and looked back at my grandfather.
Something passed between them that I didn’t understand, then he looked back to the judge and nodded, “Yes, sir. Delay the prosecution and sign me up for your program.”
“Very good. The matter is scheduled for rehearing in two weeks’ time, you will report to the probation office. They handle the Initiation program as well.”
A guard came forward and opened Blaze’s cuffs.
He was wearing an orange jumpsuit, so I wasn’t really sure what the hell was going on.
“Clear the room,” Judge Kemper ordered, looking pointedly at the jail staff.
They looked uneasy, but he fanned the air. “Get, I’ll escort him back myself.”
Amber was huddling over her chair, her ass frozen a few inches over the seat with a bit of uncertainty weighing on her over-tweezed brows.
“Sit down, you can witness,” Judge Kemper told her.
She planted herself in the chair again and I looked around, bewildered. My gaze landed on Blaze; he was staring at me with an odd smile.
“You sure you don’t want me to have him taken back so he can change first?” Judge Kemper asked. I looked up and realized he was seeking my grandfather’s advice.
“No. No! He is fine. It’s perfect.” Grandfather waved dismissively.
“Alright, then, Don. Let’s get the young lady up here, then.”
“Come on, Honey.” Grandfather stood up and held out his hand.
“Wh– what are you doing?” I whispered, even as I stood up and took his hand.
Even in my confusion, I knew better than to make Harold Kemper wait. I’d seen my dad make that error a time or two.
“Giving you away.” Grandpa smiled and patted my hand before offering it out to Blaze.
“What?” I let out an unladylike snort of a laugh that caused Kemper to fix me with a stern look.
I sobered at once, and Blaze took my hand, drawing me toward him.
“You don’t have to do this,” he whispered, just before his lips planted to the side of my head.
“Do they even have a marriage license?” Amber stretched her question like she didn’t believe it was possible.
“People have to have a license to get married?” I whispered at Blaze, having never gotten anywhere near considering such things before.