Page 58 of Loving Justice

“Continue watching. Tribe can slow the video down so you don’t miss anything.”

Justice saw each scene humming by on the screen, feeling a surge of frustration. Just as she was about to dismiss Kent, she caught sight of Jinx in the corner of one frame, snapping photos of her and Kent with his phone. Suddenly, everything came together—the pictures Daddy had shown her paired with his insistence that she marry Jinx. It hit her like lightning, making her drop back down into the chair. This was all a clever scheme. She realized Jinx had been working with Sam from the very beginning.

“I’m sorry, dear. I was as shocked as you are when I realized Jinx had been watching us,” Kent said.

With a gentle nudge, she closed the laptop, ready to move on. Kent’s smug expression reminded her of a satisfied cat that caught the mouse. "What are your true intentions behind this?" she asked. She felt sick by the revelation.

“It’s never too late for us, Justice.” He leaned forward, hands on the table, full of hope.

“Did you really believe you could persuade me to leave my husband and return to you?” Saying it felt strange, like learning a new language.

“Jinx isn’t who you think he is.”

“And neither are you. You’re worse than I could imagine.”

Something flickered over Kent’s face before it vanished. He started to respond, but a loud banging on the front door echoed through the house. He looked at Tribe in frustration. Kent never liked it when things didn’t go as planned. “Get rid of them,” he said.

“Yes, sir.” Tribe marched out of the dining room.

Justice stood again, feeling more stable. “I’m leaving.” She took a step.

“Believe me, that baby isn’t Jinx’s,” he whispered, barely audible.

“What? How do you know?” At that moment, she felt her world tilt again.

“There’s something I need to tell you. For your safety…”

“Sir?” Tribe was in the doorway. Alarm on his features.

“What is it? I’m busy?” Kent snapped.

“I need to speak to you a moment.” Tribe’s hands were tight fists at his sides.

With agitation marring his good looks, Kent pushed back his chair and left with Tribe.

Justice paced the floor, nervously wringing her hands at her waist, her mind racing with thoughts and worries.

How could she ever forgive Jinx and her father?

Her world was collapsing around her like a house of cards.

From the dining room, she heard raised voices, and her curiosity got the better of her. Leaning closer, she sensed Kent was in a heated discussion with someone. Their voices were muffled. She stepped to the doorway, peeking out.

She jumped when gunshots echoed through the air, shattering the silence. She heard a yell and then more silence.

Her heart raced with concern, and she felt a surge of determination. Sweat trickled down her forehead as she stepped forward, eager to see what had happened. She sensed that Kent was shot, possibly dead.

She had left her purse and phone in her car, so she had no way of contacting help.

Why had she done that?

She slowly descended the hall lit by dim sconces and finally reached the grand room. Lying on the floor was Kent in a pool of his own blood. He was alone. And he was alive.

Racing to him, she dropped next to him. Blood was pouring from a small wound near his stomach. His eyes were open.

“Kent, what happened?”

“Pok. Pok did this,” he said in a weak voice.