Chapter Thirty Seven

Benji

Once we hung up, the girls took off to pick up their dresses. Us guys had already sorted out our outfits, so we were left with the task of keeping the kids entertained and setting up the house for tomorrow's festivities.

Even though the girls insisted they didn't want anything too fancy, we wanted to make it special for them. We wanted to make sure that even under these circumstances, everything was as perfect as it could be.

We were also waiting to hear back from Lachie about how things went with Elizabeth. I had kept my worries to myself for the sake of everyone else, but I was deeply concerned about the potential fallout if DA Carson accepted the deal and what could happen afterward.

Prosecutors have a lot of power. They work with the police to gather evidence and build a case against a suspect. Then, they take that case to court and try to convince a jury of the suspect's guilt. Their main job is to seek justice and present the judge and jury with facts and legal arguments that result in the conviction of the guilty party.

But when a prosecutor breaks a law or a code of professional ethics during a prosecution, that's prosecutorial misconduct. And that's what I was worried about. If the feds were offering DA Carson an immunity deal, that would become common law the moment it was signed. It would go on public record and anyone could access it. If someone found out about it and why she was no longer practicing, it could affect every trial she's ever been involved in.

Every defendant she's ever convicted could potentially file for a retrial on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct. I didn't even want to think about how many cases that could be. What scared me even more was the thought of some of those people being back on the streets.

I've been working in that city since I passed the bar and there are cases I remember turning down because they were so brutal. The thought of those cases potentially being retried and the defendants walking free on a technicality was horrifying.

My grim thoughts were interrupted by the sound of little Livy's voice.

“Benji,” she said. “Sorry, what's that, our little dolly? Uncle Benji was daydreaming.”

“I like fairies,” Olivia replied.

“Me too, cutie. Now, what did you want?”

“Daddy wants you.”

I picked up Livy and carried her outside with me, tickling her and watching her squirm with laughter. She was so adorable, it was easy to see why she had her father wrapped around her little finger.

“Stephen,” I said. “She suckered you in too.”

“She does everyone, doesn't she?” Clint replied.

“Yep,” Dave agreed.

“I'm pretty like mommy, daddy said,” Olivia announced.

“You are, that's why we always called you our little dolly. You have these big beautiful brown eyes like your mother, thankfully, and not like your scruffy father,” I teased.

“Prick,” Stephen muttered.

“Prick,” Olivia echoed.

“Livy, what have I told you?” Stephen scolded.

“Only swear when it's just me and daddy,” Olivia replied.

We all burst out laughing at Stephen's expense as he glared at his daughter for ratting him out.

The girls returned after about an hour and quickly disappeared upstairs. We waited for them to come back down, smiling at each other.

When the girls finally came back down and headed outside, all the kids ran to their mothers, excited to see them. But not little Livy. She had plans to throw her dad under the bus for a second time that day.

“Mommy, mommy, guess what,” Olivia said.

“What, baby?” Trinity asked.

“I can swear if it's just me and daddy.”

Everyone's heads shot up as we tried to hold back our laughter. Trinity's head spun around to look at Stephen.

“Stephen Luciano Gotti, explain now,” she demanded.

“Really, Livy? Twice in one day, princess?” Stephen asked.

“Did you just blame our daughter for this? We are having words later,” Trinity warned.

“Yes, dear,” Stephen replied.

We all burst out laughing at Stephen's misfortune as he glared at his daughter for ratting him out again.

The girls looked around the backyard and seemed genuinely impressed and excited by the setup. I couldn't take my eyes off Maddie and I suddenly understood what Stephen had been trying to tell me for years. When it happens, you don't even realize it because you're powerless to stop it. That's when you willingly give them your soul.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of a phone ringing. Stephen said it was Lachie.

“Hey, Lachie,” Stephen said into the phone.

“Got to be quick as we have a lot of shit to work through on this end but just wanted to give you guys the good news. DA Carson has taken the immunity deal. We have two moles,” Lachie replied.

“I'll let everyone know,” Stephen said.

“I'll call you back as soon as I can to fill you all in properly,” Lachie said before hanging up.

“Well, anyone expect that?” Stephen asked.

“I always knew she would save herself, the selfish bitch. She just opened up a huge can of worms on Chicago. All those retrials the moment her conviction of immunity is entered into the public records, or worse, she recanted on the stand and had to be tried herself,” I said.

“You know, baby, this could keep us busy through to retirement,” I said to Maddie.

“Well, on the plus side, at least it will keep you out of trouble,” Maddie replied.

“Hey, let's just get married tomorrow first before you start going all crazy on me, okay?” I suggested.

“Hahaha, sounds perfect,” Maddie agreed.