Chapter 55

Brittany's POV

It was already two weeks after Cole woke up. Still no action from Dexter.

We had already taken him to the high court for the first hearing, which didn't turn out so well so the judge decided on a second hearing, which was today.

Dexter didn't do anything during the first hearing. That only meant he knew we weren't going to be able to settle the case in just one hearing. He was probably going to carry out his plan today. This kept all of us on edge as we all sat nervously in the court room, waiting for the court precedings to start.

When it finally started, perspiration began to gather on my forehead as I never let my eyes leave Dexter, calculating his every move.

Dexter on the other hand, seemed calm and collected. This scared the shit out of me. Especially when I noticed that he was trying to suppress a smirk.

What was going on in that evil head of his?

Cole's dad was called out too. He didn't even hide the amusement on his face as he listened to all the allegations made against him.

I also didn't hide the glare that was directed towards Cole's dad. I still couldn't believe I was actually scared of him when I first saw him. Now all I wanted to do was bash his head.

I felt a strong pang of disappointment as the hearing ended with another postponement of judgement.

I didn't miss the look of satisfaction on Dexter's face, he didn't even try to hide it.

What game was he playing exactly?

What if he already bribed the judge or something?

I decided to tell Cole my thoughts later on.

We all left the court room with disappointment evident in our faces.

I made eye contact with Cole's dad before he was taken away to the dungeon. He just smirked at me.

What was that about?

~

I joined the others in Thana's room after a long shower.

I sat on Thana's bed, beside Rhea.

Apparently, I was the last to get there.

Judging by the look on everyone's faces, they probably felt just as confused and annoyed as I was.

I didn't waste time in telling them my mind.

"That judge has definitely been bribed!". I exclaimed. " This is the second time... I- I... What stupid game is he playing?!!"

I was so angry about the fact that we put in so much effort and nothing seemed to work.

"The motherfucker's always two steps ahead". Thana mumbled.

"Not this time though". Cole voiced out.

We all turned to look at him with questioning looks.

"I just spoke to Malcolm". He said.

Oh, right. Malcolm wasn't here.

"He's with the lawyer. They have a witness and one more evidence against Dexter and my huh... father. He refused to tell me, though. But he sounded pretty positive that we're going to win this". Cole said.

"What about Dexter's plan? We don't know what his plan is or when he's going to carry it out". Rhea said.

"Trying to find out all that is pointless. We just have to be ready for anything". Cole said.

We all nodded in agreement.

~

Soon enough, it was the day of the next court hearing, which hopefully, would be the last.

This time, the hearing was scheduled for the evening, 6:30 pm, to be precise.

I got dressed and went to Thana's room, which was where we all agreed to meet.

"Look, Brittany's here". Malcolm said as I walked in quietly.

"Hey, Malcolm". I greeted, smiling at him. This was the first time I was seeing him since Cole woke up from his unconscious state a few weeks ago.

"Hey, what's up?" I whispered to Thana as I took a seat beside her.

"Nothing much. We didn't say important stuff since you weren't here". She whispered back.

"Now that Brittany's here-" Malcolm started, but got interrupted by Rhea.

"I'm sorry for interrupting but I just wanted to say... I feel really touched. You actually responded". She said.

We all looked at each other with confusion evident on our faces.

"You all, including Cole, wore all black outfits, even though Cole said my suggestion was dumb". She said, air quoting "dumb".

Cole rolled his eyes at her.

"I didn't respond to your stupid suggestion, I wore black because I love black". He said.

"Yeah, yeah". Rhea said, sticking out her tongue at him.

Before their bickering could go further, Malcom intervened.

"Stop bickering, we'll be going to the court in the next fifteen minutes". He said.

"I gathered a few things, which we aren't going to be able to discuss since we have limited time. So I'll just summarize". He said, then continued after making sure he got everyone's attention.

"So Dexter's plan will be executed today, during the court hearing. During the court precedings, quite a number of Dexter's men will barge in. Just before the judge decrees his final judgement. Their first target will be the judge, so I already asked for his protection to be doubled. Then they'll free Dexter and the King. Then of course, they'll target Brittany and use her as a bait for Cole. While some of them are taking care of Cole and Britt, some will handle Thana and Rhea and the rest will take care of the people who are trying to flee the court room". Malcolm said.

Wow.

I definitely didn't feel very great about being told that I was probably going to be dead in a few hours. Even though I knew that already.

"That's so... Comforting". Thana said sarcastically.

Cole sighed and said, "Now that we know what his targets are, we just have to position our security in the right places".

Someone sniffled.

It was Rhea. She was crying. Rhea was actually crying.

I walked over to her side and engulfed her in a hug. We stayed in that position till she was done with crying.

"I'm sorry... I messed up your shirt". She apologized.

"It's okay". I said, smiling at her.

"I just hate being told I'd be in a life-death situation in a couple of minutes". She said.

"Me too. But we'll be fine". I told her.

She nodded and smiled.

"Are you two done being emotional? We have leave now". Cole said.

"How about a group hug?" Thana said, smirking at Cole.

"Nah, I'm not doing that". Cole said, trying to vampire speed out of the room but Rhea beat him to it.

"Not so fast, Nicky". She giggled as she jumped on his back.

She was back to being her usual cheery self.

"Don't call me that and get the hell off my back". Cole groaned.

Rhea ignored him and yelled, "Group hug!"

We all giggled and wrapped our arms around Rhea and Cole.

"So weird". Cole mumbled.

Rhea jumped off him and smacked the back of his head.

"Shut up". She scolded.

Everyone giggled at their little bickering.

"You all may be really annoying sometimes but... Stay safe, okay?" Thana said, rubbing her palms together.

We all nodded at her and then began stepping out of the room. Someone pulled my wrist back as I was about to go outside.

It was Cole.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, our lips were already pressed on each other. I closed my eyes and savoured every moment of the short kiss. When we finally broke our kiss, Cole pulled me in a hug.

"Stay safe, okay?" Cole mumbled as he buried his head in the crook of my neck.

"You too". I whispered.

"Okay, lovebirds, we have a court to be at". Malcolm said from outside.

I smiled at Cole then opened the door and went outside.

~

We were all at the court room, listening to the lawyers answer questions thrown at them by the judge.

So far, the defending side had stronger proof than we did so... It wasn't really going well for us.

Turning to the prosecuting lawyer, the judge said something along the lines of a last chance for us to get justice. I wasn't really paying attention since I couldn't keep my eyes off Dexter. I kept on staring at him, trying to calculate what his next move. Maybe he was going to give any signals for his men to attack or something. But there was nothing. The old bastard kept a straight face.

Right, Malcolm already said they were probably going to attack just before the judge's final judgement.

"We have a witness". Our lawyer announced. "Permission to summon to witness?"

"Of course". The judge said, granting him permission.

"Mrs Devereaux," Our lawyer said.

My eyes widened as I saw the woman who was already walking to the center of the room, where the witness box was.

She had features that reminded me of my dad. Her presence made me feel at ease. Like she was just what I needed.

We made eye contact. Her eyes were the color of dad's eyes, mine too.

"Family". I whispered.

She stepped into the witness box and narrated her ordeal with Dexter and how he tried to bribe her to kill me when I was given birth to, how he threatened to kill her if he ever saw her anywhere near my vicinity.

I felt tears trickle down my cheeks as she narrated everything to the judge.

After she was done, the judge asked her to leave the witness box. She complied and went back to her seat at the back.

The judge cleared his throat and said, "After listening to the witness' account of what transpired between her and the accused, I've come to a conclusion that not only are the witness' words true, but they are also very accurate and detailed. I came to this conclusion due to my personal investigation". He paused.

"Listen to my final verdict". The judge announced.

My heart thumped in my chest as I waited for Dexter's men to barge in.

No one barged in. But the judge's eyes widened and the next thing I knew, his body was on the floor, with a bullet planted between his eyes. A silver bullet.

After this happened, the once quiet courtroom was now filled with commotion. I gaped at the number of dead bodies on the floor.

Dexter's box was empty, so was Cole's father's.

Then my eyes zeroed in on a body. Making me freeze entirely.

My aunt.

He killed her before I even got the chance to meet her.

I growled, craving revenge.

I knew they were going to come for me next but I was determined to reach my target. Dexter.

My vision was red. I scanned the room for any sign of Dexter and found none.

Some of his men noticed my movement and tried to stop me. I pulled out a silver dagger which I had kept in my black leather jacket.

One of them tried to pin me down. I rolled us over and sat on top of him, then drove the dagger into his chest. I smirked as the smell of burning flesh filled my nostrils.

The dagger was fortified with an herb that was lethal to vampires. He was going to turn to ashes in less than fifty seconds.

I continued stabbing the men that got in my way till I finally got to my aunt.

A teardrop slid down my cheek. She was alive.

Weak, but she was alive. I knelt down beside her.

"Brittany," She whispered weakly.

"I'll get you out of here. I promise". I told her.

"You better do". She said.

Sharp light filled my vision as something metallic collided with my head.

My aunt gasped. I smiled at her and turned to look at the perpetrator.

"You should have known better". I growled.

A few seconds later, the body of a low class turned vampire was lying beside me.

"You're just like him". My aunt whispered. Her tear filled eyes held so many emotions.

I sensed someone running towards me. It was Malcolm.

"Britt, he's- he's coming. Dexter's coming". Malcolm said. His hands were covered in blood.

I smirked.

"Take her somewhere safe, please". I told Malcolm.

Malcolm nodded. He picked her up with ease and left the court room.

"Brittany Devereaux!" Dexter's voice boomed.

My head snapped towards his direction. He had morphed into his bigger form.

"You should call that name with more respect". I said.

"Imagine your aunt's reaction when your ashes are delivered to her in a jar made of glass". He said, ignoring my previous words.

I growled at him.

This is will be fun.

***

A/N: Hey beautiful people!!

I finally updated 😌

It's the last chapter though *sniffs*

Of course, there will be an epilogue. Y'all should be expecting that soon.

Writing MVL has been so much fun. It was also a challenge because I was used to leaving books incomplete 😅

It took a long time for me to update this chapter... Of course, I was being lazy but a part of me didn't want to end this book 🤧

Y'all have been the best supporters. You showed this book so much love. Y'all kept me motivated even when I felt discouraged🤧  I love y'all a lot. Thank you❤❤

I still want more reads and votes though ;-)

So y'all should keep sharing MVL with your friends, family... Everyone.

Y'all are the best!

Love you!!❤❤

Till the next update 😘