Kell remained seated, but he pulled Branson closer to his chest. Ronin stood and inserted himself between Kell and the oncoming authorities, both hands clenched by his hips. With his choice to plead guilty made and honored by his alpha, Kell had no real fear of the future left. Or fear that any of those alphas might actively harm him. Ronin would rip their throats out if they tried.

“Mr. Cross,” Higgs said once they were within speaking distance. “There’s an irate provincial judge looking for you and your client.”

“I imagine we blew return time for the recess,” Ronin replied. “I hope Mr. Awless explained why.”

“He did, which is why we were immediately dispatched, not only to act as backup, but to also escort you to the courthouse posthaste.” Higgs turned his hard gaze into Jenks. “We’ll be having a private word about this, as well.”

“Yes, sir,” Jenks said to his superior.

“Then if the matter is settled here, let’s all be on our way.”

“I’m not leaving without my son,” Kell said. He rose slowly and, despite his training, dared to look Higgs straight in the eye.

The older alpha blinked. “It’s against procedure to bring an infant into a courtroom, and especially for the criminal defendant to do so.”

“This has been an extraordinary case from the beginning, sir,” Jenks said. “Senior Iverson attempted to gain access to Mr. Kell’s only child, and after what I witnessed on tape this afternoon, I have no doubt the man intended to cause that child harm, and/or use him against Mr. Kell. He’s already under arrest on one charge, and I plan on bringing others.”

Higgs studied Jenks a beat, before looking at Kell again. “Heely, see what paperwork we need to sign in order to get the baby in question released from hospital care.”

“On it, sir,” Heely replied.

Kell’s heart leapt, and he bent his neck to kiss Branson’s cheek. He was awake and watching Kell with his big green eyes. “I’m going to protect you, little man, and if there comes a time in the near future that I can’t, then Ronin will. You will always be looked after and loved, I swear.”

Branson gurgled.

Ronin called Awless about the plea deal, while they waited for Heely to return with the release papers. Since Kell, the sole living custodial parent, was currently a court defendant, the hospital needed signatures from the alpha in charge of Kell’s guardianship, as well as a law enforcement officer agreeing that this arrangement was real and taking responsibility if it wasn’t. Jenks willingly signed that.

Kell finally caught the man’s first name: Karter.

Jenks further surprised him by shaking Kell’s hand over the matter. “Planning to go up on the stand and talk about what happened to you was brave,” Jenks said. “But so is what you’re doing now. I hope it all works out for the best.”

“I appreciate that, Constable. Thank you.”

Once the paperwork was in order, and they secured a proper carrier for Branson, their group headed for the elevators. Ronin held the carrier, because Kell wasn’t letting go of his boy any sooner than necessary. Every small breath, every gurgle and blink was precious to Kell, and he needed to treasure every single second, before they were separated again.

Jenks used the siren so they got back to the courthouse faster. Reporters were waiting for them in the underground garage, and Kell didn’t get out with the carrier until Higgs and his crew were there to provide a barrier. He hated the noise and flashbulbs, and Branson started to cry.

Once they were safely inside, Kell got him out of the carrier so he could shush him. Branson settled quickly, back in his omegin’s arms. Word must have spread fast that Kell was back, because the gallery was nearly full when they entered the courtroom again. Awless was waiting. Ronin went to speak with him, while Kell settled behind the table, Branson secure against his chest.

He ignored the questions being shouted at him from behind, in no mood to tell them why he’d brought an infant into the courtroom. Court deputies shushed them quickly, and in moments, everyone rose to greet Judge Mendes. The man didn’t look pissed, but he was also clearly unhappy.

Mendes zeroed right in on Kell and Branson. “In a normal situation,” he said in his booming voice, “having a defendant not return to court from a recess is grounds to hold you in contempt.”

Kell shivered.

“However, this has been an unusual trial from the beginning, and as I understand it, a minor child was involved, so I’m inclined to be lenient. Mr. Cross, can you please explain to the court why your client felt it necessary to go to the hospital in the middle of our proceedings?”

Ronin stood. “Your Honor, after viewing new evidence that we are more than willing to show to the court, Mr. Kell became absolutely certain his infant son Branson, who was only recently recovered by a constabulary investigation, was in mortal danger from Senior Iverson.”

“Based on this so-called evidence?”

“Yes, your Honor. Mr. Kell would not be calmed by any means other than seeing for himself, so we went under the supervision of Constable Karter Jenks. When we arrived at the hospital, Senior Iverson was attempting to bully staff and other patrolmen into allowing him access to the infant. At one point, Senior Iverson slapped Mr. Kell in the face in front of witnesses, and he was arrested on the spot for assault.”

“Good,” came from someone in the jury, but Kell couldn’t place the source.

“That doesn’t explain why there is an infant in the courtroom,” Mendes said.

“My client adamantly refused to leave without his son. They’ve been separated for months. Mr. Kell didn’t know where his son was sent, or if he’d ever see the boy again. Branson isn’t here to sway the jury, sir, it’s a necessity. I can’t imagine we’d have been able to move the courtroom to a wing of the hospital.”

Someone behind Kell snickered.

“As explainations go, it’s rather wild,” Mendes said. “But I’ve heard crazier stories in my years, so let’s get on with business, shall we?”

“Your Honor,” Awless said as he stood. “This afternoon, a new offer of charges was made to the defendant, and he accepted them, and he is willing to now plead guilty.”

Mendes’s eyebrows went up. His attention swung back to Kell. “Is this true?”

“Yes, your Honor,” Kell replied. He stood with a bit of trouble, careful not to jostle Branson too much.

“What is the charge?”

“Simple assault, your Honor,” Awless replied.

A loud murmur filled the gallery and went on long enough that Mendes banged his gavel twice to silence them.

“Simple assault is a misdemeanor in this province,” Mendes said. “Are you certain this is how the prosecutor’s office wishes to proceed?”

“It is, your Honor.”

“All right. Kell Iverson, are you of sound mind and body, and are you able to understand the charge to which you are answering?”

“Yes, your Honor,” Kell replied, chin up, eyes forward. Calm on the outside, because he was genuinely calm inside. This was the right decision for his family.

“Were you coerced in any way to accept the new charge against you?”

“No, your Honor. It was my idea.”

“Well, I have to say this has been an extremely unique case on all fronts. In my forty-year career as a judge, I’ve never seen a provincial prosecutor so dramatically drop their charge from murder to simple assault.”

“We’ve never had such compelling evidence arrive in the middle of trial,” Awless said. “Compelling evidence of a brutal living environment and likely emotional damage that led me to believe, despite what we witnessed on video, Mr. Kell was not in control of any actions he took against the late Krause Iverson.”

Kell gaped at the man who was supposed to be the enemy. He had no thanks for Awless, but he respected that his attitude had changed toward this omega, at the very least.

“All right then,” Mendes said. “Kell Etting Iverson, to the charge of simple assault, how do you plead?”

“Guilty, your Honor,” Kell said in a clear, strong voice.

“So entered.” Mendes raised his gavel, and Kell expected them all to be dismissed, Kell likely to jail again to await sentencing. He’d hate it, but he’d survive. Mendes put the gavel back down and studied Kell until Kell squirmed.

Kell glanced up at Ronin, who also seemed uncertain about the delay. Branson let out a loud gurgling sound that had several people laughing.

“Normally, I would hold a separate hearing for your sentencing, Mr. Kell,” Mendes said. “To look over the case notes and sentencing standards for the specific charge. However, I don’t believe that’s necessary here.”

Kell’s belly quivered with nerves. The judge already knew what sort of time Kell would serve.

Ronin put a hand on Kell’s shoulder, probably as much to steady Ronin as Kell.

Mendes leaned forward. “Kell Iverson, for the guilty plea of simple assault, I sentence you to five days in jail.”

Kell’s stomach cramped. He could manage five days without Branson. Five days without Ronin. He’d done it before.

“I also hereby nonconditionally suspend your sentence,” Mendes finished. “You’re free to go. Members of the jury, thank you for your time. You are dismissed.”

Gavel. Bang. Voices. Lots of voices. Cheering.

Kell couldn’t move at first, because the judge’s words hadn’t quite penetrated. He’d still been doing mental negotiations for surviving five days in jail when words like “suspend” and “free” tried to float inside and confuse him.

And then Ronin was hugging him and Branson from the side, laughing and so joyous that the words hit home.

I’m free to go. FREE!

Kell didn’t know what to say or do, so he let Ronin hold him while they both cried happy tears. He was only partially aware of people coming up to congratulate them, to thank them for bringing awareness to the situation of traumatized omegas. Kell wasn’t sure what he said to any of them, or if he spoke at all. He didn’t want to do interviews, he wanted to go home.

At some point, they were moving, still surrounded by patrolmen and Constable Jenks, until they were walking down the courtroom steps toward the sidewalk, and a waiting car. Braun emerged from the car’s backseat, and Kell finally came out of his fog. He carefully handed Branson over to Ronin, and then he ran.

He ran, hoping reporters and gawkers got out of his way, because Kell only had eyes for his brother. Braun met him, and they collided in a hug filled with laughter, tears, and so much joy Kell thought his heart might burst. Then Tarek was there, followed by Ronin and Branson, and their family was finally complete.

They all climbed into the car to avoid their conversation ending up on the evening news. Kell and Braun put Branson’s carrier between them in the back, while their glowing alphas sat up front, Ronin driving to give Tarek’s arm a rest.

“I can’t believe the judge suspended your sentence,” Braun said. “That’s incredible.”

“It is incredible,” Ronin replied. “Part of me is shocked that Judge Mendes allowed the plea at all, given the drastically reduced charge, but he did. And he set Kell free.”

Kell shivered at the weight of that simple four-letter word. Free. He hadn’t truly been free his entire life. For twenty-one years, he’d lived under the rule of an angry, mostly-drunk alpha who treated his sons like shit. For three years, he’d lived under the rule of a merciless, abusive rapist. For the past few weeks, he’d been a prisoner in that apartment, a prisoner to his own memories, wondering if he’d live past day one in prison.

Free was too big a word to comprehend today. He wasn’t sure what free really meant, other than not with Father, not with Krause, and not in prison.

But as he glanced at the smiling, excited faces in the car, he started to understand. Free was family. Free was Tarek, who’d saved Kell’s life in that elevator, and who’d saved Braun’s by loving him. Free was Braun, who had been a light in Kell’s life since the day he was born. Free was Branson, possibly Kell’s only child ever, and he was the blood beating in Kell’s heart.

Most of all, free was Ronin, who was the heart in Kell’s chest, the protector he’d always wanted, and the man he loved. He was Kell’s bondmate, his best friend, his alpha.

“I’m free,” Kell whispered as he leaned over to kiss Branson’s forehead. “Finally. Free.”

Along with his joy and excitement over the future came a big belly rumble of hunger.

Braun laughed. “I’m feeling the same way.”

“Hmm, hey Ronin?” Kell asked. “Can we make a stop at Petrova’s on the way to wherever we’re going?”

“Sure thing, little one,” Ronin replied.

Kell grinned at his brother. Right now, free was his favorite fish tacos from Petrova’s. Everything else could wait a bit.