Authors note: Hello everyone. This story is a spinoff of the Twelve Tables series I wrote a while ago. I hope you enjoy this series despite its differences to the original story. Thank you once again to Paul who continues to be my second set of eyes. ~ellie.
*****
The trial had gone on for weeks with Ned's lawyers placing blame on her and throwing around the word love as if it was a weapon she wielded. As promised, Roberto closed the courtroom and even banned Ricco from the room on the day her victim impact statement and the details surrounding her rape were dealt with.
"It is true that love can drive people to do things that would normally be out of character," Roberto had said, nodding sagely as he addressed the courtroom. "But surely, if he loved her, cared for her, cherished this beautiful young woman, he wouldn't have called her a whore as he took advantage of her vulnerable position. She was handcuffed, beaten and dragged through the house, not once, but twice by a man who professes to love her. Every single stitch of clothing she owned destroyed, all of her artwork, her livelihood, destroyed. And why?" He turned to everyone in the courtroom letting the long silence envelop them before speaking again.
"This man, who professes love, took everything away from her so she would turn to him, be reliant on him once again. He threatened the one person in her life she might turn to other than him. He wanted to be sure she had no money, no belongings, no home, and, dare I say it, no hope. Beaten, demoralized and scared for her brother, she gave consent, but it was still rape by anyone's definition. Forced consent does not make such a vile act reasonable under any circumstances," he shook his head sadly.
Cat had watched on silently, listening to his words and feeling strangely vindicated. She had been the one to argue that it wasn't rape, that she had allowed him to do what he wanted because she was scared. The way he had put the information to the court, however, finally made sense to her. It didn't matter that they had once been lovers and she had entered into that relationship willingly, what mattered was that she didn't want it anymore and he had forced her into that situation.
At the end of the trial, Ned was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment with a no-parole period of half that. Even at ten years, Cat was pleased with the outcome and the feeling of safety it gave her, not only for herself, but David. She was awarded damages for the loss of property and livelihood while she had healed, not that she thought Ned had any money to be able to pay the exorbitant amount.
"I promise I will pay you back, it might take me a while, but I swear you will get every cent of your fee. I don't know how to thank you. I feel like, well, I don't feel scared for the first time in forever," Cat smiled widely at Roberto and Ricco. They had saved her life and her sanity by coming to her aid.
"The settlement you won will take care of that, and leave you a tidy sum of money," Roberto said kindly.
"I doubt he has that sort of money," she laughed easily. "He won't be able to pay that sort of money to me, let alone cover your fees."
"They will seize his assets to pay for his crimes. It's my understanding that he has quite a lot of money gained through nefarious means, no doubt. I am sure the local law enforcement officers are looking into that, but there is no reason to believe you won't get what is owed to you, as will I," he said with an air of authority.
"Seriously?" Cat was stunned. She'd be a rich woman. Not rich on the scale of the Vitali's, but rich in her mind. Maybe she could buy a studio instead of trying to rent one so she could concentrate on her art for a while rather than paint specifically for Vanessa's themes and colour palates.
"Yes, seriously," Roberto chuckled. "We will celebrate tonight, come to dinner and invite your brother, I would like to meet this young man outside of the legal atmosphere." He said, as David and Mick walked over to congratulate them outside the courthouse.
"Thank you," David said politely. "I'd like the opportunity to thank you properly." He shook the older man's hand. "And you," he smiled warmly ay Ricco, extending his hand. "And everyone else in your family who helped us. It's been amazing; I can't believe you've all done so much for us. First, though, we should go see Frankie, without him we never would have got to know any of you," David said easily. "I owe him big time."
"I'll call him and tell him to join us for dinner," Roberto said, using the same authoritative tone. "We'll expect you at six for cocktails, and bring your friend. He's been here every day to support Catriona as well," he indicated Mick, and before anyone could say anything else he excused himself and walked away.
"Mr. Vitali," Cat called after him, making him turn. "Thank you, it doesn't seem enough, but thanks," she impulsively hugged him and felt his arms wrap around her in a show of affection.
"You're welcome," he said in a soft voice. "I will see you at six to celebrate and talk about what you want to do with your settlement money. It's quite a substantial amount, and, as your lawyer, I would suggest that you need to protect yourself now more than ever."
"Seriously?" Cat stepped back and looked at him.
"Yes, there are a lot of unscrupulous people who would try and take advantage of you," he explained.
"No that's not what I meant. I mean. you seriously would consider being my lawyer now that this is over?" she asked dumbfounded. "I thought Ricco, and then you, were just helping me because Frankie wanted to help us and keep David out of trouble."
"Does David get into a lot of trouble?" he frowned.
"No," she laughed. "Not since graduation and getting an internship."
"Then I imagine the job won't be too onerous," he smiled and gently took her hand. "You are a good and kind woman who has risen above her past. I would be honoured to remain in your service."
"Wow!" she breathed.
"Wow," he agreed, nodding and letting go of her hand. He walked away leaving her with the younger generation, including his son, Ricco. He contemplated his son and knew they would have to have a serious talk, and soon. Stefano was always the one to deal with the emotional side of their family, but Roberto had a special bond with Ricco that differed to what he had with his other sons, except perhaps Matteo, although that had been sorely lacking lately. It was time to have a talk with him as well and start bringing Matteo back into the bosom of this family.
This young woman he had just represented had been willing to sacrifice her mind, body and soul for her family, her brother. He wondered if his children would ever do the same for each other. That sort of loyalty was what their family should be about, but he guessed it was more lip service to most of them than the reality that girl had just been through. He respected and even admired the young woman. He would be honoured to remain her lawyer, he hadn't lied about that.
*****
"So, let me see if I have this straight," Cat said as she walked around the large grounds with Ricco after dinner. "There's Mia, who had a twin brother who died. Matteo, who owns and runs Vitali Developments where David works, then there is Jacobi and you, then Vanessa and Trista," she looked at him for confirmation, and he nodded. "Aria and Zion, Lucca, and finally Leonardo and Rafael. Did I miss anyone?" She asked, finding it hard to believe he was one of twelve siblings.
"My eldest brother died when we were little. You won't have to remember his name, but it's Alessandro," Ricco said sadly.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Cat reached out and touched his arm.
"I was too young to remember him," Ricco lied. He'd been six and had very clear memories of his brother and how he had tried to protect them all on the day he died.
