So, as she stood on the steps of the court where she’d fought her past and won, she now attempted to fight again, and this time the stakes were higher.
Lights flashed, and the noise built before she stepped to the microphone, and the reporters went silent.
“Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may know me as Frida Montalvo, but I was born Maria Garroyo.” A hush went over the area as they listened intently. “My father was the leader of the Dead Kings in Los Angeles, and his legacy and the cruel, evil things he did have led me here today.” Frida took a deep breath and continued.
“I grew up afraid, terrified of what would become of me, of the violence that was a constant part of my life from the day I was born. I lost my mother and my beloved sister to that violence, and I made a choice. It was a dangerous choice, but one I have never regretted. I ran, and I never stopped until today. I became a lawyer, and I made sure my father and his gang paid for what they had done.”
Reporters were beginning to move closer as she spoke, their camera’s flashing. “I made it my mission to take his operation apart piece by piece and give the people oppressed by his violent hold on the community a chance to live a life free of fear. To give mothers peace and allow the youth, the future of our country, to thrive with education and hope. Today, we have made a start on making that happen here in Miami by bringing down two men we should’ve been able to trust. Men who allowed greed to sully the good name of our police force and our District Attorney’s office. As we speak, Detective Charles Kasten and Deputy District Attorney Clark Pool are being placed in police custody for corruption, murder, kidnap, assault, and a host of other offenses.”
Frida heard the hushed silence before questions and calls erupted around her. She didn’t stop and answer them, though.
“I hope you can all understand that, as this will be an ongoing investigation, I cannot say anything further, but we will update you as and when we can. Thank you.” Frida stepped aside and was hurried away by Mason. As they neared the inside of the building, she felt him still, and she looked up at him, her heart in her throat, fear in her belly. She saw him smile, and his eyes locked on her face. Then she knew it would be okay because Malco was safe.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The one thing Frida wanted to do, she couldn’t. When Mason came to her after the press conference and told her that Malco and Alex were safe, she thought her knees would fail as the relief washed over her.
Gripping Mason’s arm, she listened as he explained that when they’d finally reached the storage unit, Malco and Alex had almost freed themselves. The SWAT team took care of Kasten, who was in the unit’s office and was completely surprised to be taken away in handcuffs.
There were still good cops in Miami, especially those personally chosen by Chief Randall to help arrest the traitors.
She wanted to go to Malco, to make sure he was all right, but Mason shook his head, telling her that although they were safe, they had to be rushed to the hospital. Alex needed care since he’d been struck on the head, and they were worried about a possible brain injury as he kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Malco was battered and had lost a lot of blood, but was doing okay. Shane and Emme were accompanying them, promising not to leave their sides for her peace of mind.
It reminded her she still had a duty, an essential task to finish, the first part of it at least. She needed to close the case, make sure everyone was behind bars, and that the wheels of justice were in motion.
So, she had to deny her first impulse to go to the man she loved in order to tie up all the loose ends. The new hacker, Imari, combed through the remaining people in her firm, and once she was certain they could be trusted, Frida instructed them to reopen her office. Frida knew that to bring down an entire network of corrupt cops and probably people within DA Pool’s entourage, would require more than just herself. But she’d learned from her mistakes and would only allow trusted and screened people within her circle.
The day flew by at an incredible speed as she made sure everything was taken care of, especially since things were finally out in the open. Mason and James stood guard to make sure the journalists stayed at a distance while she met with the Mayor, Chief Randall, and government authorities. They were only at the preliminary stage, but everything was well on the way to being tied up.
Mason had brought in food to her office, caring for her like a silent angel and only spoke when he knocked at her door to tell her it was late, and she needed rest.
The moment he’d said the words, it was as if her body decided to shut down. After all, it had been a long time since she’d slept, and she needed a fresh mind for what was to follow over the next several days.
As soon as she sat in Mason’s car, she asked about Malco and was once again reassured he was fine. Her body shut down then, proof she’d pushed herself past the point of what was wise.
The car stopped, and it took her a moment to get her bearings. Frida had thought Mason would head to the Agency and was surprised to see they were at Malco’s.
Too tired to talk, Frida barely remembered the security code, and
