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“Wouldn’t miss it,” Everleigh says.

I reach over and squeeze his hand. There’s just something so exciting about seeing my siblings happy. I can’t wait for my own turn.

The jury hasn’t reached their verdict by the end of business on Monday, so we return on Tuesday.

Ford, Dex, Liam, and Archer all made it in.

We’re all here, and we’re standing together in various conversations just outside the courtroom as we wait to see what today will hold.

It’s a little after ten when Thomas Bradley himself walks by, and he freezes when he sees his seven children with various significant others standing in a circle together.

His eyes meet each of ours. “Thank you all for being here.” His voice is quiet. Quieter than I’ve ever heard him, I think. He’s subdued, as if he already knows what his fate is. “Whatever the jury decides, I want you all to know that—"

Paul chooses that moment to interrupt our father. “The verdict is in. Court’s back in session.”

I run up to my dad and hug him.

Am I pissed I’m broke and my accounts are all frozen because of him? Hell yes I am.

But he’s still my father, and my heart bleeds for him. He’s had a hell of a year. First his illegal casino was busted, then he found out his wife was very ill, then he lost her, then he fought for his life in court as his children slowly drifted from him.

But we’re all here now. We all showed up—some of us with a grudge, some of us with curiosity…and then there’s me, here because I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to be united with my family again.

We all head into the courtroom, and once things are settled in there, the bailiff yells, “All rise!”

The judge walks into the room, and after he takes a seat, the jury walks in.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asks.

The foreman stands. “We have, Your Honor.”

My heart starts to beat a little faster.

Still not as fast as it did on Thursday. Why am I still obsessing over that?

So he was cute. Move on with your life, Ivy.

I mentally roll my eyes at myself as I focus on the reason why we are here, which has decidedly nothing to do with Cash Maddox.

The bailiff hands a paper to the clerk, who reads the verdict.

“In the matter of the United States versus Thomas Bradley, on count one, conspiracy, we the jury find the defendant, Thomas Bradley, guilty.”

I knew it was going to happen, but my eyes still fill with tears and my heart sinks down into my stomach. I might let out a small, audible sob as I listen to the rest.

Everleigh reaches over and grabs my hand. Ainsley is on my other side, and she grabs my other hand.

“On count two, operating an illegal gambling operation, we the jury find the defendant, Thomas Bradley, guilty. On count three, money laundering, we the jury find the defendant, Thomas Bradley, guilty.”

Guilty on all counts. It was expected, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.

“Is this verdict unanimous?” the judge asks.

“Yes, Your Honor,” the members of the jury say in unison.

“Enter it into the public record,” the judge says to the clerk. He turns to the jury. “Members of the jury, thank you for your time and diligence in this case. You are excused.” And then he turns to Dad. “Mr. Bradley, please stand.” When he does, the judge continues. “As you have been found guilty, you will be sentenced—” He glances down at some paperwork in front of him. “September twenty-eighth. The defendant is remanded into custody.”

A uniformed man walks right up to my father and places him in handcuffs.