Would they stalk Heather and demand to know where I was? What about Douglas Bennett? Would he sue me for making a scene at the trial of his son’s killer?
Michael, Alessio, everyone – I’m so sorry, I thought as I darted down an alley and ran into a café. I know I failed you all. I tried to do the best I could, but I know it wasn’t enough.
The café looked blissfully normal and ordinary compared to the busy madness I’d seen at the courthouse. As discreetly as I could, I bought a small latte and walked over to a seat by the window. The coffee brought back memories of the time Alessio had saved me from an attacker, right before we’d had sex for the very first time. When I looked back on that time, it was hard to believe that I’d been so afraid of him. I’m never going to see Alessio again, I realized sadly. The tears came back to my eyes and soon was I cradling my face in my hands and sobbing.
I cried and cried until my throat was hoarse. The coffee on the table cooled in front of me, and I became oblivious to my surroundings.
Just as the tears finally started to dry up, I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder.
Oh no, I thought. This is it. The cops found me, and now I’m going to be arrested and thrown in jail.
When I glanced up, I was shocked to see Alessio Amoruso, standing there and grinning. His dark eyes were staring right at me, and his chest was heaving. There was a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead, and I could see his pulse pounding in his neck.
“Alessio,” I said in a strangled voice. “What are you doing here?”
Alessio didn’t answer. He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me up until I was on my feet. Then he wrapped his arms around me, crushing me against his body until my knees were weak. When our lips touched, it was like we’d never been apart. Passion and lust swirled through my body and I wrapped my arms around his neck, weak in the knees with desire, fright, and wild lust.
“What happened?” I whispered, pulling away. Alessio kept kissing me everywhere. He kissed my cheeks, my forehead, my ears – even the tip of my nose.
He grinned. “As soon as you were dragged out, the jury went for a recess. When they came back, they said they wouldn’t be able to provide the judge with a reasonable verdict.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
Alessio nodded smugly. “So the judge had no choice but to declare a mistrial.” He raised his eyebrow. “I’m free.”
I swooned against Alessio, my heart thudding with excitement and relief in my chest.
“I can’t believe it,” I murmured. “I can’t believe that you’re free, finally.”
Alessio grinned. “You’d better believe it,” he growled in my ear. The hair on the back of my neck stood up.
“I love you,” I said softly.
Alessio kissed me passionately. He nibbled on my lower lip and I swooned in his arms.
“I love you, too, Beth,” Alessio said. “And I always will.”
21
Beth
One Year Later
“Beth, are you ready?” Heather leaned close to my face and dabbed at my cheek with a napkin. “You look beautiful.”
I grinned. I was standing in the foyer of the magnificent Ashford Estate – one of the biggest historic homes in New Jersey.
“I feel beautiful,” I said honestly, glancing down at my dress. “I can’t believe I’m finally doing this.”
Heather nodded. She pulled me into a long hug. “I’m going to miss you as a roomie,” she said. “But I couldn’t be happier for you.” She handed me a small envelope, which I had no choice but to tuck inside my bra.
“What is this?”
Heather smiled knowingly. “You’ll like it,” she said. “Trust me. Just open it later, after the ceremony.”
I blushed. “It doesn’t feel real,” I admitted.
“It’s real, girl,” Heather said. “And you’re finally getting married.”