I keep my expression blank as I stare him dead in his face. I hope on everything that I love that he can see the hate in my eyes. I hope he can see the loathing reflected in my dark gaze. I hope he can finally see me.
“Your honor, I have a response from my client,” my lawyer says, standing.
“Go ahead.”
“Mr. Stewart was cheating for the entirety of his marriage to my client. We’ve already submitted the evidence to the court. He also beat my client in a public restroom—”
“That was a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean to hi…”
The judge holds up his hand for Ross to shut up and waves for my lawyer to continue.
“We also introduced the CCTV evidence that shows the incident as well as medical records, showing Ms. Miles’s injuries.”
“Who the fuck is Ms. Miles? She’s still my wife, damn it! She’s still Mindy Stewart!” Ross yells hysterically.
“Not for long,” Luca nonchalantly replies, sending Ross into a tailspin.
“Fuck you! You fucking criminal! That’s my wife! Mine! You will never have her! Never! If I can’t have her, nobody will!” Just like I knew it would, my maiden name sent Ross over the edge.
Ross starts to charge at Luca, but the bailiff and security rush to hold him back. Ross’s mother, who has been shooting daggers in my direction through the entirety of the proceeding, starts crying. She finally stands, giving me one last hateful look before leaving the courtroom. I guess Ross showing his ass behind me was her last straw, but she’s seeing the monster she created. The hateful bitch can’t stomach her precious son losing it in such a public forum behind a black woman.
Ross continues to scream, doing his best to get to Luca, who never budges from his seat. His crazed eyes zeroed in on him with so much hate that he didn’t even notice his mother leaving. Ross is really letting his psycho out today, and I finally feel vindicated that everyone can see just how crazy he really is. He treated me like shit for all these years, but he doesn’t want to let me go. It’s always been about control and power with him, it has never been about love.
“Order! I said order!” Judge Stack slams his gavel down again and again. “I’ve heard enough. I gave you several warnings, Mr. Stewart. You are now in contempt and will be held without bail for thirty days. Now, as for the divorce. Ms. Miles, you are granted your divorce and the reinstatement of the protection order. Bailiff, take Mr. Stewart into custody.Everyone have a good day.” Judge Stack smacks his gavel one last time before we all stand.
Ross is taken away in handcuffs, and I am finally free. I’m scooped up into Luca’s arms and twirled around. I giggle like a schoolgirl because he makes me feel like one. Young and finally free to have a second chance of having real love.
TWO MONTHS LATER
LUCA
“Mr. Dalonzo, all of the charges against you are hereby formally dismissed. The state of Texas apologizes for the misconduct and behavior unbecoming of an officer of the law. The court has failed you as a citizen, and again, we apologize. Court is dismissed.”
I nod, not responding. This bullshit is all for show because they can’t find Lisa Wiley. They’ll never find that bitch, but I’m not worried because I know exactly where she is.
I shake hands with my attorneys before turning toward my family. They all insisted on being here even though I told themnot to bother coming. We knew how this was going to end, it was just a formality to show up today.
But as everyone gathers around, hugging and smiling at me as if I were actually in danger of going to prison, I can’t help but smile. My Mama and Papa are smiling the biggest, and all I can do is smile in return.
“Mybambino,” my Mama says softly with tears in her eyes.
“Let’s get out of here. Mama promised me a home-cooked meal.”
I grab Mindy’s hand and lead my family out of the courtroom with a lightness that I haven’t felt in a long time. I have my woman by my side, and she’s finally free of her asshole ex-husband. Ross spent his thirty days in jail, and as soon as his ass got out, he was spotted outside our building. Of course, he couldn’t get in, and he will never be able to get close to Mindy, but I had my men call the police anyway. He was picked up and arrested again for breaking the restraining order, but one of his women bonded him out.
None of that matters, though, because he’s harassed my fiancé for the last time. Just because he wasn’t implicated in the kidnapping made him think he was untouchable. He will learn his lesson the hard way. I would warn his mother to get her black dress ready, but she won’t need it. He’ll be a missing person for the rest of that old bitch’s life. I can’t wait for her to feel all the agony and despair that she inflicted on Mindy because she couldn’t raise a decent human being.
“Hey, are you okay? You seem distracted,” Mindy softly states, stroking my beard.
“Yes,Coniglia, I am more than okay.” I kiss Mindy on her lips, and she lets out a pleased sigh.
I can’t wait to make this woman my wife. She stuck beside me at the lowest point in my life. Mindy could’ve easily checked out and left as soon as she found out what my family was. She knowswho I am and she accepts me wholeheartedly. For that, I will be forever grateful.
EPILOGUE
AN ALPHA’S WEDDING
LUCA
