Accidental Bride by Cristina Lollabrigida
ChapterTen
True to her word,Jenny drew up a divorce petition. Alessandra sat on the bed with the papers in her lap for hours. She trusted Jenny’s legal skills and didn’t read them. She couldn’t read them. She felt lightheaded just by having them in hand.
Jenny knocked on the door, finding Alessandra in the same position she’d left her in. “You need to sign them.”
“I don’t know if I can,” Alessandra pouted.
“Sign them, Alessandra.” Jenny thrust a pen at her and pointed at the papers.
Alessandra felt an immense amount of pressure coming from every direction, which weighed her down. It seemed like nobody cared about her wishes. “I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
“Think of it as insurance. If you sign them now, you can serve Drake in court and avoid a process server.”
She had no intention of celebrating the disillusionment of her marriage. Was it necessary? If she were being truthful with herself, she would confess that she desired to stay married.
Alessandra was determined to show Drake what he was missing. She wore an off-the-shoulder gray knit sweater top and a high-waisted black mini skirt adorned with bold buttons, thigh-high stockings, and black fuck-me pumps.
She pulled her long auburn hair over one shoulder to expose the gentle slope of her neck. Outside she was sexy, confident, and put together. Inside she was falling apart. She longed to be the wife of Drake Walker, not just a woman with a random husband.
Once they arrived at the Richard J. Daley Center, the women parted ways. There were separate security lines for officers of the court and the general public. The security guards knew Alessandra by name at this point and were quite cordial. Her heart quickened with every echoing step down the corridor of the fourteenth floor as she approached Judge Matthew’s courtroom.
Although Jenny had not explicitly stated the day’s expectations, Alessandra was aware that they were related to her marriage. If things went “according to plan,” Marcello would be a free man soon.
Drake was already sitting at the prosecutor’s table when she walked in. He seemed to sense her presence and turned to face her. When their eyes met, he licked his lips like he wanted to devour her, stripping her naked with wolfish eyes.
Alessandra found it impossible to ignore the intense physical response she experienced in Drake’s presence. She walked up to him with a determined mindset, reminding herself of her purpose for being there. She gathered courage while adopting a forced smile to ease the tension before delivering the papers to him.
“Hello, Alessandra. How’s my wife doing?”
“I have a gift for you.” She handed him the envelope and removed the wedding ring from her finger.
As soon as Drake laid eyes on the papers, his expression visibly changed to one of disappointment. His brow furrowed and his eyes blazed with intensity as he asked, “Is this what you really want?”
No, she thought. Alessandra was unable to meet his gaze with a lie on her tongue. Instead, her eyes fell on the Windsor knot of his plum-colored tie. “Just sign the papers, and Jenny can file them today. We’re already in the courthouse. You’ll never have to see me again.”
Drake didn’t have a chance to respond because Marcello was escorted into the room. The guard removed his cuffs once he took his place at the defendant’s table.
Marcello smiled and waved briefly at Alessandra. Anthony and Luca arrived at the courtroom and sat down right behind Marcello a moment later. Their father scowled as he saw Alessandra next to Drake. He tensed at her side as Luca smirked and winked.
Multiple Russo guards entered the courtroom, raising the hair on the back of Alessandra’s neck. Drake was the intended recipient of a message conveyed by her father’s display of strength. She looked at her husband and was interrupted before she could warn him.
The bailiff told them to rise as an attractive black man in his late forties with a touch of gray at his temples took his seat on the bench. Judge Matthews exuded an aura of dignity, calling for order in the court. An immediate silence settled over the room, allowing the defense team to present their motion to dismiss.
Jenny stood in her pinstripe skirt and blouse. She patted her jet-black hair, which was styled in a chignon for court. Her voice rang out confidently. “Your Honor, we move for a dismissal of the charges against Marcello Russo based on the prosecution's clear conflict of interest. Drake Walker is Mr. Russo’s brother-in-law. Given this familial role, my client can’t receive the fair trial he deserves.”
“I attended the wedding, Miss Nguyen. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Walker. It was quite eventful, to say the least. I don’t see how a marriage impedes the prosecutor’s duty to try this case fairly. As I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Excuse me?” her eyebrows shot up in astonishment.
“I have it on authority that you are in a relationship with the defendant. Is that not a conflict for you, Miss Nguyen?”
“N… no… of course not, Your Honor,” she stammered as she sat back down. “My relationship status does not impact my ability to do my job.”
“Motion denied,” Judge Matthews ruled.
“Thank you, Your Honor. I want to make a motion if the defense is finished.” Drake stood.
“Go ahead, Mr. Walker.”
“The defense coerced Alessandra into becoming my bride to force a mistrial. That’s witness tampering.”
The judge angrily addressed the defense. “This is a serious accusation. Is this true, Miss Nguyen?”
“Your Honor, with all due respect, it’s a moot point. I am not aware of any malicious scheme or collaboration. As a court officer, it would have been my responsibility to report such an occurrence. I received the marriage certificate that proves a legal wedding took place. The couple is filing for divorce. I drafted the papers myself as Miss Russo’s attorney.”
“Really?” Judge Matthews addressed Alessandra.
Luca snickered and made a lewd gesture. Drake’s hands clenched by his side; Alessandra beat him to answer.
“It’s not true, Your Honor! Drake and I are not divorcing.”
“Alessandra, be quiet,” Drake hissed.
“Now, counselor, I’d like to hear from Mrs. Walker. Allow her to continue so we may put this situation to rest. Step forward, please.”
Alessandra stepped next to Drake. She grabbed his hand, and they interlaced fingers. She took her ring back from him and placed it on her finger, flashing it at the judge and Jenny.
“Your Honor, what Mr. Walker said is true. Our love story wasn’t a whirlwind romance, to say the least. Despite our circumstances, Drake and I have fallen for each other. It may have begun as an arranged marriage, but I care for him. Please don’t hold this against my husband.” She turned to her brother. “I was forced to marry Mr. Walker due to my father, Anthony Russo. I’m sorry, Marcello. I have no reason to suspect my brother’s involvement in this scheme. ”
“What the hell is going on, Alessandra?” Drake spoke through gritted teeth.
Alessandra whispered in Drake’s ear. “Kiss me. Please, sir. We need to make this look real. My father is here for me. You promised to keep me safe.”
As Drake scanned the courtroom, he met Anthony’s scowl with steely determination before enveloping Alessandra in a comforting embrace. Drake leaned closer to Alessandra, stopping just a hair’s breadth away from her lips.
“Drake!” she squeaked.
“For you, Alessandra. Damn the consequences.” He closed the distance. Their kiss was supposed to be brief and innocent, but Alessandra couldn’t help but wrap her arms around Drake’s neck. He reciprocated by gripping her hips and pulling her flush against him.
Drake’s tongue demanded entry to her mouth, groaning when she opened to him. His hand lowered to squeeze her ass. She moaned as he pressed his growing erection against her belly. Drake’s hand made its way from her ass to the hem of her short skirt.
A loud bang startled them apart. Another bang of the gavel had them staring wide-eyed at one another breathlessly. They quickly attempted to compose themselves.
“Perhaps we should take a short recess to allow Mr. Walker and his new bride time to compose themselves. We’ll reconvene in fifteen minutes.” Judge Matthews didn’t seem amused by their display.