Accidental Bride by Cristina Lollabrigida
ChapterTwenty-Three
Overwhelming guilt churnedin Drake’s gut. He wouldn’t blow the last chance Alessandra offered him. She asked for his confidence and trust. But he was the untrustworthy one. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his secrets.
“Come with me,” Drake said. “I want you to hear what Jerry has to say.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s the least I can do. I don’t just want you there. I need you there. Please come with me.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
They left for the courthouse. Drake had a special parking permit that allowed them to park on the lower level of the closest garage. Court officers’ security lines moved much faster than the general public’s. Drake waited several minutes for Alessandra to rejoin him.
He took her hand and led her to the twelfth floor, which held Judge Matthew’s chambers. Once inside, Alessandra gazed around.
“Wow! This isn’t what I expected a judge’s chambers to look like. Somehow, I thought it would be fancier.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, my dear. I am but a humble public servant,” he mock-bowed to her.
“I’m sorry.” Her hand flew to cover her mouth. “I didn’t mean it as an insult.”
“Jerry knows, bella. He’s joking”
“Please sit. We’re waiting on Miss Nguyen to join us. She should be here any moment.”
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a knock sounded at the door.
“Come in, Miss Nguyen. Let’s get down to business. I have a tee time to get to.”
“Sorry I’m late, Your Honor,” Jenny said breathlessly as though she’d run through the courthouse.
“Nonsense, Miss Nguyen, you’re right on time.”
Which was a nice way of saying she was late. Jerry cleared his throat and looked at them.
“I suppose by now you know why you’re here.” It wasn’t a question.
“It has come to the defense’s understanding there is no evidence incriminating my client. I can assure you that neither he nor I had any involvement in this matter. Since my client is innocent and the state has failed to meet its burden of proof, I am filing to have all charges dismissed,” Jenny proclaimed.
“Evidence doesn’t just walk away, Jerry. You know I’ve been combing through discovery. How did known associates of Mr. Russo know this occurred before our meeting in chambers?” Drake said, exasperated.
“If the Russo family had anything to do with the disappearance of evidence, I affirm my client is not complicit,” Jenny assured them.
Jenny and Drake were hostile adversaries ready to poke each other’s eyes out. They stared daggers at each other, so full of animosity that they forgot they were career professionals.
“May I speak, Your Honor?” Alessandra jumped in to try and settle their dispute.
“I object, Your Honor!” Jenny interjected. “Mrs. Walker has nothing to do with this. She shouldn’t even be here. This is inappropriate.”
“I would argue that she has every right to be here. She is a witness in this matter as Mr. Donato contacted her this morning,” Drake said.
“Is this true, Mrs. Walker? Did Mr. Donato admit to you that he knew evidence went missing?”
Drake turned to Alessandra with a steady, hopeful gaze.
She appeared heartbroken at being thrust into an impossible situation. He could see she was struggling with whom to support. He squeezed her knee to encourage her to speak up. She was right. It was high time he stopped placing blame on her for the direction the case had taken.
Drake was distracted by Alessandra while they enacted the real plan. He was never meant to win this case, and he’d allowed his stubborn pride to come between him and his wife. She shouldn’t have to choose between her husband and her brother.
Drake squeezed her knee again and leaned in to whisper, “It’s going to be all right, Alessandra. I’m here for you. No one will hurt you.”
“Mrs. Walker, this is a private sidebar in chambers. Nothing is on the record, and communication is privileged. No one will know you’re involved. I want to remind the defense of this,” Judge Matthews assured her.
Alessandra closed her eyes and took a deep breath before recounting their morning. “Ever since our marriage began, Drake and I have been pressured to ensure that we satisfactorily resolve this case for the Russos. After the last motion failed, Luca made death threats against Drake.
“This morning, Luca called to antagonize us. He knew evidence had gone missing and was gloating about it. Drake’s quick thinking led him to record the conversation.”
“How would Mr. Donato have prior knowledge of missing evidence, Miss Nguyen?” Jerry asked. “The official communication sent through the clerk didn’t offer specifics.”
Jenny snorted angrily, “I have an obligation to defend my client, and therefore, cannot reveal my source. It falls under attorney-client privilege, Your Honor.”
Drake pulled out his phone and set it on Judge Matthew’s desk. He made sure the volume was turned up and hit play. Everyone was silent as they listened. When it ended, Jerry didn’t look pleased.
“I need time to think about this. You’re dismissed for now. I expect you to remain close. I’ll render my verdict soon.”
* * *
Outside on thesteps of the courthouse, Drake attempted to draw in air. His career was ruined despite his efforts to uphold the law. His friendship with Jerry wouldn’t change the outcome. Things ended the moment lust outweighed his better judgment at the altar.
Drake had won the real prize. It was time to put her first and respect her no matter what. Alessandra wasn’t his to use. Home with him should be her safe space. Their marriage shouldn’t feel like a life sentence.
Alessandra’s soft voice broke through his reverie. “I’m sorry about your case. I can’t believe my father would stoop so low.”
“Your brother was facing felony arson and murder. With the evidence disappearing, the case is circumstantial at best,” he replied steadily without looking at her.
“Marcello didn’t know anyone was going to be in that warehouse. You need to understand that he never intended to hurt anyone.”
Drake rounded on her, “You think that fucking matters? Someone died! The man was a father with two young children and a pregnant wife. Where is the justice for them?”
“I know that, Drake!” She threw her hands up. “My brother was facing the possibility of life in prison for his mistake. He’s not a killer. You don’t know him.”
“And you’re blinded by your love for him. You’re giving him too much credit. He had a choice!”
“You’ve met my father, you’ve met Luca—you know he never had a choice.” Alessandra wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I never had a choice….”
The words were barely audible, but Drake heard her. For the first time, he finally heard her, and it gutted him. Everything she ever told him fell into place. She gave him glimpses into her life through stories of abuse and torment. But now he finally saw her. His beautiful queen was a manipulated pawn, and his strings kept her that way. She clearly had regrets when it came to their relationship, and he had no one to blame but himself.
“What the fuck does that mean, Alessandra?”
Unmistakable hurt shone in her eyes. He reached out to touch her, but she flinched.
“It wasn’t my choice to marry you. My father did this to us. Just like he put my brother in his situation. Don’t you see that, Drake? Do you understand now? Given the option, I never thought I’d choose to stay with you. I never thought we’d fall for each other.”
“I’ll offer him a deal for you. But I’m warning you, bella, you will regret this one day. Marcello will eventually show you his true colors and only disappoint you.”
Alessandra threw herself into his arms, and he caught her. He would always catch her. They clung to each other in a moment of desperation, finally breaking through the most painful barrier.
Maybe this was indeed for the best. With this case behind them, they could put one foot in front of the other and move forward with their lives. The expectations of the case and the deceit that brought them together would be in their past.
Drake ran his fingers through his wife’s soft auburn hair. Despite everything, he wanted his marriage to work. With the world burning down around them, as long as the day ended with his wife in his arms, he would survive.
“Why don’t you head home without me? You don’t need to wait for the judge’s decision. I have work to finish up here. Maybe some time alone will do us good.”
“Drake, please don’t do this. Come home with me.”
Drake cupped her cheek, and her eyes fluttered shut. Humiliation washed over him, and he couldn’t stand his wife witnessing it. He kissed her forehead and turned back to the courthouse.