The judge ordered the recording be stopped when they started ripping clothes off, realizing it had nothing to do with the case.
The verdict of guilty for the charges of assault and battery, stalking, and attempted murder with a deadly weapon, along with a string of other crimes, was announced. He was then to be extradited back to New York where he was facing murder charges.
Angel was able to breathe easily, knowing Andrew was going away for a long time for what he did to her, let alone if he was found guilty of murder. The gun he’d held on them was also illegal, compounding his crimes. The elder Mr. Cage could do nothing to keep his son from going to prison; even his attempt at insanity didn’t work, which she was grateful for. She felt sorry for the young woman he’d allegedly raped and killed. In the pictures they’d looked eerily similar, making nausea roll in her stomach.
“Are you ready to go home now?” Lorenzo asked.
Home was truly wherever the heart was, and her heart was always with Lorenzo. “I have a final fitting with the designer, and then we can fly out. Where’s Gia?” She asked, wondering where her best friend had gone off to.
Lorenzo stared over his shoulder. “She was just here with Derek and our parents.”
A sense of closure eased over her. “Let’s go find our families and get out of here.” More than likely Gia and Derek were arguing, a common occurrence as of late.
Her best friend was coming out of the ladies room, her cheeks flushed. “Are you okay?” Angel asked.
“What? Oh, yes…I just had to go potty. So, we going to do your final fitting or what?” Her smile seemed too bright, but Angel was excited to go and try on her dress.
“Yep. Let’s do this, so we can get the heck out of LA.” Angel was visiting the designer’s LA studio since they’d flown to Paris for the initial purchase.
Gia wrapped an arm around her waist and drew them toward the courthouse entrance where their family and Lorenzo was waiting. “What are we doing with them?”
“They will be doing a little shopping while we do our thing then we’ll eat and fly home.”
“I can’t wait till you’re my official sister,” Gia said.
Angel stopped in her tracks. “I’ve considered you my sister since I met you.”
“Yeah, but now you’ll have the same last name as me.” Tears made Gia’s brown eyes sparkle.
“Gia, one day you’ll get married, and your name will change, but you’ll still be my sister.”
Her best friend looked on the verge of tears. “I wouldn’t count on that happening anytime soon. Now, let’s go get your dress.”
She wanted to argue, but they’d reached the waiting group. Derek stared at Gia with something akin to longing, and then he masked his features. Angel shook her head, knowing the two stubborn people would fight their attraction just like she and Lorenzo had. She hoped they didn’t waste the next five years.
As her wedding day approached, Angel was more nervous than she had been on her first day as an LA Dancer. Performing in front of thousands of spectators seemed like nothing to standing in front of their family and friends, professing her love for Lorenzo. Not that she didn’t love him with her entire being, but she feared he’d wake up and realize he’d made a mistake.
“If you don’t quit chewing your lip, you will ruin your lipstick, again.” Gia’s voice sounded agitated.
“I can’t help it. I feel like my dreams are coming true, but I keep waiting to wake up and find it has all been a dream. Does that make sense?” Angel fanned her face with a sheet of paper, worried her makeup was going to run if she started sweating like a pig.
Gia snorted. “If you were going to wake up, I’m pretty sure it would’ve happened sometime in the last year, chica. Otherwise you’d be in some serious trouble in the hoo-ha department if you know what I mean. Imagine all that waxing you’d need done after a year without.” She shuddered for effect, making everyone in the room where she waited for her cue to walk down the aisle, laugh. Her other bridesmaids looked beautiful, but Gia was stunning. If Derek didn’t stand up and notice what was right in front of him, he’d lose the best thing in the world.
“Why do you have such a serious look? We are not going to wax you right here.” Gia smiled.
Angel laughed, but also cringed at the thought of the pain it would be, had she truly needed a year’s worth of waxing.
Walking down the aisle on her father’s arm, she met Lorenzo’s gaze. The last year was one of the best of her life. When the priest called them man and wife, she felt like her life had come full circle.
“I love you more today, than yesterday, my Angel.” Lorenzo brushed his lips over hers.
She stood on her toes and returned his kiss. “I love you more, my Ren.”