Chapter 370
Allen and I filed into the courtroom and sat down while we waited for the DA and the judge.
The DA reached his seat at the opposing counsel’s table a moment before the bailiff announced the judge’s arrival.
DA Houser sat across the aisle, glaring at me with enough malice that made me glad I was now sitting next to Allen instead of behind him alone.
We stood for the judge and then sat again and waited for him to speak.
He didn't make us wait for long. “I have researched the character and reputation of the Public Defender’s witness and had Dr. Mancini’s report and the test results verified. They are authentic.”
“Therefore, I am dismissing this case with prejudice,” the judge continued. “And I have ordered an investigation into the DA’s office to make sure this type of incident never happens again.”
“I object!” DA Houser roared. “My reputation and record are spotless.”
“Not quite, Mr. Houser,” the judge said. “This is not the first time a serious miscarriage of justice occurred through your office.”
Martin Houser seethed with anger, but he was smart enough to keep his mouth closed.
“In short, I hereby dismiss the case of Marlee Krebs versus the people of Denhurst,” the judge pronounced. “She will be released from prison immediately.”
The judge banged his gavel, and we stood as he left the room.
The DA stomped from the room as Allen and I fist-bumped, his anger thick in the air.
“My friend who owns the homeless shelter on Lycan Square has a place for Marlee if she has nowhere to live,”
I told Allen.
“I’ll go with you to the prison to make sure there is no delay in releasing her,” Allen said. “Will you transport her to the shelter?”
“Gladly,” I agreed. I wanted to check with Amy to see when we were going dress shopping.
An hour later, a grateful Marlee was sitting in the passenger seat of my truck while I parked on Lycan Square.
“Thank you for helping me,” she said. “People thinking I killed my baby made losing Lexi even worse.”
“I’m glad I could help,” I said. “The woman who owns this shelter is a friend of mine. She’s great. You’ll like her.”
Marlee was hesitant about going inside Archer Manor. She was shy and afraid, jumping at the slightest sound. But Amy saw how traumatized the poor woman was and immediately took her under her wing.
“Thanks, Amy,” I said as she led Marlee upstairs to her room. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Amy flashed me a smile before offering Marlee a snack and hot tea after she settled into her room.
Confident Marlee would be taken care of, I hurried home to thank Dr. Mancini before he left the mansion.
That weekend, I found myself trying on maid of honor gowns.
Since Amy had chosen hunter green and gold as her wedding colors, I was trying on practically every green gown Gisele had in her shop. The seventh gown was the winner.
Made of green silk with gold trim around the hem, it had an off-the-shoulder neckline. I would wear it with gold elbow-length gloves, gold jewelry, and hair accessories.
Amy looked exquisite in the gown she chose. The white floor-length silk creation had a floaty skirt, an illusion neckline, and a fitted bodice that showed off her petite figure perfectly.
Next, we went to the florist, where Amy chose gold roses, baby's breath, and mini ferns for the bouquets and table centerpieces of marigolds and mini ferns.
“Dad is insisting on having the reception at the restaurant,” Amy told me. “He wants to supervise the menu even though I told him he should relax and enjoy himself.”
“He shows love with food,” I said. “I think it’s sweet.”
Amy’s forehead wrinkled as she concentrated on her to-do list. “What did we forget?”
“Everything is ready,” I assured her. “You need to get ready for your bachelorette party tonight.” I waggled my eyebrows at her.
“I can’t wait,” she giggled. “Should I go home and change before we go to Alex’s?”
“Nah, your jeans are good,” I assured her.
We went to the mansion where Heather, Penny, Marlee, and Ava Archer waited for us in the ballroom dressed in brown ceremonial robes.
I handed a robe to Amy and took one from the pile for myself.
“What are the robes for?” Amy asked.
“I thought we’d have the ancient fertility ritual first,” I replied.
Amy laughed and clapped her hands. “I’ve never been to a fertility ritual, but I’ve heard of them.”
“Do you still want five kids?” I asked. Amy had been saying this since we were in elementary school.
“At least five,” she confirmed as we went to a bathroom to change into the robes.
Then we led the guests outside to where Cassidy and Anna waited with Kyra, the priestess, in the pond pagoda.
The area reeked of Kyra’s ceremonial herb powder. She had dusted everything well to be sure no intrusive entities invaded the space while she invoked the Goddess to bless Amy’s upcoming nuptials and fertility.
Amy looked uncomfortable when Kyra put a hand on her abdomen while leading the chanting of the ancient spell that would ensure a happy marriage and many children.
I didn’t blame Amy. I didn’t like strangers touching me, but the ceremony would be over in a few minutes, and it was an essential tradition in our society.
After the ceremony was over, we went inside and changed back into our clothes to enjoy pizza, cheeseburger sliders, and fries. There was soda, iced tea, wine, and champagne to drink.
Amy and I had tea with our food, and then I poured us glasses of champagne when the DJ I hired began playing.
I began to feel warm after I finished my first glass. Amy had already finished hers, so I poured us another. It was a special occasion. Soon, I wanted to dance.
A song I enjoyed began blaring through the speakers, and I got to my feet. Grabbing Amy’s hand, I pulled her onto the dance floor.
“Okay, but I’m not twerking,” Amy said with a giggle. “I think it looks stupid.”
“Loosen up.” I laughed. “Let’s have fun.”
The music sounded great, and I began to move wholeheartedly to the beat. The champagne was making my inhibitions evaporate, and I liked it. I only had two glasses, so I couldn’t be drunk.
Suddenly, two muscular men dressed in jeans, t-shirts, and work boots entered the ballroom. They walked straight to me and Amy.
“Excuse us,” the blond construction worker said. “We heard there was work here for us.”
“Alex didn’t mention any renovations when I told him I was using the mansion for a party,” I said. “Are you sure you have the right address?”
“This is the Wilson Estate?” the brunette hunk asked. He smiled, showing off perfect, white teeth.
“Yeah, but you can’t work here right now,” I objected. “We are in the middle of a bachelorette party.
I retrieved our glasses and poured another round of champagne before downing half a glass. Champagne had never tasted this good before.
“Our boss won’t like it if we walk away from a job,” the blond hunk said. He looked at the DJ, who began to play a sexy dance song.
“Who wants to dance?” the dark-haired construction worker asked before he pulled off his shirt, exposing an incredible torso.
He grabbed Amy’s hand and pulled her into the center of the dance floor. The blond did the same to me.
Amy stood still and blushed as the hot guys danced and strutted in front of us. The other women watched from the sidelines, laughing and calling out words of encouragement and admiration for the men’s dance skills.
They were outstanding dancers for construction workers. I was enjoying myself until they suddenly, in unison, pulled off most of their clothing and began dancing in tiny g-strings.
Amy slapped my arm. “You hired male strippers for my bachelorette party!”
I shook my head. “I didn’t hire them. I don’t know what they are doing here.”
As much as I love Victor, the male strippers were mesmerizing as they gyrated in their g-strings. Amy and I stood feet from them, too stunned to move as the nearly naked men moved closer and closer.
They stopped inches from us and gyrated in a vulgar manner that made me blush. I was about to pull Amy away and order them out of the house when movement at the ballroom door caught my eye.
It was Victor and Justin, and they looked angry! I couldn’t stand what Victor must be thinking.
