LOREN
The gavel banging down sent a shiver through me, and I felt as if the last weight pressing down on me had lifted as the words left the Judge’s lips. “The court finds Jacqueline Hanover guilty of all charges.”
I didn’t need to hear the rest. It didn’t matter when her sentencing hearing was or what they sought fit to punish her with. The words I needed to hear had just been spoken, validating everything I’d gone through and felt for years.
And now I was officially free of her manipulations. Jacqueline Hanover would no longer have any say in my life. In fact, she would no longer have any space in my head or heart. She was guilty, and that was all I needed to know.
“Loren, you ready?” Monroe asked, nudging me. Silently, I nodded, standing with him as we left the courtroom. News reporters stood outside the closed doors, waiting for a response from us. I ignored them, not having the energy to deal with being polite. Sax met us and helped block the crowd with his frame, effectively moving us quickly through the hallways and out the back door down the stairs. An SUV was waiting when we exited the courthouse, and I eagerly slid in.
A sigh of relief left me as I sat back, a huge smile spreading across my face as the other two climbed in. “It’s done. Jacqueline will be held responsible for her crimes, and I will never have to see, speak, or think of her again. I’m finally free.”
Monroe picked up my hand, kissing it. “You are, Lo. I’m so proud of you. You were so strong today.”
“That was some pretty impressive lawyer mumbo jumbo you said up there,” Sax added, teasing his new buddy. I loved how the guys were making their own relationships with each other and finding some commonality between themselves. Sax and Monroe were two of the most opposite men on paper but had found a connection, and I loved the bromance they had going on.
Atticus still held himself back from the others somewhat, only letting Sax in, but I saw him softening and knew that he’d learn to trust the others just as much, as the years passed. Years. I liked the sound of that.
“Why, thank you, muscles. You held up that wall well, scaring anyone who dared look at us funny.”
Sax puffed up his chest, nodding in agreement. “You hear that, Spitfire? Goldie thinks I’m muscular. I can’t wait to tell Grumpy.”
Chuckling, I leaned against Monroe, letting him support me for the ride. He’d said I’d been strong, but it was only because I knew I had them supporting me. It was much easier carrying the weight of your burdens and others when they were spread out. When we pulled up to a building, I didn’t know a few minutes later, I looked at them, confused.
“Why are we here?”
Neither responded and before I could grill them more, the door opened, answering my question.
“Girl! Get out of the car. It’s pampering time. No dicks allowed. Come on!” Nat demanded, tugging on my hand.
“Go, Lo. The whole place is rented out. It’s the bachelorette party you never got to have. We figured you could use some relaxation after today, and then later, you’re going to Climax, where we’ll meet you,” Monroe explained, kissing the tip of my nose.
I hadn’t thought I had any energy in me, but the thought of hanging with my friends and dancing later with my guys had me kissing them both before I bounded out of the car. As soon as I was free of the vehicle, Nat tugged me and pulled me into the spa.
Stacy, Pixel, Cami, and Lark stood inside, waiting for us. They cheered and placed a pink sash over me and a crown when I entered. Pulling it away from my chest, I read the words inscribed on it. ‘Lucky Bitch.’
Laughing, I noticed the others had them as well. Cami’s said ‘Loud and Crazy,’ Lark’s ‘More than my looks,’ Pixel’s ‘Smarter than you,’ Stacy’s ‘Small and Feisty,’ and Nat’s ‘The one you should worry about.’
“Oh my goodness, these are great. I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I was right here. Thank you, guys. You’re all the absolute best friends I could ever ask for.”
“But I’m your favorite, right?” Nat asked, winking.
“God, I’ve missed you,” I said, pulling her into a hug. They’d completed their mission with the O’Sullivans, but I hadn’t seen them much since. I knew they were working on something new, but they’d all been hush-hush about it. She tugged me toward a room where attendants waited next to tables for all of us.
“Massages first, then facials, and then mani/pedis. It’s a full spa treatment! Now, strip!” Nat said, slapping my butt.
The girls chuckled, but we all did as she said, going behind our screens to discard our clothes. “Too bad we can’t get massaged with our sashes on,” Stacy hollered, and we all laughed, realizing the same thing.
“Yes, but they’ll be there later,” Nat reassured.
Once we were all settled, the conversation fell away as our bodies began to be massaged and oiled until we felt like limp noodles. The forty-five minutes went by fast, and we were soon led to the next room in fluffy robes, where we sat in laid-back chairs.
“So, Stacy, are things going well with you and Topher?” I asked, realizing I hadn’t heard the latest gossip.
“It honestly depends on the day of the week,” she sighed, and I wished I could’ve looked over to see her facial expression.
“Oh? That doesn’t sound good,” Lark piped in.
“It’s just, he’ll go days without responding to me, and sometimes I won’t even see him for weeks at a time. When we’re together, it’s good, like so good, but I wonder if he has a secret family or something.”