Page 43 of Monster
The complete opposite of the dress Angela had told Gypsy was her dream dress. That shouldn't have been surprising. The white ballgown may have been fit for a princess but Angela was a fucking queen.
My queen, if I wasn't too late.
Taking a step out of the shadows, I flashed her a smile. A genuine one that made the dimples in my cheeks pop. “Hey Angel.”
Angela’s face went slack.
“Monster?” She mouthed my name silently before clearing her throat and trying again. “Hi.” she finally managed.
God, she was beautiful, even with her face covered in dollish and far too girly makeup, even with her dark eyes swimming with tears. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
“What are you doing here?” She made a move to come down the stairs towards me and her father tightened his grip on her arm, keeping her immobile. Her eyes widened even more.
“I’m sorry gentleman, this is a private function and I don’t believe your names are on the guestlist.”
The sound of his smarmy, too polite voice made something snap inside of me. My hands balled into fists at my side. It was only Angela’s hopeful face that kept me from rushing up and punching the old man square in the face. As it was, I still might have done it if The Judge hadn’t stepped up behind me, drawing himself to his full height.
The old man's face tightened with horror. He knew who he was looking at. And it scared him. The Judge had a clean record as far as I knew. But that was just because no one could ever make anything stick. Witnesses recanted their statements or just plain disappeared.
“Hello Chief Monroe. Angela.” He nodded his head politely. “Gio sends his warmest regards on this happy day.”
There wasn't any anger in his voice, but the threat was perfectly clear anyway. “He is sorry to have missed such a joyous occasion.”
“You're not invited. I would like you to leave before I phone the police.”
“Doesn't your daughter have a say in which friends she has at her own wedding?” The Judge smiled. “Angela has many friends who can't wait to watch her marry the man she loves.” The dig was clear and the old police chief’s face turned purple. But he didn't loosen his grip on his daughter's arm. Even from my spot at the bottom of the stairs I could see the way his fingers dug into her flesh.
“I won't ask again. I would like you to leave. Angela would like you to leave as well. I think she has made her feelings perfectly clear on this matter.”
Tipping my chin up, I surveyed the woman I was hoping to spend the rest of my life with. “I'll leave if that's what he wants me to do.”
She remained silent. Her teeth scraped off the too bright pink lipstick on her bottom lip.
“Angela, tell this...man.”
Cocking my head to the side, I smiled at her. “You can tell me to leave, Angel, or you can leave with me.”
Something fluttered to life in my chest when she suddenly smiled, like my heart had just started back up. She wanted to come with me. It was written all over her face. Hope filled her eyes.
“I…” she stammered.
“What's going on here?” A man appeared in another doorway. “I heard raised voices and…what the hell are you doing here?”
For a moment I thought he was talking to me and then I realised he was looking straight at The Judge.
“Hello again.” Throwing a glance my way, The Judge smiled. “District attorney Benny White, Angela’s intended.”
“I don't think he is,” I said softly.
All eyes turned towards me.
“You don’t think I am what? Sorry, I have no clue who you are.”
Stepping forward, I reached out a hand to Angela. Her fingers were cold and clammy as she wrapped them around my palm.
“I’m Angela's fiancé.” I gave a small tug of her hand, giving her father no choice but to let go of her or restrain her completely in front of the guests that had started filing out of the room behind the would-be groom. Each one of their faces was curious to see what was going on.
“Angela's fiancé? What is going on here? And why… Monroe would you like to fill me in? Why is this man saying he is engaged to my fiancée?”
