Page 106 of Shiny Things

I stepped away to get a drink while he talked with a few of the men from Westin Force and was cornered by Ginny.

“I should have been warned about this.”

“I’m sorry. I assumed you knew.”

“Helena did that on purpose. She knew I’d have no choice this way.”

“Would you have if you’d known sooner?”

“No, but I would have had time to prepare myself at least. And you . . .”

I cringed and braced for her judgements and reminders of how she banned me from her parties, but that didn’t happen.

“You surprise me. You handled yourself well tonight, and you made my nephew more likable. He’s lighter when you’re around. It will serve him well when he runs for Council. And any whispers of scandal should be long gone by then too.”

“Scandal?”

“Sure, there’s always talk of scandal when people of his breeding marry beneath their station, but you’ll learn to take it with grace. We’ll help you.”

“Why are you being nice to me?”

“You’re my niece, and for better or worse, family is everything to me. And I protect those I care about. By association, that now includes you. Don’t give me reason to regret this.”

“Yes ma’am,” I said as she walked away.

Elias found me standing there alone.

“Hey, is everything okay? I saw you talking with Aunt Ginny.”

“I’m fine,” I told him. “Better than fine. I’m a Davenport.”

Kim

Epilogue

6 weeks later.

“Elias, come on. We’re going to be late!”

“Relax, I’m ready.”

I shook my head and reached up to straighten his tie.

“What would you do without me?”

“I never want to find out,” he said, giving me a quick kiss.

“Better.” I let my hands rest on his chest as I looked up into his bright green eyes.

As his head dipped closer to mine, I gently pushed him away.

“We’re late.”

“No worries. I’ll drive.”

When we finally made it to the garage, he hopped on the bike and passed me my helmet.

“There will be pictures.”

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