Page 62 of Wicked Vengeance

My heart is so full, I can’t contain the emotions slamming into me at once. The road might have been dark and twisty, but everything I’ve ever wanted– ever needed, is right here in my arms.

And I’m never letting it go.

The last few days have passed like a fever dream.

Ella and Snow have been with me, helping me adjust to mom life. My only experience was tainted by trauma and captivity, so it’s been a beautiful and welcome adventure. The amount of love in my heart is unbearable at times. Sometimes Em will say something to one of the guys, and I will burst into tears. I don’t know how to handle the unconditional and overwhelming love I feel every minute of every day.

“Catch me, Maddie,” Em squeals, her feet splashing in the water as they play on the sandbar of Grimm River out behind the house. Outside seems to be her favorite place to be, and I can’t say I blame her. I doubt she was allowed very much outside time before now.

“She’s perfect, Rae,” Ella says, grabbing my hand as we sit in the grass on a blanket and watch them. Snow takes my other hand, wrapping both of hers around it.

“I’ve missed so much… I don’t even know where to begin,” I admit.

“You take it one day at a time. You already know how to do the one and only thing she needs most in this world. Love her. The rest will fall into place and you will figure it out. One day at a time,” Snow says and I nod, holding back the tears yet again.

“Enough about me. So what’s next for you? Are you going to rebuild the bar?” I turn to Ella, needing to pull myself together before I completely turn into a soggy mess.

“Uh…actually no. My mom is getting married. And apparently, her new doctor husband wants me to start fresh, figure out what I want to do with my life. He’s set me up at a college in Sapphire Springs,”

I can tell by the way she pinches her face up, she’s not exactly thrilled about this turn of events, but she’s putting on a brave face. “That’s…wow. That’s a lot to unpack from three sentences, El.”

“You’re telling me! I’ve had a few days to process it and I’m still no closer to knowing how I feel about it. It’s a lot. So much is changing so fast. I just got you back. I don’t want to leave you and Em. And… I want to be happy for my mom. She deserves to be happy again. I just miss my dad, too.” Ella wipes her own stray tear as it rolls down her cheek.

“Oh El, I know. But your dad would want you both to be happy. Maybe this is your chance to really figure out what you want. You’ve spent your entire life taking care of your parents and that bar. What do you want?”

“I want… to find my own harem of tattooed sexy men to worship the ground I walk on and turn my world upside down.” She laughs. Snow and I look at each other before we join her.

“That sounds like an excellent plan, Cinderella. Go off to college and find a harem to set your world on fire.”

“I think I’d settle for just my panties!”

“Ella!” I slap her arm.

We spend the rest of the afternoon laughing and catching up. When we finally return to the house, we barely make it to Emera’s room before she’s fast asleep.

I turn out her light, leaving her pink twinkling night light on and ease the door shut before slipping into Alek’s room. “She’s out,” I say, crawling in bed and snuggling to his warm skin. “She wore herself out.”

“She’s not the only one,” he yawns, wrapping me up in his arms and pulling me to his chest. Royal and Maddox walk in the door, softly closing it behind them and slipping into bed with us.

“As much as I love having everyone here, it really puts a damper on making you scream, pretty girl,” Maddox says, slipping his hand inside my shirt and caressing my skin.

“We have the rest of our lives for that, little psycho. Now, go to sleep before I make you be Daddy’s big spoon.

“You wouldn’t,” he gasps, tickling my stomach.

“Oh, she would,” Royal says, pulling Maddox back into him. “And I’m enjoying being your big spoon tonight, pet. So be still.”

Maddox wiggles around before he finally settles. I swear that man has more energy than the beautiful little girl sleeping down the hall, and that child has enough energy for all of us.

“Oh, we’re meeting with some of King’s businesses tomorrow, letting them know he’s no longer going to be an issue for them,” Royal says. “We’ll have to figure out how to restructure all of his assets and set up a trust for Emera since she’s technically the heiress to everything.”

“Actually… I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you this…” I say, worrying my lip between my teeth.

“Tell us what, Baby Girl?” Alek asks, lifting his head to check on me.

“Um… So I learned some things when I was taken. Before I killed my mother, she told me about my father. He’s always been a big question mark in my life. Not even Grams knew anything about him. Turns out, my father was actually the true ruler of the Kingsmen. And King was his step brother. He killed him and stole it all. All the businesses and assets belonged to my father. So… Emera is the next heiress, but I am the current one.”

“Way to bury the lede there, Angel.” Royal laughs. “Well, that means it’s all yours. Any idea what you want to do with it all?”

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