Page 59 of Beautiful Unity

“Apparently, Tank’s still kicking for now.”

“Well, good. Tell him to give me a call. I don’t care about his pride. It’s time to put that aside. With everything he had on Stanley in that box of yours, he’ll be locked up for several lifetimes. Tell him to call home.”

“I’ll pass it along.”

“All right. I better go take care of that mess. Be good, kiddo.”

“Hey! You get one slip-up, but it’s Queen now. Even to uncles who run the country.”

He smiled fondly at Darcie. “Fair enough, Queen.” He kissed her cheek before nodding at the others and slipping out of the diner.

“So, Tank, now?” she said, smiling. “Only one more stop until my shower!” She skipped out of the diner like she hadn’t just rocked our worlds. The guys looked at me, expecting me to have an answer.

“I had no clue. I didn’t know. That girl is a freaking wonder.”

Grayson beamed. “And we get to spend the rest of our lives with her.”

“That we do.”

Grinning, the four of us followed Darcie to the parking lot and back to the barn where Hank was. Life would always be exciting with her. And I couldn’t wait to discover all the fun we’d have.

Diary #18

Dear Dad,

Even with it being my choice, leaving you this time was just as hard. The silver lining is knowing we’re in a better place. We won’t go years between seeing one another or talking. It gives me hope the fissure on my heart will be able to heal before I have to say goodbye for real.

I’m glad it wasn’t today.

I knew I needed to claim my legacy when I started on this journey. I just had no idea what it would look like. Seeing the Mavericks reinstated and become something new in Jackson is everything I could ever want. With Tiny, Mac, and you at the helm as a Pres committee was a genius idea. It takes the pressure off one person to make all the decisions for the whole group and ensures no one becomes too powerful.

Checks and balances.

I’m hopeful for the Mavericks and that you’ll rebuild what we once were. There will always be a place in my heart for the Mavericks.

But my heart, it belongs to the Royals.

That’s my home, my heart, my future. It’s the legacy I want to build. The one I’ll do with my checks and balances—my guys. The five of us are a family, and one day, I’ll marry them. It won’t be legal, but it will be just as real to us.

Once you’re healthy again, you’ll have to come visit. I want to build a house, and, hopefully, one day fill it with animals and babies. I want them to know their grandpa. So, don’t be kicking the bucket any time soon, Old Man.

I also want you to know that I forgive you. I did a long time ago. I was just angry and blamed you, but I don’t want to carry that around anymore. Your choices had dire consequences, but they didn’t wipe out all the other amazing ones you made, either, or all the love and goodness you gave me before that night.

As much as it sucks because of what I went through, I’ve become the strong queen I am today.

Worthy of love, times four.

Heal quickly. I love you, Dad.

Darcie

Nineteen

DARCIE

Sighing in bliss, I stretched out across the massive bed. The guys had found a hotel with all the bells and whistles a few hours north. I hadn’t been this pampered in my entire life. I wore nothing but a fluffy robe, and I wasn’t sure anything this soft had ever touched my skin.

Earlier, Grayson and I had indulged in a spa treatment. My whole body had been exfoliated, buffed, and waxed. Hadn’t been a fan of the wax, but it was effective. After that, he’d treated me to manis and pedis, and then a magician had turned my frizzy hair into silky goodness.

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