Page 144 of Embracing the Change

“She told me that Nico contacted Darryn to get the number of his cousin’s divorce attorney.”

“Surprised at how fast this is, but not that it’s happening,” he murmured.

“Yes. And Allegra also shared that none of them, my girls or their men, like Felice.”

“Hmm.”

“Did you read that?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No. But I’m not surprised. She isn’t very likeable.”

Indeed.

“Oh, and I called and told off Roland.”

His focus narrowed on me. “You did what?”

“I called and told Roland, if he didn’t desist in harming me, he’d lose them forever. I have no idea if it sunk in.” At Jamie’s look of concern, I brought my shoulders forward and released them. “It was an out-of-control moment after the situation with Chester Lynch. Delayed reaction. I got angry, and he was the one I wanted to take it out on.”

Carefully, Jamie said, “You do know, sweetheart, that if this is AJ, Roland might know about unleashing Chet.”

I scoffed. “That is not Roland’s style. He’s acting like an ass, but he’d lose his mind if he knew someone put their hands on me. And there’s no way he’d make Dru collateral damage.”

“You know him better than me,” he muttered.

I hoped I did, because, if Roland had anything to do with bringing Chester Lynch back in Jamie and Dru’s life…

All bets were off.

CHAPTER 17

PATEK PHILLIPE

Jamie

Six years ago, it was just Jamie, Lindy, Dru and Jamie’s longing to have his son more a part of their lives and deeper in their family.

Now, late morning after Nora had been attacked, Jamie’s phone was overheating with all of the texts he’d been receiving from his massive, extended family.

Dru, he’d learned, had shared with Chloe.

And then it swept through the Oakley/Swan/Holloway/Pierce/Sharp crew like wildfire.

He wasn’t complaining. It was good for him, for Nora, for Judge and Dru.

However, imminently, Jamie needed to leave to meet a colleague for lunch, this colleague also one of Roland’s who Kateri had uncovered was considering investing in Oakbilly Gulch, when his phone didn’t buzz with a text.

It lit up with a call.

From Elsa.

He loved Elsa, but he didn’t want to answer because he didn’t have the time.

She was family, so he took the call.

“Hey there, darlin’,” he greeted.

“Hi, Jamie,” she replied.

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