Page 117 of Vengeful Secret

SUTTON

Ciara comes homethat afternoon with a note in her backpack, and I’m a bit worried that it might be about her talkative nature. Instead, though, it tells of a school party they’re having on Friday, a reward for the class all passing their recent quiz.

“I got a hundred,” Ciara says proudly when I mention it to her. “Everyone is supposed to bring something.”

I look at the list, quickly writing off the baking goods because I’m not a cook at all. They need supplies, though, napkins, paper plates, and cups. I circle them on the paper and smile at Ciara.

“Aunt Lara and I will get what you need, honey.”

Lara perks up where she’s been lying listlessly on the couch. “We get to leave the house? Oh, thank God.”

“Can I come, Mama?”

I shake my head. “I want you to stay here with Daddy. He’s lonely in this big house without me, you know.”

Gray chuckles, sitting in his father’s recliner. “Exactly. A prince needs his princess, after all.”

“You’re not a prince, Daddy. You’re theking,” Ciara says, and Gray smirks.

“I guess I've moved up in ranks.”

“You certainly have.” I chuckle, standing up. “Should we go now?”

“Yes, please,” Lara pleads.

Gray nods, pulling out his phone. “Just give me twenty minutes to send some men with you. Liam and a couple others. One will be in the car and two will stand guard at the store.”

“Isn't that a little excessive?” Lara asks with a groan.

“Not at all. Murphy’s declared war, and we have to stay ready.”

Lara seems annoyed but doesn’t complain, letting Gray make his calls.

At the door after the guards arrive, I kiss Ciara on the cheek and then kiss Gray softly.

“Be safe,” he says in a warning tone, and I nod, smiling.

“Always.”

Liam drives us, and Lara slides into the back seat with me as the other two guards follow behind us.

“I know it’s just a party store, but I’m hype to be out of the house. Plus, sometimes those places have excellent wigs,” Lara points out.

I laugh. “You wear wigs?”

“It’s less damaging than changing my hair all the time.”

I shake my head. “You Burkes are something else.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Nothing,” I say, smiling a bit, and Lara just looks confused.

The Burkes are nothing like what I’d expected after just meeting Gray. I’d thought of them as a cold mob family, not close-knit at all.

Boy, was I wrong.

“I hate being watched like this.”

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