Page 95 of Pin-up Girl

Noted. Whatever was in that picture was something I didn’t want to see.

“Oh, I know that.” Milo waved a hand. “Your job is to give us Elliette. We’ll take care of the rest.”

Mr. Bradley stood up so quickly, his chair fell backward. “I’ll go get her now, have her collect her things before she meets you by the front doors.” He snatched up the folder and almost ran to the door.

“Mr. Bradley.” Emmett draped an arm over his own chair as he twisted to see him. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you there are many copies of that folder. Many. So don’t piss us off, and don’t share we were here. Or those pictures will find their way into circulation anyway.”

He gave us a jerky nod. “I’m sure you can find your way back up to the front.”

We left the office seconds after him, but he had already disappeared down another hallway. He was a fast motherfucker for such an overweight man.

“Is this really happening?” My voice shook as I covered my face with my hands.

“Yes, it is. And you of all people deserve to get what you want,” Milo said as he navigated our way back to the front. It wasn’t hard. I also doubted I could have done it in my state.

The searing heat of Emmett’s gaze kept me from falling to pieces. His thoughts were so loud, they were practically shouting in my head.

Are you still mad at me? Can you forgive me now? Do you love me?

His gaze was so intense, I had to turn away from him. He was going to cause me to lose it in a different way.

“Elise?” That sweet, sweet voice I loved so much.

There was Ellie, only a couple inches shorter than me, already starting to fill out with baby curves.

I rushed her, picking her up in my arms and swinging her around. She squealed, dropping the bulging bag she carried.

“What’s going on?”

I set her down, holding her by the shoulders so she couldn’t get away. She was safe, unharmed, and one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen.

“You’re coming with me. I have custody now.Can you believe it?” I laughed and cried all at the same time.

A huge smile spread over her face. “Seriously? This place blows hard. Really?”

“Yes, really.” I hugged her again and immediately sought out Emmett, who was a few feet behind her.

‘Thank you,’ I mouthed.

‘I love you,’ he mouthed back.

Fuck it all to hell. I could not hold on to my anger. Just what he did here, I didn’t have words. I knew Milo and Jules played a part in it too.I knew that.

But Emmett, he did some really shady shit, and hurt my feelings when I didn’t know I had those kinds of feelings to hurt. I didn’t want to let him in, because how could I be sure he really cared aboutme?

Then he went and practically handed me my sister.

I smiled at Milo, his handsome form wavering from the tears falling from my eyes, then I looked to Emmett who looked so smug.

“I love you, too,” I whispered.

Epilogue

Jules

Two weeks later

This was the biggest pain in the ass. Why did Milo think this was a good idea right before a vacation? It was fall break. So fucking what? We should have done a staycation.

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