Page 83 of The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The speedometer climbs and I anticipate police flashers behind me. The rally flags at the end of the strip. Cory pumping his fist in the air. But it’s just me and a few sleepy cows chewing their cud. Those days are over. The flame has gone out. I’m no longer a wild child rebelling against rebellion—of the Luckie and Ambrette variety.

I’m a mother now and while I’d like Maddock to fit into my story, it’s time to let go.

Chest heaving, I catch my breath and then speed back toward town, but instead of returning to the scene of the crime, I stop in front of the clock tower where the time is right twice a day.

I wish Maddock was here. I’d text him but left my phone in the house. I’d apologize, but I didn’t do anything wrong other than have a convict for a cousin, then speed off in a fit, trying to escape that part of my life. Maybe I just needed that one last burst of speed, to prove that I can’t outpace my life, that like a race track, it’ll just loop back around until I deal with my problems ... and I can’t do that alone.

I send up a prayer. The time may not be right, but the time is now to finally let go of all those old ghosts. I see so clearly that Maddock and I were both my cousin’s marks. But she didn’t anticipate her scheme bringing us together. That tells me one thing. We came out on top.

“Hey,” a deep, smoky male voice calls from the darkness. “I’m no sheriff, but I don’t think you’re supposed to park here.”

I rush toward Maddock and stop short. “Where’s Leonie?”

“Safe and sound with Tallula and Molly. They’re making dinner.”

I wince because I don’t entirely trust the latter in a kitchen.

“And Ambrette?”

“You mean Emberly?”

“I wish I could’ve warned you.” My voice sounds raw out here in the rain.

“She had a Queen of Hearts tattoo. I never said her name because I wanted to forget about her entirely, not that it would’ve helped. But now the connections are so clear.”

“Emberly Jacobi. In the past, she also went by Tami Stefani, Jewel Ryder, and others.”

“Is Honey Hamilton your real name?” he asks, gaze landing softly on me.

“On my honor.”

He lets out a breath. “This changes things. We can’t stay at the chateau, but we’ll figure out something.”

My heart beats out a little throb of fear followed by hope as I latch onto his words.

“We?” I ask tentatively.

“You, Leonie, and me.”

I lift my eyes to him, searching his face. “You’re her father.”

“I’m not sure what to think, but the first time I saw her?—”

“The eyes—” we both say at the same time.

He says, “We’ll follow all the legal channels, but whatever the case, I’d like for us to be a family.”

I melt inside. “The only problem with that is you’re a leaper and I’m a tip-toer.”

He juts his chin at the Porsche. “I find that hard to believe given the car you drive. More like a racer.”

“Some people race toward. Others race away.”

Maddock grips my waist. “Which way are you going, Honey?”

I take a deep breath. “Into your arms, if you’ll take me.”

He opens them wide. “I will.”

---