Page 129 of When Hearts Awaken

Olivia seems to read the questions in my eyes and she pats my hand. “Yes, youwillheal and move past this, Tay. I’m sorry you had a terrible experience with your school therapist, but there are other professionals out there. You’re my friend, so I shouldn’t be your doctor, but I can recommend you colleagues and people I trust. We will be with you every step of the way.”

I nod and look at Grace, who’s wiping her eyes, Lana, her arms crossed over her chest like she’s thinking of ways to avenge me, Millie, her lips curving in a small, supportive smile, and Olivia, her warm brown eyes reassuring.

And Belle, darling of the ball, who is still sobbing on my shoulder, her hand cradling her belly.

“Shhh… Don’t cry. I hear the baby in your belly will cry with you.” I rub her back.

Belle jolts up and sniffles. “I love you, but you really suck at comforting people.”

I snort and the girls laugh. I may have purposely riled her up last year to distract her when she was going through tough times with Maxwell.

It works every time.

I look at my girls. All of them are still here. No one looked at me differently.

Biting my lip, I nod, a spark of determination flaring in my gut. Does it matter how the world views me if the people closest to me, the people I love whose opinions are the only ones that matter, don’t give a shit?

I will get through this. And this time, I won’t be alone.

“So, what are you planning to do with the blackmail text and photo?” Lana asks a few minutes later.

“Charles and I are going to join forces.”

Rolling out the tense muscles in my shoulders, I tell them about the plan Charles and I came up with in the bath last night.

I won’t bend over and take it. I’ve never been that girl and I’llneverbe that girl.

If that asshole thinks a photo and a text can stop me, he has another thing coming.

Chapter 53

It’s a Western standoff.

I can practically see the tumbleweed blowing across the floor from my spot at the table in a private room inside MacGregor’s Whiskey Library. Taylor stiffens next to me as the silence stretches on and I reach over and clasp her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Maxwell sits on my other side, his brow cocked as he eyes the scene before us. He insisted on coming because Taylor is his little sister and heneededto be involved to make sure things were resolved appropriately. The entire family would’ve come if we let them.

The two men in front of me continue their silent stare down. Elias, twirling his famous lighter and chain in his hand, his green eyes not leaving the cold blue ones of Emerson sitting across from him. Emerson glowers at the mobster, and Elias returns the favor with a smirk.

“You guys done measuring dick size yet? Can we get down to business?” Maxwell mutters, finally fed up with the two idiots.

“Emerson, it’s been a while.” Elias tucks his lighter back in his navy suit jacket. He props his leg up on his knee, a picture of complete nonchalance.

“Not long enough,” the private investigator mutters, and rakes his hand over his golden brown hair. “I should’ve known you were fucking with my investigation.”

Elias chuckles as if he’s really amused. “So tell me, how’s your brother doing? Still pushing paperwork at the Fed?”

“That’s Special Agent Clarke to you, dipshit, and he’s doing great in theorganized crimeunit. Should I tell him to pay you a visit?”

I roll my eyes. “Can you guys work together or not? Or did we make a mistake by bringing you together? This was supposed to save time, not cause more issues.”

Emerson blows out a breath before twirling his index finger to get us to carry on.

Turning to Taylor, I kiss her hand before asking, “Do you want me to tell them, or do you want to do it yourself?”

She stiffens and sits up straighter. A rush of pride streaks across my chest at the fire burning hot in her eyes.My fierce minx.

“I’ve thought through things and decided I don’t want to cater to the blackmailer’s demands,” she says. She grips my hand tighter. “I don’t want to live in fear anymore knowing these guys are out there and they could come haunt me at any time. I want to find the bastards.”

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