Page 37 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

“Let go of me.”

“Not until we have a little talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Good, then maybe you’ll shut your trap and listen for once.”

“How dare you.” She twisted and tried to wrench her hand out of his grasp. But he shook her in response and her teeth rattled. “Stop!”

“I want back into my baby girl’s life.”

She shook with rage and fear, but she held her tongue. “Why?”

“I just do. So, we’re gonna make that happen, or I’m gonna start telling people how you really are.”

“You can tell the truth about me any time you want.”

“I don’t think you’re gonna like it if the real truth gets out.”

She looked around, certain he was again putting on some kind of show. “I’m serious. I have nothing to hide.”

“Emily? Is that you?” The front door opened, and as soon as her father saw Jackson, he barreled out and punched him in the face.

In his inebriated state, Jackson fell to the sidewalk, and Emily and her father rushed inside and closed the door.

With shaking hands, Emily called the police to report Jackson was on their property and that he’d threatened her. Then she fell into her father’s arms. “What does he want?”

“I can’t figure it out. He’s never really cared for Lily. Never shown an ounce of interest. But if you have to move, we’ll help. Whatever it takes.”

“Where’s the security team?”

“It seemed quiet, so I sent them home.”

At the look she gave him, he lifted the phone to his ear and arranged for them to return. “I want someone watching the entrances to the house at all times.” He hung up, then he shook his head. “The last we heard, Jackson left town. It’s been quiet.”

“He called me, acting weird, as though I’m the problem. He’s made threats. I’m scared.”

“We’ll get this figured out and get a tighter detail. And you already reported him, so that’s all you can do for tonight.”

“I gotta get to bed, Dad. I can’t hardly think. Tomorrow let’s talk about this and Mountain Blue.”

“You get some rest, love. I can’t wait to see Lily’s face tomorrow when she sees you.”

That brought a very tired smile to her face. She needed her baby girl. As she crept along the hallway, she peeked into Lily’s room. Just her nose peeked out of the blankets. The innocence of her serene forehead while she slept brought a smile of relief to Emily’s face. Everything was going to be just fine. How could it not be with a sweet child like Lily in the world?

Emily barely washed her face and brushed her teeth before she fell into bed. The last thing she did before drifting off was check for any communication from Rhett. None. She told herself he would call tomorrow. He couldn’t stay mad forever. But a part of her thought he just might. The last time they’d drifted apart, ten years went by before either of them had reached out.

13

Afew weeks went by with no further run-ins with Jackson. Emily started to breathe easier. The school assured Emily that they’d had no communication with Jackson at all, that Lily was doing fabulously, and that they would keep a tighter watch where she was concerned—especially after Emily had shown them the satellite image of Emily talking to her father. They were shocked he had been there, and no one had known.

Rhett hadn’t reached out at all, so Emily let him have his space. She had been busy liquidating some of her own personal investments.

Her father thought it a good idea to pull in her brothers and for the whole family to brainstorm what the next step would be for Mountain Blue. That meeting would take place in a couple days. Things were mostly looking up.

The men they had monitoring Jackson had reported he’d gone missing again. She didn’t like the insecurity of not knowing where Jackson was, and she didn’t like worrying about him hurting her daughter. But they’d done all they could for now. Security was at her school, and they had her home under constant surveillance.

The one true thorn in her new garden of hope was Rhett. She missed him. Now that she’d had him back in her life, she wanted him back for good. What had kept them apart to begin with? She couldn’t even remember. Why hadn’t she planned to just stay by his side and never leave? Now that she’d paid everyone back all the money they’d lost and he’d cleared up the press problems in his country, maybe they would have a chance. If he’d see it that way. But so far, the silence on his end told an entirely different story.

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