Page 5 of Charmed By Destiny

“Good. We don’t want to get anywhere near a destiny-touched.”

“Foxe, I’m worried about these Marwoods. What if they aren’t as benevolent as your friend made out?”

“You’re smart. You’ll get a good measure of them. If you think it’s too good to be true, we’ll meet up and figure something else out. But I believe the guy. My instincts are excellent. This is going to be good for you. I know it.”

Sick to his stomach, Luke sank into his seat and didn’t bother to respond. Foxe’s mind was made up. Whether Luke liked it or not, he was being handed over to the Marwoods. Thankfully, it would be temporary. All Luke had to do was earn enough money to ensure he and Foxe could have some stability. Then he could get away from Vegas and maybe even convince Foxe to get some help with his addiction.

Chapter 3

Richard sat on a black velvet chaise and ignored the thick fringe brushing against his fingers as he unzipped his heeled boots. One thing he hadn’t been gifted with was height, but Richard couldn’t complain about much else. Although he’d had a long day, his work fueled him, and he appreciated the hint of exhaustion. It proved to him he’d given everything he could to ensure the Marwood guests were satisfied.

The door to his bedroom was flung open, and his cousin, Maribeth, charged into the room. She shut them inside, and Richard wondered at the crease between her black brows.

“How was your day?” Maribeth asked, taking a seat next to him on the Victorian-style chaise. Her sweatshirt slipped off her shoulder, revealing the gorgeous tattoo sleeve she’d had inked as soon as she hit her eighteenth birthday.

“Busy, yours?”

“I accomplished a lot.”

“Great,” Richard enthused. Shortly before Eric was kidnapped by Maribeth’s father, she’d quit her job and wanted a change of career. However, the trauma of her ordeal had stalled things, and Richard hated watching her flounder. Maribeth was normally confident, but her ego had taken a large, unwarranted hit. Perhaps she was finally finding some light in the darkness. Nothing could have pleased Richard more.

“Yeah,” Maribeth replied, her brown gaze landing on his face. He wasn’t sure what to make of her intense, serious expression. “We need to talk.”

“Sure, Mari, you know I’m always here for you.”

Maribeth rested her head on his shoulder. “I know. We’ve been inseparable our entire lives. You’re the best friend anyone could have.”

“Same goes. So, tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Richard, there’s no easy way to tell you this. I’m moving out.”

Her relocation into the family home was relatively recent, and Richard had loved having her there permanently. But she’d lived alone most of her adult life. “Is being with the family constantly too much? Mom means well, you know that. Tell her to stop badgering you if she’s bombarding you with questions.”

“Everyone has let me deal with this whole situation without bothering me,” Maribeth said, taking Richard’s hand and squeezing it affectionately. “I know it’s driving you crazy that I haven’t talked about my feelings. You have to control everything, and one of your greatest skills is managing people, but I’ve needed to handle this alone.”

“Nothing about what your father did is your fault. Fuck, Mari, you took a damn bullet for Eric. You could’ve died. You’re a fucking hero.”

“I don’t want to get into all this, but I was in the damn house. How didn’t I know what my father was planning? How many hours was Eric locked in that room before I found him? What would’ve happened if I hadn’t been so damn nosy? Eric would be dead, Richard. Our sweet Eric who has spent his entire life doing nothing but helping spirits cross.”

“It was your father’s choice to have Eric kidnapped. He didn’t pull you into his plot because he knew you wouldn’t go along with it. Mari, you can’t keep—”

“Richard, I’m not here to talk about that,” Maribeth interrupted. Although Richard had plenty to say on the subject, he respected Maribeth too much to argue with her. So, he buttoned his lips and told himself to be a good listener. Someday, they’d get through to Maribeth and she’d forgive herself for her father’s evil actions. “I’m moving out. In fact, I’m leaving tomorrow. There’s a condo in New York waiting for me.”

Richard’s eyes widened. “New York? But that’s on the other side of the country. Have you told Mom and Dad? How will you be safe so far away? Gabriel will be here. He runs security. Does he know?”

“Rosalind and Clark don’t approve, but whether they like it or not, I’m an adult. I can’t spend my life asking for permission. I’ll be fine. Of course Clark and Rosalind know, they set up my living situation. Yes, Gabriel knows too, and I’ll be safe. I need a fresh start. I want to try something new. Maybe I’ll go back to school.”

The stubborn tilt to her chin told Richard that Maribeth wouldn’t be persuaded to change her course. His heart sank. What would he do with his best friend so far away? It wasn’t a question he’d ask her. The most important thing wasn’t how it affected him; her feelings were what mattered.

“If this is what you want, then you know you have my support,” Richard said, though he hated the thought of her gone. She was his biggest confidante and the person he spent the most time with. And he hated her pain. Her head was a mess, and she’d be alone.

“I love you, Richard.”

“I love you too. Promise you’ll keep in touch.”

“Of course. We’re family.”

“And you’ll be safe,” Richard said, desperately needing some reassurance from Maribeth.

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