Page 115 of The Bad Boy Rule

“I… I actually am here because of something important, Saint, and I’m worried that you might be upset at me, but…” She trails off, lifting the laptop in her hands. “I have to show you something.”

A sense of dread fills my gut. Shit. What’s going on now?

I watch as she carries her laptop over to my desk, then sets it down andopens it before turning back to me. “I know that you said that you wanted to let this stuff with my dad go, but Saint… I couldn’t just let it go. I understand why you want to move on. I do too. I just couldn’t let it go after finding all of this out, and ever since, there’s been this nagging feeling in my stomachthat something’s not right. My intuition telling me to listen.” She presses a few keys on the computer and brings up what looks like the local news station. Her gaze darts to mine. “I think you should probably just watch this first.”

I have no fucking clue what’s going on as she presses Play.

On the screen is what looks like a press conference. A large wooden podium with a flurry of microphones, the camera panned directly at it. Behind it is a tall, burly Black man with a thick mustache wearing an NOPD uniform.

“Hello, everyone, thank you for being here tonight. My name is Detective Marshall Robbins, and I am a detective with the Financial Crimes unit. I’m here today to release a statement involving an arrest that took place at approximately 5:30 p.m. at a private residence on St. Charles Avenue. We have taken a Mr. Edward Rousseau into custody on the following charges: bribery of a public official, obstruction of justice, criminal contempt of court, perjury, and fraud. The New Orleans Police Department takes these allegations very seriously, and we will be investigating to the best of our ability. Due to the high-profile nature of this case, we are releasing this statement to keep the public informed and to prevent the spread of false information. We will be working closely with the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office and will release further information when available.”

Lennon stops the video and turns to me, unshed tears pooling in her eyes.

I think I might be in shock because I’m frozen in place while trying to wrap my head around what the fuck I just heard, what the hell is even happening.

Blinking, I croak, “Baby… what did you do?”

“Ichoseyou, Saint.” She crosses my room and slides her hands along my jaw, holding me tightly in her small palms. “I went to my parents’ house this morning while they were still inBaton Rouge, and I went through my father’s computer. I didn’t even know what I was going to find, if there wouldbeanything, but Saint, I… I found it all. Documents showing that he had been paying off a judge to turn cases in his favor. Evidence that proves he’s been falsifying information in cases of negligence brought against the company. Cases like your father’s. I’m not sure why… maybe in case he ever needed to use it for blackmail, or he’s just really fucking stupid and never thought anyone would look into it.”

I laugh, the sound rough and strained from emotion, shaking my head. “I definitely think it’s the latter.”

“Me too.” She grins. “But Saint, it wasn’tjustyour father. There’s half a dozen more instances of Rousseau Enterprises employees being injured and my father doing criminal shit to keep it under wraps. All so he wouldn’t have to admit negligence. To save face. And to save money. All of these poor families who have suffered at his hand. It’s sickening.”

Holy fuck.

My expression probably reads exactly as shocked as I am because she nods, drawing her lip between her teeth and chewing the corner anxiously. I use my thumb to free it. “I took everything I could find, and I brought it straight to the police department. That’s where I’ve been all day. I told the detectives that I’d be willing to testify about what I found if they need me for their case. You and your mom and all of these people who have been wronged are going to get the justice they deserve.”

My girl.

God, I love her so fucking much.

“Lennon, your mom… what about you and your family?” My throat currently feels like I’ve swallowed sandpaper.

I don’t want this shit to touch her. I don’t want any of it to ever hurt her again.

Her shoulder lifts. “I don’t care what people think of me. If they assume I’m guilty because of him, then that’s their problem. My mom will figure it out. These innocent people finally having justice and closure is more important than the Rousseau reputation. Honestly, I’d like to change my name if I could.”

“Yeah? One day, you will. It’ll be Devereaux.”

She giggles as her cheeks flame.

She probably thinks I’m joking, but I guess she’s just going to have to stick around and find out.

“It was the right thing to do. I needed you to know that someone would fight for you. I willalwaysfight for you. And now we know the truth. We can truly be free, Saint.”

My arms swallow her as I drag her against my chest and press my lips to her hair, breathing her in and savoring the fact that she’s mine.

I would’ve been happy and at peace with the fact that she finally knew the truth, but she made sure the world knew.

And when I thought I couldn’t love her more, she steals my fucking breath.

FIFTY-ONE

LENNON

“Len, your man is here!” Maisie yells from the front door as I straighten the silverware on the dining room table.

I’m pretty positive that I’ve moved this exact fork like three times, but every time I look at it again, it feels slightly askew, so I attempt to fix it. Again.

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