Page 79 of Hate Me

There’s chaotic shouting down below as he crumbles to the floor of the speakeasy. I walk down unhurriedly behind him. My resolve hardens as I hear my father curse roughly in Italian. I step onto the floor as my father and his associates are all in various phases of reaching for their weapons at the unexpected arrival. Cigar smoke thickens the air and mingles sourly with the smell of fresh coffee.

“Father.” His eyes meet mine and for the first time in my life, I think I see the look of utter surprise on his face. I don’t have to look behind me to know Finn’s got my back. His presence and strength permeate the room.

“Euphemia,”he gasps and contorts his face with a sneer.

“I always knew you weren’t a good man. Or honest or loyal. But if there was ever anything I respected about you, it was that you always did your own dirty work.” He narrows his eyes in a silent threat. A gesture that used to make me cower, now looks like a fragile and desperate attempt to intimidate.

“So imagine my surprise, when William here—” I kick his huddled form still on the ground and he moans. “—said that he knew where to find me becauseyoutold him. Not only that, but you also suggested he ‘go get what he’s owed.’”

He opens his mouth, but I hold out my hand. “Hudson Campbell is dead. Governor Campbell is going to prison for the rest of his miserable life. And William here,” I look down at him in disgust, “isn’t even worth my goddamn time—”

“You’re nothing but a whore—”

“I’mspeaking.”I hold his stare, daring him to interrupt me again. “The only reason I bothered returning your trash is to tell you this is the last time. This is the last time you meddle with my life, with my marriage.”

“Euphem—”

“Try again and I will put you down like a rabid dog.”

His mouth opens and closes like a fucking fish, red and steam raising on his face. He snarls, spittle flying. “You’re no daughter of mine.”

His hands ball into fists at his sides, and I know with confidence those fists will never hurt me again. “You’re right. I’m not a Luciano.I’m a Fox.”

1.you should see me in a crown—Billie Eilish |

Epilogue

Effie

Threemonthslater

The door to my newly built studio opens and Stella pops her head in. “You ready, babe?”

“Yeah, almost. Can you help me with this?” I hold up a gold chain necklace.

“Course.” She comes in, pausing to look at the canvases on the wall. The setting sun washes the studio in a warm golden light and Stella looks at the masterpieces in awe. “Wow.”

I tilt my head, still finding new things to appreciate in the painting Finn bought at the gala. The colors are so vibrant and layered, the brush strokes crude in places and seamless in others.

Stella’s nimble fingers clasps my necklace around my neck, then she gives me a once over. “Just gorgeous.” Her smile is warm and infectious as she offers me her arm. I loop mine around her elbow.

1We built the studio on the farm just a short walk from the lake. String lights hung in the trees light our path, and my stomach is awash with excited butterflies. I opted to go barefoot, something about it just felt right. The forest floor is cool under my feet and fireflies flickering between the trunks breathes a whimsical feel into the air.

“Are you nervous?” she asks me as we get closer to the dock, and I have to laugh.

“No, I feel like I’ve done this a hundred times already.”

Though as we round a small bend in the path and the dock comes into view, I’m not sure that’s honest. My heart beats faster as I make out Finn’s frame at the end. Harlow is the only one bringing a pop of color to the group in a slick, red dress. All the boys are dressed in black like it’s a funeral rather than a wedding. Well everyone except Alfie who, when he turns around to watch us approach, is wearing a pink striped tie with his navy suit.

My eyes lock with Finn’s, and my breath is snatched from my lungs. Even in the dimming daylight, I can see the vibrant jade of his eyes and his jaw clenches when he takes in my white, flowing dress. We step onto the dock, our footsteps making a hollow thump, and he drags his hand over his mouth with a slight shake of his head.

I can’t believe you’re my wife.

His words from the gala echo in my head, and my chest feels light realizing that after tonight, I finally will be, with no strings attached. Just me and him, forever. The way it was always meant to be.

Cash stands at the end of the dock next to Finn, his hands clasped in front of him.

My eyes get misty as Stella walks me down the aisle—if I can even call it that, with it being so short. She hands me off to Finn after a quick hug and squeeze.

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