Page 73 of Broken Strings

She stalks into the foyer, heading upstairs towards the playroom she’d installed when Bree had Dawn, the eldest of my nieces, ten years ago. Before she can reach the first step, Ford arrives back through the front door.

She glances back and forth between us and him before pointing upstairs. “I’ll get Bella.”

Dad kisses her cheek, and there’s silence as she ascends the stairs. Once she’s disappeared from view, Ford nods towards my father’s office, and the three of us move to follow.

“Noah offered to stay with her at her hotel. There was evidence of drug use that she attempted to hide from both of us, but even before that, it was clear that she was on something.”

“Do you have eyes on her? I won’t have her leaking shit to the media again.” I gesture through the window and across the expansive manicured garden that separates my parents’ house from the media circus camped on the road outside my tall walls.

Ford nods sharply. “Phones have been tapped. There’s a man in her building. Another in a car outside. I’ve hacked into street cameras in the area and sent the live feed back to the guys in Cambridge. She’s not moving without us knowing.”

I can feel myself relax somewhat just as my mother steps inside with my daughter in tow.

“Daddy!” Her legs move towards me, but her eyes flicker sideways to find Summer, and she changes direction. “Summer-hero!”

She launches herself and her mass of blonde curls at Summer, wrapping her small frame around her hero. “Hey, my little Curly-Sue. Did you have fun today with Mimi and Pops?”

I catch Mum and Dad exchanging a smiling glance, and my heart grows wings, fluttering in my chest with absolute contentment.

“Come on, girls. Let’s get home.”

We walk through the house, entering a cavernous garage filled with vintage cars my dad loves to tinker with. Nearest to the electric door is our SUV with black-tinted windows.

Having settled in the backseat, we wave my parents off as we journey across the rear of their property until they are small specks in the distance with their arms wrapped around one another. By the time we’ve reached the other entrance on the far side of the river, Bella is fast asleep at my left, Huddles Bunny wrapped tight in her arms. And ten minutes later, Summer is fast asleep on my right, her small hand resting on my thigh.

Ford catches my eye in the rearview, his white teeth flashing with a wry grin before he mouths, “Lucky fucker.”

I’d flip him the bird, except he’s right.

My phone chimes, and I pick it up with an easy grin when I spot my group chat with Henry, and Nate is active.

Henry

Peach wanted me to say thanks for yesterday, Cade. Sorry about the paps!

I shoot back a thumbs-up emoji.

Nate

Mila showed me a viral video of you dry-humping a girl that looks uncannily like Summer St James.

Henry

Where have you been, Hawthorne?

I can’t help myself. It’s too easy.

Me

In bed with your sister. Duh!

Nate sends back a facepalm emoji, and I can see the dots blinking as Henry, undoubtedly furious, is manically typing a response.

Henry

Why do you have to keep that shit up, man? You’re owed a punch in the gut for that one.

I chuckle softly lest I wake the sleeping beauties on either side of me.

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