Chapter 15
I squeezed Vincent’s hand and stepped into the hallway. Five years of playing the perfect daughter–in–law, of shrinking myself to fit their mold – it ended today. They’d learn what happened when you pushed a country girl too far.
“Oh, and Thomas?” I called over my shoulder. “Keep the ring. Sell it. You’ll need the money for what’s coming.”
I stretched lazily in my bed, sunlight streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows of Vincent’s mansion. The silk sheets whispered against my skin as memories of yesterday flooded back. I had went back a day after the company altercation to watch the Rivers family’s faces as their lawyer read out the settlement terms.
Half their empire. Gone. Just like that.
My lips curved into a smile. The memory of
95% 16:13
1/4
4
Chapter 15
Margaret’s mascara–stained face as she realized what was happening would stay with me forever. Robert’s desperate
attempts to challenge the will had
crumbled when Vincent’s lawyers
presented grandfather’s original documents.
And Thomas? He’d sat there, pale and silent, as his perfect world fell apart piece by piece.
The door creaked open. Vincent’s footsteps crossed the room, quiet but purposeful. The bed dipped as he sat beside me.
“Morning, beautiful.” His fingers brushed my hair back. His lips pressed against my forehead, soft and warm. “How’s the heiress of the Swanson empire feeling today?”
I opened my eyes to find him watching me, those icy blue eyes filled with something that made my heart skip. “Like justice tastes sweeter than I imagined.”
95% 16:13
2/4
4:13
95
Chapter 15
“They never saw it coming.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “A country girl
taking back what was rightfully hers. Your grandfather would be proud.”
Grandfather. The thought of him brought tears to my eyes, but for the first time they weren’t bitter ones. I’d honored his
memory. Protected his legacy from the vultures who’d tried to steal it.
“Thank you.” I caught Vincent’s hand in mine. “For helping me get it back.”
His other hand cupped my face, thumb catching a stray tear. “You did all the hard work. I just provided the muscle.”
The morning sun caught his profile, softening the hard edges that made others. fear him. To me, he was just Vincent – the man who’d given me back my strength when I needed it most.
–
Vincent’s fingers intertwined with mine. A knock on the door broke our moment.
Marco stepped into the room, his usual
95% 16:13
3/4
Chapter 15
composed expression tinged with amusement. He bent down to whisper something in Vincent’s ear.
Vincent’s lips curved into that dangerous
smile I’d come to know so well. “Someone’s
at the gate asking for you.”
“Who?”
“Why don’t you go see for yourself?” His eyes sparkled with dark humor.
I slipped out of bed, pulled on my silk robe, and made my way through the mansion’s winding corridors. The morning air hit my face as I stepped outside, dew–covered grass dampening my slippers.
As I approached the front gate, my steps faltered.
It was Thomas.
95% 16:13
