Page 93 of Electric Kiss

It was no wonder she sought love with an ordinary man.

Cynthia plastered on a smile she didn’t feel and walked into the study.

“Good morning, Father,” she said as she approached his leather-topped desk.

She didn’t dare sit until she was invited. That might never come, and she was prepared for this and wore her comfiest shoes. He might have been able to manipulate her, but she didn’t get to her early seventies without being one step ahead of him. After fifteen minutes, he looked up.

“What is it? I’m busy sorting out Turner business. Now that your brother has snuffed it, it’s back on me.”

She didn’t like her brother, but she still blanched at her father’s coldness. His cane was in his hand, so she kept her thoughts clogged in her throat. After a moment, she cleared her throat, fiddled with the sapphire ring and drew breath.

“Before you say anything, you might come to regret it,” her father said. “You are now the future of the Turners. With no children…” he gave her a once over. “Legitimate anyway. It is your duty to ensure Frederick’s children come back to Copper Island and run it. I can only do so much, but I am limited. I need to pass on my knowledge to Archer.”

“What about me?”

The words were out before she could shove them back in her mouth.

“You? I presume you’ll continue to do my bidding around the town to keep everyone in line. I see Freddie has let people off with late rent. That won’t do. You’ll have a long list of people to visit. And issue eviction notices if need be.”

“You could hand over the business to me. I can run the Turner interests.”

“I don’t think so,” he said, laughing and coughing as he spoke.

Like his coughing wasn’t enough, he took his cigar stub from the ashtray and sucked on it.

“What would you know about running an empire?”

“I’m not as stupid as you take me for.”

“And neither am I,” he roared.

Archibald put his hands flat on the desk and lifted his ageing body from the chair, and stood.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You don’t think I know, child? You don’t think I know about your rift with Freddie, and why? Exactly what did you do to get Imelda off the island, hmm? I bet you’re petrified she’s coming to the funeral. That’s why you want it in the chapel. If it wasn’t for the fact I’m burying my child, I’d be excited for the event. You’ll be like a long-tailed cat in a room filled with mousetraps.”

Archibald grinned, coughing as he flopped back into his chair. The seat groaned but not from her father’s weight but from age. It creaked and groaned every time he moved.

“Is there anything you want me to do aside from collecting rent?”

“No, can’t think of anything. I have managers all around the world taking care of everything else.”

“Goodbye, Father,” Cynthia said.

She meant it as the last word. Walking from his study, she silently vowed to pack her bags and fly to Como as soon as Freddie was in the ground. She knew she was loved by two people.

To hell with Copper Island.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Three days later

As soon as Freddie was lowered into the ground, she strode back to Turner Hall, collected her bags, and travelled to the small airport on Copper Island. From there, she flew on a private plane to Italy. Within twelve hours, she was back at the villa and, soon, in Jonathan’s arms.

It was late, so Jennifer bid her goodnight and went to her room on the ground floor. The same rooms she’d had for years whenever Cynthia took her to Como to be with Jonathan and Benny.

Standing on one foot, she pulled her black pump off her other foot and then swapped. Holding her shoes, she tread lightly up the stairs to the first floor where their rooms were. She had no idea if Benny was home or if he had company, but she didn’t want to wake him.

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