Page 111 of Bittersweet Revenge

“And I have yours.”

He nodded. “I know you do, but no more danger now that we’re done, okay?”

“Scout’s honor!”

He rolled his eyes, leaning back on his chair. “I really thought it was him, you know.”

I didn’t need to ask who he meant; I knew because I thought the same. Our father was narcissistic enough to want to kill anyone who chose ‘wrong’ in his eyes.

“I know. I thought so too.”

He shook his head. “I was dreading finding anything like that because even though I despise the man…” He trailed off, looking away.

“I get it. It would have been a heavy load to carry for you, for us.” I extended my hand to his and he took it tightly. “We’ll be okay now. We’re a family and we can rebuild our life, all of us.” And I would need to help Caleb heal from the added burden, an addition to his father’s sin – the cold planning of my mother’s murder.

“I called Luke. He is on his way to see you.”

“You did?” I was surprised because last time they were together, I couldn’t really say my brother had been a fan.

He nodded. “He is family –ourfamily – and I want to get to know him too. He is linked to mom and now that I know she never wanted to leave me behind, I want him in our lives.”

I smiled. Even if the events we had just lived through were horrific, we were all starting to heal. If we could stay united, I knew we could leave the darkness behind – at least most of it.

He rested his head on the bed. “I got so scared. Don’t do that to me again, please. I love you more than I can say.”

“I promise, brother. I’ll be careful from now on.” I patted his head. “I’m here to stay and kick your butt every time you do something stupid.”

“That’s going to be a full-time job,” he jested.

I snorted. “You don’t say.” Life might become calmer from now on, but I knew it would never get boring, not with Archie and Caleb to keep in line.

********************************

The next couple of days dragged despite the visits. Even my father came and stayed for a few minutes. It was obviously only for appearance’s sake and I loved knowing we had power over him.

The only one who didn't come was Taylor. She facetimed me though to apologize, saying she had something she could not miss. She told me she would explain when she was back, but I already suspected she was planning on attending university far away. It was the only way to get away from Archie. I would've done the same if I were her.

Bored, I turned on the news. They were taking about what had happened that night. It was so ridiculously wrong though, I couldn’t help but be frustrated...and a little impressed. Based on the news, Anne White had been an unstable woman obsessed with the rich of this town. She'd had a neurotic breakdown where she'd tried to kill me. In a heroic gesture, my future father-in-law, James Astor, had sacrificed himself to save me.

I snorted. “Loads of shit,” I muttered.

“This is how news works in our world, Esmeralda. Rich demons are too powerful not to die as heroes.”

My head jerked up. Jacklyn was standing by my door in all her glory. She was in a sober black designer dress I assumed she'd worn to the funeral today, and carrying a pair of oversized sunglasses in a gloved hand.

“Caleb is still busy with the board members,” she said as if to justify her presence in my hospital room.

She walked to my bed as I adjusted the covers almost subconsciously. This woman had a way of making me feel inadequate just by looking at me.

“They are nervous to have a man so young take over. They shouldn’t be; he is as smart and as cunning as any of them.”

“I’m sorry about your husband,” I said.

“I’m not and neither should you be, dear. That man belonged in a grave or a prison cell. Personally I'm quite fond of the option that was picked.”

“Okay… What can I do for you?”

“May I?” She pointed to the chair by my bed and I blushed at my lack of decorum, as they would say.

---