Page 57 of Bittersweet Revenge

“No offense, sir, but I think I know this life a little bit more than you do. I’m not saying it is without danger, but I’ll protect Esmeralda with my own life if I need to. You, on the other hand, were not even able to protect her from your own weaknesses.”

Luke looked down in shame as I elbowed Archie as hard as I could in the stomach.

“What was that for?” he asked breathlessly, rubbing the spot.

“Because you’re being an ass and I don’t like this version of you.” I stepped away from his embrace and went to stand in front of Luke, taking his hand in mine.

“You did a great job with me, Dad. Look what I turned out to be.” I smiled at him as he still avoided my eyes. “William has tried everything to break me, but he failed. I’m strong and smart and all that is because of you. Don’t listen to Archie. He is angry. You did a great job and I love you so very much.”

Luke finally looked at me, his eyes shining with tears. “I’m so proud of you, my girl. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Of course.”

He nodded toward Archie. “Archibald, take good care of our girl.”

Archie nodded back. “Always.”

Luke gave me another quick kiss on the top of my head before leaving.

Once the door closed quietly behind Luke, I turned around ready to give Archie an earful for his rudeness, but the sad look on his face stopped me in my tracks.

“He has mom’s eyes,” he whispered, his eyes on the door.

I nodded. “Yes, he does.”

He finally looked down at me. “You look just like her, but those eyes…” He shook his head. “I didn’t expect to ever see them again.”

This drained the last of my frustration away and I gave him a hug. “I know and I’m sorry.”

He sighed, wrapping me in his arms and resting his cheek on top of my head. “At least I have you, and knowing you want to come with me to Providence…it’s the best news ever.”

I nodded in his embrace. “Well, we better go back now.”

“Yeah, let's get this over with.”

“Is everything okay?” Taylor asked, taking in the look on both of our faces.

I nodded before looking at Ben with a small smile on my face. “Yes, Ben brought Luke. Thank you so much.”

Ben put down the little round plastic thing he was holding and gave me a smile. “You’re welcome, Esme. I’m pleased I could do that for you.”

“How is it going?” Archie asked Antoine, clearly eager to leave.

Okay… He really wanted to get it over with.

Antoine started to pack his bag up. “We’re done actually. It’s quite straightforward and the boy is smart enough.”

I looked at Ben. “You’re good.”

“Yes, but it’s unbelievable, all of this. I feel like I'm in some spy movie. It's crazy.” He shook his head.

“Yeah, like you’re James Bond and he is Q?” Archie asked with a little teasing smile.

“Yes exactly!” Ben exclaimed. “You’re Q.”

Antoine glared at Archie. “Vas te faire foutre, Forbes.”

Ben gave me a clueless look and I was pleased for once that I was not the only one who didn't speak French.

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