Page 98 of Darlin'

"Dad's probably schmoozing somewhere," Beau notes, shoving a large chunk of scone into his mouth. "This place is like a cesspool for the wealthy and important." He snorts. "Still can't believe he's running for governor. If his voters ever get wind of the type of shit I do in Hawkridge, they'll crucify him."

"Which is why Momma bought you seventeen different types of turtlenecks," I say with a grin. "I'm sure his campaign manager will whip up a nice, juicy story about where you've been all these years. If anything, your sudden return will win him a butt ton of brownie points."

"Wait, what?" Marlow adjusts the pearl button on her silk blouse and frowns. "Are your parents really gonna make us join the campaign trail? I thought your mom was kidding." She looks frantically at Beau. "Tell me she's kidding!"

"We'll go to one event," Beau says, smiling at his future wife. "Maybe two. Tops."

Marlow closes her eyes. "The things you do for love."

"It'll be fine," I reassure her. "I'll be there too. I promise it won't be as painful as you think."

"I'm wearing a nail polish color calledKotton Kandy Kisses." Marlow scowls, flashing me her manicure. "Doesn't get more painful than this."

"When in Rome, right? That's what you told me, remember?" I snort as my phone rings. I check the caller ID and frown. A private number. Huh. Tentatively, I answer the call. "Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Kingsley."

My heart batters against my ribcage at the sound of Miguel's voice. Shoot!

"H...hello," I mumble, mouthing "it's Miguel" to my brother, who sits up straight, concern plastered on his face as he listens intently. "Uh..."

"I take it you're doing well?" he asks. "Back in Alabama?"

"Uh-huh," I hum, anxiety building in my chest. "Why...uh...why are you?—"

"Calling you?" He chuckles. Oh my gosh. Am I getting arrested? Is he calling to warn me? By now, he probably realized that the stash houses belonged to The Vipers, not The Sons. Does that mean I've impeded a federal investigation? I hadn't even thought of Miguel since I left. Or the repercussions. Double shoot. "Don't worry, Miss Kingsley, you're not in any trouble."

"...I'm not?"

"No." He clears his throat. "Although you can only imagine how surprised I was when the agents investigating the coordinates you sent us informed me that the stash house belonged to The Vipers...not The Sons."

Triple shoot. "I...I don't know what to say?—"

"Say nothing," Miguel states.

"Huh?"

"I need you to keep your mouth shut and pretend our conversation in the park never happened, got it?"

"I don't understand..."

Miguel sighs. "The bust on The Vipers' stash houses proved to be very fruitful for the Bureau and, in turn...me."

"Okay...and?"

"The Director was so impressed with the number of guns and drugs seized that I have been reassigned and..." He clears his throat. "Promoted."

Clean as a boy scout, my ass. Billy's going to be disappointed. "I see," I draw out, my butt sweating through my dress. "Congratulations, I guess?"

"Mhmm," Miguel hums in a clipped tone. "You tell your friends in Hawkridge that wewillget them. Maybe not this year. Maybe not next, but The Sons of Sorrow will be dismantled sooner or later. Take care, Miss Kingsley." He pauses. "And remember, we're always watching. Always."

I blink, hanging up on Miguel. "Well, that was...interesting."

"What happened?" Beau asks. "What did he say?!"

"He said?—"

"Savvy! Beau!" Momma sings as she bolts toward the table, Daddy and two other men in tow. I recognize the pompous face immediately.She didn't!The woman's got no shame! "Mayor Lockwood, you remember my daughter Savannah, don't you?" She tosses me a sly wink as if she's doing me a favor. "And Savannah, you remember the mayor's son James, don't you?" She tugs on the sleeve of a walking Ken doll. "Doesn't he look all grown up? James here graduated from Harvard this past year."

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