Page 117 of The Tomorrows After You
His featuresdarkened, and he finallydroppedthe façade of innocence.
“The will was clean. You’ll waste thousands in legal fees.”
Ipushedmy lips together in a smile.“Thousands my parents and Iwillhappilyspend after I tell them just how many times my dear old unclewentsearchingfor my illegal sex tape.”
His face paled.
“Eww…”IheardChelsea mutter. Katieletout a little gasp. Ihadn’ttoldher why Ineededto use her paralegal skills, nor did I tell her why Iaskedher to draft up the proper real estate paperwork to give Chelsea complete ownership of Jacob’s farmhouse and all the land heownedaround it.
Jacob studied me for a moment, eyes swirling between Katie and Chelsea. Air flew in and out of his flared nostrils.
I held up the pen, quirking an eyebrow. “You have ninety seconds before I get mean.”
The color of furyreturnedto his cheeks, but Iletthe glory of victory bloom in my chest as hesnatchedthe pen from my hand. The girlstwitteredwith triumph.
Katie joined him at the table to point to where he needed to sign.
“You didn’t have to do this,” Chelsea said, facing me. “This was your aunt’s money, you should do something with it.”
I brushed her upper arm. “I’m doing exactly what I want with it.” She offered me a watery smile. “Sell that little ranch, invest the money for the girls. I hear housing and healthcare are killing it.” I gave her a wink.
Katie returned with the paperwork.
It felt like solid gold retribution in my hands. I started toward the door.
“Pleasurevisiting with you, Uncle Jake!” I tossed over my shoulder.
When I crossed the threshold into the outdoors, I was pleasantly surprised to find Riot leaning against the porch beam, arms crossed over his chest like an angry security guard. The black t-shirt he was wearing hugged his muscled chest, and he looked like the perfect victory snack. I stopped in front of him, raising my eyebrows. He leaned in and I got drunk at his mere proximity.
“Nicolette! This isn’t over—” Jacob’s voice approached from inside.
Riot’s bodymoved with precision and speed. He archedover Jacob before I evensawhim move, a firm hand on Jacob’s bony chest,stoppinghim in his tracks.
“Nope,” he growled, and it was so fierce it sent shivers down my back. The danger in his voice was chilling. And incredibly sexy. “You don’t talk to her. Ever again. If I get wind that youthoughtabout her? What I do to you will give them arealreason to put me in prison.” Riot gave Jacob’s chest two firm pats, sending him stumbling backward.
As the front door slammed, I turned back to Riot, unable to mask my graciously defended honor. His eyes grasped mine and although there was fire there, his lips tipped up.
“Youhonestlythink I’d let you come back to this house without me?” he said, flashing me a wry, knowing grin. My mouth twisted and the butterflies turned to jellyfish under his appreciative stare.
Riot made his way back to his truck. I regarded the two women who’d helped me today. Chelsea was close to tears as she filled Bill in on what was happening over the phone. But Katie still cowered between her narrow shoulders, afraid to meet my gaze. I pushed her gently.
“Hey. How’s your day going?” She peered up at me, blinking almost in confusion. “You doing okay?” Her chest exhaled a relieved laugh. She nodded with a watery smile. “Look,” I continued, “you’re still obnoxious but...” I gave her an appreciative nod. “We’re good.” The air whooshed from her tiny body. She shuffled again and shifted like she was about to hug me.
“Should we—?”
“Nope!” I held up a palm to stop her from getting closer. “Not necessary.”
Katienodded. Her eyesdartedquickly to Riot whose armwashanging out of the truck window, the other armpressinghis cell phone to his ear.
“Treat him well, okay?”I almostthrewher a sarcastic smile but the raw, authentic crack in her voicehitme in the chest.“He deserves to beloved. So… love him honestly.”Idippedmy head, bothdismissingand forgiving her all at once.
Chelsea spun to me. “I seriously don’t know how to thank you. You have no idea what this is going to do for our family.”
My breath hitched. “You remember our deal? The terms?” I gave her a serious look.
She smiled and nodded. “I will be sure to have the girls plant a lilac patch named after Auntie Nicolette.”
I promised to keep in touch with Chelsea wherever I ended up. And unlike the last time I left, I knew I meant it this time.
