Page 77 of Crimson Heart

“I’m not the one whose approval you need.”

“Guess I’ll have to convince your dad then.”

Jude leaned in. “Between you and me, the only person you need to convince is Charlotte. Because once she’s made up her mind about something, she’ll pull it through come hell or high water. Not even my father will be able to stop her.”

Surprised, he discovered a mischievous sparkle in Jude’s eyes.

“She’s her own woman, isn’t she?” Byron asked.

“She sure is. Just one word of warning: if you break her heart, I will kill you.”

“Fair enough.”

“Now go and win her back.”

Byron turned on his heel when the door was ripped open, and Francisco appeared with a tablet in his hands.

“The new camera, half a mile before the gate, picked up the Leons. They are coming. What do you want to do?”

Byron felt his heart skip a beat.

Jude immediately went into action mode as if somebody had flipped a switch.

“Who of our team is on the estate right now?”

“Wendell, Parker, Mason, Grant, and Austin are here, though Grant took your father on an ATV ride to give him a tour of the property, like you suggested to keep him out of your hair,” Francisco reported.

“Notify everybody to get to the front entrance. We’ll greet the Leons outside this time,” Jude ordered.

Francisco’s fingers flew over the tablet before he said, “Done.”

Then a chiming sound came from the tablet.

“It’s them.” He put a finger to his lips to indicate to remain silent before he tapped on the tablet again. “Yes? Can I help you?”

“Bruno Leon, we’re here to speak to James Beaumont.”

“One moment, please.” Francisco muted the app.

“Where are all the Gallaghers?” Jude asked, looking at Byron and Francisco.

“Spencer left, no idea where to,” Francisco reported. “Flora went to Costco with Heath. I haven’t seen the others.”

“Thaddeus is still in San Francisco,” Byron said. “And Eve went back to the equestrian estate early this morning to check on the newborn foal. I think Ransom went with her.”

“And the rest? Violet? Owen?”

Byron shook his head.

Jude motioned to Francisco and pointed to the tablet. Francisco unmuted the app.

“Please drive up to the house.”

Then he closed the app.

“We need to keep Danielle and Charlotte out of sight,” Byron insisted.

“I’ve got it,” Jude said, and pulled his cell phone from his pocket, and tapped on it. An instant later, the call was connected. “Baby, the Leons are back. Stay upstairs. Have you seen Charlotte?” A pause, then he added, “Good, stay together.” He disconnected the call.