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“That’s my cue to leave.” Richard stands, completely uncomfortable with our relationship.
“I’m listening, Miss Madison.” He smirks, tapping a red pen on his knees.
“If you think you’re going to tell me what to do, you are sorely mistaken. Because, I’ll have you know—”
“Callum,” he interrupts me.
“Mr. Boyd, that’s a conduct cut, for sure,” I mock scold him.
“Callum,” he says, patience wearing thin.
“What?”
“I love you,” he says.
“You… love me?”
“With every fiber of my soul.” He pulls me onto his lap, gripping the back of my neck and slamming his lips to mine. He kisses me as if he’s been starved. As if he will die without my touch.
I break away from him breathlessly. “I love you too, Lincoln.”
He reaches in his pocket, pulling out a long box. My hands immediately fly to my bare neck. He pulls the replica of the diamond chocker out, hands gentle as he clips it around my neck. “Let me guess,” I say, voice thick with emotion. “You’re the only one with a key?”
He smiles, lifting his wrist to show me a bracelet that is a manlier version of my necklace. He reaches in his pocket, pulling a small key from it and dropping it into my palm. “And you’re the only one with a key to mine.”
My hand curls around the key, tears falling down my cheek. “Thank you.”
* * *
My brothers waitfor me in the living room, immediately standing when they see me enter. A small redheaded woman I’ve seen a million times on my phone screen sits behind Clint as he runs to me, wrapping his body around mine and squeezing. “I’m so happy you’re okay, Callum,” he whispers. Pulling back, I watch the emotions flash over his eyes. Throat working as he smiles. “I brought someone to meet you.”
The small, beautiful woman rises, her hand tentatively reaching out for mine. I smile, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m so happy to finally meet you,” I say.
The boys get out a board game; it’s nice to see my competitive streak comes from somewhere as we battle it out with a game of Monopoly until Heath gets mad and flips the board over the coffee table.
It gets a bit awkward when Lincoln comes to find me. The boys have no idea what to do with the situation and I understand that completely, but when they begin to threaten him, I figure we’ve all had enough for today and send him home.
I lay in my bed, almost uncomfortable in the soft mattress and silky sheets. And when my window slides open, I smile.
He came.
* * *
I standin the crowd as Richard holds a press conference. Every news broadcaster is wild with excitement since finding me a few days ago. Richard holds up a hand, pointing to one reporter. “So, you’re not denying that she is your biological daughter, Governor Collins?”
“No, I’m not denying that,” he says calmly. “Callum is my daughter.”
The crowd gets louder, and he points to another reporter. “And it’s true you are retiring?”
Richard smiles. “Also not denying that. I’ve given my whole life to this job, neglecting my family and…” His eyes search the crowd, smiling when they land on me. “I have a lot to make up for.”
* * *
I sitacross the table from my parents. My hands twitch and go to my bow to fix it, a telltale sign that I’m nervous. “Callum.” My mother speaks, her voice raw with emotions that threaten to break my composure. Her eyes weld with tears, the bright green reflecting my stiff form back at me. “I…” she trails off. “I’m sorry. I did abandon you. I didn’t mean to, it’s just… I’ve been the other woman for so long. I’ve longed to have a full family with Richard, and I guess I got caught up in all of it. Forgot the only reason I truly live. It’s not an excuse, just the truth. Love makes you blind and you were once again forgotten. I’m so sorry, honey. I was so selfish. You know you’re my everything and if I’ve somehow made you think any less, I’ll spend as long as it takes until you know the weight of my words.”
I watch her for a moment, seeing how hurt she’s been all these years, how hurt we’ve both been. “It’s okay, Momma.” I open my arms and she walks around the table, throwing herself into my arms.
“I love you so much, baby girl.” She kisses my forehead, squeezing me tighter,
