AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you for understanding,” Ellery managed to croak out.
Macey forgave her. Just like that.
Macey gave her a quick hug and then Ray shocked her by giving her a side hug.
“Plus,” he said, “you exposed that loser Treven for what he is. Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll implicate his parents and end this mess.”
“Power of positive thinking,” the king said.
Ellery looked from the king to his Lamborghini and back. Did he realize yet that his priceless car didn’t resemble anything that belonged on a road? “Nolan … your car.” She let out a moan of regret.
He shook his head and caught her eyes with a sincere gaze. “What did I say about you and this car? Back at the castle?” She clearly remembered him saying she was worth more than any car. “I meant it, Ellery. If you’re fine, then everything is fine.”
With tears filling her eyes, she objected, “But you said they don’t make them any longer. It’s not fine. You said you could replace the crown prince before you replaced this car. This is definitely not fine.”
“Who’s replacing me?” Tristan and Malik walked up through the crowd of police and military men.
“Nobody, son.” The king smiled. “Treven destroyed the car, not you. I’ll miss my Lambo,” his voice was remorseful, “But nothing could hurt as much as it would have if we’d lost you.” He stepped up to her, and like when she’d wrecked the Porsche, he looked deep into her eyes. “Ellery. My son loves you, and we all love you.” His smile was forced, but it was still there. “I was looking to upgrade to the Lamborghini Veneno anyway.”
Ellery couldn’t take it. It was obvious the king didn’t want his beautiful car destroyed, but he cared more about her. She threw her arms around the king. Derek’s dad. The dad she’d always wanted.
He hugged her back. A dad hug. She couldn’t remember a dad hug from her own father. She hadn’t known what she was missing. She clung to King Nolan, maybe for longer than she should have, but nobody seemed to blame her.
When they pulled back, his eyes were bright. “Welcome to the family, Elle,” he said softly. Then he cleared his throat and turned. “Let’s give Elle and Derek a minute while I say goodbye to my Aventador.”
Tristan chuckled at that. “She was a beauty.”
Ellery eased back to Derek’s side. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her tenderly on the forehead.
“Derek totals a one-of-a-kind Lambo and gets to kiss his girl. If I did that, I’d be kicked out of the tribe,” Malik teased.
“Nah. You’d be kicked out for much less.” Tristan put a chokehold on his brother and turned him away from Derek and Ellery. “Did you know the renowned and beautiful chef Sophie Pederson is in charge of the reception food tonight?”
“Not you too,” Malik groaned. “Whose idea was that?”
“Supposedly she’s the best chef in Europe.” He lowered his voice. “Macey did some … research.”
“Macey,” Malik growled at her.
“What? I’m good at research,” the bride said with an innocent sweetness that made all the men chuckle, even Malik.
Ellery looked up at Derek. “Who’s Sophie Pederson?”
“The best chef in Europe and the former love of Malik’s life. Tragic story actually but Macey is hoping to revive the romance and matchmake a bit.”
She smiled. “Nobody has to matchmake you though. Right?”
“No, Princess Elle. I’ve already found the love of my life, and destroyed an irreplaceable Lambo for her.” His voice deepened. “You are irreplaceable to me, love.”
She kissed him, but it was short because she turned to watch his dad, Malik, Tristan, Ray, and Macey walk away. “I can’t believe they truly forgave me. Do you think Hattie and Steffan will as well? And Kiera? I hate that she was so sad.”
“Kiera will forgive you. She’s a twelve-year-old girl. And Hattie and Steffan have been through much worse. They’ll be fine, and they’ll love you just like everyone else does.” He stared at her with those blue eyes that she loved. “After the reception tonight, we can fly back to Boston. Unless you want to stay until Tuesday still?”
“I want to fly back to Boston.”
“Oh … okay.” He didn’t even show his disappointment at leaving his family so soon. A family that had forgiven and accepted her.
“I want to pick up my mom and Aunt Elise, pack up our apartments, and say goodbye to our friends at the gym.”
