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“I’m sorry too. Next time one of my brothers and the police chief fake a wanted woman’s death and sneak her out of the country and then she marries my brother, I’ll tell you.”
“And I’ll tell you when a crazy lady tricks me into believing the wrong person is the murderer. Poor Hattie. She’s going to loathe me.”
“I think you’re underestimating my daughter-in-law,” King Nolan said from far too close.
Ellery turned to see not only the king but Ray and Macey. Her gut sank. The two cars were demolished, one of which was the king’s prized Lambo. He’d said he could replace his first-born son but they’d stopped making that car.
More importantly than the car … Ray and Macey. She had to somehow beg their forgiveness. Macey’s gorgeous wedding dress was ripped and dirty like some action hero’s. Ray’s suit looked worse. She’d not only ruined their wedding dinner and their special day. Now she’d ruined Macey’s wedding dress.
“Oh, no,” she moaned, not sure what to apologize for first. “Your dress. Your beautiful dress.”
“My daughters-in-law are amazing,” the king continued. “Friendly, beautiful, forgiving, spiritual. It might take some time but they’ll forgive you. I hope someday soon, you’ll be one of them.” He smiled kindly at her.
“But … but … you can’t all just forgive me. You all came for me?” She looked from Ray’s serious face to Macey’s tear-stained one to the king’s welcoming and understanding smile. She loved him. Loved him fiercely like the father she’d always wanted. She swallowed against her dry throat and blinked to clear her too-wet eyes.
“We can forgive you,” Macey said. She stepped forward. “Because you were tricked, and you were trying to protect the family, not hurt 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.
