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The sound of splintering wood interrupts the awkward silence as the police forcefully enter, bringing Rome Lennox's father with them. They hand him over to Ben's friends, who stand nearby.
“Is this Mr. Lennox?” Ben’s covert operators ask, wanting confirmation.
"Yes, he's one of the culprits responsible for the kidnapping of Mr. Barron," I assert, crossing the boundary of personal space, our faces nearly touching. “If youdare to harm my family or anyone I care about or I assure you, you won’t see the light of day again,” I bark as I twist his gaudy island tank in my hands.
Beckett intervenes, pulling me back. "He isn't worth sacrificing your happiness," he whispers, gesturing to Ben's friends. "They will ensure he is safely transported for federal charges."
Slowly, I let go of Mr. Lennox’s shirt and walk away with my brother, Vanessa’s dad, and the woman her father met while in captivity.
ChapterThirty-Five
VANESSA
My legs can’t run fast enough to the plane. Maverick’s employee attempts to stop me but Vanessa Barron can’t be stopped. The flight attendant lowers the stairs, and my feet are on them when Beckett descends the steps and says, “We have a surprise for you.”
I back off the steps to let Beckett through, seeing my dad is behind him. I launch into his arms. “Daddy. Are you okay? I missed you so much.” My heart thumps hard against my chest, and warm tears streak down my face.
He pulls my curly hair out his mouth and whispers, “I think you’ve been in excellent hands.” He pulls back looking into my eyes. “I hate that I had to get kidnapped to get you two back together. You’re both so damn stubborn.”
“Can we go home alone and talk? There’s so much I haven’t told you. I let you believe the rumors around town, and I’m sorry.”
My dad hesitates. “Well, there’s someone I want you to meet.” He lets go of me with one arm and reaches behind him. “This is Carlotta. She’s moving in with me.”
I turn my head finding Beau with his palms up, gesturing that he has no idea. Rotating back to my dad, I say, “Good, I need another woman around the house.”
Dad’s eyes feather at the corners as he smiles, hugging me. “I love you, baby girl.”
“Love you, too. Carlotta, I’m Vanessa. Let me be the first to welcome you to Kissing Springs.”
I release my dad, extending my hand to dad’s new girlfriend. But instead of shaking my hand, she pulls me into a hug, rubbing my back and I feel something I haven’t felt before from one of my dad’s girlfriends—genuine caring. “Your father talked about you all the time. His little princess. Do you know how to cook?”
Beau interrupts, “She’s excellent at making banana bread.” We both chuckle at our inside joke.
“Oh, I love to cook. I will cook my famous fish tacos for everyone tonight.”
“Tonight? Aren’t you exhausted?” I ask.
She claps her hands together. “No, I like to keep moving.” A woman after my own heart. Maybe this will work out.
My eyes lock on Beckett. “Beckett, can you stay for dinner?”
“If you two don’t mind, I’m tired and need to head back to Louisville. I have commitments there,” Beckett says.
I look to Beau for reinforcement. “We need to catch up,” I beg.
“Nessa, let’s take a few days and then have Beckett and my parents over next week, when they’re in town.” Beau grips Beckett’s shoulder, and I know he’s hoping that he doesn’t lose Beckett again.
“That sounds better. Our parents don’t know what I did to myself, and I need to think about how I’m going to tell them. None of it was their fault, but we know they’ll feel as if they failed me. I’ll call you tomorrow, and we’ll set up a time. I love you, brother.”
They embrace and I feel tears begin to spring up. I'm so happy we’ve all reconciled after all the pain we’ve caused each other.
Beckett reaches for my hands and holds them loosely. “And Vanessa…I’ll never be able to repay you.”
My mouth makes a big circle. “What? You just saved me from Rome.”
Words wilt on his lips, he grabs me into a hug before disappearing through Luxury Jet’s rotating doors.
ChapterThirty-Six
