Page 89 of Beautiful Revenge

Devon shifts me and tucks me to his side. “You can say that all day long, but not on my property. And don’t ever treat my employees like that again. It didn’t work out for Harlow’s ex either.” Devon leans down and presses his lips to my forehead. “I’ll be right back, baby.”

My smile is small and pure relief floods me. “Thank you. I’ll be here. I need to call Chrissie so I can plan his next course of treatment with his new medical team.”

Janie finally realizes the trouble she’s facing. “Please, Harlow. We want the same thing, the best care for Patrick. I love him so much. Don’t do this to me!”

Devon goes to the door and holds it open for her, but she doesn’t move.

She continues to beg. “Harlow, please! We’ve been a family for years. Don’t tear us apart!”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this since you always think of yourself before others, but you really do need to think about yourself. I’m telling you this because I’m not a monster like you. When you get home, you’re not going to have any friends.”

Tears form in her eyes, and this time they’re real, even if they aren’t for my dad or our family.

Janie is in a deep pile of shit.

But I don’t care what she does next.

My father is alive.

He’s awake.

And Chrissie says he’s talking.

Devon

“If I’m not here, call Sheriff Moretti. Janie Madison is on the banned list.”

Felicity looks up at me with wide eyes. “We have a banned list?”

I drag a hand through my hair anxious to get back to Harlow. “We do now.”

“Oh my, oh my.” Felicity nibbles at her thumbnail as she lets that soak in. “We didn’t have a banned list at the mortuary. But then again, our clientele was never a problem.”

I narrow my eyes. “Yeah. Dead people have an amenable way about them.”

“Well.” She drops her hands to her sides and straightens her spine like she’s talking herself into not running back to plan funerals and wakes. “I still prefer working for you. I’m looking forward to our littlechatabout the event coordinator position.”

I glance at my watch. It took longer than I planned to kick Janie off the property. She begged me to convince Harlow totalk to her. Then she begged me to talk some sense into her stepdaughter. I gave the woman more warnings than she deserved and sent her on her way. I’m sure she’s back at our small local airport waiting for her plane to take off. “About the position, do you have any questions about what it entails? I think by now, you realize that we all have to kick in to help in areas that aren’t our own when needed?—”

“Like when there’s a shooting?”

“Yes, like a shooting,” I deadpan. “I do not plan on there being another one of those, but you get the drift. The position pays thirty percent more than your job at the front desk. What do you say?”

Her eyes light up, and I think she finally put flying bullets out of her mind. “You’re offering me the job?”

“I am. Feel free to take a day to think on it.”

She clasps her hands at her heart and performs a miniature hop in her low, wide heeled sandals and purple dress. “Think on it? Not a chance! Thank you, Mr. Donnelly. You won’t be sorry. I’ll make you proud and I promise not to have sex with anyone on the staff.”

I put a hand out to give her my palm. “Let’s let that be the only time you make that promise.”

She claps in quick succession. “Not another word about having sex with the staff! I’m so excited! Do you need anything else? I’d love to call Harold to tell him. He’s never met you, but he really likes you since you don’t allow guests to yell at your employees.”

I nod and dismiss her. “Please, go make your call. And I appreciate you, not only taking a new position, but not quitting after yesterday.”

“I can’t wait for my first wedding! Actually, it will be the first wedding ever at the manor since Ms. Madison dumped Albert. But that really worked out for you, right?”

And with that, I’m done. “I will open up your front desk position immediately. If you know of anyone in town you think would be a good fit, let me know.”