Page 45 of Corrupt Crown

Clearly having made her decision, she leads me back toward her bedroom, and I stand in the threshold, watching as she packs a small bag.

Her toothbrush. Some hair clips. A change of clothes. A small brown bear plush.

And a photo album filled to bursting with pictures.

I step closer, glancing over her small shoulder to find that every single image is of Elodie. Sometimes, she’s with Skye; other times, she’s alone, lost in thought, or smiling brightly.

“She’ssuperpretty, right?”

With a nod, my eyes never leave Elodie’s perfect face as I whisper, almost unknown to myself. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Skye giggles, and I raise my eyes to hers. “When I grow up, I want someone to look at me like that.”

Clearing my throat, I shake my head, realizing the girl is as perceptive as her mother – possibly more so. My voice is gravelly when I ask, “Did you want to pack some photos of your parents?”

Then I silently curse myself for mentioning Warren and Cressida, fearful she’ll ask to say goodbye to them. But she surprises me.

“Nah. They won’t even notice I’m missing. But I’d like to see Sully before I go.”

“Who’s Sully?”

Her smile is enormous as I take her bag, and she leads me from the room without a backward glance, confirming to me that taking her away from these people was the right call.

“The neighbor’s cat.” Looking back at me with those familiar blue eyes, she blinks solemnly as her words hit deep. “He’s the only one who’ll miss me when I’m gone.”

I grit my teeth and focus on my breathing as we jog down the stairs, deciding that, although I’d been torn regarding how severe Warren and Cressida’s punishment was to be when I’d arrived, right now, I’d happily have ended their pitiful lives.

As I reach the front door, I stop, looking at the house that Elodie grew up in, and I can’t help but feel a sense of poeticjustice, knowing that these same walls that hid such neglect and horror will soon be smoldering piles of ash.

For you, Stellina.

“Are you coming?”

Skye stands about five paces ahead, her eyebrows raised expectantly, and the resemblance to her mother at this moment puts a huge smile on my face as I close the distance.

“You’re impatient, aren’t you?”

She nods with eagerness. “I’ve been home-schooled since Ellie left, and I can’twaitto make some new friends.” I open the door of the waiting SUV, and she steps inside with a grin. “Plus, I’ve never been on an airplane before. Can I have the window seat, please?”

I chuckle at her enthusiasm, already more attached to this kid than I have any right to be. “It’s a private jet.” Her eyes widen and so does my grin. “So, you can swap seats as many times as you like.”

She chatters excitedly as Enzo climbs into the driver’s seat with a small nod. He starts the engine, and we quickly leave the Rivers’s family home in our rearview mirror.

And as we make our way closer to the airfield where my jet awaits, the permanent ache that’s sat in the middle of my chest since hearing Elodie’s story lessens, having seen some unpredicted justice served.

CHAPTER 15

ELODIE

The three daysthat Rafe is gone are the longest of my life, though I’m grateful for the physical and mental exertion with Sasquatch to keep me busy, which means I can fall asleep at night without dwelling too much on my fears.

I’ve just stepped out of the ice bath Sasquatch had convinced me to take for my aching muscles when Maria calls from my suite.

“I’ve laid out some really nice clothes today,SenorinaElodie.”

The pained wince on my face turns into a frown. “What about sparring?”

“Not today.”