Page 42 of Fixing to be Mine (Valentine Texas #5)

“Absolutely not,” she says. Her words hook hard.

The silence stretches long enough to make him uncomfortable, which might be the first time that’s ever happened.

I don’t say a word either. I’m not here to save her, only to stand beside her.

Stormy steps forward. My arm drops naturally, and I let her go. She walks down one step, then another, stopping a few feet from him.

“Want to know the best part, Donnie? When the truth is revealed, I won’t be the one trying to rescue my reputation. It will be you.” Her smile is sad as she stares at the man she once loved.

“Please,” he nearly begs her. His voice lowers. “I flew here because I love you. I drove all this way because I miss you,” he says.

Lightning breaks over the world and settles in her throat.

“You’re here,” she says, “because you’re saving face. Because you realized that you needed me for your public image. When I reveal the truth, you will sink. I’m not sorry for the karma that’s coming for you.”

He tilts his head at her. “What are you talking about?”

I can see satisfaction already ticcing in her jaw. “How long have you been messing around with my sister?”

He stays frozen in place, staring at her.

“Oh, you didn’t think I knew. That explains this ridiculous performance,” she says. “You’re ruined.”

The air changes, and the cicadas hush.

Donovan’s mouth falls open a full second before he recovers. In it, I see every decision he’s ever made, rushing like a floodwater through a single doomed grin.

“What are you talking about?” he asks. “That’s ridiculous. With Skye?”

“I knew you’d lie,” Stormy says, voice rising. “I saw you myself at the venue with your hands down my sister’s panties in the back room forty-five minutes before you were supposed to marry me.” Her nostrils flare, and she glares at him. “Now deny it.”

He flushes a deep, spectacular shade of crimson. She caught him off guard, and I love this for him.

“How many people knew? Who of our friends did you force to keep this secret from me?” Her voice is calm, cold and final. “The truth shall set you free, baby.”

He opens his mouth like he might protest, but she doesn’t give him the chance.

“I’ve already contacted LuxLeaks for an exclusive tell-all interview.

It will publish”—Stormy pulls her phone from her pocket—“actually, right now. What a coincidence that you’re here when that article is dropping in New York.

” She pauses, cupping her hand to her ear.

“You hear that? That’s your reputation circling the drain.

You won’t recover. Not from me. Not from this.

Next time, choose someone dumber. Oh, wait.

You did. My little sister. Did you see the surveillance video? ” she asks coldly.

A flicker of panic flashes beneath that polished confidence.

“Everyone will know you lied and tried to fool the public with bullshit stories about my mental health. That’s what they call bottom of the barrel around here.

The world will finally see you for the cheater you are.

But I do owe you a thank-you. Thank you so much for showing me exactly who you are.

You saved me from future heartbreak. Because of you, I found something that’s worth everything .

Donnie, you never could’ve made me happy.

You were the best thing that didn’t happen. ”

He tries to speak, but she keeps going.

“You came here, thinking I’d run back to you.

In the beginning, I might have let you wrap your lie in a tailored apology, and I’d stupidly thank you for it.

But the blindfold has been removed. You don’t have control anymore.

Neither does my family. Or the company. Or anyone.

I’m in control again.” There’s no rise in her voice, no flare of emotion.

Donovan stares at her, like he already misses her. There’s a pulse in his jaw now. “See, now that’s the woman I fell for.”

“That’s the woman you destroyed,” she states. “And if you ever come near me again … if you speak my name publicly or whisper it to a tabloid or try to leverage your fuckup in any way, I will make it even worse for you. And you know I’m capable.”

He’s scared shitless.

“I will ruin every alliance you’ve ever built.

I will bury your entire family name. I will make every publication you’ve ever used to manipulate a narrative turn on you so fast that you won’t be able to see your reflection without thinking about me.

And now you’re here, acting like you own me, like you can tell me what to do?

” Her eyes narrow. “You lost me the second you touched her.”

Donovan doesn’t speak. He can’t.

Stormy steps back. “Now get in your car. And fuck straight off.”

“Listen. Wait, Stormy, please,” he says. “You have it all wrong. It wasn’t anything like that. It was a onetime thing, a mistake, and it meant nothing. She threw herself at me?—”

“I saw you laughing together. Heard the two of you. Stop lying for once.” Stormy’s voice cracks through the air. She exhales.

I take a step forward, knowing this is enough. “If you don’t get in your car and leave now, you won’t be walking away. At this point, you’re trespassing,” I threaten.

Donovan stares at her for a minute, almost as if he doesn’t recognize the woman before him. He doesn’t say another word, just turns like someone yanked his strings, jaw tight, steps clipped as he walks back to the car.

“Oh, hey. Get someone to come pick up this junk from our yard, or I’ll have it towed away. And remember what I said,” Stormy continues. “You won’t be the only one in crisis mode if you fuck with me.”

Stormy doesn’t move until the car reverses out of the driveway, tires crunching slowly over gravel.

We both watch it go until the taillights fade away.

I slide my arm around her waist. She leans into it without a word, like she’s been waiting to fall into something steady. And I’m here for her. I’ll always be.

She exhales the bullshit and grabs my hand, pulling me up the porch steps with her. Her eyes are sharp, glassy, but dry as we walk inside. There’s color in her cheeks, and right now, she’s not wrecked; she’s radiant. Unshaken. Fierce.

“The audacity,” she says. “To think I almost married him. What was wrong with me? Why would I choose that?”

I nod. “Glad you woke up ’cause eww.”

She laughs, and I pull her into my arms.

“That’s one confrontation already knocked off my list. After that, are you still sure about going with me tomorrow?”

I don’t hesitate. “There’s no place on the fuckin’ planet I’d rather be than by your side. Now, tell me, how do you feel, getting that off your chest?”

“Great,” she says. “I’m in control of my life again. I got stuck in a loop of trying to make everyone else happy but myself. I realize that, and it’s so sad.”

I cup her cheeks, then kiss her slowly, enjoying the way she tastes. I pull away, meeting her eyes. “What about now, darlin’? Are you happy?”

“Yes. The happiest I’ve ever been,” she whispers against my mouth, then dives back in for more.

Our tongues twist together as I push her up against the door.

Her arms wrap around my neck as she moans against me.

“You’re a little terrifying,” I mutter against her ear, teeth grazing her skin.

She holds me like I’m the safest thing she’s ever known and the only man she’s ever wanted.

“Guess you’d better take me to bed, cowboy. Don’t want to give you my wrath.”

“Mmm, give it to me. I love your sassy wrath. It’s lightning,” I say, scooping her up and carrying her down the hallway as she presses soft kisses against my neck.

I set her down on the bed as she removes her shirt and pulls me toward her. As I lay her back and slip her panties off, I know she’s not running anymore. She’s walking toward me. And, God help me, I’m ready to drop down on one knee and enjoy the calm after the storm—with her.