Page 185 of Checkmate
“People have built empires with less.””
He shot her a glance and smiled at her quiet confidence. With her hand cradling her stomach and the sun shining through the window, bathing her in warmth, she had never looked more beautiful.
“Motherhood suits you,” he said with a wider smile. “You’re radiant.”
She turned her head towards him, her eyes meeting his. “And a stint in prison seems to have softened you. Is this all for show, Alex, or do you mean what you say?”
Reaching across the console for her hand, he squeezed her fingers.
“Let’s rebuild our empire, Sophie. You and me. Together.” Pulling into his driveway, he killed the engine. “No more drama. No more Marcus and Erica. Just you, me, and little Odette. Together.”
Her fingers clasped around his, her answering smile infectious as he couldn’t help but return it.
“Alright, Alex. You got it. You and me, together.”
Chapter 55
Erica
“And that’s a wrap!”
Erica kept still for a fraction longer, the smile frozen on her face as she stared down the camera lens. Silence greeted her. The entire crew waited for the perfect moment before erupting into joyful applause.
“We did it!” She searched the crowd for the voice that meant so much to her. She returned his smile as he pulled her into his arms. “We did it beautiful!”
He didn’t care about the dozen witnesses. Marcus’ lips crashed into hers as they shared a celebratory kiss. Her fingers wound into his hair. Teasing cheers, aimed at them, joined the applause.
After months of filming, editing, and reshooting, they had finally completed their show. They had put their all into every episode, and delivered the best performance they could. The show had done all it could to be the best spooky show. It had stories from Agnes, Anna Bellview, Little Lizzy, and Bruno the Beastly. Now, all they could do was leave it with the editing team, who would hopefully turn it into an award-winning series.
God, she wanted this to be a success.
A gut feeling told her it would be okay. Life seemed to go her way now that she had found Marcus. Like the universe was waiting for them to find their way to each other before giving them the key to success.
“Alright, you two, break it up!” Erica pulled back, her face breaking into a welcoming smile as Angus made their way towards them. “I didn’t want to miss the last day’s shoot!”
“Glad you could make it,” Marcus said, moving an arm around Erica’s waist. She snuggled up to him as if they belonged together, like two puzzle pieces fitting perfectly. “Though I suspect that’s not the only reason you’re here.”
“You’re correct,” Angus said with a nod and a weary sigh. He looked as though he didn’t want to have his conversation. “Did you hear the news?”
“Let me guess.” Erica rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue. “Alex made bail.”
She had discovered her missing rings the day Sophie left. She hadn’t done a good job of hiding her tracks, and Erica had a feeling exactly what that money was going towards.
“That’s a good guess,” Angus said, his eyebrows shooting upwards.
“Erica’s rings are missing,” Marcus explained. “And we had a surprising guest stay with us around the time they disappeared.”
“I see.” Angus squeezed Erica’s arm, offering whatever comfort he could. “Do you want to take it further?”
Erica shook her head and sighed. “No. It’s fine. If, after everything, she wants to go back to him, I think that’s punishment enough.”
“You know there’s such a thing as being too nice?” Angus asked.
“That’s what I said!” Marcus looked down at her, kissing her head. “I love you for your kind heart, but why aren’t you throwing the book at them?”
“For what?” She asked, shrugging. “For a baby to be potentially born in a prison cell? It’s just not worth it. I don’t even know why I still had the rings at this point, anyway. It’s not like I’m mourning their loss.”
“Fair enough,” Angus said. “But let me know if you change your mind.” He shook Marcus’ hand and kissed Erica’s cheek. “I’d love to stay longer, but business calls. You must come for dinner this week. I’ll have Enid call you.”
