Page 73 of Dauntless

Bowen blinks but doesn’t hesitate. “Of course I’ll be there.”

* * *

Five months, two weeks, seventeen days and twelve hours later, I walk into Sprysky and Gentry with Bowen’s hand in mine. Dad is there, but he doesn’t speak a word to me. Iris explains the rules that Aunt Hilda did to me the night of the election and it plays out exactly the way Aunt Hilda predicted it would. My dad objects. Aunt Hilda overrules. Peter recites the rules of the will if an inheritance is contested by one of the trustees. Dad’s face grows redder and redder but he doesn’t protest or argue or call anyone names, which I know he wants to do. Especially when Aunt Hilda’s smile grows smug.

As soon as his signature is on the document he storms towards the door of the conference room but pauses. “I’m not ashamed you’re… what you are, Chase. It’s how you embarrassed the family at that event. Making a spectacle out of it. You owe us an apology for that.”

“No. I don’t,” I reply calmly.

“Mr. Ashton, your son told me he loved me. That’s all,” Bowen says, and I’m shocked he’s speaking up. “If your son had told a woman that, on stage at a public event, would it have been considered a spectacle to you?”

“We don’t do things like that in our family,” he says, avoiding the actual question like the seasoned politician he is.

“He’s right, we don’t,” I say and look him in the eyes for what I think may be the last time ever. And I’m okay with that if it is. “But we should. Having tried it I have to say five stars. Highly recommend.”

“I don’t even know who you are anymore Chase,” he shakes his head in disgust and storms out.

“He’s right. He doesn’t know you,” Bowen says quietly. “And it’s his loss.”

I see Aunt Hilda’s face smile softly as she signs the documents Peter puts in front of her. Then I sign and Peter and Iris smile triumphantly. Being the liberal, diverse firm that they are, I’m sure this feels like a win for them too. Peter tucks the paperwork into a folder. “The funds will be wired into the account you gave us in the next twenty-four hours.”

I shake both their hands. Bowen hugs every single person in the room, including Aunt Hilda who is getting much better at giving and receiving affection.

Outside I kiss him. “Let’s go to Vino and Veritas for a celebratory drink.”

“And then home?” he asks and wiggles his eyebrows.

“You already fucked a millionaire, remember?” I guide us down the street, leaves in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows litter the sidewalk and a crisp fall breeze circles us.

“Yeah, but now it’s official.” He turns his head, leaning in so his lips brush my ear when he speaks. “And I wannabefucked by a millionaire.”

Arousal tears hard and fast through my veins. “Okay, so home and V and V later?”

He laughs. “You want me so bad.”

“Fuck yeah I do,” I reply. “More than I wanted three and a half million dollars.”

And then I kiss him, right there in the middle of the sidewalk, in broad daylight.

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