Page 199 of Fierce Storm
“What could you have done? Had them killed?”
“Funny.” I stare at him deadpan as I hold out my hand for my phone. “I don’t know what, but I should have done more. Now, I have to fix it once and for all.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
“You already are. All you have to do is sign those papers and you’re changing my life for the better. I promise this will all be over by the time the company is yours.”
“I trust you.”
“Thanks, Daniel. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I’m about to leave when a thought hits me, and I ask one more favor before rushing out the door.
Let this be the last time I feel helpless on the other side of the country. My home is San Francisco. And I wish I’d never left.
Chapter Fifty-Five
KEELEY
PREVIOUS NIGHT
Hayley gasps as she tours the house, moving slowly so I can keep up. “Daddy D’Angelo did good.” She smiles my way, bouncing her eyebrows. “This place feels very Keeley-like.”
“That’s a coincidence. He bought the house a year ago.”
“Right, and when did you two meet?”
“Stop. The romance between us is new. We haven’t been sneaking around since he took over the Storm.”
“You haven’t?”
“No.”
“Shame.”
“Shame?” Paige and Amelia walk in from outside, and I stifle a smile at the mock disgust on Paige’s face.
“Oops. Sorry, Paigey.” Hayley giggles. “Though you have to admit it would have been a cute story. With elements of payback. You know, because you were sneaking around with her brother.”
“You’re hilarious.” Paige rolls her eyes.
“I am. But it’s the truth and it will never not be funny.”
Amelia bites back a smile as she sits down on the couch, shaking her head at Hayley. And I finally take a deep breath.
My girls are here. They’re all helping to distract me, despite having no idea that I need a distraction. Except maybe Paige.
Sal left for New York around midday after filling Paige in on the Mikklesons tailing them both, begging her to reconsider testifying. She initially refused, but after speaking to Easton, she’s starting to reconsider. For Isaac’s sake more than anything.
Blair’s the last to arrive, and Hayley declares it a party, announcing she’s making cocktails for everyone now that I’m off my pain meds. Which is fine by me. I can’t do anything for Sal while he’s in New York. I just have to hope that my plan actually works. It’s a good one, but it’s not flawless.
Two hours and threeway-too-strongcocktails later, Amelia regales us with Luke’s play-by-play of Paige and Easton’s wedding, including being front row for my moment with Sal, leading to Paige bringing up her mom.
“If you were ever worried about my mom trying to win Dad back, you can rest assured that won’t happen. The first thing she said when she saw the two of you together was, ‘Thank God, now I don’t have to feel bad anymore for kicking him out. I was certain he’d die alone with a D’Angelo Construction ledger in his hands.’”
Hayley snorts while Amelia’s and Blair’s jaws drop in shock.
I have no words.
