Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(17)

“When we end all this, we’ll have a proper wedding, and you can give Abby away,” Kai says, and I remember the conversation we had in the helicopter on the way back from New York.

I want to return to Alabama, where we met, and say our vows on the beach. It’s on his Uncle Wes’s estate, so there will be no issue in making it happen. We can hold the reception in the house or erect a marquee on the grounds.

It might seem weird to some to want to return to a place where I almost ended things.

But that’s half the reason.

It’s a reminder that life is precious, and I came very close to throwing mine away.

I also want to spend my wedding night in the cabin, having Kai make love to me sweetly and tenderly like he did that first night we met.

Drew lifts his chin. “I would love that.” We share a look, and my heart is full. “And there’s no need to apologize,” he continues. “I understand. I wasn’t here, and you couldn’t wait.” A surprised laugh bursts free of his mouth. “Now, I get it.” He grins at us. “Charlie thinks you’re married, but that wedding isn’t legal.”

“Exactly. And neither is the worthless contract Father made him sign,” I admit, offering him a matching grin. “Because Kai already signed a legal document, right after we married, transferring the shares in Manning Motors back to me. Once I turn eighteen, those shares are mine. Not father’s.”

“And,” Kai adds. “We put other provisions in place so that if anything happens to Abby or me, he doesn’t get his hands on them either.”

“Nicely played.” Drew bobs his head. “But if Father finds out, your life will be in serious danger. Who else knows?”

“Only the people in this room and my dad,” Sawyer says. “And he won’t say a word. He knows how important it is to keep this quiet.”

“Good, because both their lives are at stake. He will go ballistic if he finds out. This doesn’t just affect his control in Manning Motors. It will impact his running for president at Parkhurst.” He pins Kai with a somber look. “He won’t just go after you. He’ll go after Abby too.”

“Then we just have to make sure he doesn’t find out before we choose to reveal it,” I say. I shuck out of Kai’s embrace, sitting upright. “I have a plan of action, but it’s complex, and it’s going to take all of us working together to pull it off.” I eye each man in the room one at a time. “Can I count on you?”

“One hundred fucking percent,” Kai says. “Whatever you’re cooking up, I’m all in.”

A chorus of agreement rings out around the room as everyone, unanimously, confirms their support.

Adrenaline courses through my veins, and I just know this is it.

The pivotal moment where everything changes.

Where the power shifts and the people in this room are primed to take back control.

I cast a glance over everyone again, and powerful emotion swims up my throat. Before, the guys were fond of tossing out sentiments that they would kill for me or take a bullet for me, and I was skeptical. Especially when everyone in this room has betrayed me in some way.

But that’s in the past.

Because I look at them now, and I know it’s the truth.

I know they are in this with me.

That they want this as badly as me, and they will do whatever it takes to help me reclaim control over my life.

It’s a surreal feeling.

To know I have such a formidable group of guys standing behind me, watching my back, and supporting my decisions. The feeling of empowerment is incredible. Indescribable. And exactly what I need to get me through the weeks and months ahead. It’s not going to be easy, especially the part I have designated to play. But I know I’m up for the challenge with my crew at my side.

We will make it happen.

This time, the bastard is going down.

And there will be no getting back up.





CHAPTER SEVEN


“We’re listening, beautiful,” Jackson says, as Kai, predictably, gives him the evil eye. “Tell us your dastardly plan.”

I stick my tongue out at him, and he chuckles. He hasn’t once attempted to reach for a joint or a blunt, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. It’s not long after the anniversary of his sister’s death, and the pressure we’re under is intense, so I’d expect him to be smoking his brains out most of the time. The fact he isn’t warms my heart, and I hope it might mean he’s turned a corner, because I want that for him.

But it’s more than that.

If we’re to pull this off and make it out alive, we need Jackson sober with his head fully in the game.

I make a mental note to discuss it with him at some stage.

“We need to approach this from several angles,” I say, “because Father is a conniving bastard, and he always covers his tracks. But everyone fucks up. Everyone has a weakness, and I’ve discovered his.” I pause for a second. “His penchant for recording people and using the evidence to blackmail them will be his downfall.”

“In what way?” Rick asks, propping his butt against the back of the couch.

“You said he has lured senior and high-ranking elite members to the sex dungeon,” I say, looking at my brother, “recorded them doing stuff they shouldn’t be doing, and he’s bribing them into supporting his campaign for president, right?” Drew nods. “So, the way I see it, we hit the bastard from two angles. We take Manning Motors away from him, and we take the vote and his status within the elite away from him.”