The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(13)

“Wesley,” Adelaide called.

He looked up from his smartphone, raising a brow. “Yes?”

Adelaide used her cloth napkin to pat the corners of her mouth. “Why isn’t Evie here for dinner? Didn’t you tell her we were going out?”

“I did,” Wes said. “She had plans with her boyfriend.”

The look of distaste on Adelaide’s face was apparent. “So, she’s still seeing that Drake boy?”

“Why are you surprised? They’ve only been best friends since they were seven. You have to admit that he turned out to be a responsible young man. He runs Drake’s Diner with his father and is studying a double major at the university.”

Olivia looked to Wes. “He does all of that on top of boxing?”

“He does,” Wes said. “But I think it’s more of a workout. He’s not trying to go pro or anything. Parker is smart. He has a good head on his shoulder.”

Adelaide tapped her long nails on the white tablecloth. “Still, he comes from a family of farmers and mechanics. I always saw Evie with someone from a more reputable family. Aren’t they Polish?”

“Does it matter?” Wes went back to checking his phone.

Olivia sighed and set her empty wine glass down.

“I suppose not,” Adelaide said. She looked at Olivia. “How is your family, dear?”

Olivia smiled. She didn’t really like making eye contact with her, so she glanced at her and looked down at the table.

“They are fine. My mother and sister are on holiday.”

Adelaide nodded. “Well isn’t that lovely. We should go on holiday, Wesley. Don’t you agree?”

“Not now, Mother. Evie won’t be free until winter break.”

Her husband had just been murdered and she was ready to go on a vacation. Some might find that odd, but Olivia understood. She’d need to get away if that had happened to Wes. She wouldn’t be able to stay in the same house they’d shared. It was rare for her to understand Adelaide, but she did in that moment.

“Winter break isn’t that far off. We should plan something. What do you think, Olivia?”

“It’s a good idea. My project list is dying down.”

“I say we all go to Italy. It’s lovely in the winter.”

Wes nodded, clearly not paying attention.

Olivia put a hand on his. “Can’t it wait, sweetheart?”

He looked her in her eyes. She offered a smile, stroking his hand.

“How rude of me. I apologize,” he said, surprising her with his softened tone. He put his phone in his pocket and resumed eating his dinner. “We are supposed to be celebrating and I’m letting things at the lab distract me. I was just speaking with Malka about the ley-lines. They seem to be what draws shifters to Woodland Creek.”

“It’s fine,” Adelaide said. “What you and Olivia are working on is important work. Your father would have wanted you to not lose sight of what you’re trying to accomplish.”

Olivia lowered her eyes. They were getting closer to discovering the hidden links between shifters and wizards, and why they were so drawn to Woodland Creek.

“We are making great progress,” Wes said.

“And then there is another matter you two should be making progress on,” Adelaide said with a mischievous grin.

Olivia glanced at her, seeing her dimples deepening as Adelaide grinned expectantly at her.

“Don’t be coy. When will you two give me a grandchild?”

Olivia’s cheeks reddened. She cleared her throat and risked a quick look at Wes, who put a hand on her thigh. He gave it a squeeze and smiled at her.

“Soon,” he said.

Her heart soared at hearing that one word. She couldn’t keep her smile at bay.

“I don’t believe this day could get any better,” Adelaide said.

Olivia tensed when Adelaide slid her fork to her hand with a subtle flick of her index finger. Her gaze flickered around the crowded restaurant to see if anyone noticed what had just happened.

Of course they hadn’t. None of the other patrons dared to even look their way. Olivia was surprised. Even with Edward dead, the townspeople were still afraid of them.

They didn’t even know how dangerous each person at that table was.

“Mother,” Wes called in a low voice. He clenched his teeth. “This is not the time to let down our guard.”

Adelaide shrugged her shoulder. “Perhaps,” she said and ate a long string of pasta.

Olivia looked to Wes. Her eyes said it all, and as he smoothed her thigh under the table she beamed. He smiled back and her and nodded.

“Ready?”

Nodding, Olivia held his hand up and kissed his knuckles. “Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

Finally, it was time to expand their family.

All she had to do was kill a crime boss. If she’d have known that she would have done it sooner.





TRAPPED IN HIS THOUGHTS, Wes was silent the entire ride after dinner.

So much blood. He couldn’t get it out of his head. He rubbed his temple and closed his eyes. What he had done to the remaining Prince family members went above and beyond cleaning up the filth.

It was an extermination.

But they weren’t done yet.