Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 136421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“Not in a million years. Since the first night you slept in my arms, I wanted you close. There was never going back after that.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
EVERLEIGH
I can’t believe it’s been two months since Krystal and Dana were taken down and arrested. Last week, they were finally sentenced. Dana took a plea deal and was sentenced to two-hundred hours of community service with the requirement of staying away from me. The rumor mill chewed her up and spit her out, and she couldn’t handle the glares and whispers around town.
It was very obvious she wasn’t welcome at the boutique, and no one else trusted her enough to hire her. After a month of not being able to find a job, she packed up and moved. It’s better that way.
On the other hand, Krystal was sentenced to eight years in prison, mainly because of Archer's documentation over the months and Dana’s confession. Krystal had planned to attack Annie and Sadie after she killed Archer. I was last on her list.
I’m just so damn thankful he did what he did and that Liam was able to come through for him.
It took nearly a year, but Archer and I finally feel safe in Lawton Ridge. While I won’t go anywhere without my self-defense keychain, most of my fears have vanished. I love being married to Archer, and we’re excited to start planning for the future.
As I put on the breastplate to my Wonder Woman costume, my phone rings. When I see Tyler’s name flash across the screen, I pick up.
“Hey. I’m almost ready. Tell Gemma to quit stressing.”
He chuckles. “I wasn’t calling about that.”
“No? Something wrong?”
“Not really.” He pauses. “I just got a call. They caught who was responsible for Eric’s murder.”
My breathing increases. “Oh my God. Who?”
A long sigh escapes him. “It’s Mafia-related. Victoria’s dad never got over her loss and somehow linked it back to Eric’s involvement. The hit man was arrested for another crime and confessed.”
The silence draws on, and I’m not sure what to say. I was convinced Natasha did it since she was so distraught over his affair.
Archer stands in the doorway dressed as Captain America. He sees my face and asks me if I’m okay. I nod so he doesn’t worry. After the Krystal drama, we don’t keep anything from each other.
Once I end the call with Tyler, I tell Archer the news.
“Wow,” he says. “I guess his wife knows then?”
I shrug. “I’m sure she does. No telling what she’d have done if she hadn’t been convicted.”
He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. “She was crazy, but I can’t imagine the pain of losing a spouse. Even if Eric didn’t talk about her or if it was arranged, she seemed to care about him a lot. Grief can make people do crazy things.”
“If something happened to you, I’d act the same way,” I admit as he leans forward and steals a kiss.
“Me too, babe. Don’t want to even think about it. Oh, do I have lipstick on my mouth now?” he asks.
“Nah, I could literally get on my knees right now, and this stuff would still be perfect.”
Archer chuckles. “That’s actually kinda hot, and I’d like to test that out. Whatcha say, wifey?”
He steps back, getting a full view of my costume, and smirks.
“Hold on, I need to get my headpiece before you make a judgment.” I run to the bathroom, then position it on my head. Sassy comes chasing behind me, and that’s when I notice she’s wearing a Thor costume. I nearly fall over laughing because it looks like she has human legs.
“Poor baby.” I bend down and pet her. “What has he done to you?”
Archer meets me in the hallway. “You love it.”
“Yeah, but now my Sassy is gonna steal the show!” She runs around, and I can’t get over how cute she looks. The kids at the trunk or treat are going to be hysterical over this.
“Yes, she will,” he says in a baby voice, then his phone vibrates. “Guess I’ll have to take a rain check on the lipstick test. Sadie and Annie will be here in fifteen minutes.”
They arrived last night and stayed in a hotel next to the airport. Then this morning, they checked out and will be staying with us tonight.
“Awesome!” I say. “You don’t think Annie will be mad that I have an entire giant-size bag of candy for Sadie, right?”
Archer shrugs. “We can spoil our niece any way we want. There’s nothing she can do about it.”
I pull him into a hug. “I love that you call her our niece.”
“She is, sweetheart. That ring on your finger says so.”
Before we get too caught up in the moment, I pull away and take Sassy outside. Archer fills the pumpkin bucket to the brim with candy. Moments later, there’s a knock on the door.