The Revenge by Tijan

Camille’s eyebrows furrowed up. “That’s not fair.”

“We don’t care,” said Kash.

I coughed, sitting up. “Moving along. This is what we’re going to do. I have no interest in turning you over to the police. You’d have to explain how I got all of this, and frankly, I could delete everything and erase my trail, but that’s a pain in the ass. I mean, I’ll be erasing my trail anyways, but going through the hoops of proving that to the cops, I don’t want to do that. And I have no doubt that if Quinn gets word that you’ve been arrested, she’ll know you could turn evidence on her and she’ll probably try to figure out a way to hire a hit on you.”

“Oh my God!”

I ignored her. “So instead I want you to stop reporting anything and everything on our family. That is it. If you hear of a story brewing about us, you will merely type on your computer screen CANARY and I will know to get in contact with you. Creepy, yes. I don’t care. I want you to know that I’m going to continue watching you because I don’t like you. I don’t like how much you have hurt my brother, myself, my family, and Kash. You can do whatever you want, but you will help us instead. For the rest of your life. And if for some reason you decide you’re sick of being our puppet, remember that I’m only one hacker in my family. There’s one more and one coming. I also have a photographic memory, so anything I read, I never forget.” A pause for dramatic effect. “Are we clear here?”

She’d lost all color again but jerked her head up and down in a stiff nod.

It was good enough for me.

We left and headed to Naveah.

Once inside, and once we were sitting in our VIP booth, Kash watched Matt head to the bar. “You think she’ll do it?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but if she doesn’t, I really will turn all my stuff over to the authorities. Bright will love me forever.”

He grinned, then grew serious. He was still watching Matt, who was now flirting with Torie. “I’m thinking of turning Naveah over to Matt.”

“He’d buy you out?”

“He’d manage it for me, and yeah, if he wants to buy me out later, I’d let him do that. What do you think?”

“I think that’s a great idea, but he’ll be pissed he can’t drink here socially anymore.”

Kash smirked. “I know.”

“You think he’s ready for something like that?”

He nodded. “I do. He’s been quiet about it, but he’s gone back to managing the Francois Nova, and he’s doing well. There’s been no complaints. I talked to a few of the employees and they’re happy with him, said he was a new and improved Matthew Francis.”

I was pleased to hear that, and proud. “He never told me.”

Kash’s grin was slow and warm. “We’ve kinda had a lot going on ourselves.”

“Very true. And back to your idea, I think it’s a perfect fit for him.”

“Good.” He leaned over, a finger under my chin. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go home.” He kissed me, making it slow and delicious, and it sent tingles through my whole body. “Do you want to stay?”

“After that kiss?”

A low chuckle came from him. “I was hoping you’d say that.”





EPILOGUE

Kash


Two years later

Everyone heard the laughter throughout the church.

I was standing at the front, my arms folded in front of me. Peter was in the pew and shaking his head. A space was next to him for Chrissy. Matthew stood next to me, dressed all fancy in his tuxedo. Chase was next to him. Cyclone was my last groomsman.

The girls hadn’t started coming down the aisle yet, but they were back there.

Everyone was listening.

They’d been boozing it up since Torie brought half the bar with her. Seraphina was standing just beyond the door, peeking in. I couldn’t hear her, but I knew there was a wedding planner back there. She’d been up my ass with financials since Bailey insisted on hiring her. Little did I know it was all a ploy.

Bailey didn’t want to plan the wedding. She knew I didn’t, either, and she didn’t want to let Chrissy loose on the job; hence, a wedding planner, who I’d seen running around, her hands in the air, a permanent look of exasperation on her face, and no one blamed her. Bailey had taken to making a game of evading her.

So she was either back there, hissing at them to hurry up, or they got her drunk right alongside them.

“Anyone else jealous of the bridesmaids?” Matt said under his breath, straightening his collar. “Also, why didn’t we sneak some booze ourselves? Note for your future best man.”

Cyclone started laughing.

Chase’s mouth moved, curving up.

It’d been a long road for Chase and me, but I was glad he was back, and I was glad he was standing up for me today. As if feeling the “twin thing,” he caught my eye, and his own flashed. He dipped his head down to me.

Yeah. A long way.

“They’re coming,” Cyclone whispered, rolling his shoulders back. He had shot up in height over the summer, looking almost like an eighteen-year-old. With a small Mohawk happening. I heard Bailey groan almost daily about the girls sending her little brother private messages on his accounts.