“She’s going to be richer than you soon,” Dawson drawled.
Eva grinned. Her hair was even shorter than when I’d met her, making her eyes wide and expressive. “We’re having a friendly competition: who can give away more.”
Beckett leaned back in his chair and slung his arm across the back of his wife’s seat. They couldn’t go long without touching each other. “So far, we’ve got donations planned for recovery centers, scholarships for low-income kids, and programs to help tech designers do their thing and not go in the hole financially.”
Envy curled at the base of my spine. Their giving wouldn’t be arbitrary. All that money. I’d grown up with it, but I wouldn’t get to keep any of it, much less have enough to help others. My birthday was two days away and I was still as single as a priest on Valentine’s Day. And look at that. It was Valentine’s Day.
Aiden swirled his wine glass like the arrogant prick he was. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes. “So… Tate Boyd. Is that what I should call you?”
“In public? Yes. Especially since Dad was spotted outside the hotel and some environmentalists decided to protest big oil.” The demonstration made me antsy to leave. Grams might be lured here if she learned I’d shown up. Months of missed calls and increasingly harsh messages might catch up to me.
Aiden’s jaw hardened. He’d probably sic his people on the media coverage the protest would attract. So much for a vacation for him. He looked like he needed one.
“I’m going to go take photos of them after dinner. If they’re still outside.”
Kate’s face lit up. There was a bit of a rebel in her. Did Aiden even see it? “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get recognized?”
“Nope. I’ll change clothes, and I have a hat I wear backward while shooting and a backpack. With the different name, no one will know it’s me.”
Kate smiled. “You’ll have to send me some of your pictures.” She leaned closer. “I show them all to my boss. They’re just stunning. Do you think maybe you’d allow her to do an exhibit in the library?”
She sparked a proud glow deep inside me. My sister-in-law was the only one who built me up instead of tearing me down. I hoped she never tired of Aiden’s inattention and left the family. But knowing Kate, even if she did, she’d still support me and show my photos everywhere.
Beck cleared his throat and looked at all of us. “I want to take a moment before the food comes and thank you all for coming. Eva said I could make the announcement: she’s not divorcing me.”
Laughter rippled up and down the table. As Beckett continued his speech, I stared at the empty spot in front of me. I didn’t need to see Dad shoot disappointed looks my way, or witness the tension in Dawson’s shoulders as he prepared to deal with the obstacle that would be the Cartwrights getting a shit ton of money.
Beck said my name, snapping my attention back. He grinned. “And best of luck to Xander. You still have time. Anything can happen. It’s Vegas, baby.”
____
Beckett and Eva have a special epilogue, just for you. Find it here.
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Want to read more rugged heroes while waiting for King’s Treasure to release? Check out Conflict of Interest.
About the Author
Marie Johnston writes paranormal and contemporary romance and has collected several awards in both genres. Before she was a writer, she was a microbiologist. Depending on the situation, she can be oddly unconcerned about germs or weirdly phobic. She’s also a licensed medical technician and has worked as a public health microbiologist and as a lab tech in hospital and clinic labs. Marie’s been a volunteer EMT, a college instructor, a security guard, a phlebotomist, a hotel clerk, and a coffee pourer in a bingo hall. All fodder for a writer!! She has four kids, an old cat, and a puppy that’s bigger than half her kids.
mariejohnstonwriter.com
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Also by Marie Johnston
Oil Kings
King’s Crown
King’s Ransom
King’s Treasure
King’s Country
King’s Queen
Like hard-working men who are in control of everything but the one they fall for?
The Walker Five:
Conflict of Interest (Book 1)
Mustang Summer (Book 2)
Long Hard Fall (Book 3)
Guilt Ridden (Book 4)
Mail Order Farmer (Book 5)
King's Ransom (Oil Kings Book 2) Page 24