“Three?” She finally lets me get a word in. “I can barely stand two.”
“It doesn’t matter, Hugo Mandrake. Your heart is gonna love so hard… That’s your karma. Love for the devil. That’s what’s worse than death for him. For you.”
I. Fucking. Love. Her.
“So,” she shrugs as if she didn’t just say all this nonsense yet frightening and possible truth. “Anything else?”
Nothing. There is nothing else, so I don’t say anything. I just smile at Juliet before grabbing her and kissing her, loving her. Karma has never been so sensational.
The End
Epilogue
SCARLETT
“Scarlett, you can’t go back to New York,” my lawyer says to me. We’re sitting at a table at one of my favorite French restaurants… in Paris. “They won’t really have a case against you. The Club is going down. They’ve arrested everyone, including people who covered it up, but they won’t be able to come for you. You’ve done well with covering your tracks. Still you need to stay put. Out of sight. Out of mind. At least for the investigation into Rebecca Townsend’s assault. Most likely will be dropped due to Chad Michelson’s death.”
“I know,” I say staring at a happy family at the table near us.
“We need to discuss your accounts. You may need to move them elsewhere in case there is an investigation made by the IRS.”
“Already done.” I’m still staring at the happy family. A man and woman who look to be in their thirties with their two kids. A boy and a girl who look to be the same age as those bastard children of Gabriel’s.
“Your mother has contacted me and…”
“Let me guess… I am a disgrace and she never wants to see me again.”
“In better terms.”
“So what are they saying about me in the states?”
“Truth?”
“I do pay you to tell me truth, David. The only lies you should be telling is to your wife and the judge and jury.”
“Well, they are saying that you are a pariah. That you are evil, psychotic… and pathetic.”
“That’s the thing… I feel pathetic.” I finally face him and he sits back a little, frightened by my scorned stare. “I am a pariah. I am evil. I am psychotic. But never should I be pathetic.”
“Listen. I know you’re angry…”
“I’m not angry… I’m heartbroken… it will turn into anger… and then it will turn into strength and that is what I need.”
“You need to lay low.”
“Oh, I will. I will as long as I need to. Frankly, for what I have planned, I think it’s well worth the wait. Can you see if I know anyone in Chicago?”
He looks at me confused.
“Chicago? Why Chicago?”
“That’s where they’ll be. That’s where they’ll make a home and be happy. Karlie Dale and her adorable children.”
“Scarlett.”
“Don’t throw a fuss, David. I won’t be heading back to the states for quite some time, but until I do I would like to be updated. On everyone.”
“Fine.” He groans in frustration, knowing better than to talk me out of it.
“How’s my daughter?”
His eyes widen at me and he has to pick his jaw off the table before speaking.
“She’s… well she’s in a home. Where you wanted her.”
“I want her back,” I say adamantly.
“Excuse me, what?”
“The last thing I whispered in Chad’s ear before he died was that he had a daughter and mentioning her ignited something… motherly in me.” I grin.
“Scarlett, are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes, I am. I want Stella here. Soon. She should be seven now, right?”
“She’s… I think she’s eight.”
“Perfect. Perfect age to begin.”
“Begin what?”
“Her purpose.” I place my sunglasses back on my face and stand up from my seat. “I expect results by the end of the month. Don’t let me down.”
I leave the restaurant and walk through the crowds of the city of love. That fire in me that Hugo and Karlie almost burned out, it’s still in me. It’s timid, but still there and soon it will grow back and when it does… the bitch will make a comeback. I love a good comeback story.
STELLA
My life has been planned out for me ever since she got me back. My mother gave me up for adoption… then changed her mind after nine years. She shaped me to become cold, cunning, calculated. The three Cs, I call them. They are what I live by. I am not capable of anything else. Although at times my emotions will sneak up on me, but then I always hear my mother’s words.
“I won’t coddle you. A man won’t coddle you. So stop the tears and learn the tricks of the trade. Nothing in this world is without payment and everyone can be bought. Everyone can be played. Everyone can be weak, but you won’t be.”
I am her daughter. She is my mother. Scarlett Brayson. She wants me to get justice for her. She wants me to ruin the son and daughter of Karlie Fairchild. The richest woman in Chicago. Some say her children are as wealthy as her. They are the grandchildren of Voncliffs. Adopted children of a Fairchild. Their father was a Mandrake. Oliver and Suzannah Mandrake are my targets. I will befriend the sweet Suzannah and I will make the brave and over-zealous Oliver fall in love with me… and then I will break their hearts while my mother plans something bigger. My work is just child’s play and it shouldn’t be hard. I am my mother’s daughter after all.
SPAWNS OF GOLD
COMING SOON
Acknowledgment
Thank you to God for my gift. Thank you to my mom for being a huge supportive person in my dreams. Thank you, Krystal. This book would not have been finished without your awesome editing! Thank you to my family and friends who support and love me. Most importantly, thank you to my readers who inspire me to keep on writing. I write not only for me but also for you too.
About the Author
Chelsea Ballinger has been creating stories in her mind since she was old enough to know how to walk, talk, and dream. She graduated from Kentucky State University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Human Services. She loves films, music, books, and good people. Now Chelsea focuses on living her life in Chicago with her family and continuing her passion for writing great stories that readers can fall in love with.
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Reckless Karma (Sinners & Saints #2) Page 26