“I know,” Delilah answered demurely. She wanted just a few more moments of pretending like tonight had never happened.
“I was serious about the stock. We can contact my lawyer tomorrow to make that happen.”
“That’s not why I’m here,” Delilah said, turning away from him.
Carson pulled her back. “I know, but it’s yours either way.”
She nodded, knowing what a difference that stock could make to her family, to her parents. Knowing that she could have input on what was designed and what wasn’t, she would make it her sole purpose to make sure no one was ever hurt again by a Royal invention.
“There’s something else as well,” Carson started, before taking a breath. “Every year, on the anniversary of Molly’s death, I transferred money into an account in the Caymans in her name. Of course, my father didn’t know. He would have killed me if he found out. I just felt that the settlement was unfair, and every year I wanted to make it better, but I couldn’t. The last five years, I’ve been thinking of a way to give it to your family, but to be honest, I was too ashamed to come see you. I’m not ashamed now. It’s yours. You can take it, give it to your parents; you can do with it as you please. But it’s yours.”
Delilah’s eyes widened and calculated what amount that would be. It was enough for a new life for her parents, for Cody to finish his degree, for her to even start a new life someplace else.
“That’s without the interest,” Carson said with a smile, as if reading her mind. “With interest, it’s almost double.”
“What?” Delilah asked, shocked.
Carson simply nodded as he reached for her. “You can count your money tomorrow. Now I’m going to make love to you until I’m too exhausted to move.”
Delilah giggled, the sound strange to her own ears as she reached for him.
When was the last time she was this happy?
33
Six months later in Cabo
“It’s so good to see you, and together no less,” Mac said with the confidence of a new man as he took a seat. He hailed a waiter and ordered bottled water before shaking his head again. “What do you think?”
Delilah glanced around and shook her head in awe. “It’s amazing, Mac. What does your wife say?”
“I’m the best goddamn husband in the world, that’s what she said.” Mac laughed, the stutter long gone. After that night in New Orleans, the guests Mac had helped save had all decided to thank him wealthily. They had thanked him enough that he had quit his job in New Orleans, sold his house, and bought a small bed and breakfast in Cabo that he now ran with his wife.
“How’s business?” Carson asked from beside her, wearing khaki short and a turquoise shirt that matched his eyes. Dressed like that, he didn’t look anything like the billionaire he was; he just looked like the man she had come to love.
“Good. Business is booming.” Mac laughed. “Of course, you refuse my hospitality, but many others don’t.”
Delilah laughed, shaking her head. When she and Carson had decided it was time to take a holiday, they had chosen Cabo for the beaches and because they knew they could catch up with Mac. In the service corridors of the Pearl Plaza, a strong friendship had been formed that night, one Delilah knew would hold for years to come.
“I’ve got a place,” Carson said humbly. They had arrived in Cabo the day before and Carson’s ‘place’ was a mansion right on the beach. There were too many rooms to count, and at night, the sea breeze drifted through the entire house. Delilah could still remember the contrast of the cool breeze and Carson’s mouth sometime after midnight. A blush colored her cheeks at the memory.
“So what’s going on? The court cases finalized yet?” Mac took off his sunglasses and leaned closer.
“Yes.” Delilah started. “Razorback has ten life sentences with no chance of probation. Devilbunny has been admitted to a psych ward indefinitely unless, by a miracle, she recovers or they can deprogram the bullshit Razorback fed her. The gang members got between five to ten, depending on the evidence.”
“Ace died,” Carson added, taking Delilah’s hand as if it were the most natural thing to do. Ever since that night, their relationship had only grown. It wasn’t just the situation, or a brief attraction; what was between them was stronger than any relationship Delilah had ever had. Carson Royal had changed her life.
She had given her parents the money Carson had stashed away in the Cayman Islands after they graduated from the best rehab program in the country. Of course, Carson had offered to pay for every treatment they needed. Her parents were now four months sober, living in Florida, and attending AA meetings every day of the week.
As for Cody, the money had been enough to buy him a house and to pay for his education. Delilah hadn’t taken any of the money; instead, she had taken the controlling power of the stock. Not only was she now a quarter owner of Royal Enterprises, she was also head of the new humanitarian department Carson had asked her to run.
“That’s too bad, but if he hadn’t, he would’ve killed you,” Mac said matter-of-factly. “What about Clown?”
Carson and Delilah shared a worried look before Delilah spoke. “Clown is still at large. They think he escaped with the guests or found another way out. Since they wore masks, the police have no way of identifying his real identity.”
“Shit.” Mac shook his head with a sigh. “That son of a bitch needs to be caught and killed.”
Delilah had thought the same thing so many times before, but she was done hunting; she was done killing. She always carried her polymer gun with her, for if he ever came after her, but she was done looking for trouble.
“Jeanine’s also received a life sentence. My sister’s death happened too long ago to press charges on that, but she won’t be coming out anytime soon.”
“Razorback screwed up her face pretty bad.” Carson shook his head.
“She deserved it for double-crossing them and your sister’s death.” Mac nodded firmly. After that night, they had explained everything to Mac. From why Delilah was checked in under an alias right down to why Jeanine knew Carson. Mac had hummed and looked confused for a while before he had pulled Delilah in for a hug. “You’re the bravest woman I know, and I hope I can call you my friend.” The moment had been so sweet, it was one Delilah would cherish for a long time.
“Listen, Mac, we’ll catch up with you tomorrow. Dinner at my place?” Carson said, standing up and taking Delilah’s hand.
“In a hurry so soon?” The disappointment was clear on Mac’s face.
“Yeah, we’ve got a few other things we still want to do today.”
Mac winked at Carson. “Yeah, I was stupid once too.” He laughed as he waved them off.
“What was that about?” Delilah asked as they walked back down to the beach.
“Nothing and everything. I don’t want to sour this trip with the memory of that night. It’s good to see Mac though. He seems to have lost his stutter.”
“Amazing what a little confidence can do for a guy.” Delilah nudged her feet into the hot sand, the grainy heat permeating through her entire body. When was the last time she had just taken a holiday because she wanted to, not because she was laying low?
“Look, the sun is going down.” Carson stopped and turned towards the ocean. The sky was painted in hues of purples and pinks.
“It’s breathtaking,” Delilah said, sighing with contentment.
“No, you’re breathtaking,” Carson said beside her. He moved around and stood in front of her. “Delilah, I know that you have wasted years of your life trying to take mine, but these last few months … They made me realize that life isn’t worth anything if you don’t have someone to share it with.”
Delilah nodded. “You’re right. Meeting you changed my life, Carson. And my family’s.”
“I have something to ask you.” Carson drew a small red velvet box out of his pocket. “If you don’t have any other plans, share my life with me. Be mine?”
Never bef
ore had words made her heart melt like those two words did. Be mine.
Delilah repeated the words in her mind and laughed. “I’d love to be yours. If you’ll be mine.”
Carson slipped the finger onto her ring. It was a perfect fit.
Just like them.
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Billionaire's Killer Page 13