Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

pg dn

enter

A+25min

(Jessica’s POV)

But the plan failed. Ethan Hale swooped in like some white knight and saved her before those men could even touch her.

And now I’m here. In jail. Facing assault and kidnapping charges. My career destroyed. My reputation in

tatters.

While Sabrina probably gets to play the victim. Gets to have Ethan comfort her and Jake worry about her and everyone rally around her like she’s some fragile princess.

It’s not fair.

None of this is fair.

How am I supposed to get back at her when she has a man like Ethan Hale watching over her like some sort of a precious treasure?

Surely, the universe got to be fair?

There must be a way I can trample her underfoot to the point where she can never get back up again. The sound of footsteps echoes down the corridor. A guard appears in front of our cell, keys jangling. “Devin. Morgan. Your bail’s been posted. You’re free to go.”

I’m on my feet before he finishes speaking. “Who posted it?”

“Didn’t ask. Just process the paperwork.” He unlocks the cell door. “Come on. Let’s get you two out of here.”

Freya and I exchange glances. Hers is wary. Suspicious.

Mine is triumphant, as I expected this outcome when I decided to drag down Freya with me.

I knew Uncle Devin would come through.

r

Freya’s father-wealthy, powerful, connected in ways my own father never could be-is a man who can make problems disappear with a few phone calls and the right amount of money.

He’s the only reason I admitted Freya was involved in the kidnapping. If she’d been some nobody, I would have thrown her under the bus without hesitation. I would’ve claimed I had no hand in Sabrina’s kidnapping, played innocent to save my own skin.

But Devin Finley is a man with resources. Influence. And the ability to destroy my family’s business if

crossed.

So I told the truth. Said we planned it together. Made sure the blame was spread evenly.

And now Uncle Devin is getting us both out, probably to make sure this doesn’t leak to the press and

Chande 87

2

pg dn

center

alt

embarass his precious daughter.

We’re processed through the system-paperwork, property return, stern warnings about showing up for our court dates.

And there he is. Devin. The man I’d wished had been my father instead of Freya’s more times than i can remember. Standing in the lobby with his lawyer and an expression that could freeze hell.

I obviously deserve to be the daughter of a man like him more than a fool like Freya does. But again, the universe is blind.

It doesn’t appreciate talented and smart people.

“Both of you, get in the car,” he commands without preamble.

We follow him to a black sedan parked outside. The lawyer drives. Devin sits in the back with us, silent and furious.

Finally, when we’re far enough from the police station, he speaks.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” His voice is quiet. Deadly. “The charges against you are serious. Kidnapping. Conspiracy to commit assault. You’re looking at years in prison if convicted.”

“Daddy, I’m sorry-” Freya starts.

“You’re sorry? You conspired to have a woman assaulted and you’re sorry?” He turns to her, and I see where Freya learned that cold, controlled rage. “I’ve spent the last six hours calling in every favor I have to keep this out of the media. To convince Stephan Hale to drop the charges his son pressed against you. ! don’t even know what Ethan Hale will do to my company when he learns about this, and all you can say is I’m sorry?””

“We didn’t mean for it to go this far,” Freya weakly lowers her head.

“Then how far did you mean to go, Freya? Get some compromising photos and then what? Blackmail? Extortion? Do you even realize what Ethan Hale would’ve done to you if you managed to succeed?”

“We just wanted Sabrina Moore out of the picture,” I say, and both of them turn to look at me. “She’s ruining everything. Freya’s career. My relationship. She’s-”

“She’s the victim,” Devin cuts me off. “You two are the criminals. And right now, the only thing keeping you out of prison is my money and my connections. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut about what you ‘wanted’ and start thinking about how you’re going to convince the jury not to convict you for assault and kidnapping. Because ‘we made a mistake’ isn’t going to cut it.”

The car falls silent.

But my mind starts to race.

Uncle Devin got us out. Which means he has a plan. A way to make this go away.

Which means… we still have a chance to turn things around.

2

enter

Chapter GA

When we pull up to Freya’s apartment building, Uncle Devin’s driver parks but doesn’t turn off the engine.

“You have twenty-four hours to pack your things,” Devin tells his daughter. “Then you’re moving back home where I can keep an eye on you. No going out. No contact with anyone from Hale Global. You’re under house arrest until this legal situation is resolved. Understood?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“And you.” He turns to me. “Stay away from my daughter. Nothing good ever comes out of you interacting with her. Stay away from Sabrina Moore and from anyone connected to this case. If I hear you’ve so much as looked at Ethan Hale wrong, I’ll personally make sure you serve maximum time. Are we clear?”

I nod. “Crystal clear, sir.”

Forget I ever admired him.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify