“Peyton,” My father’s face goes red. "I will always be your father.”
“No, you won’t. I became Peyton Kingsley tonight, which means I no longer need you. I don’t need your approval, your connections, or your protection. I have my own resources now and a new protector–a man who might make mistakes but who I know I can trust.”
"You're making a mistake with Delano.”
Even all banged up, Blake's watching from inside the ambulance, ready to intervene if needed, but also enjoying watching me handle my father in a way I never have. But now it’s my turn to take care of him. I’ve wasted enough time with… the senator.
"I'm done pretending we have a relationship worth salvaging." I step back. "Merry Christmas. Please don't call me unless it's an actual emergency. And even then, maybe call someone else first. You’ve got a new wife. Use her.”
I turn away from him, climb back into the ambulance, and don't look back. My father is still standing there, looking stunned and angry and smaller than I've ever seen him.
"You okay?" Blake asks quietly.
"No, but I will be." I take his hand again.
"Talia," Blake calls out. She appears immediately. "Can you drive us somewhere? Safe house, hotel, anywhere that isn't here? If it wasn’t snowing, I’d drive us to the city myself. Christmas in New York City is always a good time.”
“With a bum shoulder and broken ribs? Uh, no. Our girl needs to stay here after the speech she made tonight, and no worries, because I already have things arranged. I have a suite at the Wintervale Grand under a fake name. Completely secure." She glances at the EMT. "Can he travel?"
"He should really go to the hospital to get those ribs checked.”
“Did you wrap them?”
“Yes, but–”
"I'm fine," Blake insists. “I’ve had broken ribs before. I just need some rest, pain medication, and my woman.” He stares at me as if he’s craving a medicine that only I can give.
The EMT looks skeptical but starts bandaging what he can. "If the pain gets worse, if you have trouble breathing, you go to the ER. No arguments, Mr. Delano.”
"Understood."
Twenty minutes later, we're in the back of Talia's car, pulling away from Frostbourne Estate as it continues to smoke. Emergency vehicles are still arriving, and investigators are already starting their work. Blake isn’t detained because no one knows that he’s the shooter. For now, everyone thinks he’s simply the hero.
Edmund is nowhere to be seen. Probably fled the moment the fire started, abandoning his guests to save himself from any troublesome questions.
Typical.
"The board is already talking to the press," Talia says from the driver's seat. "Calling you a hero. It's going to make the Delano name mean something different in this town. You did well, big head.”
"Good," Blake says quietly. "Maybe Luca and Nico can build on that."
"Luca’s telling the authorities everything about Silas's plan, which will also be helpful in deflecting any heat from you.” Talia glances in the rearview mirror. "Nico disappeared. No one's seen him since before the fire."
"Smart," Blake mutters. "Get out while he can."
I'm only half-listening because the adrenaline is crashing now, leaving me exhausted and shaky. Blake's good arm is around me, careful of his injuries, and I'm leaning into him despite everything.
Despite the lie he told.
Despite the hurt still raw between us.
Because I thought he was dead. I thought I'd lost him before we could fix this.
“Blake?" My voice is small, uncertain.
"Yeah, babe?”
"We need to talk…about everything."
