“You returned our money and opened the community center!”
I shook my head. “No. Keeton Tenley made sure your money was returned. And my sons opened the community center. I simply thought it was a great idea.”
Mr. Newkirk winked at me. “Sure, if that’s the way you want to handle it. Fine. But, thank you. You’ll be in my prayers for your continued recovery.”
I winced.
Freaking news media was all over the arrest of Echo Cruz, Allyson Flannery, and Abermann. I still wasn’t sure if Abermann was his first or last name, but it wasn’t my job to sort it out since they were all going to prison for murder.
I was no longer in charge of cleaning up the world’s messes.
“Are you in pain, sis?” Luke rubbed my back.
“No,” I blew out a breath, scratching my head. “I wish everyone didn’t know about getting poisoned through my sweet tea and coffee. And this wig is itchy!”
He laughed. “So, take it off! No one will care if your hair sticks up.”
“No way,” I rolled my eyes. “I’m way too vain to show the world that side of me. It’s not growing back in as smooth as it was. But it will get there, eventually.”
Luke chuckled. His eyes lifted over my shoulder. I didn’t need to turn to know who was right behind me.
Flint had been by my side since the hospital. I think he was afraid to let me out of his sight like I might change my mind about marrying him.
I wouldn’t.
He slid his arm around my waist. “You feeling okay,lalelei? We can leave whenever you want. I know the twins will be busy schmoozing the crowd.”
That tickled me to no end. My boys… my SONS… schmoozing the crowd. The only thing they ever schmoozed before were sorority girls at college. I was glad to see the change. Glad to see them finally growing up and making their own way.
“I’m glad you both are here,” Luke pulled us away from the crowd. “I have a proposal I want to run by you.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“I’m making some changes at Saber Security.”
I blushed. Flint looked at his feet.
“Oh, yeah, I know all about your little change of business title with Etta Wilks,” Luke laughed and pointed to the woman talking Wysdom’s ear off in the corner. “They’re getting along like a house afire. And Etta had a lot of nice things to say about Celia.”
Flint pounded on my back as I choked on my spit.
Like the stinker little brother he is, Luke continued, knowing I’d live. “Anyway, besides the name change, there’s going to be a permanent change at the top. I want to promoteFlintto Chief Operations Officer.”
I nudged Flint. “He called you by your first name. It must be love.”
Luke shook his head. “And I’m promoting you, Celia, to CEO.”
“What?” I leaned hard against Flint.
“Flint has been running the ops side of things for years now, and it’s time he had the title to go with it. Celia, I need someone in the CEO chair that can charm the pants off of government agencies and celebrities alike,” Luke explained.
“What are you going to do?” I blinked.
“It’s still my company, and I’ll be making a crap ton of money that you’ll make for me,” Luke grinned at the both of us. “I’m going to be a stay-at-home husband for a while. Ruston and Sienna are growing so fast. The twins will be walking and talking soon. I don’t want to miss it. I trust you both. And I’m just keeping the business in the family. Or, at least it will be in a few days.”
My head whipped around to glare at Flint. He held up his hands. “Don’t blame me,lalelei. I don’t know how he knows!”
“You two thought you could sneak off and elope without us knowing about it?” Luke slapped Flint on the back as he laughed. “Have you met Tatiana?”
“I knew it!” I slapped Flint’s arm. “I told you she’s listening in on our conversations through the phones!”
Luke laughed harder. “She hasn’t bugged your phones, but your fiancé did tell her what he needed help with in the Caymans.”
“Whoops,” Flint grinned at me. “My bad.”
