Page 76 of Blaze

When I glance at Victoria, I find her biting her lip.“You’re mine.”

She takes a deep breath and smiles before wrapping her arm tighter around my elbow and leaning into my bicep.

Sheila parks the rental car and gets out.It’s a fucking Rolls-Royce.Why am I not surprised?

I shouldn’t be shocked by her appearance.She looks exactly like Victoria has described.Like she belongs on the set of Grease.Big hair, hot-pink miniskirt, matching pink heels, a white blouse that’s nearly see-through.

She plasters on a huge fake smile.“Vicky… There you are.I was so worried about you.”She hurries toward us, glancing at the other ten people who clearly intend to create a circle around her.

Sheriff Johnston pulls up and parks next to Sheila’s rental, but she doesn’t look over her shoulder.

“My parents named me Victoria,” my woman says, her voice strong.“Stop calling me by that stupid nickname.”

Sheila hesitates for only a moment before pasting on a bigger smile.She shrugs.“I always thought it was a cute name.”

“You thought wrong.And you didn’t ask me.”

Sheila waves a dismissive hand through the air.“What are you doing here?”

“The question is, what areyoudoing here?”I say.“Why did you have a tracking device on my fiancée’s car, and why are you following her?”

“Oh, that.”Another flippant hand wave.“Wait, did you say fiancée?”

“I did.”

Sheila’s eyes widen as she shifts her attention to Victoria.“You can’t get married.What are you thinking, girl?”

Her tone grates on my nerves.

She shifts her attention back to me.“Vicky is far too young for you.And how do you two even know each other?”

“Her name isVictoria, and that’s none of your business.She’s a grown woman.She can marry whoever she wants.”I’m aware of the sheriff standing a few yards behind Sheila, hands on his hips.He’s letting this play out, but I’m wondering what he knows that I don’t.

“She’s a spoiled girl, and she needs to come home now.”Sheila holds out a hand as if to beckon Victoria out of my arms.

I have news for her.

Sheila looks up and down my woman’s frame.“Since when do you wear dresses?”

“Since I chose my own clothes instead of you.Since I realized you’ve always done everything in your power to make sure I was a wallflower, and you were the one who stood out.”

Ironic since Victoria did not select this dress or any of the others I’ve bought her, but I like how she’s standing up for herself.I’m also rather pleased to know that I’ve paid close enough attention to my girl to know what her style would beifshe were choosing her own clothes.

Sheila winces.“And what have you done with your hair?It’s a wild mess.”

I’m close to strangling her.

Victoria ignores her.“What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you and bring you home.You didn’t even tell me before you left town.That was very rude.And you walked out on your date.What were you thinking?David is a nice man.You’re lucky he agreed to go out with you.Girls like you can’t be picky.”

“Sheila,” I bark.“I’m two seconds from kicking you off my property.The only reason I haven’t done so yet is because you need to know a few things.”

The woman has the audacity to gasp.“I don’t have to listen to you.”

“Yes, you do.I have a list.One, you should look for a job as fast as possible because your days of mooching off Victoria are over.The jig is up.The account you’ve been stealing from is now frozen.Two, you won’t be able to get back into the house when you get home because the locks have been changed.Three, if you think David is a nice man—and you must, since you’ve been fucking him—how about you marry him?Maybe you can get jobs together in fast food.”

Sheila stumbles backward, nearly colliding with the sheriff.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”