Trials and Tiaras (Untouchable #7) - Heather Long Page 0,70

Frankie. It helps that I agree with the judge. You’ve more than earned the right to call your own shots. I’ll take care of everything from here, and once the final papers come through, I’ll make sure you have copies. Though you won’t need more than what you have right now.”

I hugged that little packet to myself.

“Want me to hang onto that?” Coop asked, and I handed it over as he pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Also, we have plans tonight.”

We did?

Jake just grinned and nodded, though the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was watching bad meatloaf behind us.

“We do,” he confirmed. “Archie knows, and you’ll have plenty of time to change. Just keep that in mind.”

“Go on, Angel,” Ian urged me. “Go rip this Band-Aid off so the two of you can be done with this once and for all.”

I gave him a quick kiss, then pressed another to the corner of Jake’s mouth before I pivoted. Shoulders square, I headed for Archie. He held out a hand just as I arrived, and I clasped his hand in mine.

“All right, Edward,” he said. “We’re ready for that conversation.”

“I don’t see why we need to have this,” Maddy sniped. Yep. She was still pissed.

“Because, Maddy,” I told her. “It’s time we were all on the same page. You. Me. Archie. Mr. Standish.”

The older man nodded. “Agreed.” He took Maddy’s arm, and I swore his knuckles whitened. “Shall we?”

“After you,” Archie told them, and Edward gave us a nod before he moved and hauled Maddy with him. The look she shot me over her shoulder was pure venom. Tugging me closer, Archie said, “Still time for you to get out of this, babe.”

“She doesn’t scare me anymore,” I promised him. “And after what we just went through? I’m looking forward to paying her back.”

He grinned. “I love my little badass.”

I snorted and bumped his hip. “You haven’t seen badass.”

“Yet,” he teased as we followed them. Behind us, Jake, Ian, and Coop followed us. I didn’t know where they’d decided to do this meeting, but the guys were going to be there for us, and a part of me hoped Maddy was ready.

Because no way was I pulling this punch.

She fucking deserved it.

Chapter Fifteen

Then She Saved Him Right Back

We followed bad meatloaf through the courtroom halls and outside. The cold air hit me and reminded me of all the sweating I’d done. For a split second, I really hoped I didn’t stink. I had put on deodorant, right? But I dismissed those thoughts before they could take root. There was a limo waiting for us. Maddy was already sliding inside, but Archie’s father waited for both of us to get there.

“It’s all right,” Archie murmured against my ear. “They know where we’re going.”

I nodded and let him help me inside first, while not paying one ounce of attention to Mr. Standish. I wasn’t alone with Maddy for long. The limo had a long U shape seat that curved all along the other side. Maddy sat at the curve nearer the driver, so I took the bench at the back. Archie followed me inside and planted himself next to me. Edward was the last inside, and he took a seat next to Maddy. The driver closed the door, and then we were alone, the four of us, in the close confines of the stretched car.

Archie leaned over me and snagged the seatbelt, then dragged it across and clicked it in. I gave him an amused look and grinned before repeating the process with himself. Then with one thigh pressed against mine, he interlocked our fingers, and only then did he glance across to where our parents sat.

They weren’t touching. If anything, there was a clearly defined space between them. Trouble in paradise, Maddy?

“I’m still very—”

“Wait,” Mr. Standish said, interrupting Maddy before she could say another word. “We agreed to keep this civil.”

Oh, that glare she sent him had me sliding a look at Archie. He wore the faintest of smirks, but while his fingers were tight on mine, he glanced out the window. The stroke of his thumb along the side of my hand helped soothe my nerves. To be honest, I was curious about the details of what Archie got his father to agree to and the destination. Still, I didn’t ask.

We were a united front, so I’d trust whatever Archie had arranged. The fact the guys were following us or would meet us there and be close so