Shaking her head, she answers, “It’s not that simple. We are public property. For as long as our story is interesting, they won’t leave us alone. It’s just how it works.”
“What about your Mum? Can she do something to stop this?”
“Nothing she’s done so far has helped.” She shrugs.
She’s right. What if her Mum hasn’t even helped at all? From what Chelsea’s said about her family, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re doing this to try stop us being together. Well, it’s not going to work.
***
Directing Logan to my house, we get through the gates, leaving the cars that followed to stay at the top of the long drive.
“You sure you don’t want to come in?” I ask Logan again.
She shakes her head. “Nah, thanks. I’m not a fan of being a third wheel.”
I’m glad she’s decided to leave. I need my girl alone.
Watching her drive up the drive, we make our way inside. I head straight for the bar and fix Chelsea and myself a drink.
“Gin and tonic?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Her gorgeous grin gets me every time. She is beautiful and mine. She rips her heels off and pulls her bun out. I’ll never tire watching when she flicks her hair out after it’s been up all day. It’s that very moment when I see her transform. Right from the first time I watched Chelsea do it through the window of her terrace, I knew she had more to her under her boring suit.
“So, I think you own me an explanation. How the fuck did you get Reed locked up and me off all charges?”
I hand her the glass of gin. She sips it and looks to me with a smirk that can only be described as utter cheek.
“It was simple, really. I just went to the detectives who were last linked to the missing files. I told them that there was a Royal Commission about to be launched and Jackson Reed was about to go down. If they wanted to stay out of prison, then I advised them that they had better destroy the evidence that they stole from the archives. And in return, I destroyed the evidence I had that linked them to the files. They met with me down at Alexandria where we burnt all the evidence together. I kept copies though, and I suspect they did too, but they won’t be in any hurry to speak out against you when they can be associated with Jackson Reed.”
I stare in bewilderment. Huh. That simple.
“You are incredible, honeybee.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“I don’t care if you cure cancer, Chelsea, I will never condone you being involved with a Fratelli.” Dad’s words tear my heart to pieces.
“But Dad, don’t you see that everything in Pacer’s investigations was fabricated?” I try to reason with him.
His glare is like nothing I’ve seen on him. “Bullshit! And you know it is! BULLSHIT!” he yells louder. “I never thought I’d see the day that you would front up to me like this and lie. You have brought so much shame upon our family.”
Heart smashed.
I suddenly feel very alone in this battle.
Looking to Mum, I pray that she says something, anything. The look on her face tells me she wants to, but I know she’s with Dad on this. And she has every right to be this way. I am lying to Father. But I just thought they would see how happy I am, and will warm to the idea eventually.
I try to steady my voice as I talk. “What if you met him? You might think differently.”
Dad’s fists hit down on the table we’re sitting at in the dining room. The fury in his face is rising like a volcanic eruption.
His voice resonates like a booming megaphone. “You have two choices, girl. Continue with this charade and consider yourself out of our family, or do what is right and forget about the Fratellis!”
I think about his words and remember my past week with Pacer and his family. How could I ever try to forget them now? But my family is my blood. They’re my reason for life. I want them to understand that I’m okay and that Pacer isn’t as bad as the media say.
What kind of father does this? He wants me to choose. The thought of it alone is too much. I can’t bare it. I see the figure of Dad through tear-soaked eyes, but can no longer make out the expression on his face. It’s a small reprieve.
“Mum?” I whimper.
Her voice is less angry, but still full of disappointment. “Chelsea, dear. You have to understand—there are rules in this world that dictate whom we can and can’t associate with. We are just two very different families. What did you expect to happen? We were going to sit down for a meal together and come together as one happy family? The world just doesn’t work like that.” She glances to Dad. “Your father and I have worked very hard to keep this family at a high level within society. The media are having a field day with this, and there is nothing I can do to stop it! This doesn’t just effect you. I’m already being shunned from certain circles because of this. Your father’s name is being dragged through the mud. Just think about what you’re doing.”
There is no hope. How can I possibly chose between my family and a man who has made me feel more than I have ever dreamed to feel? His family, everyone in his life have made me feel as if I was someone important to them.
I don’t know what I was expecting. I didn’t think I was going to have this—an ultimatum. A true family wouldn’t do this. Pacer’s family would never do this. My father was the one who sentenced Vincenzo Fratelli to his subsequent death, but they’ve only opened their hearts to me.
“How can you do this? I have been a good daughter to you. I’ve never touched drugs, studied hard at school, got the best grades at university and became one of the best barristers in the city!” I cry.
“And you’re going to throw all of that away for a criminal?”
I can’t take any more of Dad’s words, and I get up to leave.
“If you walk out of here now, you will NEVER be accepted back!” My Dad’s voice frightens me.
Tears stream down the face of my mother. I’ve never seen her cry, not even when my grandfather died.
“I’m sorry,” I sob as I look at my Mum.
I turn and walk. I can’t do this anymore.
They will come around, one day. They have to. Right now, I need to go.
“You are making a mistake, Chelsea.” My Mum’s pleading is the last thing I hear as I walk out of Dolorous.
***
Looking around my terrace, I feel very disconnected with the whole space. Another knock on the door makes me jolt. There is no privacy here!
I wish they would all fuck right off. This trip on Pacer’s Dad’s boat couldn’t come at a more perfect time. I need to leave to clear my head from all that has happened. A few months just circumnavigating the globe is exactly what I need to get away and consider everything my parents have forced upon me. They would accept me back if I returned, I know it. But could I leave Pacer?
Another knock at the door pushes me over the edge—I can’t stand it anymore.
“Will you just fuck off?” I screech.
“Chels, let me in, quick!” I hear Logan call out.
Shit! Swinging the door open I pull her in, and meet with a face full of flashes at the same time. She shakes herself off and looks up to me with a flushed face.
“Are you okay?” She holds my shoulders as she speaks.
Nodding I blink away the threatening tears. I guess she’s heard about Mum and Dad. I can’t talk right now.
Her sympathetic gaze is hard to ignore. “My Mum told me what happened. I think it’s a bit rough. But they just don’t get it. I don’t think they ever will either, Chels.”
“Then I have no other choice but to leave for a while.” I can’t stay in this city now. How could I?
She nods. “How long do you think you’ll be gone for?”