Page 147 of Criminally Yours

“You still owe him an apology letter,” Millie snapped at her brother.

“I promise I won’t rip it up,” Strike said, needling Dexter.

“We’re getting off track,” Millie’s mum said. “Your father and I have done some soul-searching?—”

“Don’t bring me into this. I’ve been proud of our daughter since she brought home her first finger painting from preschool. Millie, date who you want to. Marry this guy and read what you want, but promise me, whatever you do, you’ll be happy.”

“I promise, Dad. I’m really happy. Strike’s my guy, and I couldn’t want more.”

Her dad hugged her and shook Strike’s hand. “Welcome to the family, lad. Now, tell me, is there a decent pub with a dart board in this town?”

“Yes, and your daughter’s a darts shark,” he replied. “We’ll take you there someday.”

“As I was saying,” Millie’s mum said, “I’ve been soul-searching, and I want to apologise.” Strike gripped Millie tighter. “For years, I didn’t let you grow up. You were my desperately wanted baby girl, and I needed to protect you. But I should’ve let you fly. Two weeks away from my constant calls and demands—look at you. You’re a fighter, a strong woman who cares for others and helps them accept who they are, and you’ve made friends who want to celebrate you.”

Millie held her breath.

“You’re a marvel, and I’m proud of you. I’m sorry, Millie. And you have all these real-life friends. These count unlike the online ones,” her mum added.

“Hey, does Millie live here?” an American accent called out from the doorway.

Millie gasped. “Rylee, is that you?”

A beautiful brunette dropped her bag and held her arms open. “Hey, book bestie. You survived, then.”

Millie made a high-pitchedwheeeeenoise, and Strike nudged her and said something under his breath about squealing. She bounced over to Rylee and hugged her with her good arm. “How did you find me?”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay, and Strike insisted I visit. He arranged it all. You’re really fucking important to me, Millie.”

“You’re important to me.” They hugged again. “I can’t believe you’re here. You saved my life.”

“I did what I could. Hey, Strike,” she said, smacking him on the back. “Well done.”

Strike grinned as he hugged Rylee. “It was all you.”

“Can I introduce you to my mum? She still doesn’t believe online friends are real friends,” Millie whispered in her ear.

“Yes! I want the credit for saving your ass. Let me introduce myself,” she replied as Millie pointed her mum out.

As Rylee strode away, Millie reached for Strike and pulled him out the door. She sat on the wall outside their front lawn, and he joined her.

“Thank you for being everything I could ever want and more,” she said. “I’m so lucky.”

Their legs touched, and he pushed his hands into her hair as he replied, “I’m the lucky one. You remind me there’s love and hope in the world. I was missing those things for so long. You’ve cared for my friends, you’ve made a whole fucking town smile, and healed hurting people. You’re the light to my darkness, except on those days when we embrace it together.”

Millie sighed as his forehead touched hers. “I love you.”

Epilogue - Millie

“Are you sure you want to leave us, Stal?” Millie asked, cradling Jenny.

A good luck banner covered half the living room of Bear’s house. Liss and Millie had stayed up all night to decorate the place. It should have taken only an hour, but they got distracted by snacks and wine. Having Rylee on video call didn’t help, either.

“You’ve got loads of babysitters desperate to spend time with Jenny,” Millie added.

“And none of you will leave me alone to be a grumpy dad.” He focused on his nine-month-old. “I’ll miss all of you, but I need to bring Jenny up where she can have a childhood like I did, surrounded by animals and green spaces. And, this will sound embarrassing, but I need my mum.”

“I get it,” Millie replied, and Stal’s eyebrow quirked. Millie elbowed him. “Well, obviously notmymum. She’s still a nightmare, even after promising to be better. But I’ve got my town of pseudo-mothers and Ma, too. I’m very lucky.”