Page 70 of Blaze

Victoria nearly jumps off the couch.“What the fuck?”

I nod.“I assume she tracked your car to this location and then lost you when we destroyed the tracker.I had people following her.She took a flight this morning.Someone will pick up her trail when she lands.”

Victoria’s chest rises and falls.“I don’t want to see that bitch.”

“Then you don’t have to.I’ll handle her.”

She slumps back against the armrest and tips her head to the ceiling.“Unbelievable.What’s her aim?”

“I’m speculating here, but I think she probably made a deal with David that if he married you, she would share the money with him.Or rather, in that case, he would share it with her.”

Victoria lifts her head to stare at me.“Wouldn’t I have eventually known the money was mine?”

“Yes.Eventually.I’m not sure how long that would have taken.But in theory, yes.”

“Why would David have control over my money even if he did marry me, and why would I let him give it to my stepmother?”

I smile.“I didn’t say she was the brightest tack in the box.Nor is David.And I don’t even know for sure whether that was her plan, but it’s the only logical explanation I have for her setting you up with her fuckboy and encouraging him to marry you.She thought she could continue to live her lavish lifestyle if she had a way to still get her monthly paycheck.”

“Do you know how much money we’re talking about?”

“Not yet.I’d say it’s substantial.Thomas is still looking into that.”I lean forward.“What I can tell you is that she’s been cut off as of an hour ago.The account is frozen.She can’t touch another dime of your money.If she uses her credit cards, she won’t be able to pay the balance.”

Victoria gives me a slow grin.“I’d love to see the look on her face when she finds that out.”

“Me, too, baby.”

“Can I sue her?”

I shrug.“Maybe, but that would be a tough road.I’m not sure you would win.She would say that her monthly withdrawal was necessary to keep you living in the manner you were accustomed before your father died.The fact that she didn’t use the money for you would be hard to prove.”

“Gawd.When I think of all the clothes in her closet and how she told me I couldn’t go to college unless I got a scholarship…” Victoria’s voice rises to a new pitch.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“Fancy nails… Her fucking tennis lessons… That damn pool guy…” Her head pops up.“David must be new.I never met him before that date.”

I let her continue to recall everything.She needs to process this madness in her own way.

“She bought a new car every few years.Did she ever buy me a car?No.”

I wince.

“I feel like Cinderella.”

“Without the stepsisters,” I point out.

“Exactly.And Prince Charming.”

“Hey, now.You eventually got the Prince Charming.”I grin.

“I certainly did.”She stares at me, smiling.“You love me?”

“With my entire heart.”

She narrows her gaze.“Did you say that before you found out I have a lot of money?”

I chuckle.“Yes, baby.And I don’t care about your money.No matter how much you have.For one thing, I have my own savings.After all, I was playing in the rat race in Chicago for twenty years before I came here.For another thing, I have my own inheritance.”