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“Oooh, it’s been such a pleasure meeting you.”

“Would you be so kind as to introduce Avery to my father?”

“I would love to.”

I enjoyed watching my father from across the room as he was first enchanted by the beautiful and elegant Elira Huntington, and then seeing his face as he found out Graeme’s husband, who just so happened to be an omega, was also a police detective. He stared, astounded, and I enjoyed that to no end.

When Avery waved to me, I joined him quickly. He had Graeme and Deacon there, as well as Elira, Gigi, my parents, and Stone.

“I want you all to know that after the raid of River Wilkes’ home, and his business, as we suspected, he’s being charged with criminal solicitation, a whole host of other offenses, and, of course, conspiracy in the trafficking of the omegas of the jarl.”

“I’m stunned,” I told him. “I mean, we were fairly certain it was him, but to know, for certain…it’s crazy.”

Avery nodded. “He’s going to jail, along with the others, and his family, has been removed from the jarl here in Chicago. Even though the authentication of the diary is ongoing, the firm in Los Angeles’s preliminary findings are that the diary is real. The Lovells, in Texas, have also been invited to be members.”

“I doubt they’re going to move here.” Deacon stated. “But maybe the one there, in whatever city they’re in, will consider them for inclusion.”

“I’ve sent letters of introduction to all the families in Dallas and Austin,” Graeme informed us. “They will be delivered by courier tomorrow. I’m certain the Lovells will be invited to take their rightful place.”

“Did he ever tell you why he was involved in the whole scheme with Theo and Wynton?” I asked Avery.

“No, he’ll never admit to it. But sadly, it was probably money.”

I suspected so.

“What about River’s involvement in using Royce to get the diary from Sasha?” Deacon wanted to know. “Will he be charged with that as well?”

“Oh yes,” Avery assured him. “And Vanessa Howard will be charged with kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment. This case will go on for ages, so you”—he turned to me—“should be prepared to testify more than once..”

“How thrilling,” I replied excitedly.

“No.” Avery shook his head. “This could take years, and it’s nothing like it is on TV.”

“Really?” I was terribly disappointed.

Deacon put his arm around me and pulled me in close, whispering in my ear. “I’ll make sure I take off from work each time so we can spend the day together afterward.”

I sighed and leaned into him. That was something to look forward to.

Linden and Wade arrived shortly after Avery gave his update, and Linden promised to help me turn Graeme’s great room and the library into a rose-covered dream. I was thrilled, and Gigi was excited to help. My mother took Linden’s arm and explained how much I loved orchids, and wouldn’t that be a wonderful memento for people to take home with them. He found all her suggestions divine, and with the mellifluous sound of his voice, his lovely jade eyes, and how he hung on her every word, she was clearly enchanted with him.

I had brought the kids cinnamon rolls this time, so the girls were thrilled, and Whit was awake and wanted to sit on my lap as I unwound mine.

“Some people like to eat it all together,” I told the children, who were all looking at me, “but I’ve always been a fan of unwinding it. Also, this way you can see the cinnamon-to-dough ratio. It’s very important for there to be a lot.”

The girls, Lauren and Ellie, both nodded seriously. Whit also appreciated my deconstruction technique, as he could then stab it with his fork. When Graeme came over to collect his son, I smiled widely at him.

“Yes?” He sounded suspicious, and as though I was absolutely trying his patience, but I was starting to understand him better.

“Thank you for speaking to my parents and clearing the road for Deacon. That was very kind of you.”

He grunted.

“It means the world to me.”

He huffed out a breath. “Deacon’s father isn’t half the man he is, or it would have been his place to set the record straight with your parents. They need to understand that your mate, though not an heir anymore, is still worth millions and has protected others and kept you safe to his own detriment.”

I nodded.