“And thank goodness for that.” Kiersten glanced over at Country and then back to me. “So, why did this DeLuca guy shoot you in the first place?”
“Because I didn’t want to work for him anymore.”
I took a moment to explain everything to her, and when I got to the part where I moved Antonio’s assets, her eyes grew wide, and she gasped, “You didn’t!”
“Yeah, I did, and it was a huge mistake. It’s how he found out I was alive and staying at your dad’s.”
“And why he had those men come and get me from the airport.”
“Exactly.” I reached over and placed my hand on her arm. “I really am sorry that he pulled you into all this. If I had known what he was going to do...”
“It’s not your fault, Everleigh. The guy is a total nutjob.” She glanced over at Country as she admitted, “I gotta say, I was pretty freaked out when they took me from the airport. They had me blindfolded in the back of some stupid van for almost four hours, and they never said a word. I had no idea what was going on.”
“Billy was absolutely distraught when he found out they had taken you. I really thought he was going to lose it.” I motioned my head over to Country as I told her, “And your friend here wasn’t any better. I thought he and your dad were going to go to blows.”
“Seriously?” Kiersten turned to Country with a scowl. “You got into it with my dad?”
“Maybe just a little.”
“Oh, good grief,Grayson. You can’t fight my dad.”
“I can when he puts my girl in danger.” He leaned over and kissed her on the temple. “But don’t worry. I’ll make it up to him.”
“I hope so cause it wasn’t his fault that nutjob had me kidnapped.”
“You guys must be talking about Antonio,” Matteo said from behind me.
I smiled as I answered, “As a matter of fact, we were.”
“Well, nutjob doesn’t begin to describe the guy.” Matteo grabbed another beer, then sat down next to me. “He’s evil in ways you can’t imagine.”
“I’m glad you got out of there.”
“Me, too.”
“So, what do you think you will do?”
“No idea.” He shrugged. “I’ll have to find a new job, and I gotta be pretty quick about it. I have a house payment to make and a fiancé to take care of.”
“You know I’ll help any way I...” My mouth dropped open as I gasped, “Wait!You did it? You asked Chloe to marry you?”
“Sure did.” A bright smile crossed his face. “Can’t believe she said yes.”
“Of course, she said yes!” I nudged him with my elbow. “You’re great. She’s lucky to have you.”
“No, I’m the lucky one.”
As I sat there talking with him, I thought back to the day I found his necklace in Billy’s yard. I was devastated to discover that he was dead, and now, he was sitting right next to me—living and breathing, just like me. I glanced up at his throat and saw no sign of his necklace, so I asked, “What happened to the necklace your grandfather gave you?”
“Not sure.” He reached up to his neck and ran his fingers across his throat. “Lost it during a scuffle and never could find it.”
“I think I might’ve it found it.”
“You did?” he gasped. “Where?”
“With some of Billy’s things.” I was afraid to say too much, so I quickly added, “I was thinking I could get it to you sometime.”
“That would be awesome. I could definitely use it right about now.”