My Prince Charming - A Steele Fairy Tale

“Damn, you could be an actor with that dramatic flair,” the detective who’s working the case says into my earbud.

“Thanks. Get everything you need?”

“And more. Thanks.”

“When is the arrest?” I really want to be there when they do it, but I miss my beautiful fiancée and need to see her this instant. I might not have loved my mother, but the reality of it all hits me like a ton of bricks. If my father hadn’t already expected she’d stoop to this level, he would have been killed and my mother would be throwing a party.

I could have used my sweet woman by my side to deal with the pain, but I don’t want her anywhere around my mother when things go down. Besides, there’s going to be a big change that I have to tell her about—something the cops broke to me the second they arrived at the hospital parking lot as they wired me up to play my role.

“They’re coming with the arrest warrant right now.” Damn, I really wanted to see her face when she learns she’d been played.

“Great. Let me know if you need anything. I need to check on my dad and break the news to Ella.

“Will do. I wish you luck, and remember, she probably will have to testify.”

“I’ll make sure to tell her that as well.”

I end the call and immediately call my father’s new cell, but it takes almost until the last ring for him to answer. “How’s it going?”

“Great. Dani and I are having a great time on the beach. I’m working on getting you a new sibling, so I’ve got to let you go.”

“Good luck,” I say with a chuckle. I hang up, loving the happiness in his voice, which makes me hate my mother even more than before. The tapes had been rolling when she contacted a friend last week, searching for a hitman. Since it’s my father’s home and he pays for the phones, he gladly approved of having the house bugged to listen.

The tapes brought an unexpected surprise.

I pull up to our house just in time to see Ella walking back with Jack. “Did you have a nice walk?”

“It was wonderful. Jack’s very protective of me lately. It’s strange. What’s wrong? You’re staring at me.”

“Don’t I always?”

“Yes, but something’s up. What happened with your mom?”

“She’ll be arrested, but I’m picturing the breeze blowing as you become my wife.”

“What?”

I can’t wait another minute. Dropping to one knee outside the house, I ask, “Ella, I love you and live for you. Will you marry me?”

Tears fill her eyes, and she nods repeatedly. “Yes, Edward. Yes.” Shakily, I slip the ring on her finger and then I stand.

“Marry me this weekend, please.”

“Why so soon? Is something wrong?”

“No, but my father’s still in the Bahamas, and I’m thinking that’s a perfect place to have a wedding and a honeymoon.”

“You are too perfect, my prince.”

“You practically dropped out of thin air labeled just for me.”

“The robe…”

“Well, when can we leave?”

“Tomorrow. I had planned to take time off with you and propose there, but I think this is a better idea. I can’t wait to have you tied to me forever. Now, let’s go inside and talk and pack.”

My palms are sweaty and my heart’s racing. As soon as she unleashes the dog, she puts her hand on her hip. “There’s something else you’re not telling me.”

“It’s not that I’m not telling you, but I know that when I do, you’re going to be upset and I don’t want that at all.” My mother contacted Ella’s stepmother, getting the information for the hitman used to kill her father and make it look like a suicide. It’s with that evidence that we had arrested the guy and had him contact my mother to claim the job was done and that as soon as the cops informed her of my father’s death, he wanted his money. Like clockwork, everything went off without a hitch.

“What is it? Did your mother have a hit on me too?” The thought alone sends blood draining away from my face.

“God, no. Thank fucking God. I would have choked her on the spot. No, come sit down.” She does as I ask, and Jack joins us, lying at her feet. She’s stolen his heart too. “My mother contacted the hitman through a woman you know well.”

“My stepmother…” Before I can continue, she’s already puzzled it all out in her brilliant head. “Oh, no. She had him killed, didn’t she? She killed my father.” Moisture makes her eyes glossy, but the tears don’t fall.

“I’m afraid so. The arrest will be made on her too.”

“What about the actual hitman?” she questions.

“He’s already made a deal with the DA to get a lighter sentence. I’m sorry, but it’s the only way to nab both the women.” Normally they ask the victim’s families, but the police wanted to move fast before my mother went to another guy.