When they pulled apart, she finally noticed that police were filtering onto the scene, the guests were being herded into different rooms for questioning, and EMTs were working on both of her grandparents.
She took Chandler’s hand, and he grinned at her. “Do you want to get out of here?” he asked.
“Yes, please. I never want to walk into this house again.”
“We can easily make that happen.”
The EMTs rolled her grandfather past before Kylee and Chandler could walk away.
“Please stop,” he begged.
Kylee looked down at him. Her heart swelled with love for him, even though she wasn’t certain if he’d betrayed her or not.
“Kylee. All these years, I stayed with her to protect you.”
“Excuse me?” Kylee was stunned.
He nodded. “I did the best I could to keep you safe, but Olivet is … the devil.”
Kylee smiled at that. “We can agree on that for sure.”
Chandler’s hand wrapped around her waist. She smiled up at him, then watched as they wheeled her grandfather away. She’d talk to him some more. After she had a little more time to figure out the truth.
She looked back to where the EMTs were loading Mimi onto a stretcher. She should’ve left it alone, but she marched over to her. “Did you send a text to Chandler from my phone at the Denver airport after we went to visit the Deltas when I was sixteen?”
Mimi’s plastic face couldn’t move, but her eyes spewed hatred. “Yes,” she hissed. Then she groaned as the EMTs wrapped her shoulder. “I knew if you loved a Delta I wouldn’t be able to control you.”
“Your plan failed.” She looked up at Chandler, who was fully focused on her. “I love Chandler Delta,” she said loudly. She glanced back at her grandmother. “And you have no control over me in any way, shape, or form.”
Turning, she walked away, cuddled into Chandler’s side.
Papa was right there. “King Frederick disappeared in all the commotion,” he told them grimly. “Some guests claim he slipped out a patio door when Olivet pulled the trigger.”
“Figures,” Chandler said. “What a coward.”
“Did you get the hair?” Papa asked.
“Of course.” Kylee gave him a confident grin and then pulled the little vial out of her purse and handed it over.
Papa took it and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. “You’re incredible, Kylee. I’m proud to know you’ll be part of our family.”
She flushed with warmth at that idea. “Slow down, Papa. This stud has to impress me first.” She winked at Chandler.
Chandler grinned.
Papa laughed. “Well, this superstar grandson of mine will sweep you off your feet. I’m sure of that.” He looked them over. “You two are going to be a power couple. You’ll change the world in positive and uplifting ways. I couldn’t be prouder of both of you.”
Kylee hugged him and then Chandler got a hug from his Papa.
Papa put the vial in his suit pocket and headed to talk to a man in a Naval uniform.
Chandler turned Kylee back into him. “I don’t want to rush you … but I can’t imagine a world without you by my side.”
Kylee grinned. “Slow down, my superstar lacrosse player … I just admitted I’ve loved you for over ten years. This is nothing we can rush.” She laughed, so happy right now.
Chandler chuckled, and then he kissed her. Wow, did he kiss her!
The world lit up. All that mattered was Chandler.