All Chapters of I Tried To Be A Good Girl, But My Past Won’t Stay Burried: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

And here I was—walking around the city square with Smith. His hair was back to its natural shade, no disguises, no cheap tricks. Just him. He'd shown up earlier than expected and, without a word of explanation, had latched onto my hand like I was a child he didn't want to lose in a crowd. I was only grateful he hadn't brought up last night. Not a single sly comment. Not a single jab. Not even a loaded look to confirm whatever suspicions he had about me. At least he was tactful. But why the hell did he have to hold my hand like this? "I have to take a call," I said, slipping my hand out of his grip. Finally. He nodded, said nothing, and let me step away. I lifted the phone. "Talk to me." ""Naomi!"" Daniel's voice came ragged, rushed. ""We collected all the deposits for your assassination order. But since you aren't actually dead, the client withdrew. They're probably looking for another organization to do it."" I leaned against a column, watching the city life bustle like ants.

John's face was pale when he came in. His tone, though steady, carried the weight of bad news. "Mr. Smith, the Collins family and everything they own are compromised." What? My stomach sank. "What happened?" I asked, already running through possibilities in my head. Did Senator Collins finally get nailed for his affair? Or did Mrs. Collins slip up first? John shook his head. "Just now, everything we had surveilling them was turned off. Wiped clean. They've also lost several primary investors. It's the most hostile takeover I've ever seen." Yeah. And moves that clean, that fast, don't happen without someone very powerful—or someone with leverage sharp enough to cut through bone. "It doesn't happen to be La Grande Dame's network, right?" John's eyes widened. "How'd you know? Those people are ruthless. No one can stop them in time, and by the time the authorities even notice, it'll all be over." Bebe had some sort of dust-up with Naomi earlier today. That much I knew. And the timing

Colin leaned toward me, his whisper cutting through the chaos of Smith's fists slamming into that idiot's face. "You have a good fiancé. At least you know he's willing to protect your name. He's worth it." "Worth it? Bullshit," I muttered, eyes fixed on Smith. Smith's voice cut like a blade over the sound of the kid's pathetic groaning. "Listen to me—in a short matter of time I will hold the biggest grand ceremony for my Naomi. I've already announced to everyone that no matter what she's been through or her identity, she's going to be my wife. That's the only person who'll be next to me. Now get lost!" The drunk young man scrambled away, blood streaking down his face, his arrogance evaporated. And me? Shit—I kind of liked that he said that. The way his words rang with finality, like he meant them. But I couldn't let myself fall for it. Not when Bebe's face twisted in pure rage across from me, her jealousy practically oozing through the tablecloth. Not when obligation—his sense o

"So you're really the leader of La Grande Danes's Network?" Pierre asked while Daniel finished untying Mom and Dad from the beds. "You talk to your family, I'll take this guy away first," Daniel said, yanking the doctor by the collar and dragging him out like a sack of trash. Pierre turned to me again, wide-eyed. "You're a gangster, Naomi?" "Yeah." "Why didn't you tell us before?" I looked him dead in the eye. "Well if you knew about it, would you have still taken me in?" "Duh! I'm your brother! No matter how scared I get I wouldn't be scared of you!" Pierre said without hesitation. "No wonder all that weird stuff has been happening and the guys at The Grand Lady suddenly got so respectful to me. I actually thought I did something but it turns out it was all you. No one's tried to mess with me at all." A small smirk tugged at my lips. "Well I told my people not to mess with my brother in my business." "You're so young. How hard has this all been for you?" Mom asked softly, alm

I walked into the room in my white dress feeling like the most beautiful person in the world. The place was dripping in flowers and candlelight, the kind of perfect, too-soft atmosphere I usually hated, but right now? It was mine. Rows of people turned their heads as I stepped in, all eyes on me—not in fear, not with suspicion, but with awe. For once, it wasn't La Grande Dame they were staring at. It was just me. Naomi. A bride. My dad's arm was tight around mine as we walked down the aisle. His lips trembled like he was holding back a cry. Of course he was—big bad dad, trying not to blubber. I get it now, though. I get why being a bride was such a big deal. It feels fucking amazing. Already waiting at the end of the aisle was Smith, standing tall, John at his side. And on mine, Daniel in his ridiculous but well-fitted dress, smirking like he owned the aisle himself. Smith's eyes met mine, and I swear the room blurred out. He was looking at me like I was a dream he couldn't touch.