Chapter 183

It took an hour and a lot of emotional blackmail from Aunt Julie to convince me to let Xavier come to Kansas City. The only reason I agreed was to test if he could keep his word. Nothing more, nothing less.

After endless talk about mates, second chances, and the Moon Goddess, Aunt Julie smiled and patted my back. "I'll go tell him you need to talk. Be nice, okay?"

I didn’t roll my eyes, though I wanted to. I respected her too much for that. Instead, I shook my head, knowing she had played me perfectly. She always did.

If anyone had a right to push me, it was Aunt Julie. She had done more for my family than anyone. More than just a distant cousin of my dad or a housekeeper—she was family. The closest thing I had to a mother.

"Be nice, Princess." She gave me one last sweet smile before heading inside.

I sighed, leaning against the hood of my car and fidgeting with my keychain. My fingers itched for something that wasn’t there—my father’s necklace. The one I had given him in the prison.