All Chapters of The Phoenix Heiress: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

I won’t pretend I wasn’t disappointed when Wolf said he wasn’t coming with us on Friday. I wanted our first trip to be a family one, but life doesn’t always work out the way we want. I thought Liam was the one for me, my true love, my knight in shining armor, but instead, I got a asshat wrapped in tinfoil. Looking back, I see how wrong I was. At the time, I was chasing what my parents have and searching in all the wrong places. I was lonely, and Liam took advantage of that. Wolf is different. He doesn’t push; he lets things fall where they may. I never thought I’d find what I was looking for, especially after what Liam put me through.I never imagined I’d be getting married or having kids. Yet here I am, sitting in the clubhouse common room, browsing wedding dresses for Sunday, while my two boys plan our shopping trip to The Plaza.“Oh, look, bubba! We can make teddy bears. Can we go there first?” Koda asks Jace, his eyes glued to the tablet.“Yeah, bud. We can start there first, then

Getting everyone loaded into the SUVs felt like trying to pack chaos into a suitcase. A suitcase that kept talking back.“Koda, baby, shoes first,” I said, crouching to wrestle his tiny sneakers onto feet that were suddenly very wiggly. “We’re not going barefoot to Kansas City.”He giggled and tried to climb into the front seat. “I drive!”“Nice try, boss man.” I scooped him up and kissed his cheek. “You’re riding with me, Salvatore, Jace, Mama Red, and Mama. That’s enough personalities for one vehicle.”Salvatore was already behind the wheel, tapping the steering wheel like we were late for a flight. Jace was loading bags into the back, and Mama Red was double-checking her list of “just-in-case” items. Mama was fussing over snacks like we were prepping for a cross-country road trip instead of a quick run to KC.“Kat, did you pack Koda’s blanket?” Mama asked.“Two of them,” I said. “One for comfort, one for backup. I’m not risking a toddler meltdown halfway up I-49.”The second SUV wa

She thought she could outrun me.Kat’s SUV was half a mile ahead, steady pace, no sudden turns. Like they weren’t even trying to shake me. Like they didn’t know I was there.But I knew that car. Knew the way she sat—shoulders tight, head tilted just so. I’d watched her long enough to read her like a damn map.“They're not even speeding,” I muttered.Tiffany popped her gum beside me, legs curled up on the seat like we were on a road trip. “Maybe they don’t know you’re following them.”I didn’t answer. She was talking too much. Again.“She’s probably just trying to get to Kansas City,” Tiffany added. “Family stuff, right? Grandparents meeting the boys.”I gripped the wheel tighter. “They're not going to Kansas City.”Tiffany blinked. “Then where—”“I don't know but they are pulling off the highway. Maybe Luca wants to take a different route being safe.”The SUV turned off the main road, tires kicking up dust. I followed, headlights off. The road narrowed, cracked pavement giving way to

The gravel crunched under our boots as we came up the drive. Sal’s place loomed ahead, warm light spilling from the windows, but the air outside carried that edge of tension—family waiting inside, old wounds and traditions ready to collide. Luca walked steady, Matteo just behind him, but my focus was already locked on Kat. She stood near the porch, her eyes finding mine like a lifeline.She started toward me, but before I could move, a small voice cut through the air.“Dada!”Koda’s squeal was pure joy, and then he was off—tiny legs pumping, curls bouncing, launching himself straight at me. I bent down just in time, scooping him up before he toppled us both. His little arms wrapped tight around my neck, his face pressed against my shoulder.“Dada, I learned magic words!” he announced, breathless with excitement. His eyes were wide, shining like he’d just uncovered treasure.I steadied him against my chest, glancing at Kat, who was smiling now, relief softening her features. “Magic wor

Koda’s little hand wrapped around mine like a vice, tugging me forward with all the determination of a general leading his army. His other hand clutched Luca’s fingers—his patience already being tested as our three-year-old commander marched us straight toward Build-A-Bear.“Bear, DADA! Bear!” Koda shouted, curls bouncing as he pulled us through the Plaza like the place belonged to him.I glanced at Luca, who gave me that look—half amused, half exasperated. “You’re the one who spoiled him with the last bear,” he muttered, adjusting his stride to keep up.I smirked. “And you’re the one who taught him persistence. Don’t blame me when he uses it.”Inside the store, Koda’s eyes lit up like fireworks. He darted between bins of plush animals, his squeals echoing off the walls, until he froze in front of a wolf. He grabbed it with both hands, holding it up like a trophy. “Like you!”I crouched down, ruffling his hair. “Good choice, pup. Strong, fast, and loyal.”Luca shook his head, but I ca