Michaels, Skye - Mikaela's Debut [The Black Dahlia Hotel 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (19 page)

When they got home from Florida, they met with the Brooklyn District Attorney and turned over the blackmail text messages. Morgan Court had returned the original video tape and DVD to Dillon and Mikaela, and they had destroyed them for once and all. In the end, they had approved a plea bargain deal that would require Maggie Sexton to serve ten years in the Alderson Federal Prison Camp, located in Alderson, West Virginia, also known as “Camp Cupcake,” coincidentally the same prison where Martha Stewart had been incarcerated. The prospect was not a pleasant one. Ten years was a really long time. Mikaela had had second and third thoughts about signing the complaint against her cousin, but the results of Maggie’s jealousy could have been fatal and just could not be overlooked.

Maggie had written Mikaela a letter apologizing for the entire episode, saying that she must have been out of her mind at the time. Dillon and Mikaela thought it was just a ploy to try to get them to request a lighter sentence for her. Mikaela did not respond. One thing they didn’t need was to hear from Maggie in prison. The whole matter was distressing enough for Mikaela, who had finally managed to shake off her depression over the entire ordeal.

By nine o’clock nerves were beginning to fray when at last Joe had a call from the supervisor of elections. Mikaela held Dillon’s hand in a death grip as they waited for the results. This was it.

“Attention, everyone. I’m pleased to announce that Dillon has defeated his opponent in the special election for the vacant Fourth District congressional seat by a landslide. I would just like to thank everyone for their support and hard work. The campaign was fast and furious since Dillon decided to run at the last minute. I just want to say that Mary and I are proud of our son and daughter-in-law for not caving in to the ugly blackmail threat perpetrated by a jealous and disgruntled relative. Maggie Sexton took advantage of a young girl and then waited like a spider in her web to spring her trap. That is over and done with, she is where she belongs, and we all want to get on with our lives and the job at hand.”

Dillon and Mikaela stood up. “Thanks everyone for a great job. I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m just a regular guy who wants to do a good job in Washington for the citizens of my district. I have no intention of serving more than two terms.” He laughed. “That is if we decide to run for a second one. Mikaela and I are looking forward to life settling down to a dull roar any time now. Thanks again.”

Dillon pulled Mikaela into his arms for a stunning kiss that went on and on. He could hear camera shutters snapping in the background. Finally, he whispered, “This is it, baby. We’re going to Washington.”

“Yes, we are. And I get to sleep with the Honorable Gentleman from Connecticut.” She smiled up at him, and he could see the love in her eyes. It was the most beautiful sight in the world.

Dillon was hopeful that now that the election was over things would quiet down. He knew their story would follow them to Washington. They would just have to deal with the notoriety as he tried to settle into the demands of his new job as a congressman.

* * * *

Mikaela was monumentally relieved that Maggie had not managed to ruin this for them. She knew she would have had a hard time living with it if she had been the cause of Dillon losing the election. She just knew he was going to be a fabulous congressman.

Mikaela leaned into the kiss, closed her eyes, and let everything else just float away. She had a little secret to share with Dillon, her husband and Dom, when they got home tonight. Right now she just wanted to hold it close to her heart.

THE END

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I was born in New Jersey and grew up an only child on a small farm in the “Garden State.” My father grew acres and acres of flowers for commercial florists and various produce, such as tomatoes. My high school years were spent at Wayne Hills High School, where I was not one of the popular, preppy kids, or one of the hoods—which kind of left me in limbo as I wasn’t one of the brainiacs either. Weekends were spent going into “the City” and Greenwich Village with my friends and doing a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have—don’t tell my grandkids!

After attending Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, New Jersey, I began a career as a legal secretary and then a paralegal. I moved to Florida and currently live in Davie, Florida, with my dog, Snickerdoodles, aka The Dude. I was married for eight years but have been single for many years. My major addiction is jewelry, but any kind of shopping will do for a fix!

After my longtime job as a paralegal was ended by the economic downturn, I decided to turn lemons into lemonade and finally write the stories I’d had in my head for many years. I had always wanted to write romance novels, but my family and job kept me too busy.

My major interest aside from my family and friends is horses. I enjoy putting an animal character into my stories if possible. I am extremely “low tech” and probably should have been born in the 1800s, as I enjoy driving a horse and buggy for fun. I also enjoy horseback riding, but the ground has gotten harder and further away over the years.

I have a small farm and vacation home in Ocala, Florida, which is my favorite place in the world. There’s nothing as wonderful as swinging in the hammock in the shade and listening to the music of the wind in the pines while cuddled under a quilt reading a good book.

Books have always been my escape into love and adventure, and through reading, I have been able to be many people, do many things, and go to many wonderful places I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to be, do, or see.

I hope that all hardworking women who have a moment to put up their tired feet and relax with a cup of coffee—or a glass of wine—will feel like they have had the opportunity to enjoy a trip to beautiful South Florida, my own backyard. I hope they also enjoy getting to meet my fantasy friends and experiencing something new and different with a touch of hot romance thrown in for good measure!

New adventures with old and new friends will continue with this new Black Dahlia Hotel series.

For all titles by Skye Michaels, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/skye-michaels

Siren Publishing, Inc.

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