Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Two days later, Riley, Briggs, and everyone else who’d been in on the operation met at Auntie Athena’s for one last cookout before the Mountainville Crew went back to Texas.
“That was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen!” Trevon declared. “I mean, pure comedy gold.”
Athena agreed. “Trevon recorded quite a bit of it from the table we were at. I’ve watched it about ten times, I think.” Her serious Auntie look appeared, though, and she said, “But again, you all better never act so naughty over here.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it, Auntie,” Riley told her.
“And you better behave yourself at home,” Briggs said. “Or you’ll find yourself over my knee, little girl.”
“I’m a good girl, Daddy.”
“I know, honey.”
Harrison held up his phone, revealing a headline from one of the Hollywood trades.
“Check it out. That info we leaked about Rita scamming money is big news. The California AG’s office has opened up an investigation.
So has the Los Angeles DA. Looks like her days of defrauding talent, the elderly, and children’s charities has come to an end. ”
“And it overshadowed the havoc a certain young starlet wreaked,” Stryker added with a grin. “That’s what I call a win-win.”
Everyone agreed.
“I can’t thank you all enough. Just a week ago I felt so alone and so desperate about my situation with Rita. Now, well, I have a Daddy. And I have friends. Thank you.”
“Don’t forget an Auntie,” Athena said with a wink.
“And your ol’ Uncle Trevon,” he added.
“I could never forget you. Any of you. I’m at home. With Daddy. And at my home away from home, the Hollywood Haven.”
Everyone cheered as Briggs gave her a kiss.
It was a magical night in LaLa Land for Little Riley Hartwell.
And, she knew, it was only going to get better from here.
The End