Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 60

The Best of my Life

Chapter 60

Charlie’s POV

I believed him. I knew that he was telling the truth. He was not going to give up. He was furious, and he wanted to drag me down with him. But I hadn’t threatened him, and I made sure that what I said couldn’t be construed as a threat. It was a promise. If he came back around Ana again, I’m going to deal with him. I was toying with him now because Ana isn’t my wife yet, but the moment she is, the gloves come off.

“You’re not letting anything go, Holden. I never threatened you. I just offered you another shot at me, one where you’re not trying to sucker punch me. Don’t act like a martyr because we both know that you’re not doing this for Ana. You already know that the Sergeant isn’t going to be able to support your claim. You just want to bow out before they arrive. Do you honestly think that Ana is going to fall for your little act? I can assure you she won’t. She’s too smart for that. I know you, Holden, I know who you are. I’m not going to give you an inch. The wedding will go on as planned, without you. You can hope for another chance with Ana all you want, but my foot won’t be slipping. Ana is the woman of my dreams. I don’t want anyone else,” I replied.

Holden wasn’t going to let that pass. “You keep thinking that, Charlie,” he replied. The officers waited for their sergeant as they didn’t want to get involved in a legal battle with Holden. I couldn’t blame them for that. We finished the rehearsal, and after a few short words, the wedding planner left. It wasn’t personal; neither of the Vaughn siblings was married, and she didn’t want to be involved.

We waited another five minutes before the Sergeant arrived. We let Holden share his version before Drew stepped in to show him what actually happened. I don’t know why Holden would think that any of us trusted him enough not to protect ourselves. We knew better. He’s declared war on me, and he’s not going to stop

unless he is forced to do so.

“He didn’t threaten you. A threat is someone telling you that they are going to cause you bodily harm. Whoever spoke earlier was right. Telling you that they are going to kick your…butt…is an example of a threat, and also considered simple assault. I understand that you are upset, Mr. Vaughn. But I’ve already seen the evidence against you. You assaulted Mr. Billingsley, and he sustained injuries as a result of it. You can be bailed out on Monday. But you’re going to have to come with us now. Please do not fight the officers, or additional charges will be filed,” the Sergeant advised.

They led Holden out, but the look he gave me as he turned the corner to go into the hallway was a promise. I needed to be careful for the foreseeable future. He was gunning for me now. I could tell he was willing to do just about anything to get Ana back. Where was that same energy before? He had all this time to change his mind, but he only showed back up three weeks before Ana’s wedding. He’s completely delusional, nd that makes him dangerous.

That isn’t love, it’s seriously messed up. I need to ensure that whenever we go out after our honeymoon, we have men with us. Holden has an unhealthy obsession, and I’m sure his behavior is only going to get worse from here. I know that Ana saw his expression. It might have been aimed at me, but she knew it was because he wanted to get rid of me, to get to her. She drew in closer to my side. She was frightened, and she should be. That kind of obsession will only grow stronger.

Mark saw it too, and he looked at me. He wanted to know if I was aware. I nodded, just a slight movement,

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but he got it. We will have to make plans to protect Ana, without scaring her. I already had an idea in mind. I will have her design a necklace, and once it is made, I will have a tracker hidden inside it. I will order the tracker tonight when I get home. I looked over at Seth, and I could tell that he was concerned for Ana. I will need to speak to him tonight about getting close to Holden again.

Seth will have to take one for the team. Holden always knows how to draw him back in. I may need Seth to help Ana at some point. If Holden believes Seth is on his side, he might include him in his plans. I’m not a fan

of Seth. He is wishy–washy. He should be loyal to his sister, yet he was back on Team Holden not two weeks

after he found out what Holden had done. I will speak to Ana in the SUV about it.

I haven’t known Seth for long. I need to confirm with Ana whether my beliefs about him are accurate. He

seemed willing to back Holden even after a fight. Holden was pissed at Seth, but he needed him. I think he

will go back to being friends with Seth just to stay close to Ana. I don’t want to be blind to what Holden has

planned. We’re going to need him on our side. I think we should speak to her parents and her brother after we

get back from our honeymoon.

Ana was back to normal by the time we arrived at the restaurant. She was caught up in the excitement of the

dinner and ready for the wedding. I am too. I can’t wait to get it done, because then I get to take my bride to

Italy. I plan to take another trip there with her for our one–year anniversary, as I don’t intend to get much done

on this one. I want to keep her all to myself and depend on room service. I just wanted to get her far enough

away from everything and everyone for her to truly be able to relax.

I watched as she interacted with my family. They all loved her. Tonight was the first time that she had met my father. He is always busy with company matters. He’s Charles Billingsley II, and he goes by Chuck. He got the

nickname in college, and it stuck. Although very few people actually get to call him Chuck. Ana now has that distinct honor. He is very impressed with her and all that she has accomplished in her young life. He told me that before we even got to dessert. He took the whole weekend off for our wedding.

He normally works at least six hours on Saturdays. He is still waiting for me to help him, so he can slow down. I just don’t want to work as hard as he does. It’s too much. I know Mom misses him. She’s used to it and doesn’t complain, but we all miss him. If I do take over. I’m not going to run the company alone. I’m going to get someone I trust to do the trips out of town. I’m not going to leave Ana. I will only go if she can come with me. That is something I will discuss with her down the road.

My grandparents and mother already adored her. She had Drew wrapped around her finger. Mark and Jon were quickly coming around to her as well. They weren’t around her as much as Drew and I were, but they found her just as impressive as my father had. Mark was currently sitting with Gwen, and I could see he was interested in her; so far, she wasn’t shooting him down. Drew had already staked his claim on Emily after their photo shoot. She was just as interested in him as he was in her.

Everyone had been speaking, and the room had been filled with laughter. Even Seth had finally settled down and was having a good time. My grandfather tapped his wine glass and stood up to make a toast.

“I couldn’t be happier to welcome Analise into our family. You are a lovely young woman. I’m wishing you both a long and happy marriage. I also hope that you two can bless us with some great–grandchildren as your grandmother and I aren’t getting any younger,” He announced. His words were met with Ana fiercely blushing and shyly leaning into me to hide her face.

“I will do everything in my power to make that happen for you. I know how much you two have dreamed of me having children, I finally found someone who will be a wonderful mother,” I said as I wrapped my arm around

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Ana and pulled her even closer into my side. Ana gave a tiny swat against my chest in embarrassment, but I loved how cute she was right now. I can’t wait for us to leave for our honeymoon. I wanted to have her all to myself.

I know she thought I was teasing her, but I fully intended to make their dream a reality. I believe Ana is open to it, as she mentioned that she would like to have at least two children. No time like the present to make that happen. I slid my chair closer to hers, placing our seats together. I loved taking in her sweet scent. I can’t remember being this content ever before.

If I could just sweep Ana up and take her straight on the Honeymoon, I would. But I know from my mother and grandmother that women dream of their weddings, and I won’t take that away from her. I’m willing to do anything to keep her happy. Plus, I really want to see Roger, Sasha, and especially his mother, learn exactly who Ana is tomorrow. I can’t wait to watch it play out. His mother is going to lose her mind. She has said such terrible things about and to Ana.

Once she discovers that Ana is exactly who she wanted for her precious son all along, she will lose it. She might even pass out once she realizes that she had the daughter of the Caldwell family arrested on bogus charges. Ana had waited to move forward for this reason specifically. The charges against Ana had been dropped, as they were unfounded. But Joyce still filed a false police report on Elizabeth. Joyce believes that what she did to Ana is all over with, but it’s not. Ana has everything ready to go for Joyce and Regina.

She will deal with Sasha and the plagiarism charges when she returns. Rodney will be filing all the paperwork at once, but he will ensure that the plagiarism trial doesn’t start until three weeks from now. Ana has systematically gathered her evidence and given the copies to Rodney. Tiffany will also be dealt with at that time. Ana wants all the loose ends handled, including restraining orders against Tiffany and Gretchen.

According to Rodney, it won’t be a problem getting them approved with all the evidence Ana had.

I kissed the top of Ana’s head and looked down at her, “Happy?”

“I’m very happy. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Charles Billingsley III,” she replied.

I’m looking forward to seeing my Ana walk down the aisle to me tomorrow. I just can’t wait to make her mine.

i want the whole world to know that Ana is my wife. I’m ready to start the rest of my life with her by my side. Make that the best of my life. Because that is what it feels like, as the best is yet to come.

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