Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
A blast of liquid drenches my face. Celeste falls to the ground, dead from a bullet through her brain.
The ultimate gift from her son, Alaric.
Epilogue
Alaric (Three Years Later)
Wiser people than me have regurgitated the words “time heals all wounds” throughout history, but I’m not sure of its validity. Time alone can’t do much. Years could pass while you sit and wallow in misery, letting old wounds fester until the infection is so extensive it eventually consumes you. But you can build something greater if you view the past as the path to becoming stronger and wiser, facing the most turbulent truths.
The last three years haven’t been perfect. We’ve all stumbled into pitfalls and relapsed into the men Celeste created, but now we have an anchor. We have our Ella.
When she insisted we see a therapist, none of us refuted her. We’ll always do what she wants, no questions asked, because Ella is our salvation. Through Ella, we’ve finally discovered family, understanding, and compassion. Thanks to us, Ella has found devotion, protection, and unconditional love.
Ella shakes the box Asher hands her. “What’s this?”
“Are you going to shake every single package? This is drawn out,” Asher says.
Ella gives him a back-handed slap in the chest. She giggles as she quickly tears off the wrap. “You wait until Christmas. I’ll drive you completely mad.” She lifts the top of the velvet box and gasps. “It’s beautiful.”
“Let me,” Asher says as he lifts the delicate diamond collar from the case and fastens it around Ella’s neck. “I thought my pet would like something a little more permanent.”
Ella laughs as her fingers graze the precious gems. “When most girls ask for diamonds, they mean rings, not dog collars.”
There’s a snap as Asher connects the hook of the leash to the circular diamond O ring on the collar. “Yes, well, those girls don’t have a guy who will kill and die for her, do they?” he asks as he caresses her head. “You, my dear, have three owners who treat you like the queen you are.” He yanks on the leash before crushing his lips to hers. They both laugh, and Ella falls into his arms.
My gaze moves to the platinum hoops in her nipples. She got them two years ago. We never asked her to, but she wanted to shed who she was and embrace who she’d become. River joined her on the journey. They both now have multiple piercings in some very enjoyable places, if I say so myself.
“I got you a little something too,” River says as he removes a small velvet pouch from his pocket. “Had them especially made and everything.”
Ella takes the bag from him and digs inside, pulling out diamond nipple and clit clamps.
River smirks. “Thought I’d get some pretty jewelry for your jewelry.” He takes them from her before clamping one nipple, then the other. River holds on to the clit clamp and raises an eyebrow. Ella smiles before opening her legs, displaying her clitoral hood piercing.
“Fuck, that pussy piercing is still the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I still can’t believe you did that,” River says. He bends and snaps the sparkly alligator clamp on her clit, giving the chain a little tug.
Ella turns to me. “So what did you get me?”
I love it when she’s like this: feral, uninhibited, brazen, and so fuckin’ beautiful. Leaning forward, I brace my elbows on my knees and gaze at her. “Why don’t you crawl over and see?”
My mouth waters as I take in her curves. The sway of her big tits back and forth as she puts one hand in front of the other. Her eyes lock onto mine, not looking away for an instant. She knows her power, her worth, and her allure. Pride warms me, knowing that our unconditional love for her enables her to be bold and free. Watching her bloom over the last few years has been the greatest privilege of my life.
Ella kneels before me, knees spread wide so I have the perfect view of her body. I caress her head. “You think you deserve another present? Do you think you’ve been a good girl?”
Ella nods. “Yes.”
I shuffle through my pocket before falling to my knees in front of her. “I didn’t want to do this now. I had something planned. But I’ve had this in my pocket all day.” I open the small velvet box, presenting the contents to her. “I love you, Ella. We all love you. We know it can’t be legal, not with the three of us, but we want it to be official, even if we’re the only ones present. We want you linked to us spiritually and physically.”
“Bro, you can’t propose while she’s naked. This isn’t a story she can tell her friends,” River scoffs, shaking his head. “I thought you were the smart one, but apparently not.”