Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“I'm sorry,” she said through her tears, which were now freely flowing. “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything I wrote. I wanted to protect you. He had this video,” she said, her words slightly chaotic as she reached into her pocket and pulled out an external hard drive. “But I got it. This is where he keeps everything of value to him that isn't a person.” She tapped on the external hard drive, handing it to me. “I couldn't lose you in that way. I'm sorry,” she said again.
I cradled her face in my hands, smoothing away her tears with my thumbs as I laughed darkly.
“What part of me looks like I need protection, angel?”
She laughed through her tears, too, shaking her head as she leaned her forehead against mine. “I didn't want you to go to jail because of me,” she said. “Because of who my father is.”
“I've never had anybody protect me before,” I said, catching her gaze. “And while I know you can handle yourself, I'd really appreciate if next time you just tell me your plan. That way I can at least support you from a safe distance?”
“Next time?” She sighed. “I really hope there's not a next time.”
And then her lips were on mine, desperate and needy.
I held her against me, kissing her back, allowing myself to feel it, and let the panic ebb from when I’d found her note earlier. “I thought I'd lost you,” I said between kisses.
“Never again,” she said, a promise in her tone.
“Do you think…” She hesitated, pulling back just slightly. “What do you think they're going to do to him?” There was no concern in her tone, but I still made sure that mine was gentle.
“I honestly don't know what their plans are,” I answered.
She took a deep breath and nodded to herself. “But either way, you don't think he'll come after us anymore?”
“Not a chance,” I said. “Even if they let Doyle live, there's no way he'll have the power he once held. You're free. You're free to do whatever you want.”
She kissed me again, and I sighed between her lips, settling in the fact that she was safe and in my arms.
“So,” I said. “What do you want?”
“You,” she said. “I just want you.”
My heart expanded in my chest, and I grinned down at her. “That, I can handle.”
Epilogue
SERENITY
Icarefully tucked away all the generous gifts from the girls, our little impromptu shower having come to an end so that we could all get ready for the game.
I smiled down at the little pile of gifts, my hand resting atop my very swollen belly.
“How are my girls doing?” Gareth asked as he entered our resort room, looking stunning as hell in his hiking gear. He and the boys had done some strenuous trek today, one that I clearly couldn't do in my condition.
“Perfect,” I answered him, tipping my head as he crossed the room to kiss me. “Just perfect,” I said as he pulled away.
He dropped to his knees before me, smoothing his hands over my pregnant belly, and planting a kiss atop it. “Good,” he said, standing again. “That's what I like to hear. I need a quick shower and then I'll be ready for the game. Are you excited?”
“I'm always excited for shower time with you, husband,” I teased, eliciting a low growl from him that made my toes curl in my shoes.
“Then what are you waiting for, wife?” he asked, his eyes going darker in challenge.
My heart fluttered as I hurried into the resort’s lavish bathroom, quickly stripping out of the dress I wore. I didn't think this feeling would ever go away, this excitement at the life that we'd created for ourselves.
An hour and a half later, Gareth walked by my side as we made our way to where the poker room had been set up.
“Look at you,” Crossland said as we entered the room. “When am I going to meet my goddaughter?
“I thought she was going to be my goddaughter?” Asher said.
“Wait, is there such thing as a God-uncle?” Ethan asked.
Weston laughed, rolling his eyes. “The first among us to have a child. I would have never called it. I'm so glad we didn't bet on it. I totally would have lost.” He smiled at me.
“Don't worry,” Gareth said. “You'll all have an important role in this princess's life.”
Crossland leaned closer to Gareth, lowering his voice slightly. “But I'll still be the godfather officially, right?”
Gareth chuckled. “If that's what you need to hear.”
Crossland beamed. “Yes, I win.”
“It's always about winning with you, isn't it?” Aspen teased him, crossing the room to stand by his side.
I smiled at the inner circle that filled the room, Gareth’s friends having fully accepted me into their world and into their family without a second thought. I smoothed my hand over my belly, knowing my soon-to-be-born daughter literally had the best family in the world to get to know soon.