Epilogue
Roxy
A s we step into the room full of people dressed in formal wear, I tense. The only other time I was this caught off guard at a social event was our reception. Chris must notice the way my body goes rigid because he wraps a hand around my waist and pulls me closer.
“Relax, Rox. I promise this evening won’t be as stuffy as you might imagine.”
Part of me doubts that, but all I can really do is take his word for it. I do appreciate all Chris and his friends do to try and help those in need. They’re always donating money to good, worthy causes and aiding others where they can.Tonight's fundraiser is proof.
“Besides,” he adds, putting the slightest pressure on my back so we’re moving forward. “The guys will be here too, including Chantelle.”
That does set my mind at ease. In just a month, I’ve grown closer to Chantelle than maybe any other woman I’ve known in my adult life. Not only do we get to gush over books and our love for bikes, but she’s agreed to teach me how to ride. I’m not telling Christian that, though, or he’ll insist he does so himself and I’d really like to surprise him.
Christian remains close, never once taking his hand off me as we weave through the crowd of mingling people. Up ahead, a few familiar faces come into view. “There they are,” Chris says. Des, Caius, Holt, Thor and Thor’s brother, Gunner, all wave or murmur their hellos.
“Hey, you finally made it.” Chantelle beams from where she’s tucked in Jude’s side. “Thought we might have to send out a search party.”
The guys all laugh, but Chris lets it roll off. “Getting dressed to go places takes longer now, what can I say?” His thumb glides over the silk material of my dress as he steps toward the guys, sending fire straight to my belly.
Chantelle makes an ooo sound as she sidles up next to me and lowers her voice to a near whisper. “Have we officially reached the smitten newlywed stage, then, I take it?” Her dark eyebrows lift and lower, insinuating all sorts of things.
I glance at the guys to make sure none of them are listening. “Maybe.”
She lets out a silent squeal and grabs my hands. “Are you serious? You guys are like married married?”
At that exact moment, Chris’s gaze finds mine. Even though the other guys are talking around him, a slow smile meant for only me curves his lips. I can’t help but wonder if his mind is replaying the events of our morning together like mine is.
“Oh, girl, you’ve got it bad.” Chantelle’s shoulder bumps into mine, zapping my little daydreamy bubble. “You are so gone for that man.”
I bite my lip to hold back the giddiest smile ever and turn to her. “I blame you, you know. Christian told me our getting married was all your idea.”
Instead of trying to play it off like I thought she might, she grins. “If the matchmaking shoe fits, I will gladly wear it with pride.” Then lowering her voice, she leans in. “But um, you’re gonna have to let me write a romance novel similar to your love story. I promise I’ll change your names and leave the part about Axel out.”
I can't help but laugh as I sling an arm around her waist. “You’re free to write about us to your heart’s content. Even Axel. I’m sure he’d love to be immortalized in a story.” My eyes linger on my gorgeous husband once again. “Besides, my reality is way better than fiction anyway.”
On the drive home from the fundraiser, my phone rings. Chris looks over at me, eyes shadowed by the dark interior of his little sports car.
As soon as I dig my phone out of my small, sparkly clutch, my stomach plummets. “It’s Marcus.”
In a move I’m sure is meant to be reassuring, Christian places his hand on my thigh and squeezes. “You should answer it.”
“Do I have to?” I whine, flattening my phone to my stomach. “I’m afraid of what he’ll say.”
“You have nothing to fear by talking to him, baby.” Chris’s fingers lightly drag up my thigh. “I promise.”
I stare at him irritably, though his focus remains on the road ahead. “How can you promise me that, Chris? You don’t know . The hearing is in just a few days and—”
“Roxy.” His voice holds a bit of an edge. Not hard or snappy, but resolute. “Answer the phone.”
Frustrated, I hiss a sigh and press the green button on my phone. “Hello?”
“Roxy, hi,” Marcus greets me. “Is this a bad time?”
I look over at anuncharacteristically calm Chris. “No. No, it’s fine.”
“Great.” Marcus clears his throat. “Listen, I wanted to talk to you about us moving forward with adopting Axel.” My stomach twists painfully and I press two fingers to the bridge of my nose.
“Mmhm.”
“Well, some things with us have changed recently, and we’ve decided it may be best for Axel to remain with you in Denver.”
My lips part. “You... what ? Really?”
“Yeah.” A nervous chuckle echoes over the line. “You know my wife is running for office and with her being so busy, we’ve decided that adopting a high needs teenager right now probably isn’t in our best interest.”
I’d love to scoff and say, duh, Marcus, but relief bleeds into my voice instead. “I’m overjoyedyou’re not going to contest this any longer.”
Chris’s hand tightens on my thigh, prompting me to glance at him. There's a certain smirk, a knowing look on his face, that weirdly unsettles me. But Marcus speaks before I can wonder what Chris is thinking.
“I’m happy that Axel will be well taken care of with you and your new husband, Roxy. He seems like a great guy.”
And how would Marcus know about Chris?
I glance at Christian again, hoping this isn’t what I suspect it is. “Yeah, me too. Thanks for calling, Marcus.” He goes on to say his attorney will take care of everything on his end before hanging up the phone, but I’m too focused on Christian to really pay attention. As soon as I hit the button to end the call, I whirl toward my husband.
“What did you do?”
Chris doesn’t even flinch. No physical reaction whatsoever. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Oh yes, you are,” I bite out. He ignores me. “ Chris .”
“I don’t understand what’s wrong,” he calmly says, unfazed bymy tone. “Marcus is giving you what you want, which is Axel. Axel will be ecstatic, healthy, and whole now that he gets to stay with us, and you and I will live happily ever after.” His smirk widens into a gleaming grin. “Wins all around, I say.”
My mind fills with so many potential ways he could have taken care of Marcus to make this happen, but it trips on just one. “Did you threaten him?”
Christian bursts out laughing as he takes a turn off onto our street. “Come on, Rox. Do I look like the kind of guy who makes threats?”
That was hardly a reassuring answer.
“Christian.” I swallow, really and truly anxious at what he had to do to get Marcus to give up on adopting Axel. But instead of nagging it out of him, I decide to try another tactic. “You know, it’s a shame you won’t fess up to what went down between the two of you,” I croon, placing my hand on his thigh. “Because I might be inclined to thank you. In a plethora of ways.” Slowly, I drag my nails up his thigh. His muscles twitch under my touch, spurring me on.
“R-really?” His voice cracks. I smile. I love the effect I have on him. He certainly does the same to me, but I can’t let him know that. Not right now.
“Mmhm.” Next, I move to the hair at his nape, twining it in my fingers. “So it’s in your best interest to tell the truth.”
He angles toward me with something between a growl and a hiss. “Fine, wife. You win.” Letting out an exasperated sigh, he admits, “I may have made a...sizable donation...to his wife’s campaign.”
My mouth pops open. But for once, I don’t have anything to say to that.
“I knew you would’ve told me not to do it,” he continues as he flips on the blinker, “which is why I didn’t tell you before.”
I’m truly speechless. I’m also a bit flabbergasted that all it took was a lump sum to get Marcus to back off. “Did you...promise more payment in the future or something? This just feels—”
“Too good to be true?” Chris aims a smirk my way as he pulls onto our street. “Don’t worry. You won’t be hearing again from Marcus any time soon.”
My eyebrows fly up. “So you did threaten him.”
Chris just laughs. “Listen, I was promised a very special thanks for my telling the truth, so I’d like to abandonthis conversation and move on to better topics.” The way his eyebrows dance up and down has me giggling.
I can hardly pretend to be irritated when he singlehandedly took care of Axel and me in one fell swoop. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. Chris has always stepped in and been there for me. His unwavering loyalty and love has me wanting to do the same for him. As long as we both live.
I walk my fingers down his chest, his biceps, then rest them once again on his thigh. “Then I guess you better hurry home. You’re mine tonight, Mr. Price.”
Chris’s gaze darkens as he swallows. I’ve never seen the man hurry home so fast, nor have I ever felt more loved. And with the knowledge that from here on out, we’re going to be a whole, real family, I shower my husband with the devotion and appreciation he deserves. As usual, he gives it right back. And then some.