Epilogue
T welve months later . . .
Jilly stepped up to the double doors and peered outside.
Guests were taking their seats in the white chairs. The chairs were separated into two sides, creating a wide aisle in between.
Everything just looked so beautiful. It was the most magical of days. The flowers were blooming, the sun was shining, and the day was still and clear.
Then again, it could have been dark and storming, and she still would have thought that today was the most wonderful day.
Because today she got to marry her hero.
The ruthless king of New Orleans.
Lord, how her life had changed. And all for the better. She’d finally found a good man. A man who loved her. Who wouldn’t harm or abandon her.
Her man.
Instead of holding her down, he lifted her up. Supported her. Her first book had been published three months ago, and it had been a huge hit, which had shocked her.
Regent hadn’t been surprised, though. He’d told her that he’d always believed in her. That he always would.
Because of him, Jilly now felt like she could be herself. That she knew who that was.
Because she knew that no matter what, he would be there for her.
“Ready?”
She glanced over as Scott walked toward her. His recovery had been long and hard.
But you wouldn’t know it now. He looked healthy and tanned. Regent had paid for Scott and Dan to go on a long cruise in the Caribbean. Mrs. Yards had gone along too.
Henri had survived as well and was still her bodyguard.
Jilly’s mom and her now husband, Frank, were sitting up in the front with Dan and Mrs. Yards. Anne had understood when she’d told her that she wanted Scott to give her away.
He’d protected her. Been there for her.
It felt fitting.
Was she ready?
Hell, yes. She’d been ready since she was sixteen.
“Let’s do this.”
They headed outside, her hand on his arm as he guided her down the aisle.
Ahead of her, Regent stood proud and tall. His face didn’t change his expression as she walked toward him. But she knew that didn’t mean he wasn’t feeling a lot.
He wasn’t always comfortable expressing his love in front of others, but he got mad if she tried to curtail her affection.
All of a sudden, she needed to get to him quickly. Breaking away from Scott, she raced toward him.
There were a few shocked laughs from their guests, but all Regent did was hold out his arms to catch her as she threw herself at him. He pulled her close and she let out a laugh filled with delight.
“Eager to get married again, my sweet baby?” he murmured.
“Eager to be yours in front of everyone.”
He kissed her lightly. “You already are.”
A throat clearing interrupted them, and she turned to see the celebrant smiling at them.
“That part is supposed to come at the end,” he said.
She grinned. “We just couldn’t wait.”
It felt like she’d waited forever for this day. She couldn’t wait a second longer to be Mrs. Regent Montclair Malone.
Jilly teared up as Mama walked over to her, holding her arms open. She wrapped her arms around her.
“I’m so happy for you, honey,” Mama said, pulling back to wipe at her own eyes. “I always knew he would be the perfect husband for you.”
“I still can’t believe you were playing matchmaker.”
“Looks like I’m good at it,” Mama said with a smug grin. “You were too young when you first had a crush on him. You needed to live a bit, and he needed to figure out what was important in life. Plus, I wanted to make sure he was going to grow into a man worthy of you. And he has.”
“She’s trying to matchmake everyone we meet,” Frank said, walking up to wrap his arm around her mother. “Come dance with me?”
“Certainly.” Her mom smiled at her as Frank whisked her away.
Jilly stood where she was for a moment, taking in everything. Two young boys ran through the crowd, wearing just their underwear, while a man raced after them, laughing.
The man was Regent’s cousin, Beau, and the two boys were his twin sons.
The three of them were terrors from what she understood. She didn’t know how Beau’s lovely wife, Scarlett, put up with him.
Jilly also wasn’t certain how Scarlett could be married to two Malone men. The woman was basically a saint.
Across the way, Butch and Tanner, two more Malone cousins, had challenged Maxim and Jardin to an arm wrestling match. She wasn’t quite sure who was winning.
Victor was watching them, his young son in his arms. Aston was cheering Maxim on with a big grin on her face as she stood next to Ryleigh Malone.
Another Malone girl. This time, from the Texas Malones. The curse had finally been broken.
On the other side of Ryleigh was Clem, Jaret’s wife. Now, Clem was a character. Apparently, she’d called Regent and asked if she could bring her pig to the wedding as it was experiencing separation anxiety at the moment.
The pig was standing next to Clem dressed in a tutu.
She’d been surprised when Regent had said yes to Clem’s request. But he’d told her that compared to his cousins, the pig wouldn’t be a problem.
And as Tanner Malone won his arm wrestle against Jardin and started pulling off his clothes in victory, she could see his point.
“Tanner,” Alec barked. “Put your clothes back on.”
“But it’s not a party until someone gets naked,” he called back before pulling his wife, Lilac, close.
“Aren’t they fun?” Flick walked up with her toddler on her hip and a grin on her face. “They always liven up a wedding.”
“Just as long as Beau keeps his pants on this time,” she replied. Maxim and Aston’s wedding three months ago had been interesting, to say the least.
Regent had tried to talk her into eloping after that one.
However, most people didn’t know that while this might be the big, traditional wedding, they’d actually been married in private several months ago.
Regent hadn’t wanted to wait to make her his wife. But all his siblings had already booked their wedding dates, and he hadn’t wanted to encroach on their big days. So they’d waited until now.
“I’d apologize for them all,” Mia said, approaching them. “But then I’d spend all my time apologizing and you must be used to us all by now.”
“I am,” Jilly agreed with a grin.
Mitch smiled at her from where he sat on Flick’s hip, his face covered in chocolate.
“Someone has been having fun,” she said.
“Yes, he found his way to the cupcakes.” Flick grinned. “I need to go clean him up.” She walked off with Mia, joining Hannah and Lara.
These Malones were a lot.
But damn they were also fun.
“Lottie, sit down,” Nico ordered. “You’re not supposed to be walking around.”
“I’m fine,” Lottie told him. “Stop fussing. I’m sick of sitting. I just want to see Regent.”
“I’ll go get him and bring him to you.”
“No.” Lottie gave Nico a stubborn look.
Uh-oh. That was going to get her into trouble. Jilly adored Regent’s sister and the way her men took care of her. She knew that Regent would rather she lived close by so he could keep an eye on her. But Lottie already had two overprotective men telling her what to do.
“Lottie, do as Nico tells you,” Liam warned, walking over with a bottle of water. “And you need to drink this.”
Lottie pouted. “I wasn’t doing anything.”
“No, you’re going to sit down and do nothing,” Liam ordered. “That’s the whole point.”
“I’m pregnant, not injured or sick.”
“You’re precious is what you are,” Nico told her. He brushed her hair off her face as Liam helped her sit.
Lottie softened. “All right. But someone get Reggie for me.”
“Of course, baby,” Liam told her before turning away.
Lottie glanced up at her. “Can you believe these guys? Are they being ridiculous or what?”
“I think it’s sweet.”
Lottie gave her a wry look. “You wait until you get pregnant, then you’ll find out. I bet Regent is crazier and more overprotective than the rest of them all together.”
Hmm.
Regent walked over to them, lightly kissing her cheek. “All right, baby?”
“Never better,” she replied.
He smiled at her before turning to crouch in front of Lottie. “Are you all right, darling?”
“Yes, I’m fine. But Liam and Nico are being ridiculous. They won’t let me do a thing. I need you to tell them to stop. I’m not fragile.”
“Darling, if they didn’t treat you like delicate glass, I’d have them killed and move you back here so I could treat you like you’re precious.”
Huh. Maybe Lottie was right.
Jilly moved over to where Aston stood, watching Maxim take on a different Malone cousin. This time, he was arm-wrestling Raid. “Is he winning?”
“He’s holding his own,” Aston told her. She brushed back her blonde hair from her face. “Get him, baby! You got this! You are the arm wrestling champion of arm wrestlers!”
“And you’re adorable, Rainbow,” Maxim called back just before winning the arm wrestle.
Aston let out a whoop and ran toward him. He swept her up into his arms as she fist-pumped the air.
Those two were so cute.
“Jilly!”
Spinning, she saw Gracen limping toward her.
“Hey, you’re not supposed to be walking around. Victor will have a fit if he sees you.”
Gracen rolled her eyes. “I pulled a muscle at dance class, I didn’t lose a limb. And Victor is putting Arlo down for a nap. Anytime you want to cut the cake, it’s ready.”
Jilly took hold of her hands. “Thank you so much for making the cake for us.”
Gracen blushed. “It was nothing.”
“That’s not true. The cake is amazing and you know it. Just like the photos Thea took will be stunning. And Aston helped me so much with the organization. I’m so lucky to have all of you and Lottie.”
Gracen hugged her tight. “We’re the lucky ones. You helped Regent learn to open up, to let us in, to show us how he feels. And for that, we’ll always be so grateful to you.”
Jilly sniffled just as she heard a yell coming from the house. Glancing over, she saw Victor storming toward them.
“Uh-oh, you’re in trouble,” she sang.
Gracen turned and grimaced. “Uh-oh, is right.”
“What do you think you’re doing on your feet?” Victor boomed.
“I’m fine. It’s just a pulled muscle. I can walk.”
“Not happening.” Victor lifted her into his arms, muttering something to Gracen that had her blushing.
Then he turned to carry her to a chair.
Yes, these Malone men were something else.
She turned away as she heard someone yell.
“Ace, don’t you dare! You’re all muddy!” Thea held her young daughter in her arms as she called out to Ace, unable to run after him.
Ace raced up to Jilly. He had mud all down his front. Where the heck had he found mud to bathe in?
“Jilly!” he cried out.
Regent appeared out of nowhere to stop the young boy before he could touch her. He spoke to him quietly, and Ace nodded.
“All right, Uncle Reggie! I’ll clean up. But then, I need to dance with Auntie Jilly!”
Regent turned to her as Ace ran off. She smiled as he took her into his arms.
“Always my hero.”
“I think I’m going to have to fight that boy for you one day. He’s got a crush on you.”
“Well, unfortunately for Ace, there’s only one man for me and there only ever will be.”
Leaning down, he kissed her. “Happy, baby?”
“The happiest I’ve ever been. But I do have a gift for you.”
“For me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t have to get me anything, sweet girl.”
“Ahh, well, this is something you’ve wanted for a while.” She took his hand and placed it on her still-flat belly. “Happy wedding day, Daddy-to-be.”