EPILOGUE
Parker walks in and gives me one of those man embraces, slapping my back. “Congratulations man.”
Travis, Zayne, and Killian follow, looking like they belong in some crime family with their black attire, chunky watches and rings, and inked skin.
“I don’t know about this.” Travis reaches down and hugs Kyra. I might trust these men with my life, but I don’t like them touching my girl.
“You don’t believe I’m pregnant?” She giggles.
“I can’t believe this goon is about to become a father.” He winks and I hear the growl leave my throat.
Killian laughs and walks over to the bar, rolling his sleeves up.
“Congratulations.” Zayne shakes my hand and kisses Kyra on the cheek.
“They need to stop touching you.” I grunt, as I pull her into my side and follow them into the living room.
Penny and a few dozen of our other friends are also here. Some spilling out onto the balcony.
“I don’t mind getting hugs from lots of good-looking men.” She smirks up at me while I mock scowl back at her.
It’s not that fake, though.
I don’t like it.
She is glowing. Her eyes and cheeks flush and so far there has been no morning sickness. I’m as happy as she is, because morning sex is my favorite.
Sliding inside her wet pussy from behind while she’s still opening her eyes and I’m cupping her breasts is the best way to start the day. Then she follows me into the shower and I can’t help it, I lift her onto the bench seat and plow into her again.
I am addicted to filling her hot pussy.
“Is that what a girl needs to do? Get knocked up to get the attention of a gorgeous man?” Penny asks.
I frown.
“I think the chicken comes before the egg, Penny.”
Does she not know how the birds and bees work? I’m not spelling it out for her.
“You need to work on his sense of humor.” She deadpans Kyra and they both nod knowingly.
“Work in progress.” Kyra pats my chest. I snap my hand over it and then kiss her fingers.
She melts before my eyes.
I’m already eager for our guests to leave so I can rip her yellow sundress off. It curves over her breasts and hugs her hips, while stopping just above mid-thigh. It’s almost inappropriate, but I’m not sorry. It teases just enough that I think I might get a look at her panties.
I never do.
Or she’d be fucking changing.
The urge to run my hand up her thigh has my cock semi-erect all damn night.
“Ugh. So damn jealous.” Penny rolls back her head and then spins back to check out my friends. She’s way too much of a good girl for them, but I know they’ll treat her with respect.
The doors open behind us again, and I turn to watch Derek and Sally Fox walk in.
It’s been two weeks since we learned we were going to become parents. It changes you whether you like it or not.
Kyra told her mom, because that’s what girls do, and a day later Derek phoned me.
News of Pierce’s death had already been front page news. I was questioned by police but as it turns out I was with my driver on the way home to see my girlfriend the night it happened. Then, celebrating the news of our unborn child.
True story.
I don’t know who killed him.
Also, the truth.
The money I paid...untraceable.
So, when I answered the phone, Derek cleared his throat and said, “I know it was you.”
No, he doesn’t.
He suspects, but he doesn’t know for sure.
Not even Parker, Travis, Zayne, or Killian truly know. They simply sat across from me at breakfast the following Wednesday and all met me in the eye, nodding.
I nodded back.
Then we ate as normal.
“You’re my child’s grandfather. That is all we need to discuss. You’ll be welcome in my home if you respect both Kyra and our children. If not, I won’t allow them to see you.”
The truth is, I would never force Kyra to stop seeing her parents, but I do have a say about our kids.
Fox’s outdated and abusive beliefs have no place in our world. And she agrees with me.
“Well, I’m not sorry he’s dead. Whoever did it freed a lot of people.”
I shake my head even though he can’t see me.
“Weak people. You should’ve taken fucking responsibility for what you did and called his bluff.” I ground out. “Giving power to a man like Pierce is an endless game. One you failed at.”
He cursed and there was a long silence.
“I want to be in my grandkids' life,” he eventually said.
“Then be a better man, Fox.”
More silence.
I’m giving him one chance. I invited him to tonight’s party because he should be here to celebrate with his daughter. I know how evil my father was and for that, he gets one allowance.
One.
I want my children to have grandparents and Kyra’s parents are all they have. But if he fucks up...that’s it.
“Mom.” Kyra rushes over and hugs her mom.
It’s the first time she’s seen her dad since the church—I refuse to call it her wedding day—so I stay to make sure he does the right thing.
“Forgive me,” her father says, reaching out his arm and taking her hand.
“In time, Dad. In time.” Kyra gives him a small smile. “I am glad you came, though.”
Her mom places her hands on her tummy, and pride that’s starting to feel familiar rushes to my chest.
I’m going to be a fucking dad.
A good father. Nothing like my own. I will teach my kids that they are worthy, loved, and amazing little beings. That they can be anything in this world and never to put up with an ounce of abuse or disrespect.
Sally glances up and locks her tear-filled gaze with mine. Then she mouths thank you.
I nod.
I get it. I’m a parent now and I’d feel the same way.
But it was Kyra who made the choice. She ripped out of Pierce’s arms and came running into mine. She’s braver than she thinks. Fuck, she’s going to be an amazing mother.
I’ve already been sent three parenting e-books that I have to read.
A bossy mother, perhaps.
I leave them to it and walk outside where Killian has taken control of the BBQ as I knew he would. He doesn’t just own Michelin star restaurants, he’s also a chef.
Travis and Penny are playing pétanque. She’s accusing him of cheating.
“There’re”—he holds out his arm—“two balls. How can I cheat?”
“Dunno. But I think you are.” She props her hands on her hips.
“Maddox. Help me out here,” he says, but I see the smirk on his lips.
“Don’t play poker with him,” I warn, laughing.
“I don’t know how,” Penny admits.
“Ahh, well, I can teach you.” Travis grins and both Parker and Zayne, who are leaning against the wall with drinks, shake their heads and say no.
“Penny, if he tries anything, you call me.” Zayne arches a warning brow at Travis.
“You don’t have a very good reputation.” She crosses her arms.
“They just hate losing. Now take your shot, princess.” Travis nods to the game.
Kyra walks over and I lift my arm. We relax and watch our extended family and friends enjoy themselves as the sun begins to drop.
After we’ve eaten and the dishes are cleared away, I lift my glass from my seat at the head of the long table and make a toast.
“To good friends, a new generation, and a happy long life.”
“Hear, hear.”
“To good friends.”
“Cheers.”
Glasses clink as I tap mine against Kyra’s and she sips her mineral water.
I watch Parker pick up his phone for the tenth time during the meal and swipe, staring down into a screen.
“He got a big investment on the stock or something?” Travis asks.
So, he hasn’t told anyone else.
I didn’t think so.
“No.” I sip my Macallan and then place it down on the table.
I’ve never seen him this preoccupied.
It’s time to do something about what he shared with me. Kyra is home. She’s safe, happy, and I’ll stay by her side making sure our child comes into this world healthy and happy. But Parker needs our attention before he does something to destroy his life.
Or Aurora’s.
“No,” I say again. “He’s found her.”
Travis chokes on his drink.
“What?” He coughs. “Aurora. When?”
Weeks ago. Enough time that this could have gotten way out of hand.
When Parker lifts his eyes to mine, there is both death and desire within them.
Shit.
Then he smirks.
“Oh fuck,” Travis says.
––––––––
AFTER EVERYONE LEAVES, I tidy up a few things, then head to our bedroom. Kyra has already showered and changed into a silk nightie I thought I’d torn days ago with my teeth.
It is probably one of a dozen I replaced it with after apparently getting in trouble.
The next day, I cut her credit card in half and replaced it with another.
“What are you doing?”
“I am your family now. You’ll use this.”
“I can’t spend your money. Maddox, that is my trust fund.” Kyra gasped.
“You can and you will. You’re the mother of my child. There are expenses and things you’ll need to buy. For my child.” I placed my hand on her hip and tucked the credit card into her bra. “No arguing.”
I watched her argue silently in her head as she stared back at me. I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Nothing.” I’d kissed her then walked into my office to make a call.
In that moment, I’d known. Perhaps I’d always known. But the time was right. Finally, today, I’d had a reply and picked up my order.
Kyra turns as I’m undoing my shirt. She still watches me like I’m not hers to touch when she wants. I toss it on the armchair in the corner of the room, kick off my shoes, and then undo the top button on my pants.
“Is this a strip show?” She blushes.
So damn cute. She has my cock in her mouth at least once a day and still blushes.
“Come with me.” I take her hand and lead her through the house. When we reach the door leading out to the balcony, she tugs on me.
“Oh no. I’m not having sex out there.”
Then she stops.
There are dozens of candles lit with a scattering of yellow rose petals everywhere. Only possible because Penny snuck back in to help me set it up.
“What is—”
I lift her out the door and she clings to my arms as I place her back on the floor so we’re overlooking Manhattan.
Then I drop to my knee.
“Maddox.” She gasps as the silk of her short gown flutters in the breeze.
God, I could press my face into her bare pussy right now. I know she never wears panties in bed because I banned them.
Focus.
“Kyra.” I take her hand and glance up. “Marry me. Let me love you and protect you until my last dying breath. Let me be the best father I can to our children.”
“Oh god. I love you Maddox.” A tear drips down her cheek, and she lets out a little hiccup.
Okay, but say yes.
“Spend your life with me, sweetheart.” I wait for her to reply.
I think I’ve sent her into a state of shock as she’s shaking.
“And at any point, you can say yes.”
She lets out a little teary chuckle.
Say yes for the love of god.
I stand, and her face lifts as she follows me. I cup her head and run my thumb over her jaw. “Just so we’re clear, if you say no, I’ll just kidnap you again.”
Her eyes sparkle in response, humored by my words.
“Yes.” Kyra finally says. “Yes, to marrying you. Yes, to you kidnapping me. And yes, to you making love to me as you did that first night, forever.”
Oh, god, yes. My girl likes to be watched.
I glance around us and at the lights from the few neighboring skyscrapers above us.
I can feel my eyes sparkle in excitement as I take her hand that’s hanging at our side, lift it, and slide the enormous square yellow diamond onto her finger.
Mine.
“Oh my god, Maddox.” She gasps, holding her hand out, admiring the multi-million-dollar ring.
We can admire that later. I have something even better in mind.
Kyra gasps again as I lower to my knees and rip the silk nightie right down the fucking middle.
“Not another one.”
“Hold on to my shoulders.” I growl, spreading her legs and thrusting my tongue inside her pussy.
“Oh fuck,” she cries, almost collapsing. But I hold her thighs and keep at my task, sucking and nipping at her pink flesh. Sliding my hand between her legs, I plunge two fingers inside her.
“Shit.” Kyra’s voice is loud in the night air.
Over and over, I fuck her with my hand and mouth, until she is shuddering so hard I know she’s on the edge. Then I stop, pulling out and standing up. I ignore her question and lift her onto a table.
“Lean back on your arms.”
She obeys.
“Good girl.”
“Please, Maddox. I need you.” She pleads as I pull out my hard cock and thrust deep inside her hot, wet pussy.
“You have me, little prisoner. Forever. Now suck my thumb and come around my thick fat cock. I want the world to hear you scream my name as they watch.”
As Kyra’s body lights up like fireworks, I know I won’t wait long to marry her.
My little prisoner is about to become my little wife.
––––––––
Ready to meet Parker and Aurora in ASHES of Saints?