Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Two Months Later
Kelsey still couldn’t believe this was her life now.
Swinging into the ball pit, she landed with a loud splash and giggled along with Stephanie and Trixie.
“That was a good one!” Trixie said.
“Yeah,” Stephanie chimed in. “I’d rate it a ten.”
Kelsey swam to where they were and said, “Thanks. And thank you for supporting me today. It meant a lot to have you two there, cheering me on.”
Her friends hugged her, though it was a little difficult for them all surrounded by those plastic balls.
“You were so brave, the way you testified against Niko and those awful men who tried to kill you,” Trixie said.
“She sure was,” Marco said.
“Daddy!”
Kelsey had left the courthouse before Marco, as he’d had meetings with the DA and his attorneys to hash through after the proceedings had ended. Seeing him standing at the foot of the ball pit, looking sexy in his dark slacks and crisp white dress shirt was a welcomed sight.
She fought through the plastic balls to reach him.
“Is it all over now, Daddy?” she asked as he helped her out.
“Well, there are still some odds and ends I’ll have to deal with. This is a giant case and they’re just getting started dismantling the Family. But things are going to settle down for a while now.”
They kissed.
“And your friends Mr. Benny and Mr. Paul?”
Marco smiled as he caressed her face. “They’re safe and retired.”
“No jail?”
“Not for them.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m sure proud of you, babygirl. That was a very brave thing you did, testifying against Niko like that. He’s going to go away for a really long time—if he ever gets out at all.”
Kelsey liked the sound of that. For a while, she’d had nightmares about that him and that harrowing night. Nowadays, though, well… the joy of the life she loved kept those bad dreams at bay.
“The Bianchi Crime Family is officially dismantled,” Marco said. “And I couldn’t have done it with you. I’m proud of you.”
“And I’m proud of you,” she said while beaming.
“Me? I’m the one who got us all into this mess in the first place.”
“Yeah. But you didn’t strangle Niko today when you saw him on the stand. Or those mean men who helped him kidnap me. That’s amazing restraint! I’m very proud.”
Marco laughed. “It was hard. Believe me. I wanted to tear him apart for what he did to you. But that would have jeopardized our future together. And I’m done with things that would keep us apart. We’ve had enough of that. Now, it’s time to start our next phase.”
As they kissed, Kelsey heard Trixie and Stephanie climb out of the ball pit. When she opened her eyes and tore her lips away from Daddy, she saw that they were gathered around, along with Breaker and John.
John had a bottle of champagne and he jerked his head toward a nearby end table. “I poured some bubbly for us all.”
Everyone walked to it and grabbed a glass.
Raising his, John said, “A toast. To Marco and Kelsey.”
Everyone joined in and then took a sip.
“And to our newest member of the Daddy Guard!”
The Littles turned to Marco.
Raising a glass, Stephanie said, “Great to have you here, Marco.”
“It is,” John agreed. “But I’m not talking about him. I was referring to Xavier Williams. He’s a former LVPD cop who just left the force and he’s joining up with the Guard. Should be here any?—”
The alert system chimed loudly, letting them know someone was at the door.
“As I was saying,” John said as he headed toward the front door.
While they waited, Kelsey looked back to Daddy and said, “I have a feeling things are about to get really exciting around here.”
Marco chuckled. “You haven’t had enough excitement?”
Giggling, she took his hand and squeezed it. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, babygirl.
“Forever and always.”
The End
Thank you so much for reading.