Epilogue
Seven weeks later
Josette
“You are such a bitch.” Emmeline offered an exaggerated frown as she glanced around the brand-new coffee shop.
Tilly jumped in front of me. “Hey, only I get to call her that.”
“Neither of you do. Unless it’s over a glass of wine.” Which would definitely come later. The last few weeks had been grueling in trying to get the new space designed, approved, and put into motion.
Then there’d been trying to handle the contractors.
Okay, yes, they were doing Sinclair a favor by dropping everything to complete the project.
That didn’t mean they hadn’t gotten on my nerves.
Dealing with them had told me one thing: that I was no general contractor. I was a much better pastry chef.
“All kidding aside,” Emmeline said. “I hate you because this place is fabulous.”
“Coming from you, I’m honored.” I noticed the love of my life standing in the corner with his brothers.
As usual, his eyes never left me.
Even now, I could tell he was undressing me. I allowed a few images from the night before to slide into my mind even in the middle of the day.
“More customers,” Tilly said. “Back to work.” She crowded my space, following my gaze. “You really love him.”
“I really do.”
“Well, I don’t think Jaxon is too bad. I wonder if he has a girlfriend.”
Laughing, I managed to tear myself away from Sinclair’s heated gaze. “Be careful, girlfriend. The Prince boys do bite.”
“Ooh-la-la.”
She moved toward the counter where a larger crowd had formed. Opening day had been a tremendous success.
All thanks to the handsome man standing and waiting. Who said he couldn’t be a patient boy?
I moved closer, taking my time so I could overhear their conversation. As usual, it was all about business. Even with Catherine, Alexander’s wife standing with them.
“I will admit, seeing Santos’ face when the prison was suddenly a fireworks display was fabulous,” Sinclair said even as his nostrils flared while studying my approach.
While it had felt damn good to give Zane a little of what he’d given me all those years ago, I was ready to move on.
He’d been indicted on various corruption charges along with several charges against women he’d abused.
I would say he’d spend years in prison except he’d already been attacked three times in the city jail.
And I didn’t feel in the least bit bad for him.
As far as my stepfather and others, they’d confessed to a lesser crime, which meant they would likely receive some time in a minimum-security prison. I didn’t care. At least the Brotherhood had been exposed.
“Did you hear about Santos?” Montgomery asked.
“What about the pig?” Alexander hissed.
“He tried to hang himself.”
Sinclair laughed. “Poor guy. That’s what happens when your entire wealth is destroyed.”
“No more business,” I interjected. “This is a celebration.”
“Ah, the lady has spoken,” Alexander teased.
Catherine winked at me. “Women do rule.”
Everyone laughed and Sinclair waited until they’d walked away. Suddenly, his arms were around me, sweeping me into the shadows.
“You look radiant,” he said, dipping his head and capturing my lips.
As always when he demanded my attention, everything else around me stopped, all noise driven into a vacuum. He had a way of keeping butterflies in my stomach, my head fuzzy and all the kinky desires I’d felt from the beginning resurfacing.
He swept his tongue inside, taking the time to devour my mouth.
Tonight, he’d finished ravishing my body. We couldn’t seem to get enough of each other.
On the bed.
On the couch.
The kitchen. Only I’d refused to allow him to try to cook anything else. I’d learned he was good at so many things, but cooking wasn’t one of them.
When he finally pulled free, I was breathless. “What was that for?”
His laugh was dark and laced with promises. “Just because I’m proud of you. Do you approve?”
Just then, Indiana made his presence known, jumping on both of us. I could laugh easily, no longer pressured by pretending to be anything but what I was.
A girl in love.
“It’s perfect. Everything is perfect.”
“I’m glad you think so. Just remember our deal.” He tweaked my chin.
“Our deal, huh? I might have a few additional codicils to that deal.”
It was his turn to laugh just as something caught my attention. A woman standing outside the shop peering in.
“I had feeling you’d say that.” He followed my line of sight, immediately stiffening. “Do you want me to ask her to leave?”
“No. I need to handle this. I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” As I walked away, our hands continued touching until the last second.
As I walked to the door, I wasn’t certain what I’d say. Several scenarios had run through my mind in the last few weeks about what I would say if I ever saw my mother again.
Suddenly, I couldn’t find the words.
She was nervous as I approached, even taking a step away. Her eyes searched mine, uncertain how I’d react.
“Mother.”
“Daniella.”
“I’m Josette now. Josette Samuels. Soon to be Josette Prince.” I held up my left hand, allowing her to see the ring on my finger.
My sexy man had even dropped to one knee, formally asking me to marry him. I’d purposely waited for a full hour before giving him the answer.
The spanking had been delicious.
“Oh. That’s wonderful for you.” Everything around her had turned awkward. We didn’t know each other any longer. “I don’t know why I came.”
“Why did you?” My anger was trying to breach the surface.
“Maybe to say I’m sorry. The things I did and what I said to you I’ll never forgive myself for. I know it won’t matter, but I’m divorcing… Walter.”
“No, it doesn’t matter, but I think that’s good for you.”
An awkward silence settled in. I could feel the heat of Sinclair’s gaze peering at me through the window. His protectiveness was only rivaled by his possessive nature.
And I adored it.
But this was something I needed to handle.
“Well, congratulations on your success. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am for everything.”
As she started to turn away, I had a sense of guilt. And pangs of needing my family. What little of it there was.
“Mama. Wait.”
She turned slowly, her eyes reflecting the same pain I’d seen in her all those years ago. The agony from losing my father and the man she’d loved with all her heart.
“Why don’t you come in? You can meet Sinclair and Indiana Jones, my little fluffy boy.”
Her look of relief offered another pang of guilt.
“I’d like that.” As she walked inside, I stopped long enough to be thankful for all I had.
Every experience.
Every moment I’d shared with Sinclair.
There was music coming from several locations in the French Quarter, the sights and sounds festive.
I’d never expected to fall in love or own an incredible business. I’d also never expected to find peace. In the world and with myself.
But I had.
All because of a man who’d awakened my soul, allowing me to feel again.
The very man who’d taken my body.
And who’d stolen my heart.
The End