Epilogue
Addison
Ten Months Later
“For the last time,” I stress across my desk at the fucking assassins standing in the threshold of Rowan and my shared office.
My hand is pointing in their direction, my massive wedding ring glinting in the afternoon light.
For a brief moment, I consider chucking it at them.
It could do some serious damage. “You can’t expect payroll to be on time when you barely make the mark.
The job was supposed to be wrapped up two weeks ago. ”
My husband lingers by his encyclopedias, pretending to go over a case file as he listens to me yell at men twice my size. He’s being protective and hovering safely nearby in case someone decides to get a wild hair. I hate to break it to him, but at this point, he’s protecting them from me.
Married life has been a fucking dream. I get my own bodyguard, cuddle buddy, and best friend all wrapped up in one.
While things are rocky with my family (I’m still coming around to the Ford-being-my-biological-dad thing), Rowan has been my rock.
He knows my boundaries like the back of his hand and doesn't let anyone step over me. Mom, Logan, and Ford have come to visit a few times, and now know better than to test my husband when it comes to me. Rowan isn’t afraid to put anyone in their place.
Case in point, the assassins in my doorway.
The three chuckle fucks across from me are my usual late clients. They finished a job that was supposed to be wrapped up before the fifteenth of this month, but didn't make the deadline. Now, their payment will be delayed until I get back to the books for payouts.
“Please, Mrs. Kingsley!” Micah, one of the burly assassins, pleads. “We were late because of Noah.”
The pretty-boy assassin’s mouth falls open as he smacks his friend upside the head. “Me!? Are you shitting me? We wouldn't have lost the target if Beau hadn’t been too busy trying to fuck her!”
Beau’s head whips around, his mop of inky black hair falling over his eyes as he shoves his fingers toward his chest. “She was trying to fuck me!”
They begin arguing among themselves, and I sit back as Rowan breaks it up.
“Hey!” My husband shouts. “What she said is final. Get the fuck out of our office, and don't question your superior again.”
God. He’s so hot when he gets like this.
They mope along, hanging their heads as they shuffle out into the hallway. I think I have a chance to jump my husband’s bones before Blair pushes our office door open. She’s decked out in all black as she holds her laptop propped against her hip.
“Hey, are you guys ready to start?” Alana’s protege asks.
I push my chair out. “Yes, I can't look at this for another second.”
Rowan takes my hand in his before he grabs our gift, and we all head to Loxley and Atlas’s house.
The party is already in full swing, and I’m practically vibrating with excitement as I take the steps of their porch.
There are a few people hanging around outside, and Dom nods to us as he sits in a rocking chair.
Theo has his hip propped against the porch’s railing as he gives me a fox-like grin. “There are the godparents! We almost started without you.”
I clutch my pearls, scandalized. “How dare you even think of such a thing. I planned this whole party.”
“You did amazing, Sunshine.” Rowan praises as he takes in the bubbly pink decorations that line the porch’s rail.
The inside is just as festive, with streamers and giant white building blocks that spell out ‘Sophia’—the little bundle of joy who my best friend and her husband will be welcoming home in the next two months.
“Thank you, baby,” I say with pride before pushing up on my toes and asking for a kiss.
Rowan swoops right in, taking the breath from my lungs as our happiness is shared between us.
He’s ecstatic to be an uncle and godfather, and I have to admit, seeing how he treats me is making me consider the kid route more and more with every passing day.
He would make an amazing dad, and I know my own father would be proud of the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with.
I hear a car door slam from the driveway before both Theo and Dom perk up.
Theo looks off-kilter, but the moment passes as he plasters on a wide smile and trudges down the steps.
He opens his arms wide as a tall, curvy blonde walks up the drive.
She’s stunning with long blonde locks that hang in soft curls around her breasts and green eyes so bright they rival a gem.
She’s wearing a tank top that shows off her impressive chest, and some boot-cut jeans that flare around the rugged leather at her feet.
“Princess!” Theo welcomes her with open arms.
“Theodore?” Her thick southern accent has the puzzle pieces clicking together in my head as I tug at Rowan’s arm.
“Bailey?” I whisper to my husband.
“Bailey.” He concurs just as quietly.
Theo scoops her up in a tight hug, lifting her off the ground as he spins her around. She looks shocked as a blush paints over her tan cheeks. Dom joins them, staring at the woman like she's a missing puzzle piece rather than just a friend.
It isn't until there’s a throat cleared from behind them that Theo finally drops her back onto her feet. A tall, thin man is scowling at the duo as he fixes his tie. He’s dressed in a gray suit and looks very uncomfortable with the scene in front of him.
“Um, y’all remember my fiancé,” Bailey says as he wraps an arm around her shoulders and gives the duo a tight, go fuck yourselves smile.
“Can’t say I do,” Dom mumbles with a bite to his tone.
Theo snaps his fingers before pointing at the newcomer. “Larry! That's your name!”
“Liam,” Bailey’s fiancé deadpans.
“Yeah, close enough,” Theo smirks, and I see the challenge brewing in his eyes as he stares down with a predator-like gleam at the man.
The hostility between all three is so thick you could cut it with a fucking knife. Bailey shifts uncomfortably, and I step forward to save her.
I take the gift from her hands with a small smile. “I’m Addison, Loxley’s friend and the godmother.”
“Bailey,” she returns with a silent thank you in her eyes.
I lead her into the house that’s utter chaos.
There are people everywhere, as my friends rush to keep the food and drinks table restocked.
I catch glimpses of Loxley’s parents as they mingle unknowingly with assassins, talking animatedly about how sustainable it is to live on a compound rather than in the suburbs, and I can't help the chuckle that falls from me.
I spot my best friend at the food table, picking at the sandwiches that Alana and I stayed up all night putting together for her. She’s been having serious chicken salad cravings, and while it grossed the intel expert and me out, Loxley has been single-handedly destroying them.
She turns as I amble over to her, and the large baby bump she's sporting nearly knocks into me.
“Watch where you swing that thing,” I giggle as I pick up a cookie from a tray and place Bailey’s gift with the others.
Lox rests a hand over her stomach, smoothing her pretty pink maternity dress out as she pegs me with a stare. “I’m never having this man’s freakishly large babies ever again.”
“Mhmm,” I hum as I take a bite of my treat. “I think he's already plotting to get you pregnant again once little miss arrives.”
Atlas is having the time of his fucking life.
I’ve never seen a man so excited to be a dad.
He’s gone above and beyond for his family, and he’s Loxley’s number one supporter.
If she's too tired to go into the bakery, he goes in on her behalf.
If she's had a long day, he’s rubbing her feet and babying her with soft touches that make her eyes go hazy.
Have you ever seen a man freak out over what bottles to use to prevent colic? Atlas does.
On top of buying everything one could possibly need for a baby, he’s been doting and attentive to my best friend.
Her pregnancy hasn't been easy, from the long spells of morning sickness that seemed to last all day, to the mood swings and body changes, he’s been an unshakable force that held her hand every step of the way.
Which is why I know she would have another baby in a heartbeat. They want three, and I can't wait to share the love this found family has brought me.
Atlas comes up behind her, then places his hands under her belly and lifts. Loxley’s head rolls back onto his chest as her eyes close in bliss.
“I thought you could use a break, Short Stack.” He smiles down at her.
“I could kiss you right now,” Loxley mumbles.
Her husband growls low in his throat before stealing a passionate, fiery kiss that I feel like I'm intruding on.
Rowan is at my back, trailing a hand over my waist as his phone rings. He sighs before giving me a peck on the cheek. “I’ve got to answer this. Save me some cake?”
I smirk up at him before winking. “I’ll let you lick frosting off of them later.”
His eyes light up. “Save lots of cake. Be right back, Sunshine. Don't go too far.”
“I won’t,” I say ditzily like a love-drunk fool.
Because I am. Obsession is a wild thing, and I'm fully enthralled by the man who has stolen my heart.
As he stalks towards the front door to answer his incoming call, my eyes are drawn to the bedazzled ass of his jeans that he insists on wearing.
We went shopping last weekend, and he bought a few new pairs before grabbing more tacky, large sequins for me to vandalize those, too.
He’s whipped.
And, quite frankly, so am I.
Alana and Connor wander over, and I notice that the intel expert is peering over the crowd as she looks for someone.
“Has anyone seen Thalia?” She asks as she joins us.
“She was supposed to be wrapping up her hit. She said she would be here.” Atlas frowns.
Alana rubs a hand over her arm, and I see that she's unsettled by the fact that her friend is missing. “It isn't like her not to text me back. I’m starting to get worried.”
I glance around, trying to find that familiar head of black hair, but come up short.
“Let me see if I can find her.” I maneuver through people, excusing myself as I check every inch of my friend’s home.
I end up back out on the porch and tilt my head when I spot Rowan's figure. He’s standing near the steps as he holds his phone to his ear.
Tension lines his shoulders before his hand falls to his side, and an unsettling silence fills the space.
“Rowan?” My voice sounds tremulous between us—like I already know something is wrong deep in my gut.
He turns to me, cementing my suspicion when I see the agony in his eyes. “Thalia was just shot.”