EPILOGUE
JAKE
Three weeks later
“Never thought I’d be walking into Savannah Sinclair’s house. Christ, look at this place.”
I’ve met the famous actress, who is married to Ryder, a few times, but seeing inside her Hollywood mansion is a whole other experience. It’s enormous, as mansions are, with a giant crystal chandelier and sweeping staircase in the entranceway. I don’t want to guess how many rooms there are.
Way more than mine.
Then again, she doesn’t have a Caylee in her house like I do. It took Caylee just over a week to decide she wanted to move in, and I barely remember my life without her.
I hope I never have to.
She’s been going to see a therapist experienced with sex trafficking victims and making headway. She and Trinity have spoken a few times and seem to be supporting one another.
I’m so proud of her.
And I love her with a ferociousness I never knew was possible.
Mom and Dad were furious the day I took her to meet them. Sure, they were polite after their initial shock because that’s what us Murphys do, but I soon got a text message telling me how they really felt.
What the hell were you thinking? Dad was drunk, and it was incredibly embarrassing!
My reply? Then maybe he should stop drinking.
Do not bring that woman over again. You have brought shame into this house.
I saw red.
Everything is so clear to me now.
Caylee is going to be my wife. Accept it however you need to, but she is my priority.
Things have been tense since, but on a brighter note, I have only had one more call from Mom, and I put it on speaker. Caylee sat beside me reading her book while Mom cried.
We shared a look.
“Call him an Uber. You know where he is now that I set up the Find My iPhone on his device,” I told her calmly. “You don’t need me.”
“How dare you, Jake? Your father needs you.”
“He needs to stop drinking, and you need to stop supporting him.” I tugged the book out of Caylee’s hand, and her eyes lifted to mine.
“That woman has changed you!” Mom exclaimed as if Caylee was a cult leader making me do bad things.
“I know.” I nuzzled my soon-to-be-wife...not that she’d said yes yet. “And I love her for it. Night, Mom.”
I ended the call and tossed the phone across the room.
Then Caylee was giggling as I pulled down her sleep shorts and went to my happy place. Right between her gorgeous thighs.
“You are terrible,” she moaned.
“Moan for me beautiful.” I drew her clit between my teeth and slid my fingers inside her.
When she was wet and ready, I climbed up her sexy body and took her lips as my cock found its way home. Skin on skin. We’d done away with the condoms.
I hoped she got pregnant, honestly.
Then maybe she would accept one of my marriage proposals. Fuck going slow.
I knew what I wanted.
Caylee.
“Savannah’s just one of us,” Caylee says and points towards a doorway that leads out to the party. “Plus, she’s about to be a mother any day. How she is able to throw a party this size I have no idea.”
I stifle my snort. She is not just anything. Savannah has a huge Christmas Romcom out this year and is a global movie star.
Not the same.
At all.
As for the party, she has a team who do things for her. Yet I have to agree, when she’s with Ryder at other events and the crazed media are nowhere to be seen, the two of them are just another loved-up couple.
He adores her.
I see Liam when we step out into the yard where four enormous barbeques are lined up, and a couple of the BHS guys are already flipping steaks for our Christmas party.
“Wow.” Caylee grabs my arm. “Look at this, Jake. It’s incredible.”
There’s a bouncy castle for the kids, a chocolate Santa fountain, which I’m totally checking out, an enormous swimming pool, hot tub, and a dozen loungers lined up in front of the tallest palm trees I’ve ever seen.
In the distance, there’s a pool house.
“Hey. You guys made it. How are you doing, Caylee?” Liam shakes my hand.
The case against Brad is complicated. He was denied bail given the nature of his job working with young women.
Thank god.
His wife was given permission to keep running the company, which meant the Thornton Dental employees weren’t out of a job immediately.
Our lawyer advised the company it would soon go under as people learned about Brad’s case. It was national news, so it was just a matter of time.
The Feds had gone in and spooked a few employees, who chose to leave, and Caylee sat on the decision for a few days before choosing not to return.
I totally supported her decision.
Just quietly, I like her being at home, recovering and baking the god-awful cupcakes she seems to enjoy making.
Note to self: check the sugar isn’t filled with salt.
I’ll still eat them, though.
Thornton’s case is going to take time, and all we can do is hope that the state has enough legally gained information to put him away.
“We will keep following the yellow brick road, so to speak, to see if we can find some of the big players,” Josh had told Agent Reed.
“Appreciate your help, and Murphy, if you decide to come back, give me a call. We need more good agents.”
I shook his hand and waited for Josh to say something when he left. He didn’t.
“You think I’m going to leave,” I said to him.
“No, I don’t,” Josh replied.
Sliding my hands into my pockets, I tilted my head and waited.
“You haven’t decided yet, but you wouldn’t give up this early.” Josh smirked. “And my money is on you staying.”
I laughed as he walked out of the room.
He was probably right.
Being here at the BHS Christmas party felt like a milestone of sorts.
“I’m good. Tired some days, but I’m getting there.” Caylee replies as she gives Liam a hug. Then she spots the girls and waves out excitedly. “I’ll be back. Don’t upset my brother.”
As she dances away, I mumble of course I won’t, and Liam snorts. It’s more of a joke than reality these days.
Mostly.
I spot Aidan and Josh fighting over the score of a lawn game I don’t recognize and tune in.
“You tap it, not fucking bash it.” Josh jabs the stick towards a ball that’s rolling miles away.
“No one said you had to tap it lightly. Always a poor loser. Damn SEAL.” Aidan laughs.
“Language, Josh.” Briar puts her hand over the ears of the baby she’s holding. I can’t tell the difference between their twins.
Cole and Scarlett arrive with Zara. While she bounces the baby on her hip, the men shake hands.
“Put a ring on it yet, Murphy?” Scarlett asks me, and I grin.
“He’s not marrying my sister. Stop saying that.” Cole shoots me one of his very familiar glares.
“That’s up to her.” I smirk, remembering the phone call he made when he learned Caylee had moved in with me. Try as he might, Cole is warming to me.
In any case, I’ve already asked her dad, and he said yes. Getting her to agree is another thing. I’ve asked her three times, and each time Caylee thinks I’m joking.
I’m not.
But to be fair, each time it was in the moment, and I didn’t have a ring. So, I can see why she thought I wasn’t serious.
We have both been through a lot in the past few weeks. I’ve changed jobs and stood up to my parents. She was traumatized, lost her employment and moved in with me.
I’m now navigating a ton of clothes and female toiletries in my house. Oh, and cushions. Jesus there are a lot of cushions.
I love it.
So, as they say, timing means nothing when you know. When you know...you really know.
Caylee is mine.
The party goes well into the night, the sun dips in the sky, and some incredible fireworks are let off to celebrate the Black Hawke Security Christmas party.
All our friends and colleagues are here, and everyone has a smile on their face.
It’s the perfect night.
I glance around, checking out the vibe, and see Liam chatting to a young woman in the distance. She’s flicking her hair, letting me know they are flirting. I don’t recognize her, but, then again, I don’t know everyone at the party. Maybe she’s a friend of Savannah’s.
They wander into the house.
I glance down at Caylee, who sits between my legs on the grass near the firepit as we nibble on some s’mores.
Then over to Cassy, who nods.
She climbs to her feet and heads to the music, turning the volume down. Someone complains as I shuffle back and lift Caylee to her feet.
“What? Jake. What are we—”
“It’s time, beautiful.” I grin, but, fuck, I’m nervous.
She shoves the rest of her smore in her mouth, munching and glancing around while I drop to one knee.
Holy cow.
I’m shaking.
“Caylee.” I pull out a ring, and her head almost spins off her shoulders when she flips back around.
“Motherfucker,” Cole growls.
“Jake,” Caylee gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, my god.”
Clearing my throat, I let out a silent prayer to everyone and everything.
How do men do this every day? It’s terrifying.
“It took me way too long to realize how important you are to me,” I begin, my voice rough.
“Not happening. This is not happening.”
“Zip it,” Scarlett says to Cole, and I hear her slap his arm.
Caylee grins.
“But I’m not stupid enough to lose you a second time. I love you, Caylee Zimbardo. I want to be your husband. To protect you and love you for the rest of your life. Say yes. Say you will be my wife.”
She wobbles, and I reach out to steady her. I know this is a lot given what she’s been through, but I spoke to Cassy and Scarlett, and we all agreed Caylee was recovered enough.
But of course, it’s her choice.
“She loves you, and she’s ready to be married.” Cassy said when we met. “I think the security of being engaged will be a good thing for her.”
“Me too. Can I see the ring?” Scarlett asked.
“No,” I laughed.
Right now, it’s on display for everyone to see. God, I hope she likes it. God, I hope she says yes.
Say yes.
Please say yes.
“Are you sure?” she asks instead, and I start laughing.
Is she kidding me?
“No, babe. I thought this would be a great way to completely embarrass myself while you reject me. Yes, I’m sure!”
Caylee’s eyes dart at the crowd as if seeing the hundreds of people for the first time. Her eyes fill with tears.
That’s when I know.
She’s going to marry me.
“Yes,” Caylee whispers and then launches herself at me while the ring goes flying.
I grab her and, tapping into my training, I let myself fall back, buffering her as she kisses my face off.
“Say it louder,” I mumble against her mouth, grinning so hard I can barely talk.
“Yes!” Caylee arches her head back and screams.
Everyone roars and starts cheering.
Then, I go in search of the ring.
“Here,” Cole grunts, handing it to me. A small smile hits his lips. “Congratulations you, idiot.”
I grin, taking Caylee’s hand and slipping it on. I squeeze her fingers, and our eyes lock.
“Now you are mine,”
“I was always yours.”
––––––––
LIAM
––––––––
I WAIT FOR the kiss and then turn back to Jessie, happy for my buddy.
“Come on, I’ll walk you out,” I say gruffly.
“That’s so romantic,” she purrs, heart emojis in her damn eyes.
“Yup,” I grunt.
I shouldn’t have brought her with me. I got roped into it by Jayden, my best friend and roommate.
He’s also Jessie’s brother.
“Fine, you can stay in my room for a few weeks while I’m in Atlanta at this conference,” Jayden said earlier today when Jessie showed up unannounced in Los Angeles. “That okay, Liam?”
No, it’s not fucking okay.
I only just survived our childhood watching her grow into a fucking beautiful young woman, while ignoring the insane and inappropriate chemistry between us.
Jessie has always been wild and loves breaking rules.
Which she tried to do with me, flirting and tossing naughty, sexy glances my way.
Fuck that. She’s my best friend’s sister.
AKA: a no-go zone.
“I am flying out tonight, so...shit. Can Jess go to your Christmas party with you, man?” Jayden asked.
Double fuck.
“I dunno. It’s being held at Savannah Sinclair’s mansion.”
“Are you kidding me?! I love her,” Jessie gasped. “Liam you have to take me. I’ll behave.”
Which meant she wouldn’t.
It’s been a few years since I saw her, and I thought I was over this attraction, but the way she used that word had my cock twitching in my pants.
Who am I lying to? The moment she walked in the door, it was granite.
I don’t know why she’s in Los Angeles but having her live in my house for two weeks, alone, was not a good idea.
“Thanks buddy. Sorry—she’s still an annoying little sister even at twenty-four.”
Jessie was a sexy little siren and knew it.
She also has her brother wrapped around her little finger. The two of us have always looked after her, so I wasn’t exactly going to throw her out on the street or dump her in a cheap motel.
No fucking way.
All evening, I’ve watched her flirting, knowing very well it was to get my attention. We’ve done this dance for years.
“God, men in uniform, they are so hot,” Jessie says as we step outside and I wave to the guards—our BHS guards—to let the Uber driver in.
I wasn’t taking the bait.
“Here’s the key. Jayden’s bedroom is on the right down the hall.”
Jessie swivels on her heels and flicks her hair over her shoulder. “Is that the room you really want me to sleep in, Liam?”
A low growl grows in my throat.
I step closer, sliding my hand around her neck. “Don’t play with me, Jessie. You know I’m not going there. Ever.”
“We’ll see.” She tiptoes up as fast as lightning and pops a kiss on my lips.
Goddamn her.