Page 76

“Say what you want, but your girlfriend is the only reason either of us got them back,” Alex counters. “I didn’t see you making a move before she did.”

Sighing, I interrupt. “We can argue all day about who did what and who owns the balls in this room, but it doesn’t matter. Both of you did what you needed to do when it really mattered, so can we move forward please?”

“She doesn’t take compliments well,” Dray teases. “I told her she was the hero in this story, and all she did was tell me how great I am. You’re right, Alex. I was fucking frozen and this woman saved me. Saved all of us.”

Morella steps forward and takes my hands, shocking me to the point I almost tug them back, but the gardener has a tight grip. “Thank you, Sullivan.”

It’s hard not to remember the things she said about me, the way she looked at me. But it’s over. I can’t say that I’d have acted any differently if Draven had been promised to someone else, so I let it go. I was the intruder after all. “Where will you go now?” I ask. “Should we make up the guest room?”

Alex shakes his head as he fixes his shirt. “No, we won’t impose. I tracked you down so you’d know you’re safe since neither of your cell phones were on. But we’ll find our own place somewhere at the edge of the world.”

“We have new phones,” Dray says, his gaze flicking to mine to ensure I’m okay with what he’s offering. “Maybe I’ll give you a call one of these days?”

I hide a smile as Alex looks to Morella for the same confirmation. Finally, the balance of power is as it should be — two powerful men brought to heel by the women they love. If only the whole world worked the same.

“Yeah. Here.” Alex hands over his phone to get our new numbers, then pulls Morella back to his side. “We got married, by the way. It was our first stop after we left.”

Draven hands it back when he’s done, a playful smirk on his face as he regards them. “About damn time. Congratulations. We haven’t yet. My poor little keeper doesn’t even want to hear the word wedding yet, but I’ll get her soon. I know she’s the one for me. We do have some good news though.” He walks over to stand behind me, both of his hands falling to rub my belly lovingly. “It’s a girl.”

Grinning wildly, Alex’s eyes drop to my stomach. “Even better. I bet she’s going to be amazing.”

Of course she will. And while Draven is correct — I’ve gagged every time he’s brought up the possibility of another wedding — I’ll get there. On our terms, in our own way, when we decide.

We pushed the chess pieces off the board and carved out our own little slice of heaven. We’re not in a hurry anymore.

DECEMBER



















Twenty-Nine

Stretching, I reachover to find Draven, but my palm falls against soft silk. The house is quiet, the room is dark — the sun isn’t up yet. Why, then, has my bastard beloved left his very pregnant woman in bed all alone?

A groan escapes me as I push myself up, feeling the plug shift in my ass. He woke me up two hours ago to slip it in, then sent me right back to sleep. “Dray?” I call, glancing toward the open bedroom door. All I see is the faint glow of Christmas lights coming from the living room.

That’s right. It’s Christmas morning.

No wonder he isn’t in bed anymore.