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A knot of fear replaces the warm, gooey feelings I’ve been enjoying. “Do you think he’s free?”

“No, I think he’s probably going into some sort of WITSEC program. Whether it’s the kind for prisoners or free citizens depends on what he gave and what they offered. The point is—wherever he is—he’sthe new target. If anyone in the organization wants someone to blame—this headline tells them who to focus on.” Reggie gently uncurls my frantic fingers from the phone and kisses my sore knuckles. “If anyone ever comes looking for you—I’ll end them this time. That’s a promise. Can you live with that?”

“Yep.” It’s that simple. He’ll protect me—all the way. Without his powers, he found me. With thugs or demons standing in the way, he’d find me. Even with what happened, I still feel incredibly safe with him.

“It’s us!” a voice calls from outside.

Reggie smiles. “Ready?”

I give his hand a squeeze and check my reflection in the mirror. White sundress and denim jacket. Sandals. He’s in jeans and a white shirt, and at a moment’s notice, his yarmulke is reverently unfolded and placed on his head.

The last, painful chapter of my life is done. It’s time to start something true. “Ready.”

Epilogue

“This is actually better than a bridal suite—and most hotels stopped calling them bridal suites, anyway.” Reggie carries me through the door of the remote little cabin, the motorized black and yellow sled golden in the glow of the midnight sun that shines all summer at this tip of the world.

“I like this place better. I’m sick of swanky hotels, but this... Oooh, this has the view.” I look out the window as he puts me down. In the distance, there are rocky crags, snow, and a fighting sea, with the huge hot tub in its stone altar in the back. Inside, the bed is on the left, the kitchen and the fireplace beside it. There’s another room in the back, which probably has a bathroom and laundry facilities. At least I hope so. “Klaus said—”

“That this place has everything. Don’t be fooled by the rustic appearance. He even called the local grocer who brings out supplies every other week and told them to leave us plenty of goodies. Want to go explore? I see some outbuildings. I think Klaus said those were for the reindeer.”

I give him a sidelong look. I met Klaus and Eirwen yesterday —at my wedding. She’s about three and a half feet tall with silvery streaks in plum-colored hair, and he’s a tall, bearded silver fox with long flowing white locks. Pine Ridge is full of mystical people. Could Klaus and Eirwen be... Could Santa and one of his elves ever...

Nah.

“I don’t want to explore anything but the view from the hot tub,” I sigh and tiptoe my fingers up his arm, “or the best baby-making positions you can think of.”

Reggie’s eyes go from soft and peaceful to burning with lust—and then filled with worry. “I believe I can be a good husband. I hope I can be a good father. I’ll never leave, and I’ll always try.”

This man. He has a direct switch to my heart and my tear ducts. “That’s the best kind of dad! You’re going to be great—and that won’t be happening for a little while, right?”

“Nine months from this honeymoon, anyway,” he says, the lust returning.

This time, after two days of rest, restraint, and traveling, Reggie doesn’t hold me back when I run to his arms and climb him like a tree.

“MATTEO WAS SCARED SHITLESSof children. For someone who wanted to play with the devil, he was a whiny little boy. I can see that now. I like themanI’m with—the one who is prepared to go the distance.”

“Yep. Even to Greenland,” I joke as she worms her way up my torso, her legs wrapping around my waist.

“You’re who I’m supposed to be with, no matter where in the world we are,” she says seriously, kissing me softly.

I’m in awe of my new wife. She’s so smart. So wise. Maybe I’m wiser now, too? All the wisdom of the ages was carved into my skin, placed in my being—but it didn’t click before like it does now.

“I am who I’m supposed to be now,” I return, touching the spot above my heart, the place that once felt hollow, “and you are who I’m supposed to be with.” I bury my lips in the soft spot on her neck.

“I want to understand all of you. Know all of you. Touch all of you,” she purrs, her fingers working down to my belt.

She’s so perfect. So beautiful. She’s mine. She loves me. That beauty. This beast.

If I start sobbing... “Teri.” I take a steadying breath. “I love you. Too much for words right now.”

“That’s okay. I’ve been dying for the past few days waiting for you toshowme.”

“OHHHH. OH, OH, MY GOD.”

Teri’s mouth wraps around my hard cock, and I shrink the hard length down so the whole thing fits handily in her mouth and I can feel the tight circle of her sucking lips.

“That’s such a neat trick,” she giggles, looking up at me between long, sinful sucks.