Page 181 of Brutal Vows

I say loudly, “That’s even more creepy! And if I join your stupid organization, you’ll have to change the name to fourteen. You know that, right? Every time you recruit a new member, you’ll have to print up new business cards!”

I’m not sure, but I could swear I hear the sound of faint laughter echoing from somewhere far off in the distance.

EPILOGUE

Late that night, I’m lying in bed next to Quinn and staring suspiciously at the ceiling of the hotel suite with a growing sense of unease that a crazy person named Killian Black might have planted a camera in the smoke detector, when Quinn rouses and slides one of his heavy legs over mine.

His voice drowsy, he says, “Strange thing happened tonight.”

“What’s that?”

“Four of our bodyguards claim they woke up in a back hallway of the museum with no idea how they got there.”

I knew they were alive when I left them, because I checked all their pulses. But I haven’t quite decided what to tell Quinn about this character Killian Black yet, so I go with a vague “Hmm. That is strange.”

We lie in comfortable silence for a while, until he says, “What are you thinking, viper?”

“I’m thinking…” I turn my head and look at him. His head rests on the pillow beside mine. His hazel eyes are soft, warm, andfull of adoration. I smile at him and touch his wonderful springy beard. “That I’m very happy.”

“Aye?” He pulls me closer and nuzzles my neck. “Tell me more.”

I have to laugh at that. I see many, many years of heaping praise on my Irishman in the future. “I’m happy that we’re here together. I’m happy I’ve made three amazing new friends. I’m happy that my mother hasn’t sexually assaulted the handsome young butler you arranged to wait on her.”

Quinn says, “Yet.”

“Yes, yet. God, it’s disturbing to see her flirt. It’s like watching a horror movie in slow motion.” I slide my hand up his neck into his hair and whisper, “I’m also happy to see you so happy. I was a little worried seeing Riley would be traumatic for you.”

He sighs. “Seeing Malek is traumatic for me. I hate that fucker. I’ve never wanted to strangle anyone more. But I’m glad Riley’s happy. She seems good, don’t you think?”

I nod, snuggling closer.

After a moment, he asks tentatively, “Are you jealous?”

“I would be if I thought you still had feelings for her. But it’s obvious you don’t. Hey, by the way, I’ve been thinking about something.”

“Jesus.”

“Oh, don’t be scared. It just occurred to me the other day that I’ve never asked you what this tattoo says.”

I trace my fingers over the ink that runs across his chest just under his collarbone.

He exhales and pulls me closer. “It’s Gaelic for ‘embrace the chaos.’ Someone told me that years ago, when I was in a very dark place, and it helped.”

“One of your therapists?”

“No. Declan.”

I think about that for a while as I trace my fingers over the scrolls and loops inked on his skin. It seems as good a slogan as any to survive this turbulent life of ours.

Pressing a kiss to my temple, Quinn murmurs, “I’ve been thinking about something, too.”

The tone of his voice makes me nervous. “Do I need to have a drink before I hear it?”

“It’s about the tattoo on your ring finger.”

“What about it?”

He pauses. “I was wondering… if it’s still how you feel about marriage.”