Page 14 of Forbidden Confessions, Volume 2 (The Forbidden Volumes #1)

Epilogue

Bartonville, Texas

New Year’s Eve

“ Y ou ready, honey?” Rand cups my arm and drops a soft kiss onto my shoulder.

I can’t believe it’s been almost six months since we met. To say we’ve been inseparable is an understatement.

After the police descended on the cottage in Granbury that horrible night, they thankfully agreed that Rand shot Dorinda in my defense, ending one nightmare.

But the press became another, printing every detail of our Fourth of July they could dig up—our escape from the parade, a photo of me wearing Rand’s shirt as we crossed the street hand in hand, him kissing me in the buggy.

Instantly, rumors of our romance began to buzz.

Poor Rand couldn’t get a moment’s peace after that.

I turn to him solemnly. “More than ready. What about you? Are you sure? I’ve made your life hell since we met.”

“No, the press has made my life hell. You’ve been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

His words melt my heart. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m thrilled we’ve made it work, despite the challenges.”

“Me, too.” He kisses me softly.

God, I love this man. We’ve learned to communicate and compromise. Rand has had to swallow his pride more than once. But he’s been supportive and understanding, no matter what.

The first month of his employment in Bartonville was hell with the press and my fans stalking him in and around the police headquarters.

He had to sell the place he’d bought before he ever moved in.

I know that annoyed him, just like I know it chafed to take refuge in a house behind a gate and a guard.

The five million for its purchase came mostly from my bank account.

Rand wanted to object…but we both agreed that safety had to come before pride.

Our early days in the house was rough. Going from an eight-hundred-square-foot apartment to an eight-thousand-square-foot house took a lot of adjusting for Rand.

He questioned what the hell we were going to do with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms…

until we christened them all. We also found out that we still had a lot to learn about each other.

He didn’t count on me being a neat freak.

I didn’t know he likes to play video games when he suffers from insomnia.

But we’ve adjusted to one another’s quirks.

He showed me the joys of skinny-dipping at midnight.

I tried to teach him to cook, which we both decided is a lost cause.

But it’s fine since I love being in the kitchen.

And he loves eating…then having me for dessert.

For me, it’s been unusual to be in one place for weeks on end.

Not bad, just different—especially after the new album dropped.

I did far fewer public appearances to promote it, and those I did, I found myself flanked by Rand or Rob, sometimes both.

The success of the album exceeded my wildest expectations, and the pressure to extend the tour and do the late-night circuit was enormous.

But I finally sat David down and told him this album would be my last for a while, maybe even forever.

Since then, I’ve started producing work from my new home studio.

It’s creative and fulfilling without the pressure of performing.

I don’t know what I’ll do with it, if anything.

But I’m enjoying it. And I’m so blessed.

Not only that, but Rand’s family embraced me completely from the moment we announced our engagement.

His mother, Charlene, took me under her wing like the daughter she never had, calling me weekly to check in and share family recipes I love trying to master.

Even his brothers, despite their rough edges, have made it clear I’m family now.

All the Garrisons have rallied around us, and for the first time in years, I feel like I truly belong somewhere. Like I have a family.

“So…” I look up at Rand, trying to tamp down my nerves. “We’re really doing this?”

“We really are,” he assures. “Unless you’re having second thoughts?”

“Never.”

The doorbell rings, and he glances at his watch. “Right on time. I’ll get the door.”

“I’ll meet you in the dining room in a few. I love you.”

“I love you, too. I can’t wait.” He kisses me one more time, then leaves our bedroom, looking incredibly swoon-worthy in his black suit. I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I turn and shimmy into my dress.

As I’m struggling with the fastening at the back, David walks in. “Wow. You look incredible. Do you need help with that?”

“Please.”

With a smile, he walks behind me. “You’re lucky I’m good with a corset.”

This tidbit somehow escaped me until now. “Because?”

His low laugh is familiar and warm as he threads and tugs on the silk ribbons at my back. “Let’s just say I led a colorful life before Allen. By the way, have you heard what happened with Graham last night?”

I’ve been far too busy, and I don’t really care. Though…every once in a while I bring up his name if I want to rile Rand. Prodding him is always deliciously satisfying. “No.”

“You know he’s been publicly dating Simone.”

“That British newcomer who’s, like, nineteen?” I scoff. “Yeah, I know, and he’s not interested her.”

“Oh, he’s not. That became obvious to everyone last night when they caught him backstage, fucking Simone’s mother, if you can believe it. The tabloids are having a field day.”

So my once fake relationship with Graham is definitely in the public’s rearview mirror.

“Perfect timing. I doubt I’ll have to read the BS that I broke his heart again.” I laugh.

“Assuredly not.” David tightens the strings one last time and ties them off. “There. Now turn.”

I comply. “Good?”

“Perfect.” His smile is almost fatherly. “Thank you for asking me to be with you tonight. It’s an honor.”

“We’re in business together, but your support the last few months has shown me that we’re family, too. Thank you for being here.”

He brings me in for a hug, then eases away. “I promised Allen I wouldn’t cry tonight. And you better not, either. You’ll ruin your makeup, and you look too stunning for tears, darling.”

“Can’t have that...”

“Now, come on. You have a New Year’s party to hostess.” He winks.

I wink back. “I do.”

He leads me into the hall, where my best friend, Kristi, is already waiting, in a gorgeous red dress that shows off her killer curves and a giant smile. “You look amazing. I’m so happy for you, girl.”

“I’m happy for me, too. Maybe for the first time in my life.”

She sighs wistfully. “I wish I could be half as lucky.”

“You will be.” I squeeze her hands. “Let’s put it out into the universe. I know there’s a man out there who will love you unconditionally forever. We just have to find him.”

“From your lips to God’s ears,” she quips. “But today is about you. Ready to make your grand entrance?”

“Beyond.”

She turns to a niche in the hallway and hands me a cluster of roses. “You’ll need this.”

We share a last smile, and the music starts.

Kristi walks down the hall and into the dining room in time with the music, catching the eye of more than one single guy in the room.

I can’t help but notice that Ridge especially keeps stealing glances, and I catch her blushing when his stare follows her to the front of the room until she turns to face the crowd.

Maybe my wish for her to find love won’t take as long as I thought.

Then the music changes, David squeezes my hand, and it’s time.

Suddenly, the small crowd stands and I walk past a lot of familiar faces—Rob, my mother and her husband, two of Rand’s brothers, and their mother—all wearing beaming smiles.

At the end of the room, my gorgeous hunk of a bodyguard-turned-boyfriend waits for me with his heart in his eyes. His older brother, Ransom, stands beside him, looking handsome and a bit mysterious.

“So I take it this isn’t actually a New Year’s Eve party?” Rand’s brother, Rush, calls out, clearly catching on.

“No, it’s a wedding. Surprise!” I call over my shoulder. “Keeping this secret from y’all was nearly impossible. I had to swear your mother to secrecy, and Ransom almost figured it out when Rand asked him to come in a tux tonight.”

Then Rush steals a clandestine glance at his phone. He’s been checking it constantly since he flew in yesterday. Something about his work is shifting, and I have a feeling his carefully controlled world is about to get complicated.

Everyone chuckles as the minister smiles and asks, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

“I do.” David pats my hand softly before placing my palm in Rand’s and dropping a tender kiss on my cheek.

Before we speak our vows, we light unity candles. Beside the tapers on the small table sits a framed photo of Rand’s father. Rand’s jaw tightens slightly as he touches the frame. I know he misses his dad terribly.

I squeeze Rand’s hand and whisper, “He’d be proud.”

My groom nods, his eyes bright, then he guides me back to our makeshift altar and faces forward as the minister asks everyone to take a moment to remember those who can’t be with us today.

Behind me, Charlene sniffles. After thirty years and four boys, she worshipped that man. She misses him every day.

Ten minutes later, our previously stunned guests are still grinning or conspicuously sniffling as the minister pronounces us man and wife.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Rand does with gusto to a roomful of whistles and catcalls when the pucker goes on longer than is strictly polite.

“Get a room!” Rand’s youngest brother, Ridge, shouts.

My husband—wow, it seems crazy to say that—takes my hand and starts dragging me down the makeshift aisle. “Best advice I’ve gotten all day. Good night, y’all. Thanks for coming!”

I dig in my heels as everyone laughs.

Ransom approaches first and welcomes me to the family with a kiss on the cheek.

His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. All of Rand’s brothers have an edge, as if they’re expecting bullets and mayhem at any moment.

Then again, that’s the norm in their world.

Rush tries not to let it show, but he has a soft side and a good heart…

buried under a lot of alpha male. Ridge is a jokester, but I get the sense that’s meant to hide his very dangerous demeanor, especially given the whispers that he’s neck-deep in the Vegas mafia.

But Ransom’s sharp edges cut deeper than the others.

There’s something almost untouchable about him, like he’s gone too long without letting anyone close.

Despite how good he is with his teenage son, he seems more stone-cold killer than family man.

Rand pulls me in for another kiss as his mother opens her arms for a hug. Charlene is a lovely, kind woman, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mother-in-law.

“You look beautiful, Sophie.” Her eyes water. “You and Rand will be very happy.”

“We will.” I know it in my heart.

“We promise,” my husband adds, tossing a possessive arm around my waist.

“And since you’re the first one of your brothers to get off his backside and get married”—Charlene sends Ransom a pointed glare, which he pretends not to notice—“when can I expect some grandkids from you? Ethan needs cousins.”

Rand sighs. “Mom, we’ve literally been married three minutes. Let us go on our honeymoon and settle into some sort of normal life. Then we’ll start talking?—”

“July,” I cut in softly, casting a hopeful stare to my husband.

He swallows. “Y-you want to get pregnant in July?”

I bite my lip and shake my head. “We’re going to have a baby. In July. Surprise…”

Rand pales. “Oh, holy shit. You’re serious? We are? You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.” I blink, and my stomach plummets to my toes. “Please tell me you’re happy.”

“Happy? No.” Then the biggest smile I’ve ever seen crosses Rand’s face. “I’m thrilled! Oh, honey…”

He lays his lips over mine, and the small, trusted crowd of guests claps for the beginning of our long, happy life together.

Want another Forbidden Confession ? See the next Garrison brother protect and claim his lethal boss’s off-limits daughter…