Page 109

DECLAN

“ B ye, Uncle Finn! Bye, Conan!” Isabella beams, waving like she’s the star of her own show.

“Hey! You forgot something!” Conan shouts after her.

She pauses, lips puckering into a pout. Then her eyes go wide with mischief.

“Oh. Uncle Cool Conan.”

“There you go.”

He sticks out his tongue as Finn shoots him a glare. Charlotte grabs my face and plants a kiss right on my mouth, messy, unapologetic, hers.

“I’ll put her to bed and meet you in the library. One hour?” she whispers, breath tickling my skin.

“Good girl. I need to read what you’ve been writing.”

Her cheeks flush, the color rising up her neck. I let my hand rest on her ass, firm and familiar over the cling of that black and purple sundress. Fuck , I need her beneath me again. Bent over. Breathless.

“You do, sir.”

One last kiss, slow and deliberate, and she’s gone, walking Isabella back to our home, leaving me high on the scent of her and already counting down the minutes.

“Whiskey?” Finn calls, already cracking the bottle, three glasses in his grip like a man on a mission.

He pours heavily. We clink. We drink.

“So, no more Decadence Games for our big bro, huh?” Finn smirks, refilling without waiting.

I shake my head. I have a new life to build with my girls. If we need a third game, we have other men that would step up.

“Nope. You two are upholding the reputation now.”

They both nod like eager devils.

“Don’t worry.” Conan grins. “Our games are more than enough.”

He’s already diving back into the twisted setup of his own game, The Decadence Chase. Feral. Brutal. So very him .

“Maybe Drago could take them over?” Conan suggests, eyebrow raised as he lights a cigarette.

“We’ll see. Let’s just help him settle back in before we throw him into that fire. Reggie and Rowan want to host too, don’t forget.”

Finn’s mouth curls into a sharp grin, jaw tight with anticipation.

“Or we just do four a year. We’ve got the time.”

I should be thinking logistics. Instead, all I can focus on is the black diamond burning a hole in my pocket.

“Speaking of games…” I start, pulling their attention back. “I need your help.”

They exchange a glance, silent and solid.

“You know we’d never say no. Spill it,” Finn says.

I pull the box from my pocket and pop it open. Their eyes go wide.

“Damn,” Finn mutters, scratching at his stubble. “You don’t waste time, do you?”

“Too soon?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

I open the box wider, watching the way the light catches.

“Actually? I don’t give a shit. I’m marrying this woman.”

Conan slaps a heavy hand to my shoulder.

“I told you. I said you’d marry her. Maybe I’m a fucking witch. Or what’s the word—clairvoyant?”

I laugh. I can’t help it.

“Yes, Con. You’re the family witch. Now cast a damn spell to make sure she says ‘yes’.”

Finn doubles over, wheezing with laughter.

“Don’t encourage him, Dec. Next thing, he’ll be dancing naked under the moon, summoning soulmates with crystals.”

“Wait, does that work?” Conan deadpans. He wiggles his fingers in the air and closes his eyes.

“I’m calling in the woman of my dreams to the gates of my games.”

I smack his shoulder. “No. Wrong spell. Focus.”

Finn leans on the kitchen island, serious now.

“What do you need us for?”

“I need to bring back the Decadence Games. One last time.” I grin, all teeth and tension.

“Fuck yes .” Conan snaps back to reality like he’s been electrified.

“I need to get back to Charlotte. But I’ll give you the details now so you can start. I want this happening as soon as possible.”

I tuck the ring box back into my pocket. Safe. Waiting. That ring is going on her finger by the end of the week.

I want to spend every damn day loving her. Tearing down the scars of her past. Replacing those ghosts with something beautiful. Starting with marriage.

After that, she can drag me through hell or heaven, I don’t care.

As long as she’s beside me, I’ll follow.

And I’ll never let go.