Page 112

Song- Emergence, Sleeptoken

W ith the wedding party in full swing out in the woodlands of Decadence, I sit back on the couch with Finn, watching Charlotte twirl around in her shimmering black dress with Isabella twirling around in her arms.

Both with beaming smiles, dancing the night away without a care in the world.

They don’t see the armed guards surrounding the grounds.

They don’t sense any fear. Because there is none, not anymore.

Charlotte catches a glimpse of me watching and waves, prompting Isabella to spin around and launch herself at me.

“Looks like someone wants their daddy,” Finn says with a grin.

“They both do.”

He spits out his drink.

“Declan, really?”

I wiggle my eyebrows and catch my daughter on my lap.

“Daddy! Daddy! Come dance with us.”

“What if Daddy isn’t good at dancing?”

She pouts, and she’s won me over. I was never denying her anything anyway.

“Mommy will teach you, she’s really good.”

“Oh, is she now?” I ask, standing up, and she grabs my hand, dragging me across the grass to my beautiful wife.

“Someone told me that you could teach this useless man how to dance,” I whisper, grabbing Charlotte’s hips and tugging her close.

“I could, if he asks nicely.”

“Is that right?” I growl.

“Maybe I’ll withhold your treat tonight if that’s the case.”

She shakes her head, and I kiss her.

“Call me your wife again.”

My hands frame her face, and in that moment, the rest of the world fades away. The music, the chatter of my men, everything. It’s just her.

“My beautiful, courageous, powerful, sexy wife.”

She grips my throat and drags me in for a ferocious kiss.

“I love you, Declan,” she mutters against my lips with a smile.

We may have had a small ceremony with the handful of people who we love with all of our hearts.

But it means everything.

We started our life as we mean to go on, in our own safe haven.

“I love you, heartbreaker. Just like I said in my vows, now and forever.”

We fall into a steady rhythm with the music, my hands on her hips as she leads the way.

I glance over and find Drago twirling around the makeshift dance floor as best he can with Isabella safely in his arms.

It’s been three months, and he’s recovering well and already proving to be an asset to my organization.

“More spinning!” she yells.

“In a minute, let me get rid of the stars in my eyes,” Drago puffs out.

“She’s going to be feisty, just like her mommy,” I tell Charlotte, who rests her head on my chest.

“I hope so. In this world, she needs some spirit.”

I hold her closer and rest my chin on her.

“Especially with all of the siblings that she’s going to be bossing around.”

Charlotte pulls back, her eyes wide and sparking.

“Maybe we can try properly after our honeymoon.” She smiles.

“And you think the last four months wasn’t me trying properly?” I smirk.

She shakes her head and presses her finger to my lips.

“No. Because you would have got it right the first month if you really tried. I know you, Mr. Quinn.”

She’s right.

I can’t help but chuckle.

“You got me. I’m letting you decide when you’re ready. It’s your body, your health. Your decision. I’m happy with exactly what we have here, I don’t need more.”

She runs her hands down my chest and presses her lips against mine.

“Oh, Declan. You think I don’t want to see Daddy Declan in full force with a newborn? That is going to turn me on so much that I’ll probably keep popping them out. I can’t wait to do it again with you this time. Isabella will love it, too. But you’re right, I need some time to just figure myself out first.”

“You got it, baby. And if it’s any help, I think you’re perfect just the way you are.”

“And so are you,” she whispers back.

Finn shouting behind me catches my attention.

“Conan! Can you hear me?”

I frown, turning to take a look.

Without asking, Charlotte has her hand laced in mine and is stomping over to Finn, who’s shouting at his cell.

“Where are you?!” Finn hisses.

“Er. Let me get the sat-nav up. It fucking hurts,” Conan whines down the speaker.

“What the hell has happened? He was here fifteen minutes ago?” I ask, rubbing my temple.

“Yeah, well, asshole decided he needed to go pick up his girlfriend.”

“She is not my girlfriend. Just a friend that is a girl. Who I may stick my dick in later if she lets me,” Conan shouts back.

I roll my eyes.

“And?”

“And in doing so, on his way there, had his car smashed into on the highway and somehow ended up with a shard of glass sticking out of his thigh.”

“Oh shit.”

Conan’s face appears on the screen as the video call connects.

“Did you see who hit you?” I ask. Always assuming the worst.

“Nah, just some assholes who don’t know how to brake. They drove off, but my car is fucked. And look!”

He flips the camera, and I wince, looking at his injury.

“Look, I’ve texted Hallie from my work phone, she’s on her way to pick you up and take you to my ward. She will fix you up and bring you home,” Finn tells Conan sternly.

“Oh, Hallie. Hot name. Is she?” he asks.

“Is she what?” Finn asks through gritted teeth.

“Hot?”

Finn swears under his breath. I look at Charlotte, who is fascinated watching us all interact.

“Carry on, I'll tell her to make it as painful as possible. Be nice to her, she’s doing me a favor. I’m too drunk to drive right now.”

“Fine,” Conan huffs.

“It really fucking hurts though, Finn. Am I going to lose my leg?”

“If you shut your mouth, you won't,” Finn snaps back. I lose it, breaking out into a fit of laughter.

“You all good, Con. It is my wedding after all, I’ve got to get back to my wife. But text me when you’re patched up. Which car was it?”

I have to ask. Those cars are his damn children.

“The Ferrari.”

There's a sadness in his voice.

“Look, now you have room for the Bugatti. Silver linings, brother,” I tell him.

“True. I’ll fix this one up anyway.”

Finn continues to listen to Conan and I lead Charlotte back over to Drago and Isabella.

“It’s time for bed, don’t you think?” I crouch down to Isabella, and she pouts, shaking her head and throwing her arms across her chest.

“Come on, sweetie,” Charlotte coos and picks her up into her arms.

She yawns and snuggles into Charlotte’s chest.

“You need some rest too.” She glares at Drago.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll have a drink with Finn first. I feel good today.” He stretches out his arms.

“A beautiful day for a beautiful couple. Congratulations.” He rubs Isabella’s cheek and says his good nights before heading over to the bar.

“I have another present for you when we get home,” Charlotte tells me, bumping into me.

“Oh, yeah?”

She presses her finger to her lips.

“A secret. Just wait.”