Page 233 of King of Pain

He slides it on, the band fitting perfectly, and I stare at it, turning my hand in the dim light.

“Shit,” I say, smiling through my tears. “I have to get one for you.”

Chance grins wider. “I think you need to fluff your pillow.”

My brows shoot up as I yank my pillow back and there’s another velvet box waiting underneath.

Laughing, I snatch it up and crack it open. Another silver band, matching mine. No inscription.

I narrow my eyes at him. “It’s blank.”

“Figured you’d want to pick something yourself for mine.”

“It’s like you know me.” I deadpan, and he laughs, ducking his head shyly.

I grab his hand, holding it steady as I slide the ring onto his finger, and before I let go, I say, “It’s going to be the greatest gift of my life—being your husband. Raising our kids together.”

Chance beams at me, one of those smiles that feels like sunshine after a storm, and says, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I breathe.

I draw him in for a kiss, slow and lingering, and when it breaks, I pull him down with me, tangling us up under the covers, spooning close, keeping him pressed against me.

I lie there, holding him, feeling the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his breathing. Thinking about everything it took to get here—the storms we survived, the demons we slayed.

The road wasn’t easy. It was jagged and brutal and often unbearable.

I wouldn’t change a thing.

It made us who we are. Stronger. Better. Freer.

Chance’s breathing evens out and soon he’s asleep, tucked against me.

I close my eyes, and it suddenly strikes me—it used to be, when I laid down at night and closed my eyes, all I could see wasthem.

Now, when I close my eyes—

All I see isHim.

EPILOGUE

Side A

Just Like Heaven

Chance

I press the last tack into the corner of theHappy Birthdaysign and lean back on the step ladder to admire it. The banner stretches across the vaulted ceiling in our living room—bright colors, glittery letters. Ant’s gonna roll his eyes at the glitter and mumble something about vacuuming when he sees it, but I know he secretly loves that shit.

I hop down and dust my hands off, taking a slow turn around the room. This house… it still amazes me sometimes. A sprawling, ranch-style home, tucked into a quiet Scottsdale neighborhood. It’s peaceful, has great schools, friendly neighbors. It’s a place we’re excited to raise our kids in. I love the condo, always will, but we needed this space. Two kids will do that.

Watching Ant in this kitchen—themassivegourmet kitchen he basically designed from scratch when we renovated—it’s like seeing him in his true element. The man practically vibrates when he’s in there. I’m the nightly beneficiary of it—which means I’ve had to increase my workouts by at least three extra hours a week to keep his dinners off my waistline.

We did keep the condo, though. Deacon stayed there for a while after we bought this place. Murph’s been in town at least once a month now, spending time with his sister, so he uses it when he’s here.

When Ant works too late, I make him crash at the condo. I’d rather he get an extra hour and a half of sleep than drive forty-five minutes each way.

As it is, he barely sleeps. Between the agency and Thrive, he’s stretched thin. Yet, somehow, our family always come first.