Page 32 of Taking Adalisa (Montgomery Syndicate #2)

EPILOGUE

ADALISA

“ W hat do you think about living here?” Matthias asks.

I suck in a breath, my body freezing. Does Matthias want to stay here? How am I going to tell him? Maybe he won’t notice how much I’m struggling.

I look at the house in front of us. After my brother somehow got past the guards, nothing has been the same.

Ethan has been trying to figure out who let him in.

It hasn’t been easy on me. Sleep has been impossible, as has eating.

It’s like I’ve been violated. The space I was getting comfortable in was violated.

“Honestly?” I turn to him.

“Always.” He grabs my hand, giving it a little squeeze.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes for a second, and I center myself. If I could change things, I would. If I could go back in time, I would. In a heartbeat.

“I loved being here,” I honestly tell him.

“I love being so close to Margery. I loved feeling safe here, but I don’t anymore.

You’ve noticed how I’m sleeping and eating.

I don’t think I’m ever going to feel safe here again, not enough to live normally.

I don’t want to leave, but at the same time, I can’t stay here. ”

“Good thing we aren’t staying here, then,” he says.

My mouth falls open as I stare at him. “We aren’t?”

“No, we aren’t. I saw how you were after I killed your brother. I don’t want you around that. I want you to feel comfortable and safe. I want you living your best life and not having to worry, so I bought us a house.”

“No,” I whisper, not believing him.

“Yes. Well, it was a four-story apartment building, but I figured we could have a level for different things. One could be the bedroom, a massive one with maybe a couple of smaller guest rooms. But it’s ours and we are going to move there.

” He smiles. “Our stuff is already there. I had it moved this morning when we were out.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.

“Then don’t. You living with me for the rest of your life is enough.”

I lean into his embrace, kissing his lips quickly before snuggling into his chest. I’m sad I won’t be as close to Margery, but I’m excited to get out of here and feel safe again.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Thank you .” He kisses my lips again.

We stare at each other for several seconds, letting time and silence pass by without a care in the world.

This is my life now. Was it rocky in the beginning? Absolutely, but it’s so worth it.

“I knew you were going to give in,” his mother yells.

I chuckle and pull away. I haven’t seen her since the first time I met her but apparently I made an impression because she’s asked Matthias about me several times.

After the attack, I didn’t want to see anyone. I just wanted to recover and be with Matthias. That didn’t make many people happy, but Matthias took care of that all.

“Mrs. –”

“Don’t you dare call me that. It’s Mama to you or Mom. I won’t have it any other way. You are family now, and as family, that’s what you call me,” she scolds me.

Chuckling, I open my arms and hug her. “Mom, nice to see you.”

“Keeping me away after you got hurt. I should spank you, but I think Matthias has that handled.” She winks at me, and I look at her, horrified. “Now, come on. Let’s get inside so we can eat.”

“Um.” I look over at Matthias for help.

“Mama, we can’t.” Matthias steps closer to me.

“Nonsense. I won’t have you losing weight. Not if you are going to have my grandchildren at some point. I need to fatten you up.” She pats my shoulder. “Come on. You can even help cook. The groceries just got delivered.”

It’s not that I don’t trust Mom, but I don’t think my body will be able to do it.

“How about I cook and you two can watch,” Matthias offers. “You trust me, right?” I nod. “Who bought the groceries?”

“Bellamy did. I gave him the list. You told me Adalisa likes pasta and chicken. Everything is still in its packages,” she explains.

Matthias cups my face with his hands, pulling me clos. “I’ve got you. We’re going to go in there, we are both going to look at the packages, and then I’m going to cook. Then I’m going to feed you bite by bite because you trust me and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

I take a deep breath and nod. Matthias and I look into each other's eyes for several more seconds, him grounding me before we go into the house.

“Ready?” Mom breaks the silence.

Matthias lets go of my face and takes my hand. “We’re ready.”

I continue to look at him. “I love you.”

A smile breaks out across his face. “I love you, too.”