Page 137 of The Ecstasy of Sin

With Ghost turned toward Mrs. Caldwell—who just sighs and shakes her head before heading back inside—Ryker seizes the opportunity. He leans up and drags his tongue across Ghost’s cheek.

My laughter dies instantly as I watch Ghost turn his head in slow motion, eyes locking onto Ryker’s smug, shit-eating grin.

Ghost clenches his fist, drawing it back, and aiming at Ryker’s face.

Before he can even think about swinging, Hunter is wriggling his way in between the two men, pinning Ryker with his full weight and assaulting him with a frenzy of kisses. Ryker wheezes, trying and failing to fend him off as the German Shepherd plants slobbery love all over his face.

“Yeah, see how you like it,” Ghost chuckles, rising to his feet while Hunter keeps Ryker pinned in a flurry of fur and devotion.

I laugh again, loud and unrestrained, and this time, Dominic and Torin join me.

“Karma,” Ghost mutters with a satisfied nod, before heading back inside.

Ryker’s still wrestling with Hunter, twisting his face away in a desperate attempt to dodge the onslaught of wet kisses. “I feel so betrayed!” he shouts. “After all those walks, you turn on me?!”

I turn in Dominic’s arms, curling my hands around his neck as I lean in and press a soft kiss to his lips. He gazes up at me like I hung the moon and the stars just for him, and the warmth in his eyes makes my cheeks flush.

“Yes,” I whisper. “I’m definitely happy.”

He smiles up at me, the warmth reaching his eyes.

Really, how could I not be?

I’m part of a family now: fierce, loyal, and undoubtedly damaged like me. Forged between brothers who aren’t afraid to love each other with everything they have.

Even though I have to live the rest of my life with chronic illness, and carry my soul-deep grief every single day, I’m not alone anymore. There’s enough love here to light even the darkest corners of me, filling me in ways I never imagined possible.

And any lingering thoughts I once had of submitting that application to end my life? Nowhere to be found. Chased away by the obsession, devotion and unrestrained love of a man that may be more villain than hero, but is absolutely perfect for me in every way.

For the first time since I was a little girl, I love my life.

EPILOGUE 1

Wren

Thesunissetting,painting the sky in the most beautiful shades of fiery orange and vibrant pink, fading into a deep indigo blue along the horizon.

Thick, billowy clouds drift lazily overhead, their edges glowing gold where the light catches. Even through the dark tint of Dominic’s Camaro, I can’t stop staring.

“Nothing beats an October sunset,” I muse quietly, sinking back into the heated leather seat. The warmth soothes me, and I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this level of luxury. Even my childhood home couldn’t compare to the quiet extravagance of where we live now.

“Something does,” Dominic says, his hand resting on my thigh while he drives, gripping me possessively.

“The moon?” I tease, my eyes still on the brilliant sky.

“No,” he answers with a smirk. “I’d rather watch you.”

“Always the devoted stalker,” I whisper, peeking at him through my lashes. When he turns his head to glance at me, I wink.

He smirks, then returns his focus to the long stretch of empty road ahead. “If you thought moving in with me would stop me from following you everywhere…”

“Moving in with you?” I interrupt, feigning offense. “I don’t remember you giving me a choice.” I laugh softly, leaning my head back and closing my eyes for a moment to rest.

He squeezes my thigh with his large hand, making me squirm in my seat. “It’s a good thing the control I have over you and your life makes you wet.”

My eyes fly open. I twist to stare at him, heat rising up my neck until it paints my cheeks a deep crimson.

He isn’t wrong.