I appreciate you lookin out for me. The deal is that me and Zoe live every day with a price on my head. Ive got my own code, and Zoe knows it and is cool with it. You do what you need to do, and Ill be at your back. He shifted in his seat.

I caught a glimpse of his weapon sitting on his lap.

I was learning about Tony and his wife. Zoe seemed like she had it together. I mean watching out for my people and all.

Shes solid. Sh.e.l.l protect Ryan with her life. Im not too sure about your ex, though. I hear she gave Lay some lip and Zoe didnt like that. Tony sounded amused.

I wanted to smile, picturing Zoe tearing into Tessa.

Hang on, baby. You gotta hang on if only to see Zoe and Tessa, or Tye and Tessa, or Jenn and Tessa. Well, Jenn would more likely remove all of Tessas money from her bank account. I continued scanning the streets and thinking about my woman.

A call came in on my phone, the screen read, Restricted.

Forde, I grunted.

h.e.l.lo, Forde. Good evening. Salvador Ulloas voice came through my speaker system.

Is it good? I barked. I had no time for his bulls.h.i.t games.

I have your woman sitting beside me, so I would say yes.

I blinked. My foot let up on the gas. I heard Tony let out a breath and saw him reach for his phone.

Others, I told Tony, update.

There was some damage"before my people arrived, Vador was quick to add.

I slammed my hand against the steering wheel. I saw the surveillance tape, Vador. They were all your people.

Let us say, four members have been separated from the Cancerberos.

I felt like my blood was on fire as it travelled down my spine. I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him. I want her. I was tired of f.u.c.king around.

I would like that also. Vador sounded like he was arranging a dinner party.

I have people all over the city, name a place.

Do you think you could stop and get me a Sprite? I really need a Sprite. I could barely hear Laylas voice, but she sounded scared.

Did she just ask for a Sprite? I felt the anxiety hit my gut again.

Apparently, Mrs. Shepherd is thirsty, Vador said, his voice icy cool. There hasnt been time for social niceties.

Get her to a hospital, now. Drop her and go, but take her now. I let my rage bleed through.

Forde, I asked Mrs. Shepherd if she was injured, and she a.s.sured me that, for the most part, she was fine.

Drop her at a fire station. Just get her medical help.

I dont understand.

Vador did sound confused. Its code. I pulled into an alley, waiting for him to give me a location.

I heard mumbling, and then Vador spoke, My driver says we are seven minutes from Eskan.a.z.i. Will that suit you?

Yes, thank you. I clicked off and floored it, heading east.

You didnt want to talk to her? Tony looked confused.

Shes hurting. She knows Ill be there. I couldnt talk to her. I might lose it, and I didnt want that to happen over the phone with Vador listening.

Gotcha. Tony sent a group text telling everyone to meet at the best trauma hospital in the city.

I ran two lights and beat Vador by about three minutes.

Tony, Rick, and I were at the edge of the E.R. entrance. Tony would move in to block any camera view of the license plate, if they had one on their ride.

As soon as the SUV stopped, I saw the back seat pa.s.senger window lower, and I knew she was on the other side. I sprinted around to the door and pulled my woman out.

Rick and Vador exchanged words as I looked down at Layla.

Her eyes were open, and she said, I love you. I made it through so I could say it to your face.

You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that, I said as I tucked her against my chest, and then sprinted up the walk to the E.R. entrance.

Chapter Twenty-Four.

Three Weeks Later I had my back against one end of the huge sectional in the man cave, and Zoe was sitting at the other. She was finishing her pregnancy with the majority of the day on bed rest, or for today, sofa rest. Tony was our designated sitter. The whole abduction thing had reignited his thirst for excitement, so hed deferred his next semester of school to work at Limited. Zoe was fine with his decision. Much like me, she knew who her man was and you couldnt chain a bada.s.s. They needed to hunt.

Forde had just sent a text asking if we wanted him to pick up lunch. He was still hovering, and I couldnt find fault with that. When hed carried me into the E.R. that night, Id had no idea how badly I was injured. Due to the trauma, my brain had shut down most of my pain receptors. Javier had stabbed me with so much force hed pushed me and the chair over. The doctors told me Id make a full recovery, if I followed their orders and did all of the physical therapy exercises for my fractured fingers.

Emotionally, Forde and I were slower to recover. There were recurring nightmares. Id wake up in a cold sweat, sure a phantom was going to hurt me. Forde was great. Hed hold me, making soothing sounds, and keeping me safe. He was still in full protective mode, hence the hovering.

Want a Sprite? Tony teased.

Yes, please. I hoped to make a dent into the one hundred cases that were delivered to the condo on the day I was released from the hospital. The note said, To a Good, Strong Woman. Forde is a lucky man. We both knew it was from Vador. Somehow, hed become a fan.

In the hospital, as soon as I could think clearly, I told Forde about the deal Id struck with Vador regarding the threat of war. Forde understood my reasons and praised me for looking at the big picture.

Hed sat on the futon in my hospital room. After Id finished telling him all that was discussed in Vadors Escalade, hed leaned forward with his arms on his thighs. You did good.

He hadnt been smiling, so I knew there was more. But?

One side of his mouth tilted upward. If you hadnt pulled through, do you know what would have happened?

The Cancerberos, their families, friends, and their belongings would be gone. My voice shook a little.

I would have had nothing. Fordes eyes met mine as his voice went rough.

Thats not true. You would have still had Ryan and Tye, I said softly.

But they arent you. I need you, Lay, to live. His chest heaved with emotion.

My voice was thick with tears. Then, lets live, Lucien. We wont forget, but what was it you told me once? If you keep looking at the past, youll miss the future.

Hed stood and moved to the side of my bed. Sitting on the edge facing me, hed said, I want that future.

Id smiled. Me too.

Marry me. He hadnt asked. Hed commanded. I know its going to happen one day, but I want you to wear my ring and to set a date.

Id tried to get the words out, but I was breathless. His eyes had been so full of need.

I need this, Lay. I need you to be my wife. Say yes, right now. His voice had gone deep and forceful.

Yes, Lucien. I didnt get the chance to finish my thought. Even in his rush, hed leaned over my body carefully, and kissed me.

The kiss was possessive and demanding. With my good hand, Id gripped the front of his v-neck sweater trying to pull him closer.

You are my life, hed said against my lips as hed pulled slowly away.

While they were doing all thatstuff. I had difficulty calling it torture. I kept thinking that if I could endure it a little longer, Id get to see you again. You and your love is what got me through.

His eyes had gone cold. I hate it that you had to endure any of that.

We made it through, Id said, wanting to rea.s.sure him. Id be fine. Wed be fine.

Im hoping youll wear this. Hed gotten up and moved to his leather bomber jacket that hed draped over one end of the sofa. Hed returned to the bed with a blue box in his hand.

Forde I dont know why Id been so surprised. Forde was a true romanticwith me.

Hed opened the box and pulled the ring free. Taking my casted hand into his, hed slid the engagement ring onto my finger. Youre mine.

Id smiled. Since the night we first kissed. I didnt want to be. I didnt trust myself, but luckily I trusted you. Then Id looked at my ring. It was gorgeous. Perfect for me.

Five Months Later The meadow behind Tony and Zoes cabin was more beautiful than Id imagined during those long hours with the Morenos. The gra.s.s was an amazing green, with spring flowers blooming along the edges. I sat at the picnic table that was set up near the drop-off above the creek.

I was indulging in a quiet moment. Id asked for a small wedding, and of course, Forde made it happen. Aunt Nora tried to convince me to make a production of it, but I didnt need that. Id spent enough time in the spotlight.

I watched Forde cross the field, carrying two gla.s.ses. He looked good in his navy suit. It accentuated his wide shoulders and the strength of his body. At some point, hed ditched the tie. He wasnt the type of man who needed a tie to show that he was all business.

Tired? He placed a champagne flute on the table beside me and sat down.

No, I just needed a minute. My stomach still fluttered when he was sweet. I hoped that would never stop. I wanted to take all of this in. I looked around.

He took my hand and linked our fingers. Its sparkling cider. His eyes were twinkling with happiness. Holly made sure I could tell which gla.s.s was for you; the champagnes for me.

I chuckled. When Forde had hired Jenns cousin, hed brought a whirlwind into our lives. Holly not only turned out to be fantastic at her job, but she was even wilder than Tye. It had been entertaining to watch him try to catch her. So far, she was proving to be elusive. I honestly didnt know how that was going to end. She didnt seem to want to be caught.

I looked at our friends. Zoe was sitting on the glider, holding baby Olivia and smiling at something Jenn said. Jenn had color-coordinated her hair to match the blue decorations. Holly was laughing as Tye wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her in for a kiss. At the last moment she broke free. Rick, Osi, and Tony were deep in conversation off to the side, and Ryan was talking to Aunt Nora and Willie. Tyes father, Jerry, was snapping photos of everyone and making them laugh.

Jerry Brunk had arrived two days after the abduction and never left. Hed seen the local news alert on his phone, and within two hours, hed made arrangements for his hunting dogs to stay with a friend, and hed been in his truck, driving to Indianapolis from Mississippi. Hed been a great support to Forde while I was in the hospital. I fell in love with the man within minutes of meeting him.

I finally had my family.

So Forde started.

Were married, I said like an idiot.

He laid my hand on his thigh and ran his fingertip around the rings on my left hand. He gave me a smile, the kind that made me melt. Yes, I remember every minute of the ceremony.

I watched him stroke the diamond-encrusted wedding band. You know that in about a month, Ill have to take them off because my fingers will swell.

Then every morning, Ill draw a band around your finger with a Sharpie, he said, chuckling deeply.

That might work. They come in a lot of colors. I tilted my head like I was considering the possibilities.

Ryan wants to help choose the name. He took a drink of champagne.

Im fine with that. I loved the kid, well, almost man. Something about the abduction had cemented our familial relationship. He flew up to stay with us every third or fourth weekend. Wed spent the New Years holiday as a family in Colorado. The guys had hit the slopes, while I enjoyed the view, made plans for the baby, and drank hot herbal tea.

Have I told you that youre beautiful? He took my hand again.

Thank you, and yes, you have. I like hearing it, but we both know its the b.o.o.bs. I glanced down at my very large bosom. Id chosen a strapless gown because Id felt amazing in it the second I tried it on. I wasnt showing that much, yet. Just fuller and more round for the most part, except my b.o.o.bs"they were huge.

His gaze dropped to my abundant cleavage. Ah yes, two of my favorite things.

Well, at least youre enjoying this pregnancy. I gave him an eye roll.

Lay, I enjoyed practicing and making this baby, and Ill enjoy the next. But most of all, Ill love you through it all, til the end of time. I promise.

I leaned in and kissed him.

Our future would keep getting better and better.

The End.