“Most likely,” Heath agreed, cutting himself another giant piece of cake and diving in. “They’re launching a full investigation into the detachment, the crime family Wicks was accepting bribes from and Slade’s previous detachments.”
“We’ll throw the book at Wicks, honey,” Krista’s dad said, venom in his tone.
Krista laughed. “Thanks, Dad. I would expect nothing less from Matthews and Matthews.”
“And Slade is rotting in hell,” Krista’s brother piped up. “So no need to drag his victims to trial.”
Krista breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, there was that. Her friends wouldn’t have to relive their horrible ordeals in front of a courtroom or see Myles ever again. Her mind immediately went to Allie, though. Her poor friend. Pregnant and not knowing if the father was the donor she chose or a monster.
“And you can tell your friend Allie that the baby isn’t Slade’s,” Heath added.
Krista’s head whipped around to her new brother-in-law. “What?”
“Chase hacked Slade’s medical records. You know, ’cause he can. Turns out Slade is shooting blanks. He had the mumps as a teenager, and it rendered him sterile.”
Krista stared at Heath for a moment and then her eyes, welling up with tears, focused on Chase. She was about to open her mouth and thank him for doing some seriously illegal shit when something new and alarming passed across his face. They locked eyes for just a moment, but then he blinked, looked away from her, and the moment was gone.
Yeah, Chase had some serious demons. Some serious secrets. She only hoped one day he’d find the right woman to help him conquer those demons. One who would sit and listen and accept all his secrets.
“Thank you, Chase,” she said softly.
This time she got a nod out of him.
Taking a deep breath, she smiled at everyone around the room—her family. “All right, then, who wants to meet Zoe?”
“You should go home to sleep.” Krista yawned, resting her head on her laced hands as she sat in the chair next to Zoe’s incubator box.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Brock murmured.
She glanced up at him, her beautiful face scrunched in mild impatience.
He loved her spirit.
He loved her.
“At least go lay down in my bed for a few hours. I’m going to stay and watch her for a bit.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said again. Damn woman didn’t listen. “My world is here. I’m not leaving. Deal with it.”
Her twinkling eyes made his heart lurch inside his chest. “Not exactly the wedding night I had envisioned,” she said sheepishly. “Sorry ’bout that.”
Picking her up, he plopped her into his lap. Her head fell to his chest. “We have an entire lifetime to have wedding nights. With you, with Zoe, that’s where I want to be, that’s all I need.”
She yawned again and nuzzled into him more tightly. “I love you so much, Brock Hart. Thank you so much for our beautiful little girl, for coming into my life … for saving me.”
He waited until he heard the soft rumble of her snoring, his hand rhythmically stroking her hair, before he whispered, “I’m the one who was saved.”
Two years later …
“By the power vested in me by the province of British Columbia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
Krista lunged at Brock before Chase even finished his speech. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her feet leave earth. Because when she was with Brock, she felt like she was floating. He kissed her in turn, ignoring the hoots and hollers from the peanut gallery.
When they finally came up for air, there was more clapping, the attention of all their loved ones making Krista’s shy and quiet husband go bright red in the cheeks. But he was all smiles as he accepted Zoe from his mother’s arms and the three of them made their way down the aisle, white rose petals being thrown over their heads by all the smiling guests.
“So now what?” he asked, planting a big smack of a smooch on Zoe’s chubby little cheek. She giggled and then pulled on his ear.
“Whatever we want.” Krista grinned. “We’re the bride and groom. We can do whatever we like.”
