“I forgive you, Daddy. I’m glad you got bad info or I wouldn’t be your boy.”
My heart surged, and I got to my feet. I was hard as fuck, and Keaton might need to drive home while I recovered, but I felt like I’d earned my forgiveness when he softly kissed me.
Since we were so close these days, that first time had been nagging at me. I carefully tucked him into his pants, and he watched me with eyes that were still shiny with bliss.
A bright light shone on us, and the police officer on the other end of it sighed.
“Oh, shit,” I mumbled.
Keaton tensed, and I grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze.
“I better not be interrupting a business transaction.” The cop scowled at us. He was cute, with green eyes, dark hair, and an upturned nose that made him seem too young for his job.
“Nah, this is my boyfriend,” I said, forcing a smooth smile.
“Well, you guys get out of here. This ain’t no lovers’ lane. There’s some sick puppies loose in the city right now.” He pointed his light at the ground, and it was adorable that he actually seemed concerned.
“Of course. We’re on our way home.”
“I would never let anyone hurt him.” Keaton dropped his arm around me and that wicked smirk was back. He was so going to get a spanking later.
“Still. Can never be too careful.” The cop gestured toward the path on the embankment, and Keaton and I held hands all the way to the car while not looking at each other. I wasn’t sure about him, but I was going to howl with laughter if I made eye contact.
Somehow, this had turned into the perfect date.
EPILOGUE
KEATON
Three Months Later
“Bubba! Zee!” Ginny ran through the room of kids as fast as her legs could take her, and when she reached us, she jumped up into Zayn’s arms. Forget about me, her big brother. No, she preferred Zayn because he let her get away with murder. Ironic, really, when it was Zayn who was the serial killer in this family.
Moving to St. Loren, Louisiana, two months ago had been a culture shock. We certainly didn’t live in a trailer park like Lakeview. Instead, Zayn had found a house in a semirich area, and I’d never felt so out of place. I’d avoided the neighbors around Zayn’s home in New Gothenburg, but it seemed like the folks in St. Loren wanted to get to know us. Zayn said it was fine, so I became friendly with them. Ginny also made friends, especially at the playgroup one of our neighbors had suggested to us for her.
“Hey, pumpkin.” Zayn kissed her cheek, and she giggled, snuggling into his shoulder. I didn’t blame her for a second. If he could hold me like that, then I’d be in the exact same position as her right now. “How was playgroup?”
Ginny bounced in his arms and started talking at top speed, telling Zayn about all the new friends she’d made and how many birthday parties she’d been invited to. The excitement in her voice was enough to melt my insides and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Sounds fun,” I murmured, and she sent me the biggest grin in her arsenal.
“It was. Can we get ice cream? Pwease.” She fluttered her eyelashes. Oh, she was pulling out all the weapons. If I said no, she’d ask Zayn next, and he had a difficult time saying no to her.
“Of course we can,” Zayn said before I could say anything. I shook my head with a chuckle when he gave me a knowing grin. “But we’ll buy a tub to take home. You have to eat dinner first. We’re having spaghetti Bolognese. Mrs. Carmine is making it, and we wouldn’t want to upset Granny C, now, would we? She loves making spaghetti for you. She moved all the way to St. Loren with us so she can help us take care of you.”
She pouted but finally relented with a nod. “Fine.”
He laughed and gave her another kiss before setting her on her feet so she could come over and give me a hug, which wasn’t as enthusiastic. She had a favorite and it wasn’t me, but I didn’t mind. I loved that Ginny enjoyed being around Zayn because I did, too.
“You must be Ginny’s parents.” A tall man with combed-back hair, a goatee, and a suit walked over to us, a polite smile curving his pouty lips. He held out his hand, and I reached for it immediately. I’d learned a lot aboutmannerssince being with Zayn.
“Guardians,” I answered automatically. We were officially in the process of adopting Ginny, so she was ours. The lawyer told us there were unlikely to be complications because we didn’t have any other family members. “I’m her older brother, Keaton, and this is my partner, Zayn.”
Zayn nodded in greeting.
The man returned Zayn’s gesture. “Pleasure. I’m Alessandro Sabbatini, but you can call me Aless. That little girl—” He pointed out a small girl in the corner of the room in a pink dress with braided dark pigtails. “—is my daughter, Odette.” He returned his attention to us, gaze curious.
My stomach jumped, that second sense recognizing something dangerous lingering behind his eyes. It didn’t surprise me, considering he was a Sabbatini. They had a reputation, after all, especially around these parts. I doubted Zayn wanted to go after men with mob connections, and I wouldn’t want him to do it because it was too risky. Ginny needed her second parent.
