Pulling me into his arms, I ask Jax the question that's been burning in the back of my mind for hours. "How did you even find me?"
He hesitates for a moment before answering with, "The anklet I gave you has a GPS chip in it."
"Ah," I say in response. While I should be mad that he gave me a gift with an ulterior motive, it ultimately saved my life…and brought me back to him.
"And now I have a question for you," he whispers against my ear before pulling back to look me in my eyes. His steel-gray eyes look sad with his dark brows pulled low over them when he asks, "Why did you leave, Katya? Why did you do it?"
Swallowing my emotions, I take a few seconds before I answer him. "Now that you have Adeline back in your life, I didn't know where I stood." I almost crumble from the confession, but I manage to hold myself together. "I didn't want to be your backup plan in case things didn't work out with Adeline. I know how much you love her, Jax. I just didn't want to get hurt, and it seemed like my sister showing up here was like it was meant to be…even though I was absolutely terrified at the thought of never seeing you again."
It pains me to talk about my sister since I just lost her…and I'm the one who pulled the trigger. But the little girl I knew so long ago was not the woman who I met today.
No, my sister died a long time ago. And I will mourn Senga for who she was, not who she ultimately became.
Jax grimaces at my words and pulls back to look into my eyes. "I love Adeline as afriend. And only as a friend. It took me a while to figure that out. Probably longer than it should have, but don't you know how stubborn and stupid men can be?" he asks with a small grin.
"Oh, I have some clue," I say softly.
He stares into my eyes. "You'll never be my backup plan. You're my first choice. Myonlychoice. I've fallen head over heels in love with you, Katya. Don't you get it?" He grips me tighter as he tells me, "I fucking love you."
"I fucking love you, too," I tell him with tears in my eyes before grabbing the lapels of his jacket and pulling him in for a soul-burning kiss.
EPILOGUE
KATYA
Two years later…
LIFE ON A private island can be good for the mind, body and soul. I quickly came to realize that after Jax and I took up residence in the mansion along with Lucien's beautiful little family.
Adeline gave birth to Alexander about a year and a half ago, and the little guy has truly become the light of everyone's lives.
As I sit and stare outside the window, Adeline steps out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. I see her reflection in the glass and smile before turning around. Her wedding dress is ivory and stunning with all sorts of lace and fancy beading, which glitter in the sunlight streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows. She looks beautiful, and it makes me a little choked up and teary eyed just at the sight of her.
"Well, what do you think?" Adeline asks me shyly, twirling around in the beautiful gown.
"Oh, my god, Addy, you look freaking gorgeous!" I blurt out.
Her green eyes meet mine as she raises a brow. "You really think so?"
I give her a vigorous nod. It amazes me how a beautiful girl like her can have self-esteem problems, but I guess we all have faults and flaws.
Over the past couple of years, I've lived on the island with Jax, Lucien, Adeline and little Alexander. Adeline and I have become close, like sisters. I never thought I would be able to feel that bond again, but she filled the void that Senga left, overflowing it with love and understanding.
Adeline stands in front of a full-length mirror, smoothing her hands down over the delicate lace covering her waist. "What do you think Lucien will say?"
"Oh, he probably won't be able to say a damn word. His jaw will be lying on the floor, and Jax will probably have to help him pick it up."
She chuckles and blushes at my compliment. Then, she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip and asks me, "You can't tell, can you?" as she turns to the side, revealing a slight baby bump accentuated by the tight dress.
Adeline confessed to me early this morning that she just took a test and found out she's newly pregnant. She's waiting to surprise Lucien during the ceremony, and I can't wait to see the look on his face. Alexander is a normal toddler — a blessing and a handful.
Given Lucien's quirks, he's had a hard time adjusting to parenthood, but he's gone above and beyond what anyone expected. A new baby means more work, more poopy diapers, more vomit and less sleep…for all of us.
But if Lucien could handle one baby, then he can handle two.
"I don't think anyone will be able to tell," I say. Then I tell her confidently, "And Lucien is going to be so happy."
"You really think so?" she asks worriedly.
