Things had been quiet for the last month. Quiet enough for me to have time to go mad staring at reports where all the numbers and names blurred. With Massimo as the new head of the Italians, a tentative peace had formed with them.
Most of the men loyal to his father had been killed when we found Willow, leaving his ranks to mold as he wished. And as I suspected, Massimo remained true to his word, looking to forge new alliances between our families.
Sweeney doctored Sterling’s medical records, and no one questioned when the papers announced his passing after a heart attack.
The sound of quiet footsteps echoing down the hall pulled me from my thoughts. All the coiled tension in my muscles unwound as my omega’s intoxicating scent preceded her.
My wife’s shadowy silhouette stood in the doorway, illuminated by the hall lamp.
“Why are you sitting in the dark like a vampire?” she asked, flicking on the light.
I hissed for dramatic effect, grinning at the tight scowl on her porcelain face. My wife was the most breathtaking creature in existence, especially when she was pissed at me. I rather enjoyed pushing her buttons. Her dark hair skimmed the tops of her shoulders, the blue highlights fresh and twinkling.
Closing the laptop, I pushed back from my desk. I wordlessly tapped my thigh. My stubborn omega rolled her eyes, but joined me regardless. Her cute bum slid over my cock and I groaned, banding an arm around her stomach.
She wiggled and I swatted her thigh, enamored by the melodic sound of her voice.
“Be careful, mo chroí, vampires bite.”
I burrowed my face into the delectable curve of her neck, inhaling her honey-dipped scent. A quiver shook her slender frame as I kissed the delicate skin along my bite.
This was my peace. My sanctuary. My forever.
I bowed to no one.
Except with her. With her, there was no fight. Only surrender. An absolute, total, and willing surrender.
I belonged to her and she owned all of me.
“Why aren’t you in bed?” she asked.
“Wrapping up a few things. How was your day?”
While I had been busy with reports, she had only just gottenhome, having spent all day at the rescue. She shifted slightly, getting more comfortable in my lap, tossing her arms around my neck.
“Exhausting. We had to dig a few more trenches for the drainage system in the north pasture. The rain last week made a mess of it. And we finally got the new fencing up. It’s a good six feet high, so the horses have a lot more space to run now.”
My heart swelled with her passion. There were more than enough people to dig trenches and mend fences, but my girl would not stand by while others worked. She loved being in the thick of things and wasn’t afraid of hard work. And I would spoil her, reward her for everything she did.
Every time I bought her a gift, she waved me off, begrudgingly accepting it. I never tired of the bright light illuminating her gaze whenever I did, however. She couldn’t hide how much she adored my presents. Even though she tried.
“We also got plans finalized for separate facilities. We’ll have a barn for the horses, with stalls that are a bit bigger. Then, on the other side of the property will be yards and kennels for the dogs. We also have three vets on staff we’ve hired.”
I listened, the thrum of her voice a balm to my weary soul. With each word she said, I saw it all. The horses running free. The dogs chasing balls. Cats curled up in the sun. It was her dream. And I would give her all of it. I would build her an empire of rescue animals for her to protect from the world.
“I’m so proud of you,” I said, scent-marking her cheek. “You must be tired.”
No matter how often I did it, she never got used to my compliments. Pale pink rose high on her cheekbones, and my fingers chased the flush.
“Thank you. It’s worth it. They deserve a second chance. They deserve to be safe and happy.”
The double meaning of her words were not lost on me. I had never been one to believe in second chances. Even if she never believed me, Willow Finnegan was my second chance.
A chance at the life I never believed I deserved.
The one my parents had that I thought I’d never find.
“Let’s take a bath and then go to bed,” I offered, taking her tinyhand in my much larger one.
