“Liam?” I insisted.
The beast placed a hand over mine and gave it a squeeze. “If my mother is going to move in with us, maybe we should offer your mother too as well. Then we would need a big house.”
I grimaced. “I love you, but I don’t think there’s enough testosterone to deal with that level of feminine emotion.”
My husband puffed up his chest. “You don’t think I’m man enough?”
Light, freeing laughter bubbled up my throat. As I let out the burst of mirth, Liam’s gaze shifted. It turned downright feral. I knew that look.
Possession.
If all it took was my laughter, then I would be doing a lot more of that in the future. It was something that wouldn’t be too hard to manage.
“I think you’re every bit enough man for me, but I don’t need my sisters making heart eyes at my husband. Can’t we stick them in a house next door?”
Tugging me close, Liam dropped a kiss on my forehead. The hot touch of his lips sent a shiver through me. “Now there’s an idea. We’ll start looking on the plane ride.”
“We’re really doing this,” I said. “We’re really taking a trip to celebrate?”
“It’s macabre, I’ll grant you, but it’s fitting.”
It was. “But work—what about your job? And you’re the king now!”
“Hush, little bird,” he said, placing my son in my arms. His arms wrapped tightly around us. “Let me choose you.”
The world could have the monster, but with his arms around me, warm and unyielding, I had the man.
Epilogue – Dominico
If a donkey’s bray could sound sweet, that was the noise coming from the other side of my bedroom door. I frowned, hand outstretched, and listened. The words were about being drunk in a truck bed, and…
Shooting a bird with a .45?
What kind of an idiot wasted that heavy caliber on a bird? It would obliterate it.
I remained stuck in limbo as the song continued. There was only one person in this madhouse who would know lyrics like that. When Rae stopped to catch her breath, I waited. And sure enough, she began another song. This time about being drunk on a plane.
There really was nothing else to do in the sticks but drink.
Smothering my laughter and schooling my face, I opened the door.
The music stopped, the final note a yelp. Rae dropped the pillow she’d been tucking into a clean case on the floor.
“Sorry!” She shook herself. “I thought you were out for the day.”
“You’re comfortable here,” I observed.
The strange look she gave me was comical. “I beg your pardon?”
Beautiful. The flush on her cheeks, the way her chest strained against the soft blue uniform. She was stunning. And she was right there. Standing besidemybed.
“That’s good.” I shut the door behind me, watching her close, enjoying the small reactions play over her face. When I clicked the lock, her eyes snapped wide. I leaned back against the closed door and crossed my arms over my chest. “I want you comfortable…in my space.”
Rae shifted. She stepped to the side, then back. She seemed scrambled, caught in indecision. She looked around as if for explanation—or help. There was neither.
There’s no one to save you here, my sweet cherry. You’re in my lair now.
“Nico,” she warned.
