Page 170 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

“I love them so much I will give them anything if it’s within my ability.”

She inhales sharply and stands up, holding out her hand. “You have a deal…”

“Blaze, Blaze Myles.”

“What exactly are we doing out here?” Sage asks in frustration.

We fought again this morning. He knows I’m keeping secrets, and it’s driving him crazy, but I received word yesterday that the house is ready for us.

We drive up in front of the house, and I stop the car. It is massive; it's one story on the outside, with a bunker underneath. Lots of secret tunnels because that’s my thing. There’s a room with a wall of windows that looks out at the forest where we can watch the storms roll in. A massive wrap-around porch because I want to see Kestrel sitting there, laughing and flirting with me again.

We do not have a pool this time, but we do have massive baths.

We’re surrounded by mountains, forest, and just an hour’s drive from the Sanderson’s. The small town, Marian Hollow, that we stayed in is in the other direction, and the city is just a three-hour drive.

This is our escape.

A place where we can be ourselves without the pressure of people trying to smother us.

It’s already furnished and decorated. We can move in today.

I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they realise.

“Someone built a house here? When did you sell the land?” Aaron asks.

“I didn’t,” I say smugly.

Sage wheezes. “Baby, what did you do?”

“Oh, now, I’m baby again?” I tease.

He gives me a sharp look while we all get out of the car.

“There’s a place for me to swing my dao, a massive theater for Rolly’s games. Rooms and space for all of us, but most importantly, it’s out here, has a bed big enough for all of us because nobody likes to sleep alone, and a tree for you both to climb.”

My omegas are staring at me, and they both look a little scared, but then they grew up in nightmare existences; I doubt they’ve ever been given anything like this.

Their casual words, said in passing, are words I’ve turned from dream to reality.

“Welcome home.”

I open my hand and hold up a silver key. King, Rolly, Sage, Rose, and Pix stare at me like I’m crazy, but my girl gets it.

She smiles so wide it’s like she’s glowing.

Merle reaches out and takes the key to our home, just like she did when I offered it the first time.

I tow her in and kiss her hard, then let go.

“Go, explore.”

She flashes me the happiest smile, and I know I’ve done the right thing. I’ve made her happy.

EPILOGUE Roseland

Two Years Later

“You need a spanner to tighten that loose screw.”