Special thanks to:

My husband, David, for putting up with me and the madness of writing.

To Massy, the voice of clarity in my chaotic mind and one who understands it all. Forever my twifey and BFF.

To Crystal, my pervy twin, for everything.

To Nyddi, for her support, friendship, and big heart.

To all the fans. Thank you for loving Nathan and Lila, and for joining them on their journey. Your support, pimping, and love for the series keeps me going. Words can never express my gratitude and love to you all.

Lila

It was mid morning when an event popped up in my email. I opened it up to find an all-hands meeting scheduled in thirty minutes. My gaze moved over the piles and piles of work we had, and I sighed. I’d been doing that a lot lately—sighing my way through the day. It was never a good time for a meeting, and it was the usual meet and greet of some new employee to the firm.

Begrudgingly, Owen and I moved toward the conference room where everyone was milling around, waiting for the meeting to start. After a few minutes, Jack Holloway—boss and ruler almighty—walked in the back door to the room and asked for everyone to settle down.

“Good morning, everyone! I know it’s a busy day, but what day isn’t? I’ll try to make this short,” he began.

I felt a buzzing in my pocket and discreetly pulled my phone out, looking down at the message from Nathan.

Things went well. Tell you all about it soon. We can celebrate tonight. Oh, yeah, and you’re beautiful as fuck. Can’t stop thinking about my cock wrapped in your pussy.

I smiled and slipped my phone back into my pocket, focusing my attention back on Jack.

“Today we have a new employee I’d like to introduce. He’s getting back into the courtroom for the first time in a few years and may need all of our help getting reacquainted with the process. He’ll be taking over for Frank Kettle, who retired last year.”

I leaned against the wall in preparation from the bound-to-be-longwinded greeting from whatever pompous ass Jack hired. Frank Kettle was the biggest one I’d ever met, and he needed to be for the position, but he didn’t have to extend that to his coworkers. I hoped this new guy wasn’t the same, but chances were that he was.

“Without further ado,” Jack said as the back door opened, “I’d like to introduce you all to…”

“Nathan?” Owen whispered next to me.

My head snapped up and, sure enough, in he walked, wearing his black and cream-stripped tie, his eyes the brightest shade of blue.

He was too delicious for words, though my mouth was dry due to shock and hanging open as I gaped at him.

“… Nathan Thorne,” Jack finished with a smile, and the whole room exploded with chatter.

I, on the other hand, was staring at Nathan in surprise. His gaze found mine, a sheepish grin forming as he shrugged his shoulders.

“Surprise,” he said. I barely heard it over all of the commotion.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spied the Boob Squad’s illustrious members performing a synchronized fluff, puff, and tuff for his benefit. Their actions garnered a few strange looks from their peers who were not a part of their elite club.

I was lucky bile wasn’t crawling up the back of my throat—they were so nauseating.

Jack continued the meeting, and fifteen or so minutes later, the room began to clear out. I stayed behind to talk to Nathan, and of course that earned some piercing glares from the Boob Squad.

Once the room was emptied of most people, Nathan approached me, and I swatted at his arm as I scowled up at him.

He held his hands up in front of him. “Don’t be mad.”

My eyes narrowed at him, and my arms crossed over my chest. “Why did you keep this from me? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted to surprise you,” he admitted, his hand reaching forward and brushing through my hair. “It was tough, too. I’ve missed you so much during the day, Honeybear. I hoped that you missed me just as much and would be excited about it.”

“I am, but I’m also pissed that you kept it from me. How long have you known?” I asked, then immediately wished I hadn’t when his eyes grew wide. “Nathan?”

“Jack and I were working on this for a few months before I quit.”

I slumped back against the wall. “I don’t…I don’t like being in the dark like that. We’re in this together.”

He pouted, looking all sad and trying to get into my good graces again. “I know. I’m sorry. I just… I wanted to make you really happy to see me, I guess. And it wasn’t solidified until last week, anyway.”

I snorted at his comment. “I’m always really happy to see you. I just wish I’d been given some warning. We don’t keep things from each other.”

“I know. I won’t do it again. Are you happy to see me?” he asked, his body almost flush with mine.

“I am so happy to see you.” I reached up and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him tight. “I’m so happy you’re back. I’m so happy I’ll get to see you every day at work. God—you have no idea…”

He smiled against my neck, then placed a light kiss there. “Me too.”

“You’re just happy for the chance to have sex in the office again.”

He smirked. “That’s part of it.” His hands squeezed my hips and pulled me tighter to him. “I’ve really missed that, but I’ve also missed seeing you all day.”

I let out a sigh. “You know you’re not in the clear yet, right?”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

I pursed my lips. “I’m not sure I believe you.”

He leaned in closer, his lips ghosting across mine. “I’ll make sure you do tonight.”

His lips met mine with a soft kiss that quickly grew in intensity. I moaned into his mouth, his tongue lapping at mine as his body pushed me into the wall.

We were both panting when he broke away.

“Better be careful before I bend you over that table. It’s my first day—I want to make a good impression.”

“Well, that would make a good impression with me, if that counts for anything,” I said under my breath, giggling a little at myself and my uncontrollable urges when he was around.

He snorted. Yeah, he heard me. “Minx.”

I rolled my eyes and slipped my hand into his as we walked toward the door. “Like that would stop you anyway. Never has before.”

“It might. You never know. I could grow some self-control.”

I snorted at that. “Yeah, right. You’re only good at growing one thing, and it doesn’t take long before you’re showing it to me and shoving it in my mouth.”

He smirked. “I have priorities, baby.”

We walked down the hall, earning stares as we passed. They were used to seeing us together, just not holding hands and smiling at each other.

“What do you think?” he asked when we stopped at what used to be Frank’s office.

“I think it’s too far away.”

His hand slipped around my waist. “Me too, but at least we’re on the same floor.”

I let out a sigh, then pressed my lips to his. “I have to get back to work, you infuriatingly tempting man.”

“I know. My baby’s such a hard worker.” He grinned, then grimaced and held on to my hand as I walked away, my fingers slipping from his grip as I separated us.

The day was going pretty well, and I smiled as I walked, happy to have my Nathan so close by. I felt lighter with him near. If he couldn’t be in the same office as me anymore, at least he was just down the hall.

It took a while to recoup from our activities and to resume cooking dinner. A nap followed by a shower killed a few hours. The sun had set long ago, and there wasn’t much left of the day.

My leg muscles quivered as I stood at the counter. They were weak from all the things Nathan did to me, and threatened to give out. As I pulled the pasta out of the pantry, I looked at the trash can. I had to throw everything out, and even considered pitching the burned pot. Nathan boasted about his ability to clean it, and I was giving him the opportunity to prove it before throwing it away.

He also promised to clean up the…mess by the kitchen table.

The cracking noise of the pasta breaking as I put it in the pot covered up all other sound, so I didn’t hear Nathan as he stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Trying again? I thought we’d just order in.”

I shrugged. “Pasta is quick and easy, and I’m hungry.”

His lips pressed against my neck. “Me too. I worked up an appetite.”

He let go and backed away, heading over to the now warm bottle of wine and placing it in the fridge.

I grabbed a slotted spoon from the drawer and stirred, breaking up the pasta so it didn’t clump. “Guess that will have to wait until tomorrow.”

“It’s not going to go bad.” He pulled out the butter and pasta sauce and placed them on the counter. “So, now that I have income again, let’s talk about the wedding.” I stopped stirring the pasta and turned to look at him. He arched his brow at me. “What?”

“I… Well, what kind of wedding do you want?”

He shook his head. “This is your thing. Plus, I’ve already done it. Isn’t it what women dream about and begin planning in the womb?”

I pursed my lips. He’d already had a big wedding when he married Grace, but did he want another one? “Maybe normal women, but I’m not exactly normal.”

“You are normal, but the way you grew up makes you unique.” His eyes softened the way they always did when I talked about my upbringing.

Hopefully that would change soon, and my abusive past would fade away. Adam’s trial date was set, and we were all ready to give our depositions in a few weeks.

“Oh, you’re a smooth talker tonight.”

He chuckled and ran his hand up and down my arms. “Honeybear, I just want to marry you. I don’t care how it happens. I’m sure you’ve thought at some point about getting married.”

I shook my head and returned to cooking. “I was pretty sure it wasn’t in the cards for me, so why waste my time dreaming about something that was never going to happen? There was no Prince Charming in my fantasies.”

“Well, there’s one in your life now.”

I quirked my brow at him. “You, charming?”

“I am very charming.” His lip twitched as a smile grew on his face. “In fact, I bet I can charm you right out of your clothes.”

“Hasn’t happened yet,” I said and stirred the pot.

His eyes went wide, and he stepped back. “Ouch! You’re feisty tonight.”

I sighed and looked up at him. “Can we just go to the courthouse?”

His lips formed a straight line and his brow crinkled, the light in his eyes dimming. “Is that really what you want?”

There was a pain in my chest from the expression on his face. “What else would I want besides you?”

He shrugged. “Flowers, friends and family—a beautiful dress?”

My mind whirled with that information. Was that what I wanted? Or was the quick and simple trip down the street the way to do it?

The more I thought about it, he was right—at one point in my life, I did think about a wedding. Long ago, back when I believed in Disney fairy tales, before the monsters of Grimm-like creations took away my childhood innocence, replacing it with fear-induced obedience and solitude. The days when my mom was still alive.

I sniffed and brushed a tear from my eye. “Maybe we could do something small.”

He smiled and leaned forward, kissing my forehead. “Small sounds perfect. With small, we could even do a destination wedding.”

I blinked at him, and images of blue skies and turquoise waters filled my mind. Our Florida vacation had been the best time I’d ever had.

I stepped toward him without even thinking about it. “The beach?”

He smiled down at me and brushed his fingers against my cheek. “I love that idea.”

I grinned and wrapped my arms around him.

“Any beach in particular?”

I stared at him and whimpered. “You’re overloading my brain with girly things.”

He laughed out loud and kissed me. “Do I need to get my mother and Teresa to help?”

I nodded furiously. “Otherwise I might have a panic attack even thinking about all the stuff I don’t know that has to be done.”

“First things first—where?”

Reaching up into the cabinets, I pulled down two plates. There was only one beach I’d ever been to. Was one beach better than another?

“All I’ve got is beach.” I gave a half-hearted smile.

“Okay, we’ve got time. We’ll look this weekend. How’s that?”

“Sounds perfect.”

He smirked at me. “By the way…where are your panties?”

“The ones from today?” He nodded. I bit my lip. “They’re in your pillowcase.”

“Fucking hell, baby.” He licked his lips. “Are you trying to make sure I fuck you while you’re sleeping tonight?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged.

“Next time, bring your wet pussy to me. You know I’m always up for taking care of you and your needs.”

“Oh, I know. I just wanted to see your reaction.” I winked at him and returned to finishing up dinner.

“You two look like the cat that ate the canary. What’s going on?” Dr. Morgenson asked, looking between us.

“We’re getting married in two weeks.” Nathan smiled, but his eyes hardened as he stared at the good doctor, almost as if warning him.

Darren blinked, his gaze shifting between us, studying. Then a chuckle slipped from the smile forming on his face. He shook his head and continued to laugh.

“What?” Nathan asked. It was obvious he was as confused at Dr. Morgenson’s reaction as I was.

“I’m beginning to wonder if you even need me anymore. The rate at which you’re improving is astonishing and has very little to do with me,” he said as he lifted his glasses and wiped away the tears in his eyes.

I leaned forward and shook my head. “But we owe you so much.”

His eyebrows shot up and he chuckled. “I mediate at best. I get you to open up to each other and communicate. But it’s been months since you’ve needed me in that capacity. I am in no way saying you’re both fine, but I believe you’re no longer in need of couples therapy.”

“Why? You were so insistent we needed it, and now?” Nathan’s brow furrowed.

Dr. Morgenson turned to Nathan and leaned toward him a little. “Seven months ago, you two had just gone through the equivalent of an atom bomb in your relationship. I was there, helping you pick up the pieces and put everything back together. Four months ago, I had a strong feeling that you were finally headed in the right direction after some very hard months and encouraged you to move forward. You were strong and united together. Lila has blossomed and stands up for herself and her wants, whereas you’ve relinquished a lot of fear of the Marconi and guilt over Grace.”

“The Marconi will always be watching and waiting.”

“But you’re better prepared this time. They will always be there, so why would you let them hold you back from being happy?”

“So, you don’t think we’re moving too fast?” Nathan took my hand and squeezed it.

“No, not at all. Especially for you two.” He leaned forward a little more and smiled. “I do, however, expect an invitation to the blessed event.”

“Wouldn’t be a party without you,” Nathan said, smiling, but it wasn’t at Dr. Morgenson—it was at his friend, Darren.

The countdown was on—three days. We still needed to finish up the workweek before boarding a plane, and my insides felt like a ticking time bomb.

That was probably why Drew, Caroline, Nathan, and I all went out to lunch—to relax. We’d decided on a sandwich shop not far from the office, specializing in grilled subs and fresh-cut fries. Drew drove Caroline and me, while Nathan was a few minutes behind due to a meeting with a client.

After ordering for Nathan and myself, I searched for a table for the four of us. The restaurant was pretty empty, being that it was mid-week, so there were lots of options. I found one and waited for the others to join me.

“So, are you changing your name, hyphenating, or keeping Palmer?” Drew asked as he took the seat across from me. He’d learned fast that the seat beside me was reserved for Nathan.

I shook my head like mad. “Hell, no… Am I keeping Palmer?” I scoffed. It wasn’t hard to imagine where the anger stormed from for a name that’d been mine for thirty years. “As soon as we get back, Palmer is gone. I don’t want to be associated with that man anymore.” I smiled at him, pushing all the negativity away.

Drew nodded. “I figured. Can’t call you DAP anymore. Maybe I’ll just start DAT. Who DAT?”

I rolled my eyes and let out a small snicker. “That is the stupidest name. You haven’t called me that in years, therefore it and all incarnations are void.”

“I can always bring it back.”

“No. Its statute of limitations is eighty years.”

“I’d like to appeal.”

“Appeal denied.” I clasped my hands together and cocked my head at him.

“Why?”

“You don’t have the appropriate paperwork.”

“What the hell is going on over here? Lawyer porn?” Caroline asked as she sat next to Drew.

“We were discussing DAP.”

Caroline paused, then shook her head. “That was the stupidest nickname.”

“Oh, come on, it was different.” The muscles in his forearm flexed, and he grinned.

“It made it sound like you were calling her some cleaning agent. ‘DAP will get out all your stains!’”

“Lila works just fine,” I said and took a bite of my sandwich.

“I’ve got some names for her, but they aren’t for polite company.” Nathan’s arm wrapped around me as he sat down and pulled me close for a kiss.

I looked up at him. “What about Honeybear?”

“Honeybear?” Caroline and Drew asked in unison.

I could swear Nathan’s cheeks pinked up. “Yeah, you’re my Honeybear. Public or private, but I’d prefer private. I’ve got an image to keep up, after all.”

“That’s worse than DAP.” Drew had a look of disgust on his face.

“I think it’s cute. Very different and shows a different side of Nate.” Caroline smiled across the table at us.

“Thank you, Caroline.” Nathan smiled back at her, then took a bite of his sandwich, moaning as he chewed.

I let out a giggle. “Hungry?”

“Fuck, yes. I haven’t eaten all day. Someone wanted to exercise this morning, and I missed breakfast.” He elbowed me and grinned.

“Oh, God, I don’t want to hear about the kinky, fucked up shit you two get into.” Drew made a gagging sound, then set his sandwich down. “Great. Now all I can see is your fucking hairy balls.”

“Hey, I said exercise—you’re the one who twisted it into my ass being naked.” Nathan chuckled. “And what the hell are you doing see my balls? I thought you’d be envisioning Lila, though I’m glad you weren’t, but is there something you need to tell us?”

Drew glared at Nathan, then shot a fry in his direction. “Shut the fuck up.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Yup, bunch of professional lawyers over here, not that anyone would guess.”

Drew sat up straighter and held his head high. “Professional when we need to be.”

Caroline quirked her brow at them. “Frat boys the rest of the time?”

Drew took a bite, then wiped his mouth. “You know I wasn’t a frat boy.”

“True, but I’m willing to bet Nate was.” Caroline turned her blue eyes back to Nathan, and he held up his right hand.

“Guilty.”

I gasped in shock and pulled back. “My God, what am I marrying?”

He eyed me sideways, his lip twitching up. “Prince Charming, remember?”

I scoffed. “This is one fucked up fairy tale.”

Nathan nodded, then he turned toward me, his eyes softening as he pulled me closer. “Yes, it is, but it’s ours.”

“Oh, by the way, I ran into someone who knows you when we were at the bridal shop.” I’d forgotten all about it.

His brow quirked. “Yeah? Who?”

I wracked my brain trying to remember his name. “Mack something. Said you met back when you were working on the Marconi case.”

Nathan swallowed hard, and set his sandwich down as he turned away from me. His profile didn’t stop me from seeing the color leave his skin. My stomach dropped, and a sickness washed over me. The air around him had become so thick that I was certain Drew and Caroline noticed his abrupt change in demeanor.

He only had that reaction when the Marconi were brought up.

“What else did he say?”

It’d been an innocent run-in, or so I thought. “Congratulations. That’s it.”

He turned back to me, his lips twitching into a forced smile, but his eyes couldn’t hide the combination of anger and dread.

“So, did you hear about Blackwell?” Caroline asked. “Seems he’s all the scandal with that intern Tara.”

I turned to look at her, mouthing a “thank you” as Drew jumped in, steering the conversation away and saving our peaceful lunch as much as possible.

Meeting with the event coordinator, Marie, went smoothly. She was a petite brunette with a curvy figure, round face, and wide, bright green eyes that stood out against her tanned skin. Her bubbly and open personality set me at ease the moment we met.

She’d done a great job asking all the questions in the few short weeks before the wedding and rolling it all together in time. Granted, I wasn’t a bridezilla. I let her fill in a lot of the blanks. In the end, I had a feeling she liked having the freedom to plan a wedding for a bride who wasn’t so specific on every single detail. Especially with the short timeline.

Marie snapped her binder closed and stood after going over everything with us. “All right, I’ll see all of you back here in two hours for the dress rehearsal. Hopefully you can round up the men by then.” She snickered and waved as she headed back to her office.

I was so happy to have her. She’d made the whole process so much easier and kept me from having a panic attack.

“The boys will probably be at the pool bar,” Erin said with a roll of her eyes. Her skin was pink from playing in the surf with her boys, and she had raccoon eyes.

Caroline snorted. “It’s always five o’clock when you’re on vacation.”

“We should find them before they get trashed and sun-baked.” Sarah sighed and smiled at me.

I wondered if Nathan was having a drink as well. After my accident, it was only some wine here and there or a margarita at Erin’s—our Friday nights were a long gone thing of the past. Though, the reason we stopped was due in part to all the medications we were on, along with therapist directions. In the end, it was a good thing for both of us, but it was vacation, so I suspected we’d be partaking quite a bit more than normal.

Teresa slipped her arm in mine and smiled. “Come, mi niña, let’s find them.”

As we walked through the lobby, I couldn’t help but take notice of how…different things were. Four women were paced with me, talking to me. I was involved and part of the group. In fact, I was the center of attention. It was surreal.

There’d already been so many “what do you want” or “what do you like” questions thrown around—people doing things for me and wanting to know what I wanted.

“There they are,” Caroline said, pointing to exactly where we thought they were—the pool bar. Ian was sitting next to Nathan, his Cheshire grin aimed at Caroline. She beamed back at him. His blond hair was a mess, making it obvious he’d already been in the pool.

“Well, hello, beautiful ladies.” Nathan grinned and pulled me between his open knees, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Extra special hello to my bride.”

He pursed his lips, and I leaned down to meet them. They tasted like beer.

“Are you drunk already?”

He chuckled. “On half a beer? No.”

“So, you’re just being overly charming, laying it on thick.” My eyes narrowed. “What are you up to?”

He quirked his brow at me. “What I am up to is cloud-fucking-nine, because I haven’t felt this good or been this happy in years. If I seem drunk, it’s because I’m drunk on happiness and…giddiness. I’m giddy.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “You’re being silly, but I have to admit, it’s fun, and I kinda like it.”

He gave me a quick peck. “Anything for you.”

I drew a circle on his chest with my finger and looked at him from under my lashes. “Anything?”

Ian laughed next to us. “Uh oh, man. She’s breaking out those feminine wiles.”

Nathan backed up and looked me over. “Who is this temptress before me? Because my fiancée isn’t like this.”

“I guess I’m giving in to my inner harlot.”

“Well, I like this inner harlot. Tell me more.” He grabbed onto my ass and pulled me hard between his legs. “What was it you wanted again?”

I placed my arms on his shoulders and ran my fingers through his hair. “I want to go walk on the beach and play in the water.”

“Now? What time is the rehearsal dinner?”

“In a few hours. So, we have about an hour or so before we need to get ready.”

“All right. Let’s go get changed.” He stood up, taking a long last sip of his beer, then grabbed my hand as we walked off. “We’ll be in the water.”

Ian toasted us with his beer. “Have fun!”

We headed into the hotel toward Nathan’s room, walking hand-in-hand. I couldn’t keep the smile from my face.

“You look happy.” He smiled down at me, his free hand brushing a strand of hair back. “It looks so good on you.”

I grabbed hold of his arm and leaned against his shoulder. “I am happy.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Good.”

When we entered his room, I sat down on the bed next to his suitcase. It was a front row view to a strip show, and I’d left my singles back in the room. I licked my lips at the sight of one of my favorite parts of his anatomy swinging as he stepped out of his shorts. He noticed me staring at him and smirked.

“See something you want?” He thrust his hips, making his cock bounce up and down.

I nodded and gave him a pout. “But it’s not hard yet.”

“I’m trying fucking hard not to.” He shook his head and picked through his suitcase, looking for his swim trunks.

“Why?” He was never one for holding back.

He slapped his trunks at me after he pulled them out. “Because we’ll have all the time in the world for it after the wedding.”

I sighed, enjoying my view, pouting at him as he got dressed. He chuckled and pulled his trunks on. Once they were up, hiding his cock again, we headed out the door and down to where I was staying.

As soon as we were in the room, I rid myself of my sundress. There was a groan behind me when I bent over to slide my panties down. I smiled, turned toward him and winked. He cursed under his breath, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck as he adjusted his stance.

Out of my suitcase came the small white bikini Caroline found for me in the fall. It was the only suit I owned, but I figured I’d buy another one while we were in Aruba.

I bent over to slip on the bottoms, and he groaned again.

Nathan’s eyes darkened and he turned from me, his fingers rubbing against his lips. “Motherfucker.” I also caught his hand on his cock. “You are a very bad girl.”

“What?” I adjusted my breasts, fixing the top so it was just right.

“I fucking forgot about what you’d be wearing. You know how I feel about you in this sad excuse of a bathing suit, and you’re teasing me with it.” His muscles tensed and flexed, teeth mashing. “You’re trying to push my buttons, and I’m not going to give it to you.” His gaze narrowed on me. “I’m onto your games.”

My jaw dropped open. “Are you denying me?”

He nodded. “For being a tease, you aren’t getting any until tomorrow night.”

“But…”

“Besides, we don’t really have time for it.”

I quirked my brow at him and shifted my weight as I crossed my arms, thus pushing my breasts out more. “Says the man who’s perfected the office quickie.”

He sighed and leaned back against the wall. “What have I turned you into?”

“Exactly what you wanted—a sexual deviant who can’t live without your cock. I believe your official title for me when we’re alone is ‘my little cocksucking slut.’”

He grinned at me and shook his head. “I’ve created a monster.”

“A cock monster.”

“Yes, a cock monster. Now throw your dress back on, and let’s go. You wanted to play in the ocean, remember?”

“You distracted me.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Fuck, I love you.”

We walked down to the beach, and I gave a happy sigh when my feet sank into the warm sand. Nathan was staring at me, and I turned to him. “What?”

“I need to make you insanely happy more often, because you are shining.”

I beamed up at him, then took his hand and ran toward the crashing waves.

I stood in front of a mirror, all alone, staring at a vision that wasn’t the normal me. My hair was done in a low, loose bun with a white rose and some baby’s breath. There was no more makeup than I usually had on, but combined with the dress and my hair, I looked foreign to myself.

Five minutes after Caroline ushered Teresa out, the anxiety was intensifying. My mind couldn’t get over the fact that it was really happening. I had to be dreaming.

“They’re ready for you,” Marie said as she held out a bouquet of white roses.

I wrapped my fingers around the base, then took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. She drew back the curtain, and I stepped out onto the sand. My arms shook out the tension that was building before I took another step. After all, what did I have to be nervous about? I was getting married, and I was happy.

We made it.

Against all odds and every obstacle we encountered, Nathan and I were going to be a family in a few short moments. There were more trials ahead of us, but we would face them—together. We were strongest that way, barely functioning apart. It was a lesson we learned all too well.

Everyone in the office knew I was Nathan’s and he was mine, and today we sealed it. Out on a sandy beach in the Caribbean with the friends and family that could make the journey with us, we would say “I do.” The belief still eluded me that at the end of the day I would no longer be Delilah Palmer. Instead, I would be Delilah Thorne—wife to the office god.

I made my way down the sand with butterflies in my stomach, the light fabric of my dress fluttering in the breeze. Every squashed Cinderella dream or princess fantasy I’d imagined as a child, about marrying a prince that would take me away from the evil, was steps away. He was waiting for me at the end of the aisle. He was damaged, but so was I, and together we were one soul, one heart.

My step faltered, and I was afraid I would fall, but I regained my balance. I turned the corner and moved my gaze up to where I knew he stood. My heart skipped a beat, and the warmth only he could give spread through me. Our eyes locked, and I could feel everything he felt in that moment. It was love. It was home.

With Nathan, I was finally home.

It felt like my chest was going to explode from everything I felt. I wanted to break down crying in joy, overwhelmed with a happiness I’d never experienced.

“Hi,” he said, smiling at me when I reached him.

“Hi.” I handed my bouquet to Caroline and took his hand.

The officiant began, but I hardly heard a word because my eyes were concentrating on Nathan’s. Nothing could tear me away from his gaze—we were caught in our own little bubble.

I was lost in him as I recited the standard vows—in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do us part. He already knew all of that, as I’d long ago pledged all of that to him. When it was his turn, I caught the panic that flashed across his face when he spoke about death.

If I could help it, I would do everything in my power to make sure he died before me. The thought of him in despair as he watched another woman he loved die was gut-wrenching. I didn’t want him to feel that pain again.

“I do,” he said in closing, a waver of emotion in his voice.

I didn’t wait for the officiant to pronounce us before launching myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him as hard as I could. Laughter was heard from the crowd behind us.

“Well, I guess I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!” the officiant said, snickering with everyone else.

I pulled back, heat flooding my face as I looked at her. “Sorry.”

Nathan chuckled and pulled me closer. “Can I kiss my bride?”

“Please.”

His lips met mine, soft but with an intensity that zinged through me.

My husband.

Nathan

The alarm went off, blaring in my ear, and I groaned as I slapped my hand down on it. I stared at the time, sighing as I registered it was Monday and we really did have to get up.

Going back to work was rough. Being on vacation had been a heaven of sorts, and reality was brutal, making me appreciate every moment away that much more.

Granted, it wasn’t all bad—Lila was with me. My wife.

“Come on, get up,” I said as I yawned, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed and stretching.

She whimpered, face down in her pillow. “Only if you promise Starbucks.”

I snickered. “Trust me, baby, I don’t want to leave this bed either. And I promise we’ll stop.”

Her head tilted up and she huffed, blowing the wild strands of hair from her face. She was pouty and grumpy, making her fucking adorable and my urge to hug her ferocious.

With a growl and a graceless stiffness, I jumped on top of her. She squeaked, trapped beneath me. I nibbled at her neck, biting like an animal, making her writhe and me stiffen in another way.

I smacked her ass and pushed off the bed before I got carried away. “Come on, before I shove my cock in you and we miss the chance to get coffee.”

Her eyes popped open wide and she jumped from the bed. Apparently coffee won out over my dick—what the hell?

A few minutes later, we were out the door and on our way. The smile never left her face. I’d never seen her smile so much.

Sitting at a red light, it dawned on me. “You’re thinking about the Boob Squad, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” Her voice was light and playful.

“Ready to rub it in their jealous noses that you are Mrs. Nathan Thorne.”

“Maybe.” Her smile grew wider.

“You don’t have to admit it. I know you are, and so am I. Those insipid bitches piss me off.” My fingers flexed on the steering wheel. “I hate the way they think they can treat you, and for no reason except that you’re with me.”

She shrugged. “Before you came, they pretty much ignored me and were never friendly. Then again, I didn’t make it easy—I didn’t want to get to know them.”

“They’re shallow cunts anyway.” I shivered in disgust when I remembered Jennifer grabbing my hand and putting it up her skirt. I’d been inches from her pussy and whatever disease it held.

She nodded. “Pack mentality, with Jennifer at the helm.”

I snorted. “She is the worst of them, followed up by Tiffany.”

Lila laughed. “Oh, yes, Tiffany trying to seduce you in the copy room. That was priceless.”

I quirked my brow at her. “You saw that?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I stuck around, waiting to see if you needed rescuing.”

I shook my head and brought her fingers up to my lips, placing a kiss. She never failed to surprise me. Or turn me on.

By the time we arrived, she was buzzing with energy, staring down at the rings on her fingers. I glanced at mine, still getting used to something being there after so long.

“I wonder if my new nameplate is up.”

I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close as we walked in the building. “Another way to stick it to them, huh?”

She nodded. “Oh, yeah. Plus, I love my new name. I want to scream it from the rooftops.”

I laughed and kissed the side of her head. “You still need to get it changed legally.”

“Yeah. I’m doing that tomorrow at lunch.”

I quirked a brow as I held the door open for her. “I’m surprised you can wait that long.”

She elbowed me in the ribs. “I figured there wouldn’t be time today. I’m afraid to see what my desk looks like…and poor Owen. He hasn’t been in the position long.”

I pushed the call button for the elevator. “He can handle himself.”

She pursed her lips, silent as the doors slid open and we stepped in. A loud sigh came out of her, and I looked down.

“What?”

“Yesterday we were on the beach. I want to go back.”

The elevator slowed to a stop and the doors opened to our floor. I took a moment to lean into her. “Soon.”

“Tomorrow?”

I chuckled as I grabbed her hand and started walking down the hall. “Not quite that soon.”

Of course, turning the corner would put us right in front of the fucking BS bitches—some of their cubes were right in the hallway. I fucking hated seeing the lust light up their eyes, then turn to disdain when they noticed Lila. Then again, I’d rather have them not look at us at all.

“Another vacation? Jeez, Delilah, I’m surprised Mr. Holloway still has you on.” The vile skank known as Jennifer rolled her eyes.

The other diseased one, Tiffany, held her hand up to her mouth, as if we wouldn’t hear her. “You know she’s only still here because Nathan was his son-in-law.”

My eye twitched as my jaw tightened and flexed. When did my past start circulating? We were already water cooler gossip, but my relationship with Jack had been kept quiet.

“It’s none of your business how I use my vacation time. I have a lot saved up over the years, and still plenty to go—I’ll use it how I want to.” Lila was cool and collected, and the venom in her voice turned me on.

My fingers flexed on her hip. I loved to see her fight back—it was so fucking sexy. She wasn’t weak, no matter what that shithead or the bitches in front of us thought.

They rolled their eyes. “I’m surprised you have any left after all the time you took off last year.”

Lila shook her head before narrowing her gaze on them. “You really are the stupidest bunch of rat-pack bitches, aren’t you? I was hit by a car, unable to take care of myself, let alone work. That classifies as sick time and medical leave. Company policy allows a certain number of weeks to be taken with half pay in the event you are unable to work for medical reasons. Vacation time is not used for medical leave.”

She glared at them as she explained in terms their collagen-filled brains might understand. I cringed and backed up when Jennifer puckered her lips at me. Fuck, if her lips got any bigger, they were going to explode. It was bad enough she put her hands on me and shoved her breasts in my face every fucking chance she got, but there was no way I’d want those monsters near me.

The BS bitches were tsking and getting riled up and yammering—pissing me off. It was too fucking early to listen to their squawking. I’d had enough.

I grabbed the back of Lila’s head and turned her to me, fisting her hair. My other hand grabbed on to her jaw as I devoured her lips with mine. I turned, pressing her against the wall as I shoved my tongue in her mouth, claiming her as mine, hips thrusting as I practically fucked her in front of them.

It made me remember our honeymoon, just two days prior when I had to lay claim to her in front of a bunch of idiots who were trying to buy her a drink at the pool bar. I kissed her harder, deeper, fucking her mouth with my tongue. She was whimpering and moaning, her hands gripped tight on my lapels.

I pulled back, panting, happy at the complete desire and want on her face. I looked over to the bitches, their stunned expressions making me want to laugh.

“My wife.” More than one of them gasped in shock, apparently unaware what had transpired the week before. “I don’t want anyone but her, so stop trying to tear her down to make yourselves feel better or think you have a chance at getting to me. Women like you make me sick.”

“You can’t!” Jennifer screamed out, jumping up from her seat.

My spine straightened, and I turned to face them, glaring down at them. Tiffany’s eyes widened and she scurried back behind the cube wall. Kelly, the least aggressive of the bunch, sat down in her seat when my head cocked in her direction, scooting it back to her desk.

“What can’t I do?” My voice was even, smooth. From their shuddering, it also had the desired chilling effect. “I’ve been fairly tolerant of your advances, but your bleached brain doesn’t seem to grasp that I am in a relationship and therefore unavailable. You have chosen not to respect that, and are no better than an insect, in my view.”

Jennifer was defiant, yet to be broken. “She’s an insect.” Her lip curled up in insolence as she looked at Lila.

I stepped forward, looming over her and flashed my left hand so their leader could see. “I asked Lila to marry me, to be my wife. I wanted to marry her, to have her with me forever, to have her body on mine whenever and wherever I want. Not you. Never any of you. Only her.”

Jennifer’s jaw jutted forward and her arms crossed over her chest. “So, what you’re saying is you married your whore.”

My eyes widened and my body vibrated.

“Jenn, I think you should stop.” Kelly’s voice was low, reserved.

“Say that again, skank. Call my wife a whore again and I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” She stepped forward, her body so close I could feel the heat of her devil fire on my skin.

“Have you fired.”

A hand clapped down on my shoulder and I turned to Jack. The BS bitches all gasped, and Jennifer’s mouth was gaping open, stumbling over words as she stepped away from me. I relaxed back toward Lila, my muscles uncoiling at her touch.

“M-Mr. Holloway, welcome back.” Jennifer blinked at him, a bead of sweat forming on her brow.

“Hmph. I don’t see how getting accounts of you threatening another employee while I was away, witnessing the beautiful wedding of Nathan and Delilah on the beach, as much of a welcome.”

She shook her head desperately. “No, sir, I didn’t do anything like that.”

Jack rocked back on his heels and stared at her. “I don’t much like emails like that while I’m away on vacation. Especially when they are from your supervisor’s supervisor with multiple accounts from different women in the office stating they’d been attacked by you.” Jennifer’s face paled and she sunk back. “Make sure your schedule is clear this afternoon, Miss Watson.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

“Now, I believe you all have work to do.” He smiled at them with an almost eerie calm.

They all slunk back to their cubes, pretending to work—something I still wasn’t convinced they ever accomplished.

Jack turned to us and beamed. “I’m missing that beach about now.” He laughed as he patted my back and walked us down the hall.

“Thanks, Jack. I was about to lose it.”

Jack nodded. “I noticed. You didn’t even hear your wife calling your name and tugging on your arm.”

I looked over to Lila, who nodded. “I was afraid you were going to punch her.”

I sighed and pulled on my neck. “I almost did.” I glanced at Jack. “Was that true?”

Jack smiled and leaned close, looking around to make certain no one overheard. “There have been whispered complaints going on from some of the senior staff for some time. While we were away, Owen took it upon himself to detail their actions. Some of it was on video. He emailed Stanley Wick, stating that her supervisor refused to take action and it was upsetting many of his coworkers.”

Lila was right—Owen could hold his own. I laughed.

“Stanley looked into it. Seems Jennifer has been…coercing good progress reports from her supervisor, Daniel.”

Lila scoffed at the news. “Doesn’t surprise me in the least, especially after watching the way she went after Nate.”

Jack looked around again. “David and I have taken an interest in the matter, especially seeing as a supervisor was involved and in a way that violates many company policies.”

I looked at Jack when he referenced his brother—the other Holloway in the company name. “I thought David retired.”

“He still pokes around from time to time, keeping tabs. Stanley contacted him first, since I was away.” We stopped in front of Lila’s door and Jack held out his hand, shaking mine before taking Lila’s. “Have a good day, you two.” He turned to leave, then looked back. “I’ll keep you apprised of the situation, seeing as you both are involved and have had altercations. We’ll probably need to meet with each of you later.”

I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” I pulled Lila close as he walked away. She looked up at me as she leaned in, arching into me.

“Ahem.”

We blinked at each other and peeked into the office. Owen was peering over his monitor, staring at us. “If you’re going to make out, can you do it somewhere else?”

“Ha.” I flipped him off and leaned down for one last succulent kiss to get me through the day.

It was hard to let her go, to be separated from her. She pushed away with a reluctant sigh and headed to her desk, a deep frown as she looked over all the files covering the top.

“Hey, thanks, Owen.” I tipped my chin at him.

He looked up at me and smirked. “For what?

I nodded in agreement to his sneaky maneuvers and gave him a thumbs up. “You’re all right, man.” I looked back to Lila and kissed the air at her. “Have a good day, Mrs. Thorne.”

She beamed at me. “You too, Mr. Thorne.”

Later that day, I worked my way through an easier case file, when my email pinged with a new message from Lawrence, the prosecutor in Adam’s case. My eyes scanned over the message, and I cursed. Not news I needed to hear after such a wonderful week in paradise.

My knee bounced as I stared at the screen. The news was fucking up all of our hopes. It seemed that a dark cloud was now crashing down on us. I stood, throwing the door open and walking as fast as I could down the hall. I slammed my hand down on the open door, startling both the occupants of the large office.

Lila stared up at me. “Nate?”

“We need to take a break.”

My agitation must have been obvious, because she nodded and locked her computer. She looked over to Owen as she grabbed her jacket and swung it on. “I’ll be back.”

My fingers tangled with hers as soon as she reached me, and I practically dragged her down the hall. I pressed the call button for the elevator over and over, but she didn’t say a word. One finger slipped inside my wrist, followed by another, caressing the soft skin, and I settled down. It wasn’t enough, but it helped.

By the time we arrived at the main floor lobby, I’d calmed down enough that I was no longer dragging her along behind me. I still kept a brisk pace, one she had a little trouble keeping up with for the few blocks down the street and around the corner to Starbucks.

I shuddered, a sickening feeling overcoming me every time I passed the intersection in front of the store. The memories always bombarded me—her totaled car, her blood, her lifeless body. There was no doubt I would never overcome the images—they were burned in my brain.

The door swung open as we approached, and I caught it, holding it open and guiding her in. We ordered our drinks and waited at the end of the counter.

She never said a word, never asked what was wrong. I looked down and caught her curious gaze. In the depth of her eyes, I swear I could see every question she wouldn’t ask, and they were all laced in fear. I pulled her close and kissed her forehead, the action relaxing her a bit, and she blew out a long breath.

We found a small table and sat down. I didn’t speak, taking a sip instead. As we sat there, the anger and agitation slowly slipped away. The email had gutted me, leaving me feeling helpless, unable to protect her from the devil that haunted her.

“I didn’t know… I just found out, but they don’t charge habitual anymore for anything other than drugs,” I said, finally able to break the bad news.

Her face paled, and she dropped the cup from her lips. “Wha…what do we do now?”

I sighed and rubbed my face. “The prosecutor said he’s going to throw everything he can at him. There are a couple of class D felonies and some lesser offenses.”

“How much time is that?”

“Less than before.” I shook my head. My body felt like it was weighed down by a lead ball on my chest. “Not for the rest of his life, which is not good enough for either of us.” My anger began to boil at the thought of him on the loose, free to find her again. My jaw clenched, teeth grinding together. “It would be safer for him if he was in jail, because if I ever see his face in the world again after the trial, I will kill him.”

Lila placed her hands over my balled up fists for a brief moment before standing. I looked up at her but didn’t find the expression I expected. There was no fear. I’d just told her there was a possibility the man who’d tried to kill her more than once could be out in the world in a few short years, and she was smiling at me with tears in her eyes.

She sat down on my lap and grabbed my hands, wrapping my arms around her.

“Thank you,” she whispered. Her hand cupped my cheek and her fingers caressed my skin, lighting the familiar tingle of warmth I always got from her touch.

My eyes closed and I leaned into her hand, sighing as she soothed the beast in me. “For what?”

“For loving me that much.”

I blinked up at her. “Do you still not understand how much I love you? That I would do anything to keep you safe?”

“I do, but I also have my moments of doubt and disbelief. Fears that you’re a dream and I’ll wake up in hell again.”

My grip tightened, pulling her closer. “I’m not a figment of your imagination. Do you really think your mind would create someone so fucked up?”

She massaged the back of my neck with her fingers, making me groan. “Maybe. Why wouldn’t my mind think the perfect person for me is just as fucked up as I am?”

I smiled and leaned forward so that our foreheads were touching. “We are perfect together.”

Her lips met mine, but not in the soft kiss I was expecting. Nails scratched at my neck as her tongue asked for mine. I moaned—she was changing my mood in a very unexpected way.

“We fit perfectly together physically as well,” I said as she pulled away. Ideas of hauling her into the store’s bathroom began milling around my head. My hand moved up her thigh, grabbing the flesh beneath.

Yeah, I could use a quickie.

She rolled her eyes. “Such a horny bastard.”

“But I’m your horny bastard. And you should know, after all this time, what kissing me like that will do.”

She smiled at me all innocent-like, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth. My head was spinning, all the blood from my brain draining down to my dick.

Fuck—the things she did to me.

“That’s it, Nathan!” Jared, my instructor, said, slapping his padded, gloved hands together. “Again.”

Left, right, left, elbow, knee—breathe and repeat. Ten times each side. I was counting in the front of my mind, but in the back I was going over everything Noah had told us over dinner.

Dirty cops were being bribed by Marconi to turn a blind eye and destroy evidence in a new case against him. He’d hired men to follow around those involved in the case, including me. The longer I thought about it, the more my anxiety grew, because they could already know about my marriage.

I’d put Lila in danger.

I punched at Jared’s gloved hand, channeling the crippling fear that was starting to creep in. Over and over, harder and harder I threw my body against him. My muscles protested, but I couldn’t stop—I needed the outlet before I spun out. I couldn’t hear anything but the thoughts rattling around in my head.

Would they come after us? Would I be able to protect Lila? What happened if I couldn’t?

My fist slammed hard against Jared, knocking him back. “Damn, Nate. Can you even hear me?”

My lungs were burning from harsh, labored breaths. “Sorry,” I managed to get out between pants.

“Man, what is wrong with you tonight?” he asked, undoing the straps on my gloves and pulling them off.

Sweat poured down my face, and my chest constricted until a strangled noise was released, tears filling my eyes.

What if I lost Lila?

My knees gave out, and I fell hard to the ground. I cried out in pain when I hit the concrete floor below me, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.

Fuck.

I couldn’t deal with a fucking panic attack, so I tried to calm myself.

Jared kneeled down next to me, his hand on my back. “What can I do?”

My airway was constricting. “M-my w-wife.”

The world was closing in again, the snake around my body squeezing tighter.

“Nathan?” Lila’s voice cut through the dark fog. She wasn’t there, and it took me a moment to realize Jared was holding the phone to my ear. “Baby, are you okay? Jared just called me. Do you have your meds with you?”

Hearing her voice was enough to halt the panic attack that was seizing me. My chest expanded, allowing for a deeper breath. It began to ease off—my vision started to clear and my muscles uncoiled.

“Nate, say something.”

“S-something.”

She let out a strangled giggle on the other end of the phone. “Is it getting better? Do you need me to come get you?” Keys jingled in the background.

“I just needed to hear your voice.” I took the phone from Jared and sat back on my haunches. Looking around the room, I found more than one person staring at me, aside from my trainer. “I’ll be fine.”

There was silence on the other end, and I knew she was worried. “Is it about what Noah said?”

I ran my free hand over my face. “Yes.”

“We’ll get through whatever happens,” she said.

“As long as we’re together, right?”

“Right.”

I blew out a breath. “I’ll be home soon.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” I ended the call and took a bottle of water from Jared’s hand. “Thanks.”

“No problem. You good now?” He patted my shoulder.

“Yeah.”

“So, this is one of those situations you were telling me about?”

I nodded. “Sorry.”

He shook his head. “It’s cool, man. I’m just glad you warned me when we started and gave me your girl’s number. Fucking freaked me out.”

I scoffed. “And that was mild.”

He stood up and held out a hand to help me up. “We’ll call it a night. Go home and relax. Pick it back up on Thursday?”

I clapped onto his hand and hauled my ass up off the floor. “Sounds like a plan.”

I grabbed my stuff and headed out, driving as fast as I could, happy to get home to my wife. My hands ached to touch her. Only she provided the peace to calm the storm within me. The beast prowled back and forth, restless for her soothing touch.

As soon as I parked the car, I was in the lobby, waving hello to Mike and calling for the elevator. My hand tapped on my thigh, nervous energy coursing through me. I fumbled with my keys as soon as the doors opened and burst into our condo.

I threw my bag on the ground, locking the door behind me, and went running to find Lila. My foot caught on the floor, nearly tripping when I rounded the wall into the living room.

Standing in the middle of the room was my wife, wearing nothing other than the sexy little set I bought her for Christmas.

“Fuck.” My cock immediately rose to attention. The black and purple lace of her bra contrasted against her pale skin. She turned, a little minx smile on her face, and showed off her fuck-perfect ass.

I groaned. Yeah, her ass would make me feel better. Tight and snug around me, squeezing me, pulling out every last drop I had to give.

It only took three steps to be on her. I grabbed onto her hips and pulled her back, hard. My mouth latched onto her neck, my teeth nipping at the skin beneath.

“You will do as I say, and you will fucking enjoy it.” Power poured through me as the beast took control, ready to take her, fucking pound her.

She moaned and pushed her ass back against my cock. “What do you want me to do?”

I pushed on her back with my hand and she leaned forward, resting against the arm of the couch. My fingers grabbed onto her hair and pulled. My sexy girl moaned. I fucking loved that I could let go, and she enjoyed it as much as I did.

“I want you to be my dirty little slut. I’m going to fuck you hard.” My free hand ran along her hip and over the curve of her ass. “I’m going to squeeze into this tight ass, and you’re going to milk all the come from my balls.”

I pushed the lacy material aside, and slipped a finger into her already wet pussy. When I moved to press against the tight opening I was about to bust into, there was something blocking me. I leaned back and looked down.

“Fuck!” I got even harder at the image of the sparkling purple jewel on the end of the stainless steel butt plug I’d gotten her, sitting where her fuck-tight hole was. “Already worked yourself open a bit, I see.”

I’d bought it to go with the set she was wearing, and I’d eagerly waited to see it peeking at me from between her cheeks. Her timing couldn’t be more perfect.

It took every bit of restraint to not just pull it out and push my dick right in without prepping her more, but I wasn’t that kind of an asshole. Just the garden variety with a hard dick and a craving for an insanely tight ass.

Fuck, I needed some lube, because I wasn’t going to get her as far as she needed. I pulled on the end, shuddering as I watched her stretch around the widest part. When the tip was on the verge of coming out, I drove it back in all the way. I stared down in perverse fascination as I moved it out again.

I looked down at my leaking cock, begging to be pressed between her ass cheeks. It was trying to get out of my shorts, dripping to be surrounded by her. She was so fucking tight that I couldn’t think about anything but the sight and memory of my head popping through her tight ring of muscles.

She let out a sexy whimper sound and relaxed into the pumping toy in her ass.

As if she knew what I was thinking, her hand reached behind her, the bottle of lube in her palm.

“Fuck, yes,” I hissed, releasing her hair and taking it from her.

In my impatience, I yanked her panties down to her knees, then pulled my shirt off and tossed it to the ground.

I pushed two of my lubed fingers inside. I had to feel exactly how tight and ready she was. I suckedin a tight gasp when her ass pressed back into my hand. The deeper I went, the more she seemed to pull my fingers inside her.

It was fucking perfect—my fingers disappearing inside her.

With my other hand, I stroked my cock. I couldn’t take anymore—I was going to come all over the backs of her legs.

“What was that?”

“I didn’t say anything,” she said, her voice hoarse.

I leaned over, bit her shoulder blade, and then I was right fucking there, slicked up and ready to decimate her ass—the hole I worshiped more than my very heartbeat in that moment.

“It’s not going to be gentle—more like a two-bit whore,” I said in warning as I lubed up my cock.

One hand held onto her hip while the other gripped my cock, lining up and pressing against her slightly gaping but tight asshole. She whimpered a little—my cock was bigger than the plug. I was bad in my need and continued on. Lights flashed in my eyes, a strangled breath escaping as I made it through the her fucking tight muscles and halfway in.

It was the escape I needed, washing over me as her body crushed around mine in tight, cock-strangling bliss. My hips rocked, pushing my cock further in, curses flying at the mind-numbing pleasure that enveloped every cell as she moved up and down my shaft. With each thrust, I pushed harder, faster, driving my way to the release I desperately needed.

I looked down to watch her spread around my cock as I plunged in. The sight made me shudder, glued to the hypnotizing view. Fuck, it was perfect. Goddamned exquisite.

“Such a good girl.” My fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her head back. It was the perfect leverage needed to pound her hard.

I needed to fuck her into oblivion. Destroy her—destroy us both.

I yanked back on her hair as I thrust forward, slamming hard, pushing her into the arm of the couch. It was relentless fucking, the friction on my dick driving me harder and faster. Every muscle was tense, every nerve tingling as I let go and took what I needed.

I released her hair, both hands bearing down on her hips, holding her still. I couldn’t stop plowing into her or even slow down. There was nothing in me, my mind fuzzy, with only the need to come driving me.

A shudder rolled through me, every muscle coiled tight. My hips slammed hard against her, jerking as I exploded. I shook with each spurt firing off.

Pure bliss and white, mind-numbing euphoria.

Peace.

Ever since we’d talked to Noah, I’d been on edge. My life was turning into a happy place again, but the threat I lived with for years was reawakening, trying to ruin it all. The vibrating anxiety pumped through my veins again, and the beast inside me prowled, growling at me to take Lila and run.

Matters were made worse when an old, familiar tingling sensation from someone watching me reared their forgotten head. I wasn’t certain, but it wasn’t the first time since the New Year it’d happened, and now I knew why.

Lila’s eyes watched me, probably waiting for me to burst. Not that I could blame her—I knew I was losing control. I could only guess how I looked on the outside. It was so bad that Darren wanted me to try meditation.

Meditation.

Fuck that. They only meditation I needed was my dick in Lila’s pussy. It was the only way to calm my ass down. Unfortunately, getting off inside and on my wife wasn’t providing the relief it used to. I wasn’t getting the mind-wiping hours of clarity that normally accompanied it. I had a suspicion the added stress of the trial was the culprit and was making me a bigger time bomb than ever before.

I rubbed my face as I stared at the computer screen. The client was driving me mad, reminding me about the good that was working on contracts—no customers. Their plight seemed trivial to the shit-storm in my life.

There was a knock on my open door before Drew walked in and sat down in front of me, a stupid grin plastered on his face.

“Man, what is up with you?” He’d been acting strange ever since we got back.

“Dana,” he said with a smile.

My brow twitched, and I stared at him. “Who’s Dana?”

The lovey-dovey look in his eyes cleared, and he leaned forward. “The woman I met in Aruba.”

He gave me a look like I should’ve known who he was talking about.

“You met someone in Aruba?”

He chuckled and leaned back. “Yeah, you only had eyes for Lila and were blind to the rest of us.”

“Can you blame me?” I asked. He shook his head. “Are you doing a long distance relationship?”

He shook his head. “Kinda, but not the distance you’re thinking. She lives in Bloomington. She’s an English professor at IU.”

“All right, I can see you’re dying to tell me, so spill.” I sat back in my chair and watched the lovesick fool in front of me.

“She’s perfect. I mean, beautiful and intelligent. When she smiles, everything lights up.” His own smile brightened, and I wanted to look for my sunglasses. “When I’m with her, nothing else matters. It’s like we’re the only two people in the world.”

“All that in just a few weeks?”

Drew gave a shy smile. “Actually, she was on spring break when we were in Aruba, and since we got back, we’ve seen each other almost every day.”

“You drive down to Bloomington every day?” It was an hour and a half drive from the north side where our office was, which was about the same distance from his house.

He shook his head. “No. She doesn’t have class in the afternoon a couple times a week, so she comes up here on those days. It’s a little hard to go on dates, so we kind of fell into a living together type situation.”

My brow shot up, and I chuckled. “Damn, that was fast.”

He shrugged. “It’s what we have to do.”

“Things are going good, then?”

He nodded. “She’s amazing. Absolutely…wow. I’ve never felt like this. It’s kind of scary.” I laughed a bit, Drew’s face turning from spacy and glowing to glowering. “Shut up.”

I held my hands up. “No, man, good for you. That’s awesome. I just never knew you were such a sap.”

He grimaced and flipped me off. “I thought you of all people would understand. You know, with your obsessive love of Lila.”

“Obsessive love?” I thought on it for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, you got me there.”

“If it wasn’t for the fact that she feels the same and I know you, I’d fear for her safety.”

I glared at him. “What the fuck does that mean?” Did he really think I’d hurt Lila?

“It means you’re a jealous asshole who is super possessive of her. Borderline psycho.”

“Fuck you.” I leaned back and blew out a breath.

“Just stating the truth.”

“Yeah, I fucking know,” I grumbled. I hated when people pointed out my negative personality traits. They always made me wonder if I was always like that, or if I really was a completely different person than I was before the accident. Was I a blend of the two—Nathan and the beast?

Drew pulled me from my thoughts. “What’s the plan for lunch?”

I glanced down at the clock on my monitor—it was only ten, still almost two hours before our normal lunch time. My gaze moved to the open chair next to Drew, and I stared knowing what I wanted for lunch.

“Not sure. I have a meeting at one I have to get ready for, so I may just get something to go and eat in here.”

“Okay.” He pushed against the arms of the chair and stood. “Let me know if something changes.”

“Will do.”

The moment he was gone, I pulled out my phone.

Lunch. My office, 11:30. No panties.

I had a little over an hour to finish up my preparations before what I was hungry for arrived. Before I dug in, I pulled out some menus from my desk drawer. Flipping through, I found Lila’s favorite Mediterranean place. They weren’t open yet, but they took online orders ahead of time. I set up an order for eleven and shoved the folder back into my desk.

One hour to finish up before my meals arrived.

I chuckled to myself, earning a quizzical look from Lila.

“What?”

“Your hair is a beautiful fucking mess.”

She reached up and her fingers combed through it, trying to straighten it and get out the knots I’d made. My wife looked thoroughly sexed—a look I loved to see her wear. Unfortunately, we were at the office and had to at least look presentable before we opened the door to the sixth floor conference room.

The quiet little corner became our occasional afternoon delight spot. With the trial closing in, we both needed the physical reassurance and calm that came from touching each other.

“I was thinking about having roasted chicken breast and red potatoes for dinner.”

I thought it over as I pushed the tails of my dress shirt back into my slacks. “Sounds pretty good. Maybe some salad as well. My stomach hasn’t been right since that weird Indian place Drew took us to on Monday.” She smiled, laughing to herself. “What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

I threw my jacket back on and walked over to her, pulling her to me. “It’s not nothing.”

She bit her bottom lip, a blush creeping along her cheeks. “We’re just weird.”

“We’re weird?”

“I mean, I don’t watch sitcoms, but I’ve seen some when I dated Drew and spent time with Caroline. The things the people talked about were often strange to me.” I quirked my brow at her, and she sighed. “You know I have warped perceptions on reality, and our conversation was oddly similiar to those shows. I didn’t realize we’d become so mainstream and domesticated.”

I laughed out loud. Normalcy was weird to her, and we were engaging in a normal, everyday couple conversation—the type we’d had hundreds of.

“Baby, we’re married.”

Her brow scrunched. “And?”

“And we’re evolving as people and a couple. Life isn’t only about the crap we’ve been through anymore. The everyday shit, sharing it, and living life is the new us.”

“I didn’t say it was bad, just…weird.” She tucked her head. “And I kind of like it.”

I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. “You’ll get used to it, and it won’t be weird anymore.” She snuggled into my chest, a content sigh coming from her. “Dinner sounds great.”

“You can make the salad.”

I smiled and kissed the top of her head. “One of the few things I can make.”

“You’ve gotten better at other things.”

I nodded. “I have.”

“You can make lasagna tomorrow.”

“Mmm, that sounds good.”

“Tomorrow. I’m making chicken tonight. Besides, we’ll need to stop at the grocery store.”

I opened the door and held it for her to walk through. One of the few locals of the floor passed by, giving us a knowing look.

I didn’t care who knew. Was it unprofessional to have sex at the office? Hell, yes. Was that going to stop me? Not a fucking chance. Discreet was what we strived for, but sometimes it was inevitable that someone heard us.

“Your tie is messed up.” She reached up and adjusted it as we rode the elevator back up.

We were walking down the hall back to her office when I noticed Caroline standing in front of Lila’s office, tapping her foot with her arms crossed in front of her. What had her so pissed?

“My God, Nate, can’t you wait a few hours until you get home?” She huffed as we neared.

I grinned at her. “No.”

She rolled her eyes, then pointed at her watch as she looked at Lila. “Tick-tock, girl. We have lunch plans, and you’re eating into them with your sexcapades.”

“Oh, crap!” Lila looked down at her watch and headed into her office to get her purse and coat.

“Yeah, you forgot, didn’t you?”

“No, time got away from me.”

Caroline quirked her brow. “How long were you two getting it on?”

I checked out the time, doing the math of when we left. “We were pretty quick.”

“Nate!”

I peeked in and saw that Owen had already left for lunch. “I know it’s no secret from her, so stop acting embarrassed. Besides, baby making has no schedule.” I grinned.

Caroline’s head snapped to me. “Wait, what was that? Baby making?”

I glanced at Lila, who was glaring at me. Hadn’t she told Caroline? Weeks had passed, and Caroline was out sick for a week in there, but I thought she would be the first person Lila told. Caroline gave me a “I hope you know what you’re doing” look.

Lila sighed. “I was going to tell you about it over lunch.”

“You sure as hell are.”

“I’ll see you later,” Lila said as she gave me a kiss and headed down the hall.

Once they were out of sight, I headed down to my office. As soon as I entered, I slammed my head against the door. Was I forcing my desires for a family on Lila? Did she even want children, or was she placating me? There was the possibility that the trial on Monday was consuming her thoughts—perhaps that was why?

The answer was clear to that one. Her demeanor told me the stress of the trial was getting to her—hence the romp this morning. She was the one who called me to meet—an unusual occurrence.

When the alarm went off, neither of us moved to turn off the blaring sound. We stared at each other, gathering up the strength to leave the bed. Knowing that as soon as the alarm was silent, we had to get ready.

She sighed and curled against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, wishing I could keep her there—that she didn’t have to go through what was coming.

The volume of the alarm grew to an almost deafening level, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I slapped down on the snooze button to shut it up.

Five more minutes.

I went back to my position of trying to pull her inside me. When time was up, we reluctantly separated and moved to get up.

A low pressure front had come through overnight, and we both groaned in pain. The first steps were rough—my leg didn’t want to move right. Another reminder of what lay beneath the scars all over my body. Lila was the same, and her hand covered the opposite wrist.

My whole body ached and was stiff. Mornings like this sucked and made an already difficult day that much worse.

We showered and got ready, our pace slower than normal.

Lila’s eyes were clouded and unfocused. She wasn’t ready for today, but she never would be. The day was a means to the end, and I’d be there, helping her get through it as best as the court would allow. Being a witness meant we’d be separated, testifying without each other in the room.

It was going to be a shit day, but we’d get through it together.

That was, if my ass didn’t end up in jail for killing the fucker.

My blood still boiled over it, and the image burned in my mind. I honestly wasn’t sure I could keep myself in check and the beast on a leash. Everything in my being wanted to beat the shit out of him, to break every bone in his body for everything he’d ever done to her.

I glanced over at her. The light was gone from her—she was just a shell—much like when we first met. Her hands shook as she pulled a shirt from its hanger and slipped it on. I stepped forward and helped her get it over her head, smoothing it down her waist.

“I can’t do this,” she said, looking up at me.

She was so afraid and so lost.

One of my hands sat on her waist while the other cupped her cheek. “You can. You’re stronger. They can’t hurt you. Don’t let fears bring you down.”

“What if my father is there? Bad enough I have to tell an entire court room what they did to me, reliving it over and over again as they dig in deep. Having to have my past brought up to all those people. But to deal with him as well?”

“I’ll be with you.”

She shook her head. “No, you won’t. You’ll be in another room. Cut off.”

“No, not cut off. It’ll only be a few feet and some walls between us, but I’ll be there. You’ll be able to feel me.”

A tear slipped down her cheek, and I wiped it away. “I need to be able to touch you. How can I get through this day without you?”

“By remembering that by testifying, you’re sealing his fate. You’ll be able to say the words, knowing I’m not far away and that there are witnesses and a bailiff there to protect you from him.”

She sniffed and drew in a shuddered breath, then nodded.

We finished getting ready and headed out. The drive was silent and a bit unnerving with how locked down Lila was. I reached out and took her hand in mine. Her fingers twined with mine, a long breath coming from her as she relaxed, even if it was just a little.

Her grip tightened as we walked up to the courthouse—a death grip of fear. Heading down the hall, we saw Lawrence, the prosecutor, standing in front of the courtroom, with Noah next to him.

Lawrence looked between us and settled on Lila. “Are you ready?”

She shook her head, her voice soft and small. “No, but I never will be.”

He pursed his lips and nodded, then ushered us in.

She reached out and grabbed Noah’s hand. He stepped forward, giving her a hug and kissing the top of her head. “I know. But it will get so much better after this. I promise.”

She nodded, and we moved to find our seats.

I hated that we had to be at the courthouse so early, and hated that we spent the morning doing nothing but waiting as the jury was selected. Waiting to get the damn show on the road and get this the fuck over with so we could move on.

One less threat to deal with. One less monster on the streets.

There was no doubt in my mind he would go to prison. What I did waver on was if we could get all the major felony charges. Not getting one could mean around five or more years less on his sentence.

I didn’t even get to see the cleaned-up version of Adam. A bailiff came for me. I wrapped Lila in my arms and kissed her hard.

“You’ll be okay. I’m here.”

The fear was clear in her eyes, but she nodded. Everything in me wanted to run away with her, to keep her from the pain, but it was a necessary evil. I was shuffled back to my “holding cell,” Lila’s fingers slipping through mine as we were led away to separate rooms.

As I was led into the courtroom, I couldn’t help but look around. I locked onto Adam, and he actually looked reserved. After everything Lila told me, I scoffed at his act. It was probably advice from his lawyer—to look repentant in front of the jury.

They’d dressed him up in a suit, shaved him, cut his hair—anything to make him look like a good boy. It was the way he held himself and the expressions on his face that gave him away.

It was odd being on the other side of the bench. I was used to being in front of the judge, not beside him. I took a deep breath to even myself out and looked at Lawrence. My hands gripped the chair in an effort to keep me calm as I braced to go through the usual retelling of events from my eyes.

Lawrence walked to the center of the floor. “Why were you going over to Delilah’s house that night?”

“We were going to have dinner.”

He looked around the room, trying not to focus solely on me. “Did you eat together every night?”

“Yes.”

“Did you notice anything strange or different that night as you approached her condo?”

I blew out a slow breath. “There were screams coming from inside.”

Lawrence stared at me, and I knew the hard hit was coming. “Tell me—what did you see when you opened the door?”

Fuck.

My heart was racing as the image popped into my mind. I let out a hard breath to steady myself. I had to answer and do so in a calm manner. The problem was that calm could be found nowhere within me in that moment.

My muscles flexed, ready to jump out of the stupid box and run to Adam so I could slam my fist in his fucking face. I wanted to reenact the events of that day in order to show the judge what little I’d done to him compared to what he did to her.

“Lila was on the ground with him on top of her.”

The prosecutor continued to lead me on. “And what was he doing to her?”

I knew where his questions were going—I’d been in his place and tried to prepare myself for them. It didn’t make it any easier. I could anticipate his questions, but not the searing emotions they evoked.

“He had her hands pinned above her head. Her shirt was ripped open, and he was pushing her skirt up.” My whole body was shaking, rage enveloping me.

The prosecutor stared at me, begging me to cool down. “What made it different from sexual play?”

My teeth mashed together as I fought for control. “Her face was covered in blood.”

I forced myself to stop the words “from him hitting her,” because I knew the defense would object.

After a while, the prosecutor glanced at the jury and back at me, then sighed. I wasn’t making a very good impression due to my anger seeping out.

“Tell me, why are you so agitated being in this room today?”

A good question. It would make the jury understand why. Who wouldn’t be angry, sitting across from the man who almost took your world away?

“Because he…” I couldn’t say his name, and I was so close to calling him a name the judge wouldn’t approve of “…hurt Lila. He tried to take my wife away from me. My love and reason for being.”

I took great pride in the murderous look that flashed on Adam’s face after calling Lila by her marital title. Lawrence smiled and continued on.

After a grueling fifteen minutes and more than one warning from the judge, the defense took over.

“Mr. Thorne, you and Delilah Thorne weren’t married when you first encountered Mr. Mitchell, were you?”

“No.”

“Neither were you engaged, is that correct?”

“Yes.” If I thought answering the prosecution was bad, it was nothing compared to the “yes” and “no” answers for the defense.

“Were you living together?”

“Yes.”

“But you still retained separate residences?”

“Yes.”

“And that is because your employer did not allow fraternization between its employees, correct?”

“Yes.” I shifted in my seat, but made sure it wasn’t noticeable.

“Is it true that you destroyed all the drywall in your entryway in a fit of anger?”

“Objection,” Lawrence called out. “Irrelevant to the case.”

The defense attorney didn’t flinch. “Mr. Thorne also has a history of violence. I am strictly trying to show that, your Honor.”

“What relevancy does it pose?” the judge asked, his voice clipped in annoyance at the defense attorney. Lila was right—the judge didn’t like him.

“That Delilah Thorne is the instigator of violent reactions.”

The judge thought on it for a moment. “I’ll allow it. Please answer the question, Mr. Thorne.”

I sighed, unhappy with the twist. “No.”

“No, you did not destroy your entryway.”

“Yes, I did, but not—”

“You blamed it all on your coworker, Delilah Palmer, isn’t that right?” He cut me off, keeping me from elaborating.

“No.”

“Weren’t you angry at her?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve shown us your anger today. Have you ever hit Delilah?”

“No.” My gut was tied in knots at even the thought of it, and I somehow managed to keep from flinching.

“Never?”

“Never.”

“The defense rests.” He wore a smug look as he moved back to his seat.

The prosecutor stood, and I knew they wanted to redirect after some of the questions posed by the defense.

“Mr. Thorne, you destroyed your entryway, but not in a fit of anger?”

“I tore down the drywall in a fit of despair after separating myself from Lila in a futile effort to keep her safe from a mob boss who wants me dead—because I prosecuted his daughter, and she’s in jail.” I sat up a little straighter.

“And why were you angry with Lila?”

“Because ever since my wife and child were murdered, I didn’t want to fall in love. I didn’t want to care about anyone. If I cared, they could kill them as well. But, Lila worked her way inside me without me even knowing it, and it made me angry at her for reviving feelings in my dead existence. I didn’t want to love her, but in the end, I couldn’t fight fate.” My jaw tightened with each passing second, making it increasingly difficult to get the words out.

His lip twitched as he fought a smile. A quick glance to the jury confirmed that my honest and passionate answer hit many of them in the heart.

Afterward, I was led back to another room, forced to be separated from Lila again until the jury left for deliberation. It was a grueling time. Thoughts that maybe I’d feel lighter once I got it out to the jury and others knew what he’d done was a myth.

The knot in my chest was weighing me down like chains wrapped around my body, dragging me to unknown depths. I’d fucked up, unable to control my anger. It looked bad and could undermine some of my good testimony with the jurors.

My skin itched with the need to feel it marring Adam’s flesh while simultaneously begging to be all over Lila. She was my oasis in the giant sea of fuckery.

When the bailiff came to let me out, I ran right into Lila, who was waiting for me. She threw her arms around me, and it was then peace started to settle in. The hard part was done—now it was up to twelve people.

We sat at a table in Lila’s favorite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant a half hour later. I ordered her a margarita—a well-deserved drink after the morning we’d experienced. We were supposed to be having a celebration of our victory, but instead we sat in the booth with a somber aura, and I was icing my aching knuckles.

She was lost in thought, but not vacant or detached. I was happy with that, and the fact she didn’t need my help but only my presence to pull her from the debilitating fear that took hold of her thanks to that asshole father of hers opening his mouth.

She blew through her first drink in minutes, and I found myself shoving the chips and salsa at her before I had a drunk on my hands. After all, I had plans.

“Baby, you need to slow down.”

Her eyes flipped up, almost as if she was just noticing me, and her lips twitched. “Sorry, it’s just been a…day.”

I nodded. “Lots of highs and lows.”

She blew out a breath and dipped a chip in the queso I ordered. Her teeth bit into the edge, nibbling on it instead of stuffing it in her mouth.

“What would’ve happened to me?” She tilted her head at me.

I knew the answer, a little too well for my liking. Her inquisitive eyes bore into me. I shifted in my seat and cleared my throat.

“Nothing good, and everything bad.” I took the ice off to look at my hand, flexing my fingers as I determined nothing was broken—just inflamed and sore.

She thought on what I said for a moment. I almost didn’t know what to do with her reactions—they weren’t normal for her.

“I never would’ve gotten free, would I?”

I shook my head. “Only by death.”

She hummed in agreement. My jaw flexed. I was not comfortable with this conversation. The thought of her continuing on that path was excruciating.

“I know you called Joan, and she got you out of the house, but how? Why didn’t you call Social Services?”

She sighed. “I didn’t know at the time. I only knew I could be emancipated from him and you needed a lawyer for that.”

“There was no way a judge would have agreed, and you would have continued living with him through that process.”

She nodded. “I was only sixteen—I didn’t know anything, only that I had to get away.”

The waiter chose that moment to arrive with our food. My stomach rumbled with the wonderful sizzling smell coming from my fajitas. I dove in, waiting for her to gather her thoughts while she cut up her food.

“Joan arrived at the school not two hours after I called her. I’d found her number in a phone book in the library that morning.” She cut into her chimichanga and took a bite. “When she arrived, I was called into the principal’s office. The moment she saw me, she started yelling at him for no one noticing what was going on.” She stared down at her food for a moment, thinking as she cut off another bite and ate it. “The principal was friends with my father and told her I was just clumsy and shy. That set her off. His inaction ultimately led to him losing his job.”

My brow rose in surprise and satisfaction. “Which was well deserved. He should’ve known the signs. Friend or not, he took an oath to protect his students.”

She nodded. “My father was a charismatic man of the community—they never knew the man he hid behind closed doors or the disdain he had for me. He painted them a pretty little picture, and if I did anything to mess it up, there was hell to pay.” She took a long pull of her margarita. “That all changed that night after Joan arrived at the house with Social Services.”

“I didn’t know they worked that fast.”

“They did after Joan showed them the damage. My bruises were fading, but still very visible. She took me into the nurse’s office, had me take off my shirt, and took photos of it all. After developing them that afternoon, she took them to a judge along with my medical records, and I was pulled.”

“I’m so happy you had the courage to contact her. Otherwise… I don’t like the alternative future you would’ve endured.”

“Me, either.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I never would have met you.”

We stopped conversation, both needing a moment to decompress and eat. After I finished stuffing myself with fajitas, I placed the ice back on my hand and looked down at my watch. Time was passing a little too fast.

I reached across the table and took her hand. “So, what do we do now?”

She shrugged. “No idea. Go back to the office?”

I shook my head and smiled. “No, Honeybear.” I laughed. “First off, you’ve been drinking. Second… What does everyone say when they win something?” She quirked her brow at me, then looked at me like I was insane. “I’m going to Disneyworld!”

She stared at me, her brow scrunched. “What?”

I sighed and took her hand in mine. “We’re going to Disneyworld.”

She continued to stare at me, possibly wondering if I’d gotten another lobotomy. “Huh?”

“Delilah Thorne, you and I are flying down to Orlando in four hours and spending the rest of the week at Disneyworld.”

She blinked at me. “But we have work.”

She was still confused, and I tried not to laugh. Then again, I did broadside her. “No, we took the week off for the trial, remember? We weren’t sure how long it would go.”

Her head tilted. “So…we’re going to Disneyworld?”

My lip twitched—she was catching on. “Yes.”

“Really?” The confusion cleared from her face and was replaced by disbelief.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“But how did you know we’d be done today?”

“I didn’t.”

“Then how? I’ve been with you this whole time.”

“Mom had it all waiting in the wings with her travel agent for me. When we were leaving the courthouse she called her, and the agent texted me our flight information.”

“We’re going to Disneyworld? Now?”

I laughed, unable to keep it in any longer. “Yes, we’re going to Disneyworld.”

Her eyes widened and she bounced in her seat. “Oh, my God! We’re going to Disneyworld!”

“Now, that is the reaction I was expecting.”

She jumped up. “We need to get packed!”

We headed home and began to pack like maniacs on the run. I pulled out a few pairs of shorts and t-shirts and threw them in a small suitcase. Lila was flipping clothes everywhere into a larger suitcase. She was a planner, so the sudden need to pack was driving her a little insane and she was over-packing.

“How long will we be there?” She stared down at the pile of sundresses she pulled from the closet.

I pulled out my phone and looked over the information again. “We fly back on Sunday, so three full days.”

After sorting through the stack, she picked two and left the rest in the middle of our bed. She then went through the clothes she’d already accumulated and weeded some out, making the mess on the bed bigger.

Half an hour later, we were packed and ready to go. Well, Lila was still going through a mental list to make sure she remembered everything.

“Did we leave the oven on?” she asked as we were driving to the airport.

I quirked my brow at her. “Were you using it any time this week?”

She blinked at me. “No.”

“Then I’d say no.”

She turned back to the front and looked out the window as we neared our destination. I took her hand in mine and kissed her fingers.

“Relax. That’s the point of these days off. We’ve just been through the gauntlet and won. Adam’s in jail. It’s time to celebrate.”

She let out a hard breath and sank back into the seat.

“He’s really going to jail.”

“Yes, he is.”

Her lips twitched up and grew into a smile that lit up her eyes. Nothing but happiness.

Lila was not the woman I knew. No, the woman before me was a little girl—wide-eyed, smiling, full of bouncing, hyper energy and wonder.

We were starting out our trip in the Magic Kingdom bright and early. Her attention was all over the place as she took in Main Street. When we were almost to the end, I pulled the map from my back pocket.

I didn’t even get to ask where she wanted to go before she nearly tugged my arm out of the socket and I tripped over my feet, almost face-planting onto the stone below. Her pace was almost a run, her gaze fixed on one thing in front of her. She was practically dragging me on her quest.

When I looked up, I saw what had her so excited—Cinderella’s Castle. It was the iconic Disney view. She blew past people, only to stop in front of it and stare. I wrapped my arms around her waist and stood behind her, cradling her against my chest.

“It’s so pretty.” Her voice was low, reverent almost.

I nodded against her shoulder. It was what had given me the idea in the first place—the Cinderella story. Lila mentioned in the past how it was her favorite growing up. It wasn’t until we were standing in front of it that I was reminded how much she lost out on growing up with her father.

We probably stood there for a half an hour, Lila soaking it in, memorizing every detail. The chiming of a bell seemed to wake her up and remind her where we were. She straightened and grabbed my hand before turning and taking off again.

“Someone excited?” I laughed as I took an extra step to catch up. Her head was bouncing around everywhere, trying to take everything in at once, but I wondered if she could absorb anything with as fast as she was going.

She slowed and gave me a sheepish grin. “Sorry.”

I shook my head. “No, Honeybear, don’t be sorry. Be happy.”

“I am happy.” She pulled me close for a quick kiss. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

We walked around, heading through Adventureland and stopping to watch people on the Aladdin ride. “What does it mean?”

She stepped back and headed toward the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. “I don’t remember much about my mom, but I do remember she had a jar above the fridge with money in it.” I was surprised at the mention of her mom—Lila never had any stories. I’d often wondered if she remembered her at all. “Every time she put any in she would look at me and say, ‘We’re getting closer to Disney.’ I would pick up every piece of change I found on the ground and give it to her to add.”

“How close were you?”

She shrugged. “Who knows. She died before we got to go, and I was sent to—”

“The bastard asshole motherfucker.”

She elbowed me and glared. “Sssh!”

“What?”

“We’re in Dinseyworld.”

I smirked at her scolding me like it was the most obvious answer and held up my right hand. “I will attempt to refrain from cussing out loud for the duration of our time in the park.”

She smiled at me and linked her fingers with mine.

A little while later, we were done with one ride and climbing onto Splash Mountain. The faux log swayed as I stepped on, and I held my hand out to help Lila on. She leaned her head on my shoulder, her arms tangled around mine, as we began moving.

I couldn’t help but stare down at her chest and the view I had of her soft breasts.

“What?” She grinned, her brow quirking, knowing exactly what I was looking at.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, so what is it?” She prodded my side with her finger.

I leaned, trying to get away. “You’re wearing a white shirt.”

“And?” Her brow scrunched.

“We’re going on Splash Mountain.”

“And?” She was so fucking adorable when she was confused. I grinned at her and licked my lips. Her eyes widened. “Oh.”

I slipped my hand up her thigh and squeezed as we took off.

Full-blown giggling filled my ears as we twisted, turned, and dipped, followed by a high-pitched scream along with my own yell as we plummeted down the final hill. She was laughing as the ride slowed down, and we took stock of our water-soaked, dripping bodies.

After exiting, I looked down and groaned—her white tank top was thoroughly soaked and giving me a nice show of her sexy little bra. I pulled her close, grabbing her ass as I pushed my tongue into her mouth.

Surprise filled her eyes, her cheeks turning pink.

I leaned down, my lips ghosting her ear. “Tonight I’m going to get you wet in a whole other way.” Keeping to my promise of no spoken cuss words, I adjusted what I wanted to say. “I’m going to eat you out, stick my fingers inside you, and suck on your nipples until you’re begging me to stop. If you’re lucky, I’ll stick my man meat in you and thrust until we both come undone.”

I smirked down at her as I pulled back. Her eyes were heavy, mouth open, and her face was flush—all her telltale signs of arousal.

“How about a picture, you two?”

I looked up to find a park photographer holding up a camera. “Sure.” I stroked her cheek with my finger. “Look at the camera, baby.”

She did as I asked, but I had a feeling I’d pushed her over the lust edge and she was no longer aware of what was going on. My dick got hard just thinking about it. I was tempted to find some little corner for a quick fuck, but I didn’t want to get thrown out of the park for sexing up my girl in such a wholesome place.

We continued on, taking a train ride in a western town, stopping for lunch, and taking in a creepy trip through It’s A Small World before walking around toward the Haunted Mansion.

A shop window caught my eye before we got to our next destination, and I pulled us in. It was filled with little girls dressed up as princesses with their hair and makeup done while wearing frilly dresses.

Lila’s brow scrunched as she looked around. “What are we doing in here?”

I read over the signs around the register. They talked about different princess packages. “I think you should be a princess.”

“What?”

I grinned. “Don’t you want to dress up? Be a princess for a day? I’ll be your faithful man-servant, Cristoff.”

“This is for little girls.”

“Ah, you were thinking it would be fun.” Her face turned pink and she looked down to the ground.

“This is stupid.”

I grinned at her. “No, it’s not. Come on.” I tugged on her arm.

“No.”

“Why not?”

She huffed. “It’s for little girls! Besides, they aren’t going to have adult-sized dresses.”

“Then we can stuff you into something too small.”

She pushed on my shoulder. “You just want to see my ass hanging out.”

My mouth dropped open. “We’re in Disneyworld! You said a dirty word!”

Her cheeks got even redder and she beat on my back, pushing us out the door.

We walked around, taking it all in and looking for our next adventure when it dawned on me.

“Do you like rollercoasters?”

She nodded. “Mm-hmm. Teresa and Armando took Noah and me to Kings Island one time.”

“What was the first ride you went on?”

She grimaced. “Well, Noah was a bit sneaky. I told him I wanted to try, but was scared. So he convinced me to go on the Vortex, saying it was a pretty easy one.”

My eyes widened. “What? Are you kidding me?”

“Nope. I screamed, probably cried a little, and told him how much I hated him.”

“You saw it before you got on, right?”

She nodded. “I was freaking out the whole time we were in line. Once I calmed down, I realized it wasn’t that bad, so we went on the Beast next. After that, I was in love with the thrill. I guess you could say it was the first time I’d felt alive in many years.”

At the beginning of her story, I couldn’t decide if Noah was a little shit back in the day, but by the end, I had a feeling he knew it was exactly what she needed at the time.

“Teacups!” Lila’s face lit up and she pulled on me again, heading straight for the end of the line.

After spinning and spinning and almost making me sick, we got off. My stomach turned a few times, but after a drink and a snack, it settled back down. We sat at a café and watched the people walk around, taking a nice break. I stretched—my body snapping, crackling, and popping. We still had a lot of park to cover, and I couldn’t wait to take her to Space Mountain.

After another pass of Cinderella’s Castle and a few other small attractions, we entered the line for Space Mountain.

“Okay, now you’re the one that’s full of excitement.”

I realized then I was bouncing on the spot and shrugged at her. “Mom and Dad brought Erin and I here probably twenty years ago. Erin and I went on it about five times. It is by far the best coaster I’ve ever been on. It’s awesome.”

“What is it?” She snickered at me.

“It’s awesome!” I threw my hands up in the air and did a little dance.

And it was. As soon as we were off, Lila grabbed my hand and ran back to the end of the line. By the third time, the sun was setting and we were both dragging. We decided the day was done.

“Oh, wait!” I pulled the photo ticket from my pocket on our way out.

“What’s that?”

“The photo number.”

“We had a photo taken?”

I grinned. “Oh, yeah. After we got off Splash Mountain.”

She blinked at me, confirming that I was right—she was lusted out and not paying attention to anything but what I’d said to her.

We walked over to the photo booth, and I handed the attendant the ticket. It took him a moment to find it, and the moment it popped up on the screen, I knew I had to have it. Lila gasped.

“We can’t get that!”

It was fucking perfect. She was so alluring my dick was getting hard just looking at it. Her cheeks were pink, lips slightly parted, eyes heavy-lidded.

“Oh, yes, we are!” I reached into my wallet and pulled out my credit card.

“No!” She tried to wrestle the card out of my hand, but I held it high up.

I nipped her neck, and she squeaked, backing up enough for me to get the card to the sales associate.

“I’m putting it on my desk so I can look at it all the time.”

Her eyes bugged out of her head before she jumped onto the counter and tried to grab the card back. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her down, laughing at the lengths she was going.

“You can’t.”

“Oh, yes, Honeybear, I can and I will. You can’t stop me.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “I can burn it.”

I pouted and gave her my best puppy dog eyes. “Would you really do that to something I love so much?”

She pursed her lips and whimpered. “But it’s so embarrassing.”

“Think of it this way—I’ve never asked for naked pictures, so let me have this.”

The sales clerk snickered. He’d been having as much fun as I was, laughing at her reactions. Her bottom lip jutted out and she looked to the floor.

“I’ll buy you mouse ears.”

Her gaze narrowed on me as she thought about it. “All right, but I want some Minnie ones with a pink bow.”

I smiled. “I saw a princess one with a tiara.”

“Don’t push it.”

Once she saw a crown on some purple printed Minnie ears, she changed her tune and forgot all about the photograph I was carrying around.

When we got back to our room, we pulled up the room service menu and picked a few items. We were both too tired to get dressed up and go out. Besides, we had another day ahead of us.

Lila was sitting on the bed, staring out at the park and the castle while we waited. “Today was the best.”

I nodded as I shed my clothes. “It was. But I’m not sure who those loonies were.”

“What loonies?”

“The ones that looked just like us, but acted nothing like us.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “I don’t know who they were either, but they sure looked like they were having fun.”

“Fantastic time.”

She smiled and played with my fingers. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me.” I moaned as I lay down on the bed. It felt so good to get off my feet.

“Yes, I do.” She crawled next to me.

I moved my arm behind my head. “Why?”

“Because you’re always so good at knowing what I need.”

“I think that’s luck.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s more than that.”

“You always know what I need.”

She snorted. “A pussy?”

I chuckled. “Well, there is that, but there is also so much more.”

Her fingers caressed my cheek. “I love you.”

I captured her lips with mine. “I love you, too.”

Lila was stuck in a strange state between relief and fear for the weeks following the trial. Adam had been found guilty on all charges, but there was still sentencing to go. She was teetering on an edge¸ and I knew things would tip when the ruling came down.

Our little getaway helped, but the countdown to sentencing was excruciating. We were both ready for it to be done, over. Put the crap in the past and move on to the future.

“Lunch today?” Lila asked as we rode the elevator up to the office.

My face scrunched up a bit at the uncertainty in her tone. “Of course. Why wouldn’t we?”

She looked down to the floor. “I just didn’t know what your schedule looked like.”

“Sunny with a chance of afternoon Honeybear.” I winked at her.

That got a smile to peek out and an elbow into my ribs. The damn dark cloud was washing over her again. The effect it had on her was hell to watch, and harder every day to combat.

One fucking day left before Adam’s blackness wouldn’t be able to touch her anymore. I hoped the judge would give him the full extent of each charge.

The elevator opened, and I linked my fingers with hers, pulling her along and out of her head.

“Sorry.” She sighed and leaned against me as we walked down the hall.

“Don’t be. Stop being sorry. It’s his fault. He’s the one who should be sorry.”

“I hate that he still has a hold on me.”

I stopped, and she looked up at me. I caressed her cheek, giving her the reassurance she needed. “He won’t after tomorrow.”

She leaned into my touch, relaxing and even resting against me. The wall she was unknowingly building between us was collapsing. “I’m not paying you the attention you deserve. It should be you who consumes my every thought.”

“Me and my dick.”

Her eyes widened and she looked around, then smiled and nodded when she saw no one was watching. I couldn’t stop myself from leaning forward and kissing her. She let out a small gasp before gripping my jacket and pulling me closer, deepening it, opening her mouth and seeking out my tongue with her own.

“PDA! Ewwwww.” Owen laughed as he passed us by.

I broke away from Lila and flipped Owen the bird as he continued on down the hall. Even Lila was snickering. I couldn’t think of a better replacement for me. Owen was a good guy and had a way of keeping the atmosphere light—something Lila needed.

“Come on.” She pulled on my arm, and we continued.

I kissed her again at her door before continuing down the way to my office. Twenty-four hours. Things would change then—we just had to make it through the next day.

There was a clink as I threw my bag onto my desk. I’d almost forgotten that I remembered to bring a photo for my desk. I already had one from our wedding, one taken at my parents’ house, and another from the holiday party, but the newest one could possibly be my favorite of all.

I pulled the photo set in its new frame from my bag and placed it on my desk, next to my monitor. It was bound to get me in trouble, causing a constant hard-on looking at her lust-filled face every day.

Lila still pleaded with me to keep it at home, but I was set on what I’d said at Disneyworld. I wanted to be able to see it, see her, all the time.

I needed the good times to help me get past the days like today, when the world weighed down on my shoulders.

Lila was different. That was the only word I could come up with to describe the change. Over the past few days, she’d shed a lot of the crap that held her back for years. It always dwelled in the back of her mind, ever since she left her father’s house—when will he come for me?

The unsurmountable weight that pressed upon her was lifted. Chains that held her down released, shedding away the girl like a cocoon and opening up the woman inside. Adam was going to be in jail for a long time, and the judge had approved the restraining order on her father.

It was the first time in over a year I felt like my words really penetrated her. After years of suffering, others finally saw the monster that Adam was. It was validation.

Life returned to its normal pace. It was hard to believe how fast the days were passing. Even more unbelievable was how even we were—no more ups and downs. I was thankful for the change, for the monotony of getting up, going to work, and coming home with my wife—dinners together, talk of what to do on the weekend.

“Hey! That’s mine.” Lila swatted at my hand, knocking the fry away.

I snuck another one and popped it in my mouth. “We’re married—what’s mine is yours and vice versa. Right?”

She glared at me and moved her plate away. “You’re right. What’s yours is mine, but what’s mine is mine as well.”

“Oooh, man, you better step back from her plate.” Drew cackled from across the table.

Caroline was howling in laughter, and I felt like I was being ganged up on. I needed to change my tactics if I was going to get any more fries. Though, I had to admit I was cracking up on the inside watching Lila guard her plate as she ate, giving me the stink eye.

“You said you’d do anything for me, baby.”

“You finished your fries. These are mine.”

I gave her my best puppy dog eyes. “Just one or two?”

She moved her plate further away. “No.”

More snickering from across the table.

“Just think when she gets pregnant. All food will be hers.” Caroline slapped her hand on the table as she tried to talk between snorts of laughter. “Try stealing food from a pregnant lady, you’ll draw back a bloody stump!”

Drew’s jaw dropped. “Dude, what if you end up with the cravings?”

“And lose his taut bod?” Caroline gasped.

Lila joined in, giggling with them but still guarding her plate. The back of my head tingled, like someone was watching us. Granted, with all the commotion, I was certain half the restaurant was staring at us in annoyance.

Drew pointed a fry at me. “You better watch it or you’ll end up gaining weight with that sweet tooth of yours.”

I glared at him and snatched a fry from his plate.

His eyes narrowed at me. “What the hell?”

I shrugged. “Payment for your jabs at my expense.”

Drew pulled his plate back and leaned over it, one arm blocking the front.

I looked over at Lila, who was conversing with Caroline and not protecting her plate as much. It wasn’t that I was hungry, but it was now a game, one I was determined to win. With my wife distracted, I planned my attack. I slithered my hand in the space between her arm and ribs. My fingers grazed her breast, and I cringed when metal slapped across my knuckles.

I pulled my hand back, hissing as I shook it out.

“No!” Lila glowered and pointed a fork at me.

I stared at her in shock for a moment, then shook my head. “Oh, hell no.”

I grabbed hold of the back of her neck and pulled her to me, kissing her hard. She squeaked and tried to pull back, but I held her tighter, kissing her deeper until she melted against me. There was no way she could resist me.

When I pulled back, her eyes were glassy and unfocused. I reached over and grabbed a few fries and tossed them on my plate.

Drew shook his head.

I stuffed one into my mouth. “What?”

“Nothing.”

Caroline snorted. “And that’s lunch, boys and girls.” She pushed back from the table and stood up. “I have a meeting in half an hour.” She grabbed Lila’s arm. “Come on. Walk with me while your husband pays for lunch.”

“Me?”

Lila stood, then grabbed my head and crashed her lips to mine. My cock jumped, lust coursing through me as her tongue lapped against mine.

Fuck.

She was pulled away by Caroline, who rolled her eyes. “You two are like teenagers. Sheesh.”

Drew nodded. “It’s Lila’s turn, but since you had to lust her brain out for a few fries, it’s yours. After all, what did you say? What’s hers is yours.”

I sighed and pulled out my wallet, placing my credit card on the check.

“Where are you going?”

Drew turned back to me. “Gotta call Dana.”

I waved him off and waited for the waitress to return for payment. While I was sitting there, I watched some basketball game on one of the TVs. I smiled up at the waitress as she took the check and returned to the screen.

After a moment I turned, looking for the gaze I felt drilling a hole in my head, but there was no one. It happened multiple times over lunch, and I didn’t like the feeling of being watched.

I thanked the waitress when she returned a moment later, and signed the slip before putting my card away. I took one last sip of soda and stood before heading to the door.

“Nate!”

I turned toward where my name was being called. A group of people were being seated, and walking toward me with a familiar smile that greeted me was Tom Preston. We’d worked together in the prosecutor’s office. As my mind compared the image in my memory to the man in front of me, I noticed that the years hadn’t been the best to him. He had to be in his mid to late forties. His once black hair was more than salted with gray, and what had once been fine lines were now carving deep into his skin. Even his once well-kept physique had added a good twenty or so pounds.

“Nathan Thorne. I’ll be damned,” he said as he walked up to me and stuck out his hand.

I gave his hand a stiff shake and smiled at him. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah. Last time I saw you, the judge was throwing you out of the courtroom, a bailiff on each arm dragging you down the aisle.” He let out a harsh chuckle. “I thought they were about to drag you off to the nut house.”

My lips were set in a thin line. “Well, it wasn’t the best time in my life.” I was certain there’d been much talk about me after that.

“I had a lot of hope for you.” His eyes scanned me up and down. “What are you up to these days?”

“I’m working for Holloway and Holloway.”

His head tipped back as he nodded. “Ah, your father-in-law. How’s that going?”

“Pretty good. I spent about a year as a transactional attorney after a few years off, and now I’m in the real estate division.”

“Quite different areas.”

I shrugged. “It was necessary. I wasn’t ready to go back into the courtroom.”

“Well, now that you’re back in the game, maybe we can get together. I could really use you.”

“On what?”

“I’m building a case against Vincent Marconi.”

It felt like the blood rushed from my body, and I began to sweat. Why hadn’t I looked into who was working on the case Noah told me about? “I don’t want anything to do with your case.”

“What? How can you say that?” He frowned at me, his arms crossing over his chest. “Nate, you have all the information we need. No one has ever gotten a conviction, and you did. I know you have more information on them. Help us.”

I shook my head, my jaw set. “I can’t.”

He leaned toward me, his expression imploring, and I stepped back. “These are bad people who need to pay for their crimes.”

“You don’t need to tell me that. I understand, more than anyone, but I’m sorry. I can’t help you, Tom.”

“Why not?” he asked, complete confusion in his aged features. It didn’t seem like he could comprehend my reluctance. Couldn’t he put two and two together?

I leaned in closer, almost spitting on him between my clenched teeth. “Because the last time I was involved with them, my wife and son were murdered and, for a few seconds, they killed me as well.” It dawned on me that we were both being watched and our innocent conversation was being noted. “Fuck. Even talking to you now is bad.”

He shook his head. “You’ve become paranoid. Do you really think they’re keeping tabs on you? They’ve induced you with fear.” His arms relaxed, waving around in defense. “I’m not downplaying what happened. It’s a tragedy what they did to Grace. She was a wonderful woman, but they aren’t still watching you. They hurt you. They got what they wanted.”

I gaped at him, stunned. “You really have no idea what you’re getting into. Don’t you realize they’re watching your every move? They’re watching mine as well, and this little meeting could very well get my family killed. So, back the fuck off!”

“You’ve gone off the reservation, Thorne.” He looked at me like I was out of my mind.

“Don’t be cocky. That’s how I was, and you know what happened. You think a family like that doesn’t have connections or the money to buy people? They know. I was informed by a third party they were tailing me again and anyone working on the case. Probably waiting for a meeting like this to crop up.”

I pulled at my neck, the tension rocketing to sky-high proportions.

“I’m not cocky… I’m realistic.” He looked at me with sad eyes. “You should look at seeing a psychiatrist. There are obviously some issues left over from your accident.”

I scoffed at him. “I have a therapist, but thanks for that. I assure you, I’m quite sane, and my paranoia comes from truth.”

He stared at me for a moment, but then his eyes flickered around the restaurant. “What do I do?”

“You walk away before they come after you or your family.”

Tom lost his fight, his voice lowering, as it seemed to dawn on him that I was right. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to do everything I can to keep my wife safe.”

He looked at me like I was insane. “Grace is dead.”

I shook my head and gave him a small smile. “Not Grace. I’m not that crazy, Tom. I got married a few months ago. Her name is Lila.”

A genuine smile lit up his face. “Congratulations. I mean it.”

“Thanks.” I held out my hand. “I need to get going. Take care, and think about what I said.”

“You, too.”

I turned to walk away.

“Hey, Nate,” Tom called, making me turn back around. “At least think about what I said as well. Do the world a little good to get a man like him gone.”

I pursed my lips and nodded, glancing to the corner of the restaurant as I pushed the door open and walked out. Lila was waiting for me at the edge of the parking lot, Drew and Caroline already gone.

“Who was that?” she asked when I got closer.

“No one.”

She grabbed onto my arm and halted my steps. I turned to look at her, the playfulness of lunch gone and replaced with concern.

“What’s yours is mine, and that includes your burdens.”

My chest tightened, the truth in her words almost strangling me. It wasn’t right to keep him or my concern bottled up from her.

“His name is Tom Preston. We used to work together. He’s the one building a case against Vincent Marconi.” I pulled at my neck, trying to work the growing tension out.

She stared at me, then nodded. “He wants your help.”

I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“You told him no.” She looked into my eyes. I nodded. “Because of me.”

Again, I nodded, unable to find the words.

She wrapped her arms around me and held me close, kissing my neck. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

I was confused by her words until I realized I was shaking. A harsh breath left me, and I pulled her close.

She agreed to be with me, knowing the danger, but was I so selfish to risk her life further?

The next day, I was a wreck.

Meeting Tom was a mistake.

Granted, it wasn’t like I planned to run into him. That was what made it worse. If Marconi had someone watching us at that moment, I was screwed. It was a chance meeting that could get Lila killed.

An innocent fucking errand that brought the devil down.

After what Noah told me, I knew it wasn’t an “if” someone was watching. I’d recognized one of his men sitting in the corner as we talked. Marconi probably thought I was working the case.

I needed to figure out a way to keep Lila safe.

My mind was cracking, and the beast paced, whimpering. Everything was spiraling out of control. I was losing my grip.

It was times like this the beast in me was let out. Nothing calmed it more than Lila. My body ached only for her touch. I needed it to survive. I’d die without it—without her. She let me ravage her, letting go in ways no other would. Euphoria and comfort—the soothing balm to my screaming agony.

I couldn’t go hunt her down and drag her off. I needed her to come to me, so I picked up my cell phone and texted her.

Need you. Now.

I tossed it back down on my desk and rubbed my face. My foot tapped on the floor as I listened to the tick of the clock, waiting for her response. Wound tight, my muscles locked down. I needed to relax.

There was a light knock on the door, and I sighed. I didn’t even have to say anything before the handle spun and Lila walked in. She flicked the lock on my door, a devilish smirk on her lips.

In her hand was a fresh cup of coffee, which she set on my desk as she walked up to me. She was silent, reserved…submissive. Exactly what I needed.

I turned my chair, following her movement as she sunk down to her knees in front of me. I wet my lips as I leaned forward, my hand gripping the back of her neck as I kissed her. It wasn’t soft—it was rough and needy.

I stood up and moved to free my aching hard-on. Her eyes followed my hands as they moved to my crotch. I palmed my cock and groaned at the hungry look in her eyes as she stared at it.

“See how much I need my cock slut?”

She nodded, licking her lips as I pulled down the zipper and reached inside. My cock was hard and hot, ready to mark her as I pulled it out. I moaned, pumping it in my hand as I looked down at the sexy sight of my wife on her knees before me, looking up at me, eager for my cock.

“Stay still.” I adjusted my stance and ran the head across her lips, my mouth open as her lips parted, tongue teasing my slit.

My eyes rolled back and my toes curled when her lips wrapped around the head of my cock, the sensitive edge overstimulated, making me shake. Nothing in the world was better than Lila wrapped around me. Her sweet mouth moved down, making me shake as my entire length slid in and the tip eased down her throat.

I hissed out a “fuck.” She’d gotten so good at deep-throating me over the last year.

My fingers tangled in her hair, fisting it as I guided her luscious mouth up and down my hard shaft. I was seconds away from holding her head still and fucking the shit out of her mouth. The twisted and sexy thing was that she’d let me, and she’d enjoy it.

Lila made it all disappear. Being inside her, all my thoughts and worries were replaced with white, mindless bliss.

My balls were so tight, cock so hard—I was about to come.

My eyes flickered around, trying to take my mind off the intense pleasure of her mouth. I needed more, needed to last longer. Her coffee cup was sitting on the edge of my desk, steam coming off the top. It was black, and not the way she took her coffee.

A wicked grin formed on my face, and I looked down at her.

“Do you want some cream in your coffee, slut?”

She hummed around me and tried to speak—the vibration made my eyes close and almost tipped me over the edge. I was so close to exploding. My hands released her hair, and I leaned over, my cock popping from her lips as I grabbed her cup. She chased after me with her mouth, her tongue lapping at my tip.

I grabbed my cock and gave it a tug, then slapped it against her lips. She smiled up at me as my hand worked up and down, teasing the underside of the head, getting me that last little bit further before I popped.

Her mouth was open and waiting. My whole body tensed, every muscle coiled tight. The first explosive bursts landed in her mouth, then I pulled away and let the remainder land in the cup.

“Don’t swallow,” I said with heavy breaths. She did as I asked, her mouth open as I finished off, emptying into her coffee.

When I was done, I held the mug in front of her as she let my come roll off her tongue into it. I set it back down on my desk, a hard shudder running through me as she sucked the last drop from the tip.

I felt lighter and a bit sleepy as I slumped back down in my chair. “Fuck, I needed that.”

She grabbed a tissue from the box on my desk and wiped away any leftovers. My hand reached out and ran through her hair, straightening out the mess I’d made. “I have a meeting, but don’t worry. I’ll get you tonight.”

She smiled and stood up, then leaned forward for a kiss. “Can’t wait.” She turned and headed for the door.

“Don’t forget your coffee,” I called after her.

Turning around, she picked it up and brought it to her lips, taking a sip. She let out a little moan, smiling as she licked her lips.

“Perfect.” She winked at me and took another sip, then headed out the door.

Fuck, she was naughty. I fucking loved it.

Days passed and…nothing.

Well, not nothing. I was a mess. A fucking disaster.

High anxiety, nightmares, and a constant popping of pills got me through the day. Lila got me through the night.

She made microwavable popcorn one evening and I flipped out, tackling her to the ground. I did laugh about it later, but it still had me on edge. I knew she was worried about me. She wouldn’t say it, because she didn’t want me to flip out even more. Conversations of the file and Marconi were taboo in our home.

Every day, she sucked and fucked me in an attempt to keep me calm. It worked, but I wasn’t stable. Highs and lows led to more forceful, selfish, but mind-blowing sex.

“Fuck, you’re so fucking good at that.” She had me panting as she swallowed around my cock.

I held her head down, nose pressing against my skin, cock down her throat. Her fingers flexed against my skin, but I kept her there. The overpowering sensations of her gagging around the head forced me to pull out.

Lila was panting, almost gasping for air, her hand wiping at her mouth. Tears made her makeup bleed black down her pink cheeks and her lips were swollen and red. Her hair was a mess, thanks to my hands.

“You’re a fucking gorgeous mess.”

She smirked up at me and licked her lips.

“Do you want me to fuck you, little whore? I’m so fucking close. Or do you want to drink me?”

Her tongue flicked against the tip of my cock, and I hissed. She was lucky I didn’t push her back down right then and fuck her throat raw.

She sat up straight and opened her mouth, ready to receive. It was tempting, but I wanted to feel her pussy clamp down on me.

“Hammering your pussy it is.”

Her mouth closed some and she glared at me. “Why the fuck give me a choice?”

I walked around her and pushed her head down, leaning over her. “To make you think you had one.”

I was an asshole, but I’d make sure she enjoyed it.

My cock slipped easily into her wet pussy, and we both moaned. She hissed out a “fuck” and a sharp intake of breath when I slammed into her.

All of me curled into her, fingers digging hard into her skin. It was the only way I could get it all out.

She was crying out, screaming each time I bottomed out in her. Shaking, she looked back at me, and I almost lost it under the lust in her eyes. When her eyes rolled back and she fell forward, I smiled. Her fingers clenched into the sheets, fisting.

Her pussy clamping down finished me off. I shook, my hips thrusting, trying to reach deeper with each spurt of come that exploded out. Her pussy pulsed around me, drawing out the last drops. My legs gave out, and we fell to the floor in a tangled mess.

The event alarm pinged on my computer, opening a window in the middle of my document. I cracked my neck, stretching it out. I’d been staring at my screen for more than two hours without moving and was happy for the distraction of the end of the workday.

I saved my progress and shut my computer down. There wasn’t much time, and we needed to get going. I slipped my jacket back on and grabbed my phone before heading out the door, locking it behind me.

A few feet later, I popped my head into Lila’s office. “Are you ready?” It was almost five-thirty, and she had an appointment with Darren in half an hour. It would take nearly that long with traffic to get there. “Honeybear?”

Both Lila and Owen failed to acknowledge my presence, still typing away. I shook my head and sighed.

“Yo! Wife of mine, come on.”

Her head snapped up, eyes blinking in confusion. “Fuck,” she hissed as she noticed the time. “Give me a sec.”

“It’s never a sec in this black hole.”

She held her finger up, not even looking at me anymore. I licked my lips, thinking about giving her a little spanking for that later.

Leaning against the door frame, waiting, I took a good look around the room. It wasn’t my first view since I’d vacated it months ago, but it was broken in with Owen. Not much had changed, with the exception of Owen and his personal belongings. A photo of him and his girlfriend sat next to his monitor along with a Scooby-Doo figure.

Any trace of the nearly one year I’d spent there was gone. I kind of missed that time—missed being so close to her.

She closed up the file in front of her and played with her computer before shutting it down. There was a frazzled edge to her as she located her purse and stood to face me.

“Okay, ready.”

She stepped toward me, and I grabbed her face, pulling it close as I licked her lips and kissed her. When I pulled back, her lids were heavy and she was leaning into me.

I grabbed her hand and started down the hall. She pouted.

“That was mean.”

My lip twitched. “What?”

“You know what, mister.”

We stopped at the elevator bay and pressed the button. I leaned down, kissing her neck as I squeezed her ass.

“Just wanted to show you how much I missed you.”

The moment of fun was just what I needed at the end of a long day.

During the drive, she took my right hand in hers, placing kisses on my busted-up knuckles. She swiped her fingers across mine, soothing us both.

I’d gotten a good five or six punches in on the bastard, but he matched me. The hit to the brick wall behind him had me hurting the worst.

As we pulled up to Darren’s office, three police cars sat outside with their lights flashing. Red and blue lights bounced off the building.

My stomach dropped out, and I grabbed for Lila’s hand, encasing it in mine. We walked up to the office and found Darren standing outside talking to an officer. His eyes widened, only for a second, but it was enough that I noticed.

“Darren, what’s going on?” I asked as we approached.

He spoke to the officer and turned toward us. “Someone broke into my office over lunch.”

Lila’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Did they take anything?”

His gaze flickered away from mine. “No.”

I didn’t believe him. I’d known him long enough. His poker face wasn’t that good.

“What did they take?”

He pursed his lips and looked between Lila and me, then let out a long breath. “They took your file…and Lila’s.”

Dread washed over me. “Is that all?” I needed to know the answer. Needed to know that it was just a break-in for files and not mine specifically, because I knew who it was.

“They only took yours and Lila’s.”

I cursed under my breath, my hand tightening around Lila’s as the world began to crash around me. This couldn’t be happening—not again. Maybe he’d been right. Maybe I should have listened closer. Maybe I should have run with Lila when he sat down next to me at the restaurant.

They were coming back. They were going to kill us, and every fear I’d had since I met her, since I met my Lila, washed over me, enveloping me. My hands began to shake—something that Darren noticed.

“You have to stay calm. I didn’t want to tell you because I knew this would happen.”

“Of course it was going to happen.” My stomach turned, and I pulled Lila close to me, my arms wrapping around her as my body bent in on itself.

Her hands ran soothing circles up and down my back, her nails digging in slightly, scratching. The small bit of pain reminded me she was there.

Darren put his hand on my shoulder. “Take a deep breath.” I took in as much air as I could and slowly let it out. “Lila, could you go inside and get a bottle of water from the vending machine down the hall?”

I reached out as she walked away and grabbed onto her arm. “No.”

Darren placed his hand on mine and waved an officer over. “Can you escort her inside to the break room for me?”

Lila caressed my face. “I’ll be right back.”

I whimpered as she walked away, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. “How did they know to come here?”

Darren sighed. “I don’t know, but I think it’s obvious they’re tailing you again.”

My head snapped to him. “You think?” I flashed my busted up knuckles at him. “Every fucking place I go.”

He cursed under his breath, eyes wide as he stared at my hand. “When?”

“My birthday.”

“Have you thought about hiring a bodyguard or getting police protection?”

I shook my head. “Police are in on it, and what the hell is a body guard going to do against them?”

“Protect you.”

My jaw twitched. “How the hell will one guy, or even five guys, be able to protect us round the clock for the rest of our lives?”

Anger built up, and the urge to punch something skyrocketed, but there was nothing to hit. I exploded, yelling out and up to the heavens.

“There has to be something.”

I was breathing hard, tears filling my eyes. “There’s only one thing. I’m dead, but I can still protect Lila.”

The day was long, and I was ready to get home. My workout with Jared left me exhausted and in desperate need of a shower. He was pushing me harder, to beat all the pain, fear, and anxiety that consumed me out and into the pads and the bag.

It helped a lot, and I was thankful for another physical release, but it didn’t change the truth. Marconi was coming for us.

In the back of my mind, I’d been working on a contingency plan—a getaway. Working it out in real life without them finding out was harder than I imagined. Who could I trust, and of those few, who wasn’t being watched?

When I stepped into our condo, dread washed over me.

Silent.

Black.

Nothing.

“Lila?”

I closed and locked the door behind me, then set my bag down. Silence remained. Her car was in the parking lot, so I knew she had to be here.

The echo of my footsteps on the tile accentuated the quiet, along with the hammering in my chest. I flipped light switches as I moved through the condo, scanning rooms for anything out of the ordinary. The anxiety rocketed, adrenaline pumping through me as I fought off my fears.

Everything was right where it was supposed to be. I didn’t know if that was good or bad.

Glowing yellow drew me to our bedroom, the light from the bathroom spilling out into the room. Lila sat against the wall. She was biting her lip, her hands tangled together, fidgeting.

“What happened?” I asked, rushing to her side.

She blinked back tears as she slid up the wall. “Nothing… Well, not nothing.”

Her eyes fell down, staring at my chest. A buzzing fear wrapped itself around me. Lila usually told me everything. The only time she’d pause was because she was afraid I’d fly off the handle.

I swallowed hard and raised her head so that our eyes met. “Lila, tell me.”

She was cautious, her expression pleading and scared.

“I’m late.”

I blinked at her, the fear that was building falling from me and my lips twitching up into a smile. The words weren’t foreign—I knew them well. It was another life, so long ago, but the weight of them was the same.

“Really? Do you think…”

She blinked up at me and swallowed. “I took a test. It was positive.”

Her eyes were trained on me, studying my reaction. A smile grew on my face and excitement coursed through me.

Lila was pregnant.

We were going to have a baby.

My hand moved to rest on her abdomen as my mind imagined it ballooning out from her hips, full with my child. The beast in me purred, excited about the development. It was territorial, the possessiveness growing in me—Lila was mine in every way.

Time seemed to stop as reality set in and the duality of the situation reared its ugly head.

The Marconi were watching.

The smile slid from my face. I stared down to where my hand lay. My fingers flexed against her skin as her reaction began to make sense. She was waiting for it, braced for it—my meltdown.

My eyes snapped to hers and I froze, staring at everything I wanted and loved, and feeling the sheer terror of it all being taken away the same horrific way as before. Vincent Marconi wouldn’t hesitate to kill my pregnant wife. In fact, I was certain the symmetry would be poetic in his eyes.

A strangled sound escaped me, and I fell to my knees. My arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her tight to me. My heart threatened to beat its way out of my chest. It refused to believe it was all happening again.

“We have to go to the doctor,” I said against her skin.

Her fingers moved through my hair, each stroke trying to soothe the crippling fear that was ripping through me, but it couldn’t keep up with the waves of despair.

“I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow.”

I took a deep breath, then nuzzled her stomach. Time had changed me, and for the better. The unexpected was expected. I wasn’t the carefree, naïve man anymore. This time I could protect my world, and I would.

I had to.

My lips pressed against her abdomen as I looked up at her. “I won’t let it happen again.” I stood up and cupped her face as my arm wrapped around her. “No one will take you from me. You’re mine, now until forever. We’re going to be a family. We’re going to be happy. I won’t let anyone take that from us.”

I didn’t give her a chance to respond. My lips crashed to hers, silencing whatever she would say. I needed her to believe me. I would find us a way out.

The desperation fueled my need to have her, to feel her wrapped around me, to consume her. She whimpered against my mouth, nails digging into my shoulders. I growled as I pushed her up against the wall.

I slammed my hips against her, begging for the friction of her body against mine, the calming release for all my ailments, all my anxiety. Celebration for the life we created.

“Fuck.” I pulled back and led her over to the bed. She pulled her cami over her head, leaving herself in only her tiny panties, knowing what was coming next. “Now, bend over, baby.” I pushed on her back, and she bent at the waist, her forearms resting on the bed. I tugged her panties off her ass and slipped a finger in her pussy, making her squirm against me. “Good girl. I’m going to make you come so fucking hard. Have you cream on my cock.” I hissed as I rubbed my clothed cock against her ass. “Mmm, my good little slut loves it when I talk dirty to her.”

She whimpered and pushed back against me. “Yes.”

“Turns you on so much when I call you my whore, my cock slut, doesn’t it?” I pushed my shorts down enough to pull my cock out and slapped it against her ass before sliding it between her cheeks.

“Fuck, yes!”

“Why is that?” I pulled back on her hair, exposing her neck and making her arch against me. I nipped down the column of her neck and latched on at the base.

She cried out and shuddered. “Because I’m yours.”

My cock sunk into her pussy, both of us moaning. “That’s right, baby, mine. My wife, carrying my child.”

I released her hair, my grip moving down to her hips as I rocked into her, my thrusts increasing. Incoherent sounds clawed their way out of me each time my cock bottomed out against her ass. The sight of her pussy stretching out around my cock was hypnotic.

Her pussy walls tightened around me, and I picked up the pace. The angle was always good for her and got her off faster.

“Come for me. Milk me.” I was panting then, groaning as she clamped down. A scream escaped her as she shuddered around me.

I exploded inside her—mind-numbing, white release, my muscles contracting with each pulse of come that emptied into her. A bead of sweat slid down my cheek, my mouth open as I gasped for breath.

All strength left me with the last drops, and I released her, falling back onto the floor. She sunk onto the bed, then slipped to the floor, crawling until she could collapse onto my chest.

“I love you to the end of the earth and beyond,” I said between pants.

She looked up at me and quirked her brow. “The earth is round.”

I snickered. “I love you to the moon and beyond.”

She kissed my chest. “I love you to the rock formally known as the planet Pluto and beyond.”

I ran my hand down her arm. “That’s a long way.”

“Yes, and that’s how much you mean to me—more than this world and all in between.”

I grabbed her face and kissed her, trying to pour all the love I had for her into it. “For all eternity, this life and the next and the one after that, you are mine and I am yours.”

“Always.”

Lila

Nathan was silent, his grip on my hand tight on the walk back to the office. It all began to settle in that we’d reached the finale. My chest clenched and I leaned into him as we rode the elevator up.

He refused to let go of me. The office exploded in murmurs—hushed whispers, scared faces, and pointed fingers.

Nathan stopped mid-step and let go of my hand, reaching across my body instead and gripping my arm. It was too tight, panicked. I looked up, and in front of his office door stood a figure.

The man had slick-backed, midnight black hair, deep age lines carved into his clean-shaven face. He had to be at least sixty, if not seventy. The black suit he wore was not off the rack and probably cost a small fortune.

Nathan positioned himself in front of me, blocking me from the stranger, but I could still see. The man’s stance screamed elite—legs apart, spine straight, hands in his pockets. He radiated arrogance as his cold eyes surveyed me with an odd curiosity. Our eyes met and his lip twitched, and what looked like a combination of cruelty and excitement flashed.

A shiver ran through me, and my heart began to hammer in my chest. My flight response screamed in terror, pulsing the danger signal through every cell.

I’d never seen a picture of him, but I was certain the man in front of us was Vincent Marconi himself.

Nathan tensed, his muscles strained tight and shaking with suppressed energy. “Stop looking at her.” The edge in his tone as he snapped surprised me. “What do you want?”

The anger-filled, intense feeling emanating from Nathan was suffocating. I’d seen him angry before, but the strength was crushing me—a whole new level of emotion.

Vincent’s lips curled up, the cruelty I’d seen before shining through in his false, mocking show. “Ah, Nathan, what a pleasure it is to see you again.”

“Vincent,” Nathan growled. “What can I do for you?”

My airway restricted as my theory was confirmed. The floor began to fall away and the world slipped as my knees weakened. I could barely stand from the weight of it all.

“I just came by to see how you were doing after that horrible accident you were in a few years ago.” His fake concern dripped from his voice. “Terrible, really, to be filled with so much titanium and other metals to hold your shattered body together.”

I grabbed onto the back of Nathan’s jacket, fisting it, anchoring me to him. The man who’d broken him stood in front of us, wanting to do it all again.

His body hardened even more—a rock bracing for the coming wave. “As you can clearly see, I’m getting by.”

“And your poor, poor wife. Pregnant, wasn’t she? To lose all of your family. Tragic, really. Rumor has it you have remarried.” Vincent’s gaze flickered back to me.

I locked my knees, fighting to stay strong and not let him see my weakness.

With that comment, Nathan’s hand reached out and pushed me so he was standing fully in front of me.

“Is that her?” Vincent asked, fake curiosity dripping from his tone.

Nathan’s arm shook as I peeked to look around his shoulder again.

“Hello, Mrs. Thorne, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Vincent extended his hand.

His whole demeanor and the conversation didn’t sit well with me, and the prospect of touching him sent chills through my body. I leaned into Nathan for support.

“She has nothing to do with this. Leave her alone.”

Vincent gave Nathan that smile again. “Nathan, don’t be rude. I only stopped by today to see how you were doing after all this time. Nothing more.” Vincent sighed, as if put off. “However, I see you remain as arrogant and rude as you always were. Therefore, I’ll take my leave.” He nodded at me, a strange hunger as he looked me over. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Thorne.”

His stance, his tone, his presence was a threat.

Nathan’s hands were balled into tight fists, shaking as a low growl vibrated through him.

Vincent chuckled before giving his final goodbye and sauntering down the hall away from us. We both stared after him, as did the entire office. The moment the elevator doors closed and he was gone, Nathan yanked on my arm, moving us down the hall.

“Get your purse.”

“What?”

His jaw twitched. “We’re leaving. We’re not staying here.”

The tension was still high, his grip tight, barely letting me get my things before pulling me down the hall. All eyes were on us as we made our way to the elevators, and their own fear could be seen—their pity.

Nathan sped through the streets on the way home, his eyes constantly checking the mirrors to see if anyone was following us. I’d never seen him so shaken, but Vincent Marconi’s visit had him on a whole new level of paranoid and freaking out. When we arrived home, he quickly ushered us to the elevator. As soon as we were in the door, he was running to the bedroom.

When I caught up, he was pulling our suitcases down from the closet and throwing them on the bed. The pace as he moved back and forth from the dresser, the closet, and the bed, depositing clothes as he went, was frightening.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re going. Leaving now.”

I shook my head. “We can’t just leave.”

“Yes, we can, and we are.” He pulled open the dresser, grabbing handfuls of stuff, paying no attention to what it was. “It’s the only way I can protect you.”

I shook my head and set my hands on my hips, digging my heels into the floor. “There has to be another way.”

“Unless Vincent Marconi drops dead, there isn’t.”

“It could happen.”

His jaw flexed, teeth mashing together. “I’m not taking a chance on if.”

“Nate, we need to form a plan. We can’t just take off.”

“Damn it! Why won’t you fucking listen to me?”

“Because you’re being unreasonable.” My fingers flexed against my hips.

“No, I’m not.” The volume of his voice increased, almost to the point of yelling. His eyes hardened. “I’ve warned you about my past.”

“You’re just going to leave your family?”

His motions halted. He stood stone still for a moment, then grabbed my phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

“Mom, I need you to pack your bags… The Marconi… Mom, please don’t argue.”

I snatched the phone from his hands. “Sarah, we’ll call you back.”

I forced down my own anxiety as I stared at my husband’s frantic behavior.

“I’ll call Darren, you work on calming him.” The worry in her voice could be heard

I nodded, not that she could see. “Talk to you soon.”

I hung up and walked over to him. He was shaking violently as he stuffed clothing into the cases.

“Baby, you need to calm down,” I said in a soothing tone, my fingers running through his hair. “We need to work out a plan.”

His head snapped toward me. “This is serious. We have to leave. I have to get you out of here. I can’t let them… I won’t let them hurt you.”

“Slow down. Take a deep breath. Please.”

“No!” he shouted and turned to me, his eyes beseeching me to understand. “This wasn’t a warning. Everything before was, but Vincent himself seeking me out was his way of saying goodbye, of letting me know that we’re dead. He wanted to see you, see what he was going to take from me. He is going to kill us, Lila! We have to leave now!”

I vibrated with anger and fear as I stared at Nathan. We weren’t right. There was an element that was off in both of us. We weren’t working together as a unit, as a family, and it was hurting us.

I picked up a shoe he’d just dumped into the suitcase and hurled it against the wall. “No. This ends now. Stop with the bullshit!”

He stopped packing and looked at me. “Bullshit?”

“Yes. Bullshit.” I was seething. Not working together made us weaker, and it’d become obvious we were falling apart because of it. “You’ve kept things from me. I’ve kept things from you, as well. We can’t do that, not now. Especially not in this moment.”

He blinked at me, stunned. “What are you keeping from me?”

“What are you keeping from me? I’m your wife, remember? Partner in this life we have together, including impending doom.”

He stepped forward, towering over me, and snarled. “What are you keeping from me?”

I blew out a breath and bit my bottom lip before looking him in the eye, my jaw jutting forward. “I knew Marconi was on his way in town this morning.”

“How?” His voice was flat, even, and a shiver ran through me.

“Noah.”

His face scrunched, and he lashed out, grabbing the nearest thing—a pillow—and tossing it across the room, screaming.

“You didn’t tell me? I missed a call from Noah around eight, but I had no idea…” He shook his head. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

I slumped down onto the edge of the bed. “You would’ve freaked out this morning. I was waiting until after work, trying to form a plan, but he’s already here.”

“We could’ve been gone hours ago.” He threw his hands up and stomped away, stopping in front of the bathroom door, his back turned. “How did Noah contact you?”

I closed my eyes and braced myself for his rage. “On a disposable phone he bought me a month ago. He’s been keeping me up to date as well as keeping tabs on us.”

He bent forward, then slammed his hands against the door frame. When he turned to me, I jumped at the fire in his eyes.

“A month? This has been going on for a month and neither of you mentioned it to me? I’ve fucking talked to Noah multiple times, and he never said a word.”

I stared at him and sighed. “You’ve been so on edge. Between the false positive and giving Tom the file, I’ve had to walk on eggshells and do everything I could to keep you relaxed.”

He glared at me, and icy dread flooded my system. It was anger, and not in a good way. “So, my wife has been placating me like a fucking child.”

I jumped up from the bed and stalked forward, pushing against his chest. “You wake up screaming every night! Your moods are so heightened and change so fast, I can’t keep up, so I keep even.”

Anger fled from him, replaced by something I couldn’t identify, but I knew it was a jumbled mess of turmoil. His hands ran through his hair, then down to his neck, pulling.

“I never should’ve proposed. We never should’ve gotten married.”

I flinched, recoiling back as if he’d slapped me. He looked up, his eyes empty. My mouth opened and tears began to gather in my eyes. My chest was tight, and I reached behind me, searching for the bed. Stability as my world threatened to collapse around me. His face morphed, eyes wide in panic as he lurched toward me, grabbing my arms.

“No, Honeybear, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”

“What way am I supposed to take it?” My voice was strained, forcing the overpowering emotions from pouring out of me. Everything was upside down.

His eyes scrunched closed, teeth bared as he squeezed me tighter.

“I somehow thought I wasn’t a bother to him any longer. All our therapy toned down my fears, and I forgot and was happy. I convinced myself we could have a future, a family, and grow old together.” My heart broke at the tortured expression on his face. “Everything that consumes me is you, and I want you in every way, but the one thing I don’t want is you hurt because of me. Marrying you tells them how much you mean to me. They can take you away from me.”

I swallowed hard, then reached out and grabbed hold of the lapels of his jacket. “You told me to stay away from you over and over again. You said you weren’t worth my life, but you were wrong. You are my life. If I hadn’t met you, I’d still be a zombie.”

His forehead fell against mine, and he cupped my face before kissing me hard. “I’m sorry. So fucking sorry. I love you so much. I need to keep you safe, for you and for me. Even if that means keeping things from you.” His thumbs caressed my cheek. “I don’t want you to worry. It’s my responsibility to protect you.”

I stared into his eyes as I shook my head. “That’s not protecting me—that’s leaving me vulnerable. Noah noticed it as well and that’s why he got the phones. And I do nothing but worry, because I see how everything bothers you. You can’t hide from me. Not me.” I leaned forward and rested my head against his chest, my arms wrapping around his waist. “Remember what we said, what we promised? We’ll never be free, never have a baby, if we continue on this path.”

He flinched at my words. “There isn’t going to ever be a baby if we stay here, if I don’t get you away.”

I pulled back. “Where are we going to go? They’ll find us.”

He shook his head. “I’ve been getting emails, pictures of us, for a few weeks.”

“I know.”

His attention snapped back to me. “You know?”

I nodded. “I saw you looking at them when you were on the phone with Tom. After that, I downloaded your email app to my phone and have been checking it.”

He stared at me in stunned silence for a moment before turning and kicking a half-packed bag. “Jesus fucking Christ! Who the fuck are we?”

I sat back down on the edge of the bed and let out a sigh. “We’re two people in a shit situation, and all we want to do is protect each other.”

He turned, hands on his hips. “Fuck lot of good that’s done us.” He ripped off his jacket and threw it on the ground. He stared off, his face relaxed, almost as if an idea struck him. “Once I take you somewhere you’ll be safe, then I need to hunt him down and end this once and for all.”

“What? That’s crazy! He’ll have a dozen guys with him all carrying guns.”

“Then I’ll get a grenade and we’ll all go down.”

My jaw dropped open as I stared at him and the determination setting into his features. I got back on my feet and slammed my hands against his chest with all my might. “No! Don’t even fucking say anything like that.”

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tight. “If it’s the only way to end this…”

My eyes watered, and I swiped away the unshed tears. It was sinking in that there might not be a tomorrow.

Our last night on earth.

The thought hit me like a punch to the gut. My whole body began to shake.

I pulled his head down and bowed up to press my lips to his. The surprise, followed by reluctance, threatened to crush me, and he almost did when his hands wrapped around my wrists. He pushed me back, head shaking.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. “I need you. Please, please.” Nothing could be more true. I needed him, our connection. It felt like I would rip apart without it, the torturous fate ahead of us burying me in crippling grief.

“We have to go.” My own agony reflected in his features.

“If tonight is all we have, give me one last moment with you.”

It hit him as well—understanding flashed across his face. His lips met mine again, fierce and desperate, as he reached down and lifted me up by my ass. I moaned into his mouth, a gasp leaving me soon after as we fell onto the bed.

Harsh hands ripped open my shirt as he bit down on my bra-covered breast. He sat up and pushed my skirt up, grabbing my hips and pulling my pussy against his cock. His mouth was parted, lids heavy as he looked down at me.

“Tell me.” The lust in his eyes faltered, exposing the fear and sadness beneath.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against his chest. “I love you…more than my own life.”

His fingers deftly worked his belt, then moved to his zipper. “More.”

“I’m yours for this life and the next.” His fingers pushed my panties aside, then he rubbed the head of his cock against my pussy, making me burn and melt around him. “I will always be yours.”

He thrust forward, and I convulsed. My eyes rolled back as my nails dug into his forearm. Everything centered around the connection created from his cock being inside me. He leaned over me and wrapped his fingers with mine as he pinned my arms against the bed. Desperation fueled his kisses as my hips met his.

“I would die for you,” he whispered against my lips. My heart fluttered in my chest. “I would kill for you.” His voice was airy, and he grunted as I clamped around him. “My life is yours.” His thrusts picked up, harder, deeper. He stared into my eyes, burning with so many emotions my chest clenched. “My body is yours.”

I whimpered, every muscle tense, my body bowing toward his. His name tumbled from my lips in a mantra.

“Forever. In this life and the next, you are mine.”

I crumbled, the world exploding around me as I came. White nothingness washed over me, my body pulsing as each wave of pleasure ripped through me. Nathan let out a roar above me, his hips slamming against me. His cock jerked inside me, and I writhed beneath him, knowing he was filling me.

His breath was harsh above me, and he leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine. Unshed tears sparkled in his eyes.

“I love you, my beautiful wife.”

A tear slipped from my eye, my bottom lip began trembling. “I love you, so much, my husband.”

We stayed like that for a few minutes, hoping the danger would disappear and we could remain lost in each other. It couldn’t last, and we got up, moving to the bathroom to clean up the mess.

Sex helped to relax Nathan enough to slow down and think a little more rationally, but we still got ready to leave. Silence remained over us as we changed our clothing. He made a noise, drawing my attention.

“I can’t believe we’ve been walking around unprotected all this time when we should have had your gun on us.”

I pulled up my jeans and buttoned them. “That’s not entirely true.”

His stared at me for a moment, stunned, before his gaze became angry, nostrils flared. “What?”

I grabbed my purse from the floor and pulled out the Ruger SR22. His eyes were wide as he stared at it.

“When did you start carrying it around?” He held out his hand, and I gave it to him, making sure the safety was still engaged.

“I got it a few weeks ago.”

His head snapped up. “A second gun? How? And why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

“Drew helped me.”

He cursed under his breath. “Motherfucker.”

“We went over lunch. And I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you freaking out and stressing any more than you were.”

“Where’s your other gun?”

My eyes widened, flickering briefly to the closet. “Nate, I don’t—”

“Where?” His jaw was locked, anger radiating from him.

I walked into the closet and sighed as I pulled out the black metal case.

Nathan watched me as I exited and set it on the bed.

“How do you open it?” He set the Ruger down.

I lined my fingers up and set them down. “It’s a biometric fingerprint lock.” After a moment, the lock sprung and the case opened. “Glock 19.”

He reached forward and grabbed the gun along with the clip that was sitting beside it. He looked at it for a moment before sliding the clip in.

“Have you ever used a handgun before?” I stared at him, and he shook his head. “Any gun?”

“A shotgun long ago.”

I held out my hand. “Give it to me.”

He glared at me. “No.”

“Nate, you don’t know how to use it.”

“I’ve seen it used enough.”

“When? On television? This is serious. I went through training classes. It’s not as simple and easy as you think.”

“Aim and fire, right?”

I huffed and rolled my eyes. “There are safety precautions so you don’t shoot someone by accident. You need to know how to use it.”

“Then show me. That’s why you got a second gun, right?”

“I got it to protect us. I’ve never had to use it, let alone to kill anyone.”

He shook his head. “It’s not killing if it’s self-defense, and they’re coming to kill us.”

“Nate…”

“What? Why else would you buy a gun?”

I continued to look at him for a moment before focusing on the two guns I owned. The main reason I purchased the Ruger was for its size and easy portability. It didn’t detract from the reality of why I purchased the smaller firearm.

I wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

“I’m tired of being afraid of the monsters that hide in the dark, of evil things in the form of humans.”

He nodded and handed me the Ruger while he stuffed the Glock in the back of his pants.

“Then it’s time to end this.” He held out his hand, and I slipped mine in.

Together. Live or die, it would be together.

When we got down to the parking lot, Nathan popped open the trunk to my car and not his own. I glanced at him in curiosity, but understood. Switching to mine could buy us some time, because we were always in his car.

The air was heavy as we made our way through downtown to Meridian Street and north a mile to pick up I65. We were both stiff, unable to relax. I watched the Indianapolis skyline disappear in the rearview mirror when the interstate angled west. The IMA sat off to the right overlooking the White River as we passed, streetlamps filling the car with alternating light to dark.

“Shit.”

I turned to him. “What?”

His jaw clenched tight, eyes flickered between the road and the mirror. “They’ve already found us.” The engine revved as he pressed on the gas pedal.

I looked into the rearview mirror, but only saw the bright headlights from all the other cars. My heart fluttered in my chest, the beat seeming to increase with our speed. Every time I took a breath, it echoed in my ears. I kept watching, waiting to see what he did. A few miles flew by, and we approached the exit for I465.

Then it became clear, as traffic moved over to the exit lane, and one car accelerated toward us. Nathan’s knuckles were white as he gripped onto the steering wheel and hit the gas again as the speed limit increased. The words “Thank you for visiting Indianapolis” flashed by, and we were out of the city. My hands trembled as the safety of population was replaced by the unknown of Indiana’s famous corn fields.

Someone had to know. If we didn’t make it, someone had to know what happened.

Nathan cursed again and swung the car hard right over two lanes, barely missing the grassy median as he took the exit. Lebanon was written on one of the signs, and the tires screeched as we turned left at maximum speed.

Why is he taking us off here?

I torqued my body at an awkward angle to see if we were still being followed, and I caught their car swinging hard, barely missing the metal guardrail. If nothing else, there was a bit more space between us and them.

I dug my burner phone out of my pocket and pulled up my text messages. A hard jostle of the car from a pothole sent the phone flying from my hand and slipping between the door and the seat.

“Shit!”

My gaze flickered to the rearview mirror—the second set of headlights was much closer.

I shoved my hand in the tight space to get my phone. There wasn’t much time left. My fingers clasped around the plastic and pulled it up. I looked for another sign when we took a hard right and typed frantically, hoping he understood.

Lafayette Lebanon CR1300. Chased. Help.

I sent it off and clasped the phone between my hands in a silent prayer. When I opened my eyes, headlights shone back at me. The car honked, long and loud, and we swerved.

No matter which way we zigged or zagged, the car after us kept up.

I was jostled into the door, cringing in pain. The sound of screeching metal filled darkness. We couldn’t get away and were hit again, pushed several feet over in the lane.

The metal made a sickening crunching sound as Nathan veered off and took the car into the grass that separated the road from the field. I screamed when he barely missed a mailbox.

The car behind us was undeterred. It kept at us, hell-bent on catching its prey.

Nathan’s eyes were focused and his grip on the wheel firm, yet he somehow seemed relaxed. Like he’d done this before.

An eerie chill slid down my spine. He had done this before.

The lawyer sat next to me, not my husband, working it all out in his head as he drove. Asking himself questions. Going over past evidence, reliving past mistakes, and trying to come up with a different outcome. I stared at him and could almost see his mind spinning faster than the vehicle we were travelling in.

What was I supposed to do?

Nothing. All I could do was keep my death grip the on the door and count each second, waiting for the ride to stop.

“What are we going to do?” I asked, my voice shaky and feeble. The car jostled again as they slammed into the bumper. I shrunk into my seat, holding on to the seatbelt and trying not to freak out.

“Away from them. Away from everything.” His voice was clearer than mine, yet it spoke volumes about where he was at in his head. He was far, far away from here. Imagining some place where he could lock me away.

The wheel jerked as they slammed into us again. The back end of the car swung out, but he kept control, the car rocking as it maneuvered back into a straight line.

Every heartbeat passed in what felt like hours, not seconds. Slow motion in fast forward—a strange sensation.

I wanted the car to stop.

I wanted it to go faster.

I wanted the world to melt away and take my fear with it.

Another minute, hour, lifetime with Nathan.

I wanted to catch a fucking break in my shit life and have the future we deserved.

A tear slid down my cheek and time caught back up.

The tires lost traction on the road as they hit us again, sending us careening into a field. My head slammed into the window as we bounced around on the uneven ground. I held on tighter as the car spun out, narrowly missing a tree.

I exhaled, expunging the air from my aching lungs. How long had I been holding my breath?

Nathan pried his hands from the wheel and turned to me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, unable to voice any of the hundreds of emotions boiling. His head whipped around, searching for our followers. He turned the key, but the engine wouldn’t turn over.

“Fuck! We need to get out of this car.” He reached out, pointing across the field to a large wooden barn. “There. We have to run.”

I reached down to my purse for the Ruger and opened the car door. The darkness made it hard to see anything, but the moonlight created enough light to make our way across the overgrown grass. As we approached the barn a light flipped on.

“Shit.” I hissed.

We slid onto the ground behind a stack of hay. Nathan’s head popped up to see where our stalkers were. A car door slammed and he turned back to me, sadness and fear flooded his features as he stared at me. His hands grasped the sides of my face and brought my lips to his.

“I’m sorry, Lila. I’m so sorry.” His expression broke my heart. “Baby, I need you to do as I say.”

I shook my head violently from side to side.

“Please!” He rested his forehead on mine. “Baby, you have to run. I’ll buy you some time.”

I gripped onto his shirt, fisting it and holding on tight, unwilling to let him go. “You mean your death will buy me some. No! I can’t live without you. Please, Nate. Don’t leave me.”

He let out a shaky breath. “I can’t watch you die, and their intent is to kill you.”

“Then don’t go. We can still make it out of here.”

“Come on out, Thorne!”

I gasped, and Nathan froze.

I swallowed hard and looked down at the gun in my hands. “They don’t know where we are. We can take them out now.”

His eyes went wide and he nodded, pulling the gun out from his pants. “Together.” He leaned forward and kissed me, then turned back to the direction they were coming from.

There was a small space between the stack and I peeked through, but it wasn’t enough. I popped my head up enough to see that there were two guys, both dressed in suits. Another set of headlights headed down the road toward us.

My eyes widened as I recognized a guy wearing a knit cap—I’d seen him before. Many months before in the dress shop. He was the one I’d told Nathan about—Mack.

“Shit.” Nathan hissed as he ducked back down, pulling me with him just as a shot rang out, flying through the hay and past us into the barn. A small amount of light poured out from the new hole.

Another shot whizzed by, and I peered through the small space again. The chubby one was in view and I pulled the gun up, lining up the sight. My finger sat on the trigger, my chest heavy with anxiety and the weight of what I was about to do. I closed my eyes, blew out a breath, and squeezed.

The gun fired, the force of the kick-back and surprise of the shot made me lose sight of him for a moment. A scream of agony pierced the air, and I knew I’d hit my target somewhere.

Nathan shook me and I looked at him, but he sounded like he was in a tunnel.

“What?”

He pulled on my arm. “Come on.”

My hearing cleared, and their yells came through. We skirted around the edge of the barn, out in the open, and a bullet barely missed us. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking, even when I fired off another round at our attackers.

He pulled me through the large, wide doors of the barn for some cover, just as one of the men came into view.

“Stay down!” Nathan shot off a round just as one of them ran around the corner. The guy screamed out as the bullet clipped his shoulder.

I shook my head at him and kept at it as he began to close the door. If he was going to protect us, then I would, too. We were a team.

He pulled the lever down into its footing in the ground. “Fuck…” He looked around behind us, realizing we were trapped within the barn’s large walls, the only other exit being a regular-sized door next to the large one.

A loud bang with some splintering wood filled my ears before Nathan screamed out and clutched his arm. I grabbed hold of him and led him over behind a tractor. He hissed when I pulled his hand off to see—the bullet grazed his arm, but he was fine.

They tried to get through the doors and started firing off, punching through the wood planks.

I gripped his shirt and pulled, yanking us toward a ladder that led to a loft.

Before we could reach it, we were tackled to the ground. Two men began kicking Nathan, and another hauled me up from the ground by my hair.

I dug my nails into my attacker’s hand as I screamed in pain. He turned, pulling me by my hair and slamming me into one of the barn’s support beams. I fell to the ground, the world spinning and blurry for a moment as my head rang. The need to move was strong, but I couldn’t.

“Don’t fucking touch her!” Nathan yelled from a few feet away.

Whoever stood over me turned toward him, leaving me on the ground and heading to Nathan. I squinted and saw that the men who’d been kicking Nathan were laying at his feet. In the next moment, Nathan hit the one who attacked me and sent him to the ground, blood gushing from his nose.

I stood, my legs shaking and my head still spinning. The guy in the hat also got up and picked up his fallen gun, raising it in the air.

“No!” I jumped onto him, the force enough that the bullet missed Nathan and fired off into the distance.

He grunted, cursing as he pulled me off. I stumbled back, but before I could right myself, something hard collided with the side of my head, sending me down to the ground. Pain exploded through me, my vision blurring, ears ringing.

“Stupid bitch.”

I turned over and tried to get up, but I was weak. I tried again, but it was too late.

The asshole pushed on my back and I lurched forward. One of his other guys had his gun on me, and Vincent stepped forward for the first time.

Vincent stared at me with an eerily happy smile—it was intense. “Hello again, Mrs. Thorne.”

He stood in front of me and motioned for his men to stand me up. I turned to look for Nathan as they hauled me up, and he was being held by two men, blood dripping from a large split in his lip. He pulled against them, still fighting. One of them punched him in the stomach until he stopped.

Vincent turned to Nathan, his wide smile becoming even more malicious. “I really wanted to kill you. I killed your wife and son, and at the time I thought that the life you had left was punishment enough. Then, all of the sudden after so long, you’re happy, and they tell me you re-married.” He sneered at Nathan. “All the while, my daughter is miserable in jail. I cannot allow you to be happy when she is in such a state.” His nostrils flared, and his arms opened wide. “So, here we are again. I’ll kill your wife in front of your eyes and watch the misery take hold of you again, making me very happy. Restoring the balance back to the way things should always be.”

There was only an instant that passed—a click followed by a loud bang that bounced around the metal walls of the warehouse. Something pushed my shoulder back, hard. Nathan howled behind me, but it took a second to register why.

Searing pain ripped through me, time delayed by a few heartbeats as my brain received the signal. My face scrunched up as a scream exploded. My mouth hung open, whimpering, shrill gasps coming through.

As the shock settled, I looked down. Thick, dark red liquid was coloring my shirt and seeping from the open wound. My left arm was cold, hanging limp at my side. I didn’t even want to try and move it, afraid of the pain it would cause.

My knees gave out, and I fell to the ground.

“Oh, I missed.” Vincent’s malicious smile told me it was intended. Torture me to make Nathan suffer more. “Aren’t you going to beg for your life? Or to kill you and spare him?”

“No.” My voice was steady despite the fear and pain I was in.

“No?” he asked. He seemed a bit shocked by my response. “And why is that?”

“Because even if you don’t kill both of us, whoever survives will kill themselves.”

Stunned, Vincent’s eyes widened, and he stepped back from my kneeling form. My shoulder was throbbing, sticky blood seeping out.

“I will ask, though, if you are going to kill us both, kill him first.”

“Oh, but I want him to watch you die. I want him to suffer more.”

“But for him to suffer, you would need him alive. And if you leave him alive, he’ll just kill himself before dawn breaks.”

Vincent continued to stare down at me, and then his gaze flickered between Nathan and me.

“Lila, baby, please,” Nathan begged from behind me, struggling hard against his bindings and the men holding him.

I smiled up at Vincent. “Death can’t stop us. We’ll be together on the other side, because we were born for each other. So do it. Kill me. End this nightmare.”

Nathan begged for me to stop, but there was no stopping. Not now. We were at the end of the line. I couldn’t live without Nathan, and I knew he couldn’t live without me.

Vincent raised his gun and pressed the still-warm steel to my forehead. Nathan thrashed behind me. It was violent—fighting with all his might. The sound was breaking my heart, but it would only be until the trigger was pulled. A tear escaped and ran down my cheek.

“I love you, Nathan,” I whispered, his wailing filling my ears.

“A pity to kill a woman such as you, Delilah,” Vincent said as he cocked his gun.

I closed my eyes and waited for the last sound I would ever hear. My muscles unconsciously tensed in anticipation, my thumb twirling my wedding bands on my finger as I counted the seconds.

Then the shot rang out, along with Nathan’s screams.

I felt no pain.

My eyes were still sealed tight, waiting for the pain, waiting for the nothingness to consume me. The concussive sound of the gun firing exploded in my ears. Warm droplets landed on my skin.

I waited.

One heartbeat…

Two heartbeats…

The beating continued on.

The ringing grew louder, making me cringe, then was gone, replaced by the thud of something heavy dropping to the ground in front of me.

My breath was ragged as my heart raced, still waiting for the bullet to hit me. I forced my eyes to open, half expecting to see the nothingness of death or the shiny leather shoes of my killer splattered with my blood.

I saw neither.

Vincent Marconi’s body lay sprawled out in front of me, his eyes open, the light fading from them. Blood seeped out of his chest, pooling beneath him. I wiped my hand against my forehead and found no hole, but thick, sticky, dark red blood instead.

It wasn’t mine.

Everything was silent, or seemed to be. I began to shake, my body trembling and convulsing. Pain radiated from my shoulder as I slumped to the ground, my head falling onto the packed dirt floor. Nathan called out to me.

“Drop your weapons!” someone yelled.

Men stormed into the barn, filtering in and disarming Vincent’s men. Shots fired off again, echoing in my ears.

Everything moved in slow motion, the sound muted by a tunnel. I saw the vision of a terrified Nathan sliding to the ground in front of me, then nothing.

K.I. Lynn spent her life in the arts, everything from music to painting and ceramics, then to writing. Characters have always run around in her head, acting out their stories, but it wasn’t until later in life she would put them to pen. It would turn out to be the one thing she was really passionate about.