↵
Epilogue
Kandy, One year later, Christmas Eve
As it turns out my mother didn’t accept me falling in love with my stepbrother and his two best friends. That’s okay. Her loss. She’ll either come around to me loving the men who stole my heart years ago or not. Joe, on the other hand, was passionately furious with us for taking so long when we broke the news last Christmas. I honestly do not know how my mom and that man have stayed married for so long, but that’s love for you. I’ll never question its power.
It’s given me a whole new take on life. I practically feel like I’ve won the lottery of life. Though it took longer than I like to think about, I finally have my happily-ever-after with my three best friends. We’ve been together for a year now and every morning I still can’t believe that I have three men who adore me and spend every second of the day finding ways to show it. From leaving me small notes to discover in the morning to cooking dinner for all of us on the weekends and a million things in between. I guess they feel they have a lot of time to make up for. But honestly, I’m just happy to have them in my life now. I see it affects Atlas the most. I see him looking at me at times and the pain in his eyes breaks my heart.
But the longer the four of us are together, the more we all heal as a family. They truly suffered years with regret on how we ended things in Texas.
In the year since the cabin burned down and my attacker was arrested, we’ve had a lot going on. I’ve moved in with the men who own a gorgeous brownstone in the city. While we share a large bed most nights, we all have our own rooms and space. Which is important for my sanity. Trust me!
And I work remotely now thanks to Justice. I was nervous about proposing the option, but the second I voiced my thoughts she made it happen. I’m truly lucky to have such a great friend.
Reconstruction on the cabin is well underway and nearing completion with a new feature Atlas insisted on—a panic room. I agreed as long as we added on a special playroom reminiscent of our beloved Room One.
I didn’t get any arguments.
As soon as it’s completed, we’ll be spending most of our time there. In the meantime, it’s been fun filling our playroom with toys and giving them a try. But don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been one screw-fest after another. Sometimes it’s two of us sharing a moment; other times it’s one-on-one in the shower. Or sometimes there’s no sex at all. Believe it or not, my big badass SEALs are huge cuddle bugs. Especially on movie nights.
On the nights I can’t sleep, I’ll find myself thinking about what-ifs. What if I never took Justice up on her Christmas gift? What if Mackay had succeeded in killing me? It’s a dangerous game that can make the pit of your stomach quiver with fear. I don’t recommend it.
And speaking of Mackay. Once the police got their hands on the douchebag, all kinds of jaw-dropping details came to light. For instance, I’m not his first. Come to find out, Mackay isn’t his real name, either. Surprise! Not really. He has five other aliases, and all are tied to similar crimes in different cities across the country. Poor women, but at least I can rest easy, and so can the men, knowing that no other woman will suffer because of him.
But tonight, isn’t about the past or what might have been if one thing or another had happened instead.
Tonight, is about us and I send up a silent thank-you to Justice for giving us the gift of Club Sin last year. I made reservations for us this time around with a plan in mind.
I walk the perimeter of Room One, my feet sinking into the plush red carpet. In the middle is the bed draped in white satin this time and that chest of toys is still at the foot of the bed. The cuffs they tied me up with before are still in their place.
What’s different is the beautiful, glittery Christmas tree with its white-twinkling lights. The big day is tomorrow, and I already know what I’m getting my men for Christmas and the special presents are already hidden beneath the tree.
“Our Christmas butterfly looks stunning in white tonight.”
Unlike last time we were here, this time I’m wearing a floor-length nightgown with thin straps and my necklace. The night my stalker attacked, the bastard had yanked it off, but my men had it fixed and around my neck in less than a day. I haven’t taken it off since.
I slowly turn at the sound of Atlas’ voice, and my heart quickens at the sight of him, Ryder, and Brogan in tuxedos.
I hold a hand out for all of them to join me. This time there’s no need for a contract. I’m not going anywhere, and I think they know it.
My heart swells to nearly bursting when three sets of arms pull me close and our warmth mingles and melds together.
“I have a surprise for you.” Okay, I’m a little impatient.
“You are our surprise.”
Brogan tips my chin his way and dives in for a kiss. They all take turns and before long my body wants to move on from Christmas gifts to the action part of the evening. But there’s plenty of time for that.
“Let the woman talk, Brogan. She clearly has something on her mind.”
Ryder glides his palm over mine and I offer him an understanding, thankful smile. I swear sometimes all these men think about is getting me naked.
I bend down and pull up three small gold boxes with red ribbon. I give them each one and stand back.
Atlas is the first to pull open the ribbon and it’s like dominoes from there. All three pop the lids off at the same time.
Ryder turns a puzzled smile on me. “A bootie?” And a hint of hope hits his tone. “Kandy?”
I wring my hands together and hold back just a few seconds longer.
“Hey, I have one too.” Brogan holds his up to Ryder’s and I turn to Atlas who is staring at his box with a look of disbelief on his face.
My heart squeezes when he slowly reaches in and pulls out a pregnancy test. Tears well in his eyes, and damn it, I start to cry too.
“Tell me something, my sweet butterfly, is this really happening?” There’s so much hope and trust in his expression I feel my heart anchor to this moment in time. Brogan and Ryder mirror Atlas in every way. Ryder brushes his fingers over the soft material of the pink hand-knitted bootie and then passes it to Atlas and has tears streaming down his face.
“I love you,” I whisper out of fear of breaking the magical moment. “I love you all so so much. I hope you’re as happy as I am at starting our own family. Even if it’s just the four of us.”
I’m in three sets of arms and sniffles and tears are the main emotions happening right now. I’ve never seen a tear in either man’s eye, but they are openly showing me their happiness.
“You know, this means we have to revisit our plans for the cabin.”
“Ever my planner.” I raise to the tips of my toes and give Atlas a loving kiss.
He raises his eyes over top of my head to look at his best friends. A silent conversation goes in in the span of a few seconds and they are on their knees. Each of them places a hand on my abdomen that will be swollen, fat, and plump in the span of a few months.
“How far along?”
“She’ll be in time for July fireworks. I’m two months.”
“It’s a good thing we brought these then.”
All three reach into their pockets and hold up a gold band. Across the top there are words engraved: My Hart. My Soul. Our Butterfly.
My hands go to my mouth, and I guess it’s an evening of tears because more slip down my face.
“If you’ll take us, we promise to be your lovers,” Atlas starts.
“Your protectors,” Brogan adds.