The Wrong Man (Alpha Men 3)

They had spent a fair amount of time between his place in London and Daisy’s little house in Riversend during that first year. Aisha had been happy for their preschool arrangement to continue more sporadically until Lia and Sam finally settled into a regular routine. Sam had spent the year setting up the South African division of Brand Executive Protection Services, which he now ran from his office at their home in Riversend. Sam had people and systems in place on the ground to ensure he still delivered top-notch service, but he was happy to only travel a few times a year.

The rest of the time he spent on or in the water. He and Mason had collaborated on a house, not too far from the Carlisles’ houses, for Sam and Lia. And while helping with the build, Sam had discovered a talent for carpentry, a hobby that was becoming a side business as more people took interest in his dramatic, beautiful pieces of bespoke furniture.

Lia, in the meantime, had continued slogging toward her degree and was now a qualified full-time teacher at the preschool, where she had been teaching for the last three years. It was the happiest and most rewarding work of her life.

Life had been wonderful, but a year ago, while they were making love, Sam had told Lia he wanted to make a baby. She smiled at the memory. They’d discussed it afterward and decided the time was right. The twins were conceived less than two months later.

Trevor, the gentlest dog in the world, was an awesome big brother to little Sophie and Noah. The dog was still Sam’s constant shadow, but he loved the entire family, canines, kids, and all. They couldn’t have asked for a better dog. Even Sam’s mother—whom Lia happily called Mimsy, despite his protests—adored Trevor, and suffice it to say, she was a tough lady to please. The woman had been an irregular visitor over the last five years when she wasn’t happily partying all over Europe. But she was usually content to visit for weeks at a time, just long enough to drive everybody mad. She had been present for the twins’ birth and had stayed for a week afterward before leaving again, content to adore them from afar.

“Daddy’s going to handcuff himself to your seat from now on, okay?” Sam cooed to Noah, who was watching him through narrowed eyes, the infant on the verge of falling asleep. “I promise I won’t forget you again.”

Lia laughed. He always felt so guilty after one of his little lapses.

“You’ll get used to them,” she comforted, wrapping her free arm around his waist as they followed the crowd to the viewing room, with Mason proudly leading the way. Sam dropped a kiss on top of her head and stopped, allowing the rest of the family to pass them until they were the only ones in the hospital corridor. Lia looked up at him questioningly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all. Everything is perfect. I just love you, Dahlia Brand,” he said, his heart in his eyes. His gaze dropped to the babies before drifting back up to hers. “I love all of you. You make me so fucking happy.”