He lets out a chuckle while pulling me into a hug. He mumbles in my ear, “Just say you’re in this with me, woman. I’ve been without you for too damn long to waste any more time.”
I wriggle back so I can look at him. “Did I actually have a choice in the matter?”
He peers down at me, face harder, eyes serious. “We doing this?”
Without an ounce of doubt in my voice, I reply, “We’re doing it, baby.”
We talked for hours and let it all out. We sought comfort in each other while we shared our childhoods, our teenage years, our recent ones, and the years yet to come. No nightmare, no scar, no secret, no story was left untouched.
I always thought I was a strong woman, until Mason threw himself into my life. I was always bold enough to use my voice, but never brave enough to listen to my heart. But now finally, I’m strong enough to live a life I’ll spend every day trying to deserve. Because love is selfless, it’s complete acceptance, and when I fell into the heart of Mason Cole, there was no way to climb out.
We enchained our pasts, our present and our futures together, so no matter where life takes us, we’ll be heading there together.
One path.
One family.
One love.
EPILOGUE
Lindsey
Three months later.
I had no regrets, just lessons learned. Had I not walked the path I had, I would never have found this avenue to my future.
A small warm tongue licks at my feet as I fix up my lipstick in the mirror. Little claws clamber against the back of my legs and I reach down behind me, picking up the yellow Labrador puppy. The signature scent of puppy breath blows in my face as his heavy panting from excitement welcomes me. I squint my eyes shut and giggle as his tongue licks my nose.
I pat his head. “Oh, yes, I love you, too. Come on. Time to go see the birthday girl.”
I smile, my insides giddy with excitement for Charlotte to receive the not so tiny ball of cuteness she’d been nagging for as her birthday present. I’d picked the eight-week-old pup up a few hours ago and already he’s knocked over a vase with his weapon of a tail, his shedding hair is creating a new coating of carpet in mine and Mason’s bedroom, and he’s become quite friendly with one of my Louboutin heels. It’s a good thing he’s so damn cute.
Creeping out into the kitchen to the guys and Cassidy, I avoid Charlotte who’s in the living room with her grandparents and best friend.
“Aww, he is just the cutest little dude ever.” Cassidy coos over the dog, letting him lick her face.
“I wish you’d touch me like that, Cass,” taunts Trey, Cassidy’s new squad partner.
We both roll our eyes at his usual inappropriate commentary. We’ve come to realize, over the past few months, it’s just him. His cute smile lives permanently on his face and nothing out of his mouth is ever serious. His attention to detail on the job is how he became the newest member of the Organized Crime Control Bureau. Mason sees something in him all of us are yet to witness, but he’s caring, fun, and fits into our family perfectly.
After Elias was shot, he was pulled off duty until he fully recovers. Guilt eats away at me every second Saturday when I watch him bust his determined ass in physiotherapy.
“Trey, if you don’t shut that mouth of yours, I’m going to shove my fist in it,” Cassidy says, as she fake-smiles at Trey, who’s staring at her with sparkling eyes. The badass blonde standing between us either has no idea how he really feels about her or she’s feigning ignorance like a boss. Either way, their banter makes for some killer entertainment.
“You think she’ll like him?” I ask no one in particular.
“Nah. She’s gonna love him. You did well, sweetheart,” Mason replies and butterflies flutter in my stomach at the sound of his gravelly voice. My eyes catch his and it’s like jumping into the ocean at high tide right after a hurricane, so deep blue, so dark and overpowering I can’t help but momentarily lose myself to him.
“Thanks,” I reply, my tone soft.
“All right, lovebirds, enough with the eyes. It’s making me uncomfortable,” Olly chimes in as he pulls a beer from the fridge and heads back over to where he was standing by the window with Ali, who’s got her head cast down and shoulders curling over.
I let out a sigh as a weight falls heavily on my chest. Ever since I moved out of the loft, I’ve felt so detached from Ali. Sometimes I allow myself to believe her anguish is the same as mine, the memories and the questions surrounding the day Lucio took us, Giuseppe tried to kill us, and Enzo and Adriana saved us, but it’s not about that. My head knew it and my heart believed it, but I had no clue how to let her see what I see. A strong young woman who may be battered and bruised with loss and regret, but has battled through the worst and came out stronger and wiser, and more beautiful than ever. She is glowing on the outside.
A hand squeezes my shoulder and Mason pulls me in for a hug. He pulls back after a moment and takes the puppy into his arms. The sight of him cuddling the cute little lab blankets my heart with love.
A laugh booms through the kitchen and I turn my head to see Cassidy with her head thrown back in laughter over something Trey’s said or done. He’s standing beside her leaning on the wall with his face upturned.
The doorbell sounds through the apartment and I move to answer it. “I’ll get it.” My brows knit together and I look to my wrist to check the time on my watch. It will be Roamyn at the door and he’s half an hour late. I pull open the door and my heart hurts. Not for me, but for what Ali will see in about thirty seconds.
“Hi. Roamyn, a little birthday girl has been waiting for you, and I see you’ve brought a date.” My eyebrows raise possibly to my forehead as I take in the tall, slim brunette standing with her arm tucked into Roamyn’s waist.
She puts her hand out for me to shake, “Hi. I’m Sarah. You must be Lindsey. It’s lovely to meet you.”
I force a smile and return the handshake. “You too. Come in.”
She’s beautiful, all long legs, perfectly straightened hair and, just to crack into Ali’s fragile heart further, she actually seems nice.
***
Thank God for the Labrador, who now has the name Rocky. He runs around the living room chasing Cassidy and Charlotte, tongue hanging out, ears flopping with every pounce as he bolts under chairs and between legs. Charlotte and Cassidy’s giggles fill the air with exactly what we need—distraction. After an awkward silence descended on the room at Roamyn’s entrance with Sarah on his arm, the tension in the room became thick. No one knows the full story of what happened in the past with Ali and Roamyn, but within these walls on this Saturday afternoon, it became obvious their past was still very much present.
“Bye, Mary.”
“Bye, my girl.”
I embrace Mason’s mother in a quick hug and kiss her on the cheek. Warmth spreads through my veins at the love I’m shown by this woman and her husband, who I’ve only met twice. I pull back and smile, encompassing their kindness as they set off for their journey home.
Mason and his father join in a manly hug with a quick pat on the back before saying goodbye. “Drive safe, guys.”
Mason grabs me around the waist and pushes me up against the door as he closes it. His hips entrap me, his scent lures me in and desire ignites heat in my core as his cock hardens underneath his jeans, rubbing against me in just the right way. The flaming heat spreads. It’s uncontrollable. My hands have a mind of their own as they wander up to his defined chest. Every bump, every hard muscle beneath my touch has me quivering with anticipation. Will I ever get enough of this man?
Mason bends down rubbing his stubbly jaw along my cheek. My lips part and the flame burns bright. Fingers curling into his tee, my nails then dig into his chest. His hot breath blows against my ear and his lips tease me with a whispery kiss. “You look so fucking beautiful, Lindsey. Never wanted you more than I do right now. You’ve given my daughter an amazing birthday. Every day you love her as if she was your own. You breathe new life into this family. You breathe new life into me, and I’m so damn grateful. It hasn’t been easy, doubt it ever will be. But we’ve got this, sweetheart. We’ve fucking got this.”