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I sigh and take a seat, letting my eyes roam over my estate.
I’m pissed at myself for letting Quinn get into my home, but the main thing is that Lola wasn’t hurt in the fray. It was a risk doing it that way, but I didn’t see any alternative. The more time we let them believe they were in control, the more their confidence would grow. Overconfident, unscrupulous men are not the kind I will allow around my woman.
The main thing is that Lola and the baby are safe.
Hunter makes a laugh-like harrumph noise and I can’t help but smirk.
It’s like the brave not-so-little guy is reading my thoughts.
“I know I don’t know if she’s pregnant,” I say, as he lopes over and rubs his face against my leg. “But I feel it, Hunter. And lately, that matters more than I ever would’ve believed. So don’t give me shit, alright?”
Hunter grins and whines contentedly. I’m so proud of him. I gave him free rein of the treats drawer when we returned home, letting him get full and lazy and sleepy. Now he can barely keep his eyes open, but he seems to want to stay close to me. Maybe he’s not sure the fighting is done.
The sheriff told me that Quinn Lineman is a known wanted man. He’s been in contact with other jurisdictions and apparently, he has a laundry list of crimes to his name. His goons are the same. All of them are going to go to prison for a long, long time.
If they ever get out and come for me or my family, I might not be so lenient next time.
I turn when I hear two sets of footsteps behind me.
Lola has changed into a set of pajamas with a bathrobe over the top, her hair tied up, the ponytail draped over her shoulder. I try not to stare at her, conscious of Kayley just beside her, but I can’t stop myself. Even shrouded in clothes, she’s the most beautiful, sexiest woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on.
Her smile is a welcome gift. Kayley is smiling, too.
After the violence, their smiles are like a balm.
“Dad, I’ve got some news,” Kayley says.
“Okay,” I reply.
“But can we turn the heating on first?” she goes on. “It’s freezing out here.”
“Sure,” I tell her.
She walks over to the controls panel and quickly presses a few buttons. Immediately, the floor begins to warm and slits open in the brickwork to let out fanning waves of heat.
Lola comes and sits next to me, close enough to touch. Kayley moves to the other side of the table. She sits with her back to the balcony railing so that she’s framed by the estate and swirling dancing masses of snow.
“So I don’t really know how to say this,” she murmurs.
She’s got her left hand tucked under her shirt, I realize.
I wait for her to tell him. It’s not my place to take this revelation from her.
“Dad, Ryan, and I, we’re engaged,” she gushes, presenting the ring with a magician’s flourish.
“Congratulations,” I say warmly, reaching across the table and giving her a squeeze on the shoulder. “That’s great news, Kayley. That’s really, really amazing news. You and Ryan have always been great together.”
“Oh, save it,” she giggles. “He told me he asked for your blessing.”
I chuckle. “Well, he is a gentleman. That doesn’t change how great the news is, though. Now, are you going to tell me what you two were conspiring about just now?”
“Kayley wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into,” Lola says.
“What do you mean?”
“I wanted to make sure she wasn’t just a silly girl with a crush,” Kayley says. “I know that sounds mean, but there it is. I had to be sure. So I asked her a few questions.”
“It was more like an interrogation,” Lola laughs.
“What sort of questions?”
“Was she happy never to sleep with another man? Did she realize that she’d be committing her whole life to you? Did she realize that it would be long-distance while she’s still at college? That sort of stuff.”
“How thorough,” I comment drily, but I can’t stop a smirk from touching my lips.
When Kayley wants to do something, she does it properly.
Just like her old man.
“I know it’s a bit much,” Kayley says. “But you have to see this from my point of view. We practically arrived yesterday, Dad. Yesterday.”
“I know,” I say. “I can’t explain it. So much has happened between us since now and then. When I told her how I felt – that I wanted to claim her – I thought she might laugh in my face. Of course, I know how insane it sounds. But that doesn’t change the certainty I feel, Kayley. That doesn’t change the absolute lack of doubt. I want to be with Lola forever. I want to have children with her. I want—”
