Was I still sad and angry, furious that the fucking asshole had believed because his father was a powerful man that he should be given a pass when breaking the law? Oh, you bet. But at the same time, I’d finally been blessed by learning what was most important.
And I had everything I needed.
An amazing city to call home. A fabulous business. Two, oops, now three incredible dogs.
Plus, a man I hoped to spend the rest of my life with. We would see what the cards had in mind.
With Labor Day around the corner, soon the crisp air would roll in and I was looking forward to nights by a roaring fire. With my little family.
As Viper pulled into a parking place, I took a good long look at him. He was so handsome, more so now that he’d finally started to relax. As a full member of the Zullies, he was loving every second of his job and his new friends.
And I was adoring every moment of spending time with him.
“Are you certain you can handle this?” I asked, although I daresay Viper would say I was purring. Which I’d done more and more over the last couple of weeks.
Now that the hoopla and investigation about the fire was behind us, Mike Jenson behind bars, we could finally breathe a little. There was no way his father could provide a get out of jail free card this time.
“I can handle anything,” he said from his perch in the driver’s seat. I’d learned in the most creative of manners just how bossy and dominating he could be.
My entire body was thrilled about that.
“I don’t know about that.” I purposely glanced out the passenger window, keeping the tease going because he was adorable whenhe wasn’t certain what to expect from me. “Maybe you can surprise me.”
“What are you talking about? I surprise you all the time. Don’t I?” he asked as if I was being serious.
“Nope.” And boy, did I pop the p on purpose.
The handsome man had saved my life. He’d risked everything to pull me from the barn, even going after the monster who’d terrorized a town. I’d heard the sordid details from just about everyone in town. From Maggie’s Restaurant when I’d had lunch with Darlene to every time I picked up dog food at Holden’s pet store or when grabbing a couple of bottles of wine.
The tales had gotten taller and the man’s heroic status larger than life.
And I had so many new clients I couldn’t keep up with them, booked up through the last of the year and beyond.
Now everyone in town was finally able to take a deep breath and attend the celebration that had originally been planned weeks ago.
The details of the horrific revenge-based crime spree were no longer consuming my mind and with Viper’s help and strong arms holding me at night, I’d resisted the nightmares.
That along with three huge dogs sleeping in the bed with us.
“What is that supposed to mean?” he demanded. “I give you treats.”
“You mean dog treats? Woof.”
“You’re such a brat.”
“Yes, I am. What I mean is that you’re still the most stubborn man I’ve ever met in my life. That you’re a celebrity and it’s going to your head.”
“How is it going to my head?” He lifted the steering wheel and ripped off his seatbelt. I did the same. The look on his face was part warrior and comedian, uncertain how to take me.
“Because it can barely fit through a door. Come on. We have a party to go to.”
“Wait,” he said. Wait a minute. Was he moaning like a kid? I grinned in response. “I don’t like this.”
“Being the center of attention? You eat it up.” I punched him playfully.
“Are you suggesting I’m an attention hog?”
“Hmm…” I threw open the door. “Yes.” As I laughed, I tried to climb out, but he was having none of it, yanking me back and into his lap.
