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If my father’s ghost still lingers here, we’ve made the place as inhospitable as possible for him. And if my mom’s does, well, I think she’d be proud of what we’ve turned this place into. I don’t think she’d feel trapped here anymore. For the first time, this place feels like a home, the one thing my father could never turn it into.
It took love to do that. Zane and I have poured so much love into this place, turning it from a cold, lifeless estate into a place of refuge. We stripped everything out and started fresh. New floors, new paint, new furniture. There are kitchens and laundry facilities on every floor, as well as play rooms and family rooms. Every suite has its own bathroom.
I’ve fallen more in love with Zane every day that we’ve worked on this place. He’s poured everything into this project, sparing no expense. I am in awe of him and his devotion to me. No one has ever loved me like he does, and I know no one else ever will. He’s my world.
When I first came to Silver Spoon Falls to work for the family company and Andreas for a year, I couldn’t wait to leave. Now, I know this is where I belong. This place and this man are my future. They’re my home. And I wouldn’t change a thing.
“I noticed,” Zane says dryly, running his lips across my forehead. “But everything is perfect, little rebel. You’ve made sure of that. Now, I need you to do what you do best.”
“What do I do best? Other than drive you crazy.”
He smiles at me, his expression soft. “I need you to let that giant heart of yours guide you,” he says, bumping his nose against mine. “It won’t steer you wrong. When they get here, you’ll know exactly what to do. You always do. That’s who you are.”
“Zane,” I whisper, my heart fluttering.
“It’s true. You lead with your heart in everything you do. Do that now, and everything will be okay. I’ll worry about the details. You worry about making them feel welcome and wanted.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” I ask, blinking watery eyes.
“You forgot to fire me. You gave me your heart.” He smirks at me, slipping his hand between us to run it over my very pregnant belly. “And then you let me put my kid in you.”
“I didn’t forget to fire you. I just got busy,” I mumble, wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him down for a kiss. “I’m still busy, by the way.”
“Yeah?” He nips my bottom lip and then kisses me slow and sweet. “Doing what?”
“Forgetting to fire you,” I whisper against his lips.
“Get busy then,” he growls. “We’ve got an hour. I want you to forget you even know the wordfiredbefore the hour is up, little rebel.”
“Oh, a challenge.” I slip my hand down his body, reaching for his erection. “I like it.”
“Good girl,” he groans as I squeeze him through his pants. “Fuck. You’re such a good little rebel.”
EPILOGUE TWO
ZANE
FIVE YEARS LATER
“You owe me fifty bucks. I told you the fucker would eventually either bleed or break something if he keeps passing out every time Autumn gives birth,” Andreas tells Cash, and I flip them both off. The fuckers are profiting off of my suffering, but I’m too happy to be upset. I’m over the moon, holding my third child in my arms while a young doctor places three stitches in my forehead.
“I can’t believe you hit your forehead on the bedside table this time.” Cash shakes his head sadly. “You would think the hospital would be more prepared with your history and all. They should’ve moved all the furniture out of the way.” These fuckers live to give me shit over my tendency to pass out in the delivery room. If I didn’t enjoy holding my newborn son so much, I might get up and pound the fuck out of my brother.
My wife is quietly snoring in the bed, resting up for the exciting afternoon. Catriona will bring our two older boys in to meet their little brother in a few hours.
“We’ll watch the swan-dive video with Hacker and determine your scores,” Andreas informs me. I started referring to my brother-in-law by his given name shortly after our first born learned to talk. There was no fucking way I wanted to hear my innocent child muttering, “Uncle Playboy.”
“Do we have to give him bonus points since he bled this time?” Andreas asks Cash before looking over my shoulder to stare down at the tiny bundle tucked safely in my arms.
“Nope.” Cash, the fucker, forgets all about brotherly solidarity and stabs me right in the back.
After the doctor finishes stitching me up, I look over and notice my wife’s eyes blinking open. I walk over and sit on the edge of her bed. “How are you feeling, little mommy?”
“Like I just gave birth to one of your huge-headed kids a few hours ago,” Autumn grumbles with a smile on her face. “Now, let me hold him.” She reaches for our newborn, Jacob, and I hand him over. I already miss the slight weight of his tiny body in my arms, but I remind myself I’ll have plenty of time to cuddle with him once we get home. “I fucking love you.” I kiss her forehead. “You’re my absolutely perfect little rebel warrior.”
“I think that’s our signal to step out.” Andreas makes a gagging sound before signaling for Cash to follow him.
At the door, my brother turns to Autumn. “Hadley wanted me to tell you that she and the girls will be by later.”
