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I have barely even looked at a calendar, between prenatal appointments, our romantic dates, and the new work Lyam’s taken over in Paris. Plus, our trips all over Europe now that my nausea’s abated. Not to mention preparing for our wedding.
I never paid attention to my birthday because no one ever made it special for me.
Everyone laughs. Savannah grins at me, and my heart swells at the knowledge that she’s not only forgiven me, but she’s my friend now. Lyam holds my hand as we walk together, flanked by friends and family.
“Oooh,” I breathe when we look at the room overflowing with good food and an actual quartet playing string instruments.
A table laden with the best pastries France has to offer showcases all my favorites, the largest tray in the center piled with whimsical, pastel-colored, round macarons. The dining room’s been transformed into a party room with round tables decked in white cloths, each centerpiece overflowing with beautiful flowers from Avril’s garden. Every place is set with careful attention to detail—delicate, butter-colored napkins to match bouquets of flowers in yellow and white, elegant plates waiting to be filled.
My mouth waters as staff brings out large family platters of all the foods I’ve craved the most, piled high in silver catering trays—savory mini quiches, coq au vin, fresh-baked baguettes with softened butter.
I sit with Lyam at the head table, as if we’re foreshadowing our wedding in the days ahead. Next to us sits a small table with a matching white tablecloth, piled high with wrapped packages.
“For me?” I ask him. I’ve never seen so many presents in my life.
“Of course they’re for you,” he says, holding my hand. “I’d give you the world if I could, Cosette.”
“I don’t need the world,” I say, looking out in gratitude at the cluster of people around us. “I’ll settle for just a little corner of it. Just like this.”
* * *
Interested in onemore taste of the Gerard family? Get your bonus epilogue HERE!
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DEVOTION
Book 1 of “The Montavio Brotherhood” (A Deviant Doms Rossi Family Saga Spin-off)
CHAPTER 1
Eden
“I’ll come back for you.”
My words feel like a strangled plea, as if somehow I’m begging Starla to believe me. I need to give her the hope I can barely hold onto myself. My hands in hers, I squeeze, trying to convey with a touch what words can’t say.
I’ll move heaven and earth to come back for her, even if it kills me.
And it might.
When she squeezes back, I can feel her own desperation coming off her in waves, but she manages to put on a brave face.
For me.
Starla whispers back. “I know you will.”
I have to pretend I don’t hear the pain in her voice.The worst of it all is having to leave her in misery to set her free.
I stare into my sister’s hopeful blue-gray eyes and see the courage that I need.Theysee her as less than, as weak and damaged. Imperfect. Cursed, even.
I think she’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.
In her plaintive voice, barely above a whisper, she begs me. “Go, Eden. You have to. We’ll be back together again, I know it.”
Somehow, the confirmation that she knows I’ll be back is all that I need to give me the little boost of courage to move. To face the wide open world that’s a black hole of uncertainty. To leap over the cliff and into the wild.
A twig snaps in the underbrush of the woods beyond the fence.
