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“You wanted so fucking badly to find out about these houses. Why’re you in such a rush to leave, motherfucker?” I demand as I grab Dean by the back of his shirt and yank him back down the stairs.
As soon as he lands on his back, I land a blow to his midsection with the bat. That’s when I completely black out. I don’t know how many times I hit him or where. All I know is that I take my anger and guilt for not getting in between Riley and that car out on him.
When I return to reality, my uncles and father are restraining me. Someone takes the bat out of my hand. It’s my grandfather.
“It’s done, son,” my father says.
“It’s time we show this bastard our family’s pig farm,” my grandfather states.
“His death is already listed as death by fire from the police accident,” my Uncle Joshua reassures. “You need to go take a shower.”
My father nods. “Never return to your wife dirty from this type of shit.”
All of my family nods.
I do as they say, knowing that once I’m cleaned off, I’ll go home to Riley and Eve, knowing they’re safe.
EPILOGUE
Three Months Later
Riley
“How’re you feeling?” my husband asks as he comes up from behind me. We’re in the middle of our wedding reception at Townsend Manor—his grandparents’ sprawling estate on the city's edge.
The hand he places against the skin of my back causes electric tingles to course throughout my body.
I’m glad I’m wearing silicone pasties underneath the plunging neckline of my wedding dress.
“Like I’m walking on a cloud.” I smile up at him.
His eyes scan my face for a beat, a pinch in his eyebrows as if he’s gauging whether or not I’m putting on a show. Over the past three months, we’ve planned this extravagant wedding, reserved our itinerary for our month-long honeymoon in Europe—two weeks of which Eve will join us—and started receiving recipients at the newly renovated Brightside Community Shelter.
That’s all on top of continuing to run my business while Kyle has firmly taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer at his family’s company.
To say it’s been slightly stressful would be an understatement.
Hence Kyle’s concerned expression. I had another one of my migraines last week due to the stress. But it didn’t last long.
“Are you sure?” His hand cups the back of my neck.
I lean into his body, not because I’m tired, even though we’re at the end of a long day, but because he always has that pull over me.
Moving away from him, I hold my arms as I twirl around. “Do you like my dress?”
I’ve switched to my second gown for the reception. It’s a backless, mermaid-style dress with a plunging neckline and trumpeted skirt. At first, I hesitated in choosing it because it’s a lot more revealing than the princess style dress I wore for the wedding ceremony.
Kyle grins down at me with that mischievous glint in his eyes. “That goes without saying.”
“Well, say it. Words of affirmation, remember?”
He chuckles before saying, “I love this dress on you, baby. You look fucking amazing, and I will love it even more when it’s lying on the floor of our hotel room.”
I gasp in mock horror. “Bite your freaking tongue. This dress will never see the bedroom floor.” The price tag alone for this thing ensures I will handle it with care. Even with my greedy husband trying to get it off of me.
“If you say so.” He chuffs as if I’m the crazy one. “It looks like I lost my dance partner for the night.” He nods over to the far side of the spacious dance floor that’s been created for our reception.
Eve’s laughing as Kyle’s younger brother, Andreas, spins her around.
