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I chuckle and tilt her face up for another kiss, taking my time to enjoy the feel of her soft lips against mine. “You really think you’ll be able to resist me?” I punctuate my question with a roll of my hips that has us both moaning. I’ll be ready for round two in no time. “I’ll find ways to keep you quiet,” I promise.
“You’re impossible,” she says with a laugh.
“And you’re beautiful.”
“Shut up.”
“Make me.”
She presses her lips to mine. “I love you.”
I grin. “I’d go to hell and back for you ten times over, Kitten.”
EPILOGUE
LILY
Three months later.
I PLACE THE last plate down on the trestle tables laden with Christmas decorations that have been set up in the backyard and head back into the kitchen where Harley and Tom are doing a last-minute check on the meat in the oven. Conrad and Ivy are cutting up fruit, while Sam pulls a couple of beers out of the fridge and passes one to each of his sons.
It's been an intense couple of months, with police interviews, arrests, intervention orders, and recovery. Turns out, Sam had been stabbed by his own housemate–the guy who had gotten him the trucking job in the first place. He’d had his own debts and stole the cargo to pay them back. Funnily enough, he’d also been the one to call the ambulance. I guess the guilt had gotten to him.
Declan recovered from his gunshot injury, and he and Aiden were both arrested for multiple crimes and have been transferred back to Sydney to await trial. I took out anintervention order against him and my father. The police seem to think I’ll be safe from my father here in Blue Haven but have recommended not returning to Sydney for the foreseeable future. That doesn’t bother me, there’s nothing left for me there anymore. My chosen family is here in Blue Haven.
Harley is still recovering from his injuries, but he’s returned to Knockout with Tom and Conrad. He’s not sure yet if he’ll get back in the cage, but for now, he’s enjoying working out and spending some time with his brothers. Zeke took the heat for the underground fighting ring, but because of his otherwise clean record, he just got a slap on the wrist. Steve wasn’t happy when he found out, though, and banned him from training at Knockout.
Sam moved back to Blue Haven three weeks after waking up from his ordeal. I was worried things would be awkward with me living here, but he has been nothing but supportive of me and Harley. They are slowly rebuilding their relationship, as well as including Conrad in the family.
“What time is everyone coming?” I ask as I move over to the stove to check on my YiaYia’s Briam–mixed roasted vegetables–which are simmering away. Harley bands his arm around my waist, and I relax into him.
“They should be here in the next half an hour,” he says, pressing his lips to the top of my head.
Brady and Wren are the first to arrive with Brady and Ivy’s mum and her partner, Alec. They bring a potato salad and a pavlova for dessert. Jordan, Ronnie, Lachy, and Chiaraare not far behind them, the guys loaded up with plenty of food to add to our Christmas feast. Ronnie’s adorable little dachshund, Alby, is prancing around the backyard, nudging at everyone’s legs and trying to get them to pet him. It’s chaotic, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
I’m pouring myself a drink when there’s a knock at the front door. I open it to find Zeke and his heavily pregnant wife, Belinda, standing there with Elijah and Kai. I move aside to let them in, accepting the cheesecake from Zeke.
“You’re absolutely glowing,” I tell Belinda, giving her a quick hug. We’ve spent a bit of time with her and Zeke over the past couple of months. Zeke and Harley have been talking about opening up a sports and art centre for disadvantaged youths. Turns out Zeke has been saving up for this new venture for the past twelve months. He’s also been doing night classes to get a qualification in social work. Harley still has two more years left on his degree, but he’ll help out at the centre when he’s not in class.
“Thanks,” she says with a laugh, placing her hands on her rounded belly. “I feel like a beached whale.”
Zeke leads her out to the backyard, and I’m left in the entryway with Harley’s cousin and his boyfriend.
“Well, if it isn’t the infamous Isabelle Adamos,” Elijah says with a wink, kissing me on both cheeks. “Trust my cousin to get himself involved with a mafia Princess.”
I grimace. “We don’t have mafia in Australia.”
“Po-tay-toh, po-tah-toh,” he replies, waving his hand to dismiss my comment. “Speaking of, where is that crazycousin of mine?” He breezes off into the house, leaving me alone with Kai.
“Hey,” I say awkwardly. “I’m really sorry for not being honest with you about who I was.”
He shrugs. “After what happened with Declan Walsh, I’m not surprised.”
I offer him a wry smile. “So we’re good?”
He grins and pulls me in for a hug. “We’re good. Welcome to the family.”
I relax into his arms, blinking back the tears pricking my eyes. “Thanks.”
