35. Epilogue

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

VITO

I looked down at everyone from the balcony of DiGiulio’s, Lucien’s restaurant. I’d been mingling, drinking, and eating for hours, and I needed a moment to catch my breath. Zeke and I had gotten married in a small ceremony several months ago, then waited until the end of the NHL season to have our big celebration.

Zeke was on the floor below, laughing with Peter and Lucien. I loved seeing him relaxed and comfortable with my family, but I was even more excited about our upcoming honeymoon. We’d have two whole weeks alone on a Caribbean island. No hockey games, no assignments from my father or Lucien, just the two of us and no demands. I wondered if we’d even get out of bed.

My brother and Liam joined Zeke and the others. Liam pulled Zeke into a tight hug, and I fought a curl of jealously. Liam was head over heels for my brother, but I still didn’t like anyone but me touching Zeke. Would I always feel this possessive? Maybe. But possibly the longer we were together the more I’d learn to accept that Zeke and I belonged to each other, and that I didn’t have to worry he would be taken from me.

I took a deep breath. It was time to go back downstairs. I needed Zeke back by my side. I glanced at my phone. I was almost midnight. Had we stayed long enough? Did I care? I was ready to take Zeke home and remind him just how thoroughly he belonged to me.

Before I could head his way, Zeke turned and looked up at me. Had he known I was watching him the whole time? Could he sense when I was around like I could him? The thought made my pulse speed up. I loved him so fucking much.

He broke away from the family group and headed up the stairs toward me. I didn’t take my eyes off him. He was perfection in his tux, and I loved the way his thigh muscles strained against his pants as he moved. He could easily have taken the steps two at a time, but he moved slowly, seeming to enjoy the way I was watching him.

“Close your mouth, you’re drooling,” he said as he reached me.

“Fuck off.”

His sly smile made my cock stir. “How about you fuck me instead?”

“Ready to head to the hotel?” We had a room by the airport since our flight left in a matter of hours.

“As long as you’re not planning on getting any sleep.”

“We can sleep on the plane after I destroy you.”

He grinned. “Then yes, I’m ready to go.”

I glanced back down at the circle of family he’d left. Angelo, Devil, and their men had joined the group, and so had my father, despite staying on the fringes of the gathering all night. “I think they all know it’s time to say goodbye.”

Zeke took my hand, and we hurried down the stairs.

“In a rush?” Devil asked.

I flipped him off.

“Of course they’re in a rush, they get to have a second wedding night,” Peter said.

Lucien looked down at him. “You think you could handle a second wedding night, or would that break you?”

Color rose in Peter’s cheeks. “I could handle anything from you.”

Angelo grimaced. “Ew. Get a room.”

“ We have a room, and we’re going to go use it,” Zeke said.

I slapped his ass. “Damn right we are.”

When everyone’s laughter died down, I turned to my father. “Thank you for arranging all this.”

“The two of you deserve this and more. Now, go have fun.”

I opened my arms, and miracle of miracles, Pops actually hugged me in public. Not just a quick one either. He squeezed me so tight he cut off my air. While I was still reeling with shock, Pops pulled Zeke into a hug as well. “Take good care of my boy.”

Zeke smiled. “Always.”

I didn’t have time to say anything else because everyone was hugging us and giving another round of congratulations. It seemed like forever before Zeke and I broke free. By then, my father was nowhere to be seen.

“Did Dom leave?” Zeke asked.

I shrugged. “You never know with him.”

Zeke took my hand and pulled me toward the door. “You sure are eager, aren’t you?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Fuck yes, but that’s never going to stop me from teasing you.”

“Asshole.”

I laughed. “Just wait until you see what I got for you.”

“Wait. We already did wedding gifts.”

“This one is as much for me as it is for you.”

Zeke’s eyes widened. “You didn’t?”

“Whatever you’re thinking, I probably did.”

“The swing?”

I just smiled, and Zeke pushed me away as he opened the passenger door. “Go. Start the car. What are you waiting for?”

DOMINIC

The sound of my grandfather clock striking two drifted into the courtyard through the open French doors. I swirled my glass of brandy and took another sip as I stared out into the darkness. Both of my sons had found love, despite me telling them to never believe in it.

Had I been wrong? Maybe. At least my prejudice hadn’t ruined their chances at happiness. They deserved everything they’d found with Liam and Zeke, but that didn’t change the fact that love wasn’t for me. No matter how tempting it was to imagine having someone who cared the way the boys’ mother had, my role with the family had ruined that for me. No, I’d had to take responsibility, and I’d ruined our relationship. I’d shut her out not knowing how to deal with her addiction, and now the boys were all I had left. The marriage my father had arranged for me had been nothing but a sham, and it had left me literally scarred. I was destined to be alone, and that suited me fine.

My phone rang and I frowned. Who the hell was calling me at this time of night?

Lucien . Fuck. I was going to have to answer.

“I need a favor,” he said the second I accepted the call.

“What kind of favor?” Not that I was likely to refuse. My nephew was doing a great job running the family business, and I had no desire to challenge him.

“I need you to act as bodyguard to a young man who’s in danger.”

That wasn’t what I’d expected. “In danger from whom?”

“I’ll give you more details later, but I need to get him moved to a safe place tomorrow?”

“Why not use a safehouse? We have plenty of men who can guard him. You know I don’t have the skills I used to.”

Lucien huffed. “A few months ago, you landed a perfect shot through the window of your office. I think your current skill level is good enough.”

My aim was still good, it was my agility that fucking sucked. “There have to be better options.”

“This is a favor for X. He wants a personal touch.”

Damn. X was the one man I knew Lucien would never refuse. “You’re sending this young man here, to my house?” I hated house guests. I valued privacy above everything but family.

“Yes.”

“For how long?”

“Until he’s safe.”

So there was no telling how long I’d be stuck with a stranger in my house. “What am I supposed to do with him?”

“You know you’re overworked. Use him as an assistant.”

Everyone kept insisting I was working too hard, but what the fuck else did I have to do? “You’re saying he has clearance for that?”

“Not for anything top level, but for basic loan paperwork, yes.”

I sighed. “You owe me for this.”

“And I’ll pay.”

I really wanted to refuse. I killed people, I didn’t guard them.

You did well enough protecting your sons.

That was different though. They were family. “How is this man connected to us?”

“He’s a friend of a friend.”

“All right. I’ll expect him tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Lucien said before ending the call.

I hoped I wouldn’t regret agreeing, but something in my gut told me my life was about to be turned upside down.

Thank you for reading Blood On Ice .