Epilogue

Two years later

Styx

A smile crossed my face as I jerked up from my desk, immediately grabbing my keys. It was time to get the hell out of here. I was whistling as I slipped on my jacket, eager to head out for the day. Tonight was a special night, a true celebration, one a long time coming.

After two long months, I'd see my baby again.

The champagne was chilled for our return and the fire would be lit as soon as we arrived. I couldn't help but grin as I slid my phone into my coat, taking a long stride around my desk.

My baby had told me in no uncertain terms being late was unacceptable. Wild horses couldn't keep me away tonight. Not a chance in hell.

When my door was thrust open, I took a deep breath.

"Dr. Saint. I could really use your expertise on a surgery. Do you have the time to work with me on this? I would love if you'd scrub in."

I moved closer, grinning at the man. "Not a chance. You're an excellent surgeon, Dr. Michaels. You'll do just fine. I'll be happy to check on the progress when I return to the hospital in a couple days, but I have very important plans tonight. I hope you understand."

The truth was I didn't care if he did. Nothing was going to ruin tonight.

"Damn. I get it. You deserve a break," Ken told me. We were colleagues, someone I'd provided several surgical consultations to. He was a good guy, an excellent surgeon, but way too tentative.

"Yep. I do. Plus, my virtuoso would kick my butt if I missed her concert." The tour had finally landed in Boston, allowing Emily to return home. I was more eager than I wanted to let on. The few weeks without her had been grueling. I'd been busy both at home and at the hospital, enjoying seeing her live out her dream, but I felt like a kid on Christmas morning that she would be in my bed tonight. Plus, I had even bigger responsibilities, ones I enjoyed more than being a surgeon. Still, I'd never missed anyone so damn badly in my life.

And I had every intention of devouring her.

Maybe I'd shackle her to the bed, feasting on her for hours. Yep. That's what I'd do.

I checked my watch and grimaced. I hoped like hell Rico was downstairs with the freaking SUV or I'd never make it in time.

"Enjoy your evening!" Ken called as I raced down the hospital's corridor. I'd been lucky enough to get my old job back, happy that I'd returned to healing instead of taking lives.

While my old life remained somewhat of a constant in the back of my mind, I certainly didn't miss the travel, the danger, or the life in any way. Neither did my beautiful woman. However, I was still president of the family corporation and I did manage to attend every single meeting. Who knew I could be a corporate guy?

I skipped the elevator, the damn thing usually taking too long, instead slamming my palm against the door leading to the stairwell. I was still whistling when I reached the first floor, delighted that my baby was finally getting her real chance, the one that would allow the entire world to know how amazing of an artist she was.

I flew out of the emergency entrance, searching the parking lot. Headlights flashed in my direction, a vehicle heading toward me. Jerking to a halt where the ambulances usually flew in.

Laughing, I threw open the passenger door, although Rico acted as if he was supposed to climb out. I still had a number of people working for me in the same positions as before, but I was completely out of the business of assassinations and mafia for that matter.

That didn't mean I shouldn't keep watch. While Talon's identity remained a secret, the rumor mill stating the powerful assassin had finally been killed or captured, it was my family's name I had to remain concerned about.

The alliance with the prince was still thriving, Gideon rotting away behind bars. And no one was the wiser as to what had happened to either Liam or to Chase.

"Boss. I was about ready to yank your ass out of surgery if necessary," Rico said as he threw the gear back into drive, barely giving me time to close the door. "We're cutting it short as it is."

"Yeah, well, drive like you mean it because I need to pick up flowers."

"You're shittin' me, right?"

"No, I'm not. Do you honestly think I can go into that concert hall without a bouquet of white roses?"

"Why didn't you tell me to get them for you?" Rico huffed as he rolled out of the parking lot, narrowly avoiding getting into a collision.

As he raised his middle finger in the rearview mirror, I rolled my eyes. The man was going to get us killed one day.

"Because then it wouldn't be personal. Emily can sniff that shit out a mile away. You know that."

"She is pretty phenomenal, which is why I'm shocked she's with you."

His laugh boomed into the SUV, and I teased I was going to choke him. The truth was Emily was an amazing woman in every way, her heart as big as anyone I'd met in my entire life. She'd become a wealthy woman when her father had been sent to prison. But instead of using it to buy expensive toys and trinkets like I'd done in my youth, she'd become determined to continue with my work at the children's hospital as well as provide donations to the various local animal shelters. She'd even bugged me about creating an animal sanctuary at some point.

I'd had to remind her that our time was quite busy with my surgical rotation and her being the one traveling the world. At least she was home for several months. Or so I hoped. It all hinged on whether or not she'd received the news we were both hoping for.

Rico made turn after turn, screeching around every corner and weaving in and out of the busy Boston traffic.

"What flower shop, boss?"

"You know, Emily's favorite." The one where she'd frequented since moving into my house with me eighteen months before. For six months, we'd dated at her insistence, getting to know each other like normal people did. Hell, I'd been getting to know me as well. I almost liked who I'd become. Well, maybe.

When I'd asked her to marry me, she'd pushed me away for two solid months, the little wench. But I'd finally won her heart.

"Yeah, yeah," he said. "We're almost there. Just don't dawdle. Get in and get out."

"You're giving me orders now?" I teased.

"Someone has to." He managed to find a parking spot less than a block away, jerking into it like the expert driver he was.

"I'll just be a minute." I jogged toward the store, moving inside. Thankfully, the owner was behind the counter.

"Dr. Saint. What a pleasure. How is your beautiful wife?"

"Amazing and having the big concert. Can I get two dozen white roses on the fly?" I grinned, allowing my dimples to show.

"Of course. I thought you might be coming by and already put them together for you."

"What would I do without you, Rosie?"

She laughed and moved into the cooler while I pulled out three hundred-dollar bills, laying them on the counter. In less than a minute she returned, a huge red ribbon around the bouquet. "Here you are."

"You are a doll, Rosie. Keep the change." I patted the counter and pulled the roses under my nose, taking a deep whiff. They were perfect.

Just like my wife.

As I raced out, I noticed my favorite burger food truck was positioned just across the street. Only my buddy wasn't behind the counter. Now, starting with the investment he'd made from the stock tip I'd given him, he owned six trucks and a small restaurant, along with building on his stock portfolio. The guy was a wealthy man and that fact made me grin. His wife was also healthy, maybe because I'd helped him find the right set of doctors, even paying for her care.

I raced back to the SUV, once again barely inside before Rico took off. Groaning, I glanced at the clock on the dashboard, and he threw me a look.

"We're going to make it. Stop worrying."

"We damn well better or I'll never hear the end of it."

The man was on a mission and only five minutes later, he pulled up at the main entrance to the concert hall.

"Go, boss. I'll grab a parking spot." Rico literally pushed me out the door.

I grinned before slamming it, turning and rushing inside, flying by everyone as I took the red carpeted stairs two at a time. I heard applause and took a deep breath, heading into the beautiful theater and to the private box I'd rented. It was just off to the right of the stage where she could hopefully see me.

The sight of my sweet baby in a long red dress was breathtaking and I almost stumbled before I was able to sit down.

As she sat down at the stunning ebony grand piano, the orchestra ready to begin when she did, she lifted her head. The smile crossing her face lit up the entire auditorium. The rush of emotions sweeping through me was unlike anything I'd ever experienced in my life.

And the moment my baby began to play, I sensed Mary was smiling down on me.

The fifty minutes went by too quickly. She'd played beautifully, so much so I was certain my heart had stopped. As soon as she lifted her hands from the keys, the entire auditorium cheered, providing a standing ovation.

My beautiful angel, my little sparrow was a star. Just like I always knew she would be.

While she was playing the encore piece, I rushed down, hiding behind the curtain backstage. No one said a word to me or tried to send me away. Perhaps they knew better.

When she looked up again, disappointment crossed her face from not finding me where I'd been. She waved to the crowd and heading to where I was standing. The moment I crept from my hiding place, she squealed and rushed toward me, almost crushing the flowers against my chest.

"You're a mean man. I thought you left. I was terrified you'd be held up."

"Are you out of your mind? Never. You're stuck with me." I cupped her face with one hand before pressing our lips together. There was nothing like the scent of her perfume or the feel of having her in my arms. I captured her mouth, holding our lips in place for several seconds. The taste of her was even better than I remembered.

I swept my tongue inside, enjoying the few seconds of being in our little world. When I pulled back, she smiled.

"It's so good to be home," she said, taking a deep whiff of the roses. "These are beautiful."

"Just like my baby."

"Hmmm… You might have to remind me later."

"Oh, I plan on it. Any news?" She'd been waiting to hear about a record deal for four freaking months, which had nearly driven me back to my old ways.

Her eyes reflected disappointment, her mouth twisting.

"I'm sorry, baby. That record producer is an idiot. I should have a discussion with him."

My sweet angel couldn't keep a straight face, bursting into laughter. "You should see your face. Yes, I'm headed to the contract signing tomorrow. The best part? I'll be recording the album here."

"You should know better than to tease me. I guess I'll need to remind you who you belong to later. Won't I?"

I playfully gave her a pat on the behind and she squealed. I was reminded of how blessed I was to have a second chance at the kind of life I'd wanted but didn't understand until now. My angel was my everything.

But I would kill anyone who hurt her, even if I was no longer that man. She was mine.

All mine.

Thank God for second chances.

Emily

I'd awakened to find a single white rose on the pillow next to me, a pot of hot coffee in my favorite flavor of hazelnut on the dresser. There was a gorgeous new silk robe to match the nightie I'd slipped into when we'd arrived home. Although I hadn't stayed in it for very long.

We're shared a night of passion as well as my husband making good on his… promise to discipline me. I could still feel the sting as I tied the robe tightly around me. After brushing my teeth, I took my time heading downstairs, listening for any telltale sounds. It wasn't long before I heard little giggles coming from the family room.

A smile on my face, I headed toward my incredible family, stopping just inside the doorway, my heart filled with joy at the sight of seeing my husband in bare feet and jeans, sitting in the middle of the floor, making truck noises as he rolled one of baby Jackson's favorite toys back and forth. It was driving our Golden Retriever Marley crazy, the girl pawing the toy, which was making our son giggle.

I folded my arms, drinking in the beautiful moment.

Love wasn't easy, often cruel. The last two years had been mostly a blur. After my father's trial, selling the man's estate and setting up various funds for the money that had been placed in my trust, I'd lost track of time. In addition, learning that my job with the Philharmonic had been saved by a single phone call had stripped away the last of my reservations about the man I now called my husband.

Although I'd made him go through dozens of hoops before he'd captured my heart officially. When I had fallen, I'd fallen hard, but I'd also been careful, fearful the man would return to the darkness that had almost consumed him.

It hadn't.

The life we now led was what fairytales were made of, even though no one would ever consider it conventional. I'd grown so much, coming into my own in several ways. I felt like I'd lived a lifetime, and I wasn't yet thirty. But I was happy, so much so that I was terrified someone would take it away from us.

There would always be danger surrounding us but through Styx's counseling and love, I'd learned to enjoy my life fully.

When he lifted his head, his eyes no longer affected me as they had before, leaving me trembling.

Because in them, I only saw joy.

As well as unconditional love.

Once my stalker and captor. Now my friend, husband, father of my little boy, and daddy dog to a fabulous Golden Retriever. But we were about to become a family of five. Maybe I'd keep the secret a little while longer.

Who was stupid enough to say leopards can't change their spots?

The End