Epilogue

Four years later…

"Can I help you, ma'am?"

I look up to see the young clerk standing closer than I realized. I was too busy reading the back of the book to notice someone had walkedover.

"No, I'm fine thank you," I say. I give him a polite smile and move a little away from him and put the book at myside.

"That's a great book if you're thinking about reading it. The author has a great way of giving details without making it boring."

I look up at him and raise an eyebrow. I'm currently holding a copy of Mounted by the Bear, the seventh book in a shifter series I'm dying for. I doubt this guy has any clue what book I'm herefor.

"Go away." I hear the deep rumble of my dear husband from behind the clerk and I have to bite back a smile.

"Yes," he says and moves quicker than I expected for someone hissize.

"Thanks for that," I say, walking to where Salvatore is standing. "It's embarrassing enough buying a paperback of this book. I don't need some kid trying to shameme."

"Did he give you any shit?" His eyes narrow in the direction he wentin.

"No, I think he was trying to impress me with his knowledge of literature. I'm not sure. Either way, I'm ready to go. Areyou?"

"I got you a smoothie. I'll take your book and check out for you," he says, leaning down and kissing me on the neck before taking my book and handing me my fruity beverage.

I love that he's not embarrassed by what I like to read. And he's willing to do it for me so I don't have to turn beet red at the checkout.

I shoot a quick text to Emma, who's watching the kids. She was our live-in nurse before she became part of the family. She sends me back a picture of six boys and a giant pile of Legos. I shake my head and smile. Four of them are hers, and they look just like their father.

Salvatore and I have been blessed with two boys, and I reach down, rubbing my belly, hoping that this time it's a girl. He wants at least two more, but he never likes finding out beforehand. He likes it to be a surprise and I like being able to make him happy.

He's stayed true to every promise he ever made me, and he's given me all that I've asked for and more. There's only ever been a few ways I've been able to pay him back, and that happens to be one ofthem.

We should all know in a couple of weeks what we're having, and I'm about to burst with excitement. I feel like this pregnancy is so different than my last two, but who knows. As long as the baby is healthy, that's all Iwant.

I spot a pink sparkly cover out of the corner of my eye and I take a step over to see what it is. As I reach for the book, I feel the familiar pain shoot across my belly and down myback.

"Oh shit," I whisper, and grab on to the bookshelf.

Before it's even possible, Salvatore is at my side and wrapping his arm aroundme.

"Angel, talk to me," he says worriedly, and I breathe through thepain.

"The baby. It's time," I clip, feeling the contraction hit hard. Harder than with my other pregnancies.

"Ambulance, now!" I hear Salvatore shout, and the next thing I know he's carrying me out of the store.

His men are waiting outside and it's one of the few times I'm really glad they're with us. Three of the guys help Salvatore get me in the back and keep me stable while one jumps in the front and hits thegas.

I have three more contractions, one on top of the other, before we can make halfway to the hospital. There's a tractor trailer turned over and the traffic is backedup.

"Use the emergency lane!" Salvatore shouts to the driver, and he's trying to. He's got the hazard lights on and he's honking the horn, but people aren't getting out of theway.

"Sal, I don't want to have my baby in this car," I cry out as another one hitsme.

"Shh. Breathe, Thea. Breathe, baby," he soothes, rubbing my back. "Just think, we probably conceived him inhere."

I want to laugh, but the pain is taking over, and I feel like I might passout.

"Get this thing moving, or so help me god, I'm going to start shooting!" Salvatore roars, and every one of his guys are on the phone.

Suddenly in the distance I hear the sirens and I think we must be close to the accident. Sweat is pouring down my face and I'm alternating between chills and pain as the pressure to push grows.

"They're here," one of the guys says, and I look out the window.

There's a fleet of Los Angeles police cruisers coming up and making a path for us. Our driver scoots in behind them, and we start moving. The car is going faster than I've ever gone before, and I'm praying it speedsup.

"The Kingpin getting a police escort for his pregnant wife," I say, gasping for air. "You'll be on the news," I groan as another contraction hits even harder thistime.

"Anything for my angel," he says, trying to rub my back and keep me from falling to the floor.

"I knew you were trouble the first time we met." I say, and Salvatore laughs.

"I thought the same thing." He looks into my eyes, and finally I'm able to focus. The pain recedes some and I've got my breathing under control. "I got yourbook."

I smile, knowing he's trying to distract me. I don't care, though, as long as it works. One look at him and I know I can make it through anything. He's my rock and my best friend. He gives a whole new meaning to the phrase partner in crime, and I know that if he tells me it's going to be okay, then he will make itso.

We make it to the hospital surrounded by cops with a group of nurses and doctors waiting on us. I'm rushed into the delivery room, and nine minutes later, I've got my baby boy in myarms.

Life couldn't be better.