Epilogue

Jenna

“You’re blushing,” Stavros whispered in my ear, growling afterward.

“I’m not blushing. I’m beaming.” My retort was enough to make him laugh. We were still holding the traditional Greek candles, waiting as the common cup was brought to us. While we’d wanted to elope, both sets of parents had denied that request, even going as far as to take our passports. That had been Phoenix’s idea and task, something I would never allow him to forget.

While we’d acquiesced after two months of prodding, allowing my mother and his mother to fawn over the proceedings that had taken them a full six weeks to put together, we were finally celebrating our love in front of our friends and family.

Every Greek relative had arrived from Santorini, which made the representation from my side of the family much less, but that hadn’t dampened my mother’s spirits.

I noticed Christos standing close by, his grin as wide as Stavros’ two brothers’. I was grateful he’d tried to save my life, the two of us becoming friends. There was something to be said about having a huge family.

As the wine was presented, we stared into each other’s eyes, each taking three sips of Elena’s wine.

The moment we did, she shoved two fingers into her mouth, whistling like a crazy woman. That prompted my bestie and my maid of honor Charlotte to do the same. We’d chosen Philly as the location to get married, determined to stay in Stavros’ house for the time being.

Having our wedding and reception at the estate had made sense, the grounds and gardens easily capable of handling our three hundred guests. The day was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, and the flowers covering every trellis and thirty other locations numbered in the thousands.

However, the wedding crowns his mother had insisted we wear were by far the most beautiful. The affair seemed intimate and something I would remember for the rest of my life.

When the cup was taken away, he brushed the backs of his fingers against my face.

“You look amazing. The most beautiful girl in the world.”

“Don’t you forget that.”

“And don’t you forget that I am your master.” He had the nerve to tweak me on the nose, which made me burst into laughter. He leaned forward against me, this time licking the shell of my ear before whispering, “Tonight I’m going to make certain to remind you of that with one hard spanking.”

He had me giggling all over again.

The rest of the wedding was a blur, dancing the only thing on my mind. The music was festive, three different caterers providing world class food while the sound of dozens of champagne bottles popping brought smiles to both our faces.

It was good to see everyone having an incredible time after what everyone had been through.

It was odd that I was now a rich woman because of Madden’s father, a man I’d never met. That along with selling the building that my darling husband had bought for me had allowed me to purchase the veterinary clinic of my dreams.

It was set to open in less than a month but not until after we returned from our three-week honeymoon, something else my darling husband had insisted on. He’d mentioned becoming a part of the Brotherhood, sworn to secrecy other than what he’d told me, but at least I’d have him all to myself for a couple of months.

Everyone was laughing, the liquor already taking a beautiful toll, the moments being captured by several photographers.

When my husband suddenly pulled me from the dance floor, I had a terrible feeling something was wrong.

“What is it? What’s going on? Did something happen? Did someone get hurt? Why aren’t you talking to me?” He was leading me toward the house, a smug look on his face. When I pulled away seconds later, folding my arms, I gave him a hard look.

“What are you doing?” he asked in his cute, yet demanding way.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on. Is there someone hurt or is there an issue with the business? Talk to me.”

“Did I ever tell you that you talk too much?”

“No, because you knew what would happen if you did. I’d refuse to have sex with you.”

“Ha. As if that could ever happen. You do need a reminder I’m very much in charge.” His grin only continued to widen.

“What is going on that you had to take me from my own party?”

“The last time I checked it was our party. Do you trust me?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?”

He gave me a heated look before pulling a blindfold from his pocket. “And?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I do trust you.”

“Then incredible things happen to very good girls.” He tied the blindfold around my eyes, and I remembered the last time I’d worn one, a smile crossing my face.

As he led me inside the house, I couldn’t imagine what the man had in store but with him, one never knew.

It seemed like forever until he stopped, turning me around to face him.

“I love you, my enchanted one, more than I can say. You’ve made me whole again and that’s what I want for you. I will give you the world if I could.”

“I only want you. Well, maybe a few other things.”

He laughed as he untied the blindfold. “I thought I’d give you your wedding present now.”

“I could have waited.”

“Eh, I don’t think so.”

I heard a strange noise like a squeal, no, several squeals. “What is that?”

“I guess you’re going to need to find out.” His grin was bigger than I’d seen since I’d met the man. “Go on. Open the door.”

I took a deep breath, giving him another hard look before following his instructions. And within seconds, I was blindsided by wiggling butts and tiny barks.

“Oh, my God.” There were four beautiful fur babies bounding toward me, their tails wagging uncontrollably, all rescued from some organization, and I adored them immediately. The room had several dog beds, bowls of water, and more dog toys than some pet shops. “You did this?”

“You did say you wanted a passel of pups. Didn’t you?”

I didn’t care that I had on a fancy dress. I dropped to the floor, allowing my fur babies to crawl all over me, giving me kisses and licks. I squealed louder than they did, which made my new husband laugh.

As he hunkered down next to me, we locked eyes as we’d done so many times before but there was such a difference now that we were a little family.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. The babies are perfect.”

“You’re welcome, my sweet bride.”

As the tears began to fall, flashes of everything we’d been through tore through my mind. Love wasn’t always conventional or easy but as my mother had once told me, when you found your soulmate, you would know by the constant rapid beating of your heart.

And mine was flying high.

The sexy, dangerous man had managed to capture my body and my soul.

Now he’d lassoed my heart, taking it as his.

Forever.

The End