BONUS EPILOGUE

Loris had never had a home before. She'd lived in dormitories, military barracks, other dingy domiciles that offered little more than walls, a roof, and a bed. She hadn't even had her own bathroom before she'd been hired to protect Maddison.

Things were different now.

She snorted at herself. When had she become the queen of understatement? It would be far faster to list the things that hadn't changed in the past few weeks. Not that she was complaining. Why would she? She lived in a large, comfortable house with incredible views. Sure, it was a treehouse, but it was a palace compared to anything she'd known before. It even had power and a gravity-fed plumbing system.

Her time as a bodyguard was over, too. Maddison didn't need her protection anymore. Havoc had that duty now. Her time was her own, and she was still adapting to that fact. Working with Vengeance to improve their home took up some of her time. They visited Bysshe every few days to get the latest news, provide intel to help the android update their maps of the area, and donate a portion of whatever plants, fruits, and animals they'd found while out hunting.

Hells, she was even learning how to cook, which was a necessity given that Vengeance liked his meat on the raw side of rare.

"You're frowning. Why?" Vengeance asked. They were snuggled up in a hammock strung outside. The newly finished overhang would keep out the rain so she could enjoy the view even when the rainy season started.

"I was thinking of how much my life has changed." She opened her eyes and turned her head to smile at her lover. The motion was enough to make the hammock sway. Bits of the forest appeared and disappeared from her vision.

Vengeance placed a calloused finger between her brows, smoothing away the lines. "Do you have regrets, little warrior?"

Even that light touch made her melt. It was always this way between them. She'd expected her need for him to fade, but the flame he'd kindled in her still burned hotter than a supernova. "My only regret is that I didn't find you sooner."

She wriggled closer; enjoying the way his fur caressed her bare skin. When it was only the two of them, she'd adopted Venge's clothing option policy. It was decadent, wonderful, and meant they didn't have to do laundry too often.

"I wish that too, but it was not meant to be." Vengeance shifted his big body, wrapping himself around her as best he could within the confines of the hammock. "But we have today."

"We do." She paused before making a request.

"Sing for me?"

His soft chuckle vibrated against her back. He'd been expecting her to ask. She did it almost every day since she'd heard him singing under his breath as they trekked through the woods. She loved everything about her stubborn, sexy mate, but when he sang…

"I should sit up for this."

"Don't you dare. This is perfect, Venge. Stay with me."

He nuzzled her hair. "Always, little warrior."

Then he sang her favorite song. The one he'd written about them.

His rich baritone filled the air as he sang, the words filling the air and each note vibrating through her body.

"One breath was all it took,

He knew with just one look,

She belonged to him and him alone.