Epilogue

ELLA

I focus my binoculars from the passenger seat of our new nondescript van. We made sure to get one that looked like the city trucks—that white and black, blocky design that no one looks twice at. Out of my window, I peep through the open front curtains of a quaint middle-class two-story home off Freeman.

We met Sylvia and Frank at the grocery store, but something about Frank made me give him the side eye, and I've learned to listen to my gut.

Frank is alone in Sylvia's house. He stays most weekends, and tonight, he's setting up a romantic dinner. The table is set, candles in place, rose petals around the table, and a small blue ring box sits on the table beside Frank's tapping fingers.

He picks it up, opening it to reveal a big diamond ring. If I didn't know any better, I would say it's the real thing, but the snooping Will did in his bank records proves it to be a fake. Like a hundred-dollar fake. The cheap bastard.

Although this isn't what makes him a bastard.

It's where he spends his weeknights that makes him one. Because Frank is already married. With children.

I suck in a slow breath as I faintly remember what it felt like to be a con artist's beard, his mark with a much longer con in mind. Will's hand braces my shoulder, rubbing the tight muscles with his thumb.

"Don't worry. We'll get the money shot tonight, everything Heather needs to deny him custody and spousal support." He drops a kiss on the back of my neck before peering out my window. "Get a closeup of that ring so we can match it with the credit card logs?"

"Sure did," Theo says from the back.

I smile. We've started doing things a little differently since the boys discovered what I do in my spare time. Since they discovered I am Verity Vixen. Now, they help me take down my targets, but legally. Safely.

We have two beautiful girls at home to think about, after all, home with a sitter as we all stake out Sylvia's home.

Less than five minutes later, Sylvia pulls into the driveway, and Theo snaps pictures of her entire progress into the house, especially the touching welcome home through the open window. My number one advice to people who have something to hide is to close your damn curtains.

Because we're able to capture everything but the audio. It wouldn't have stopped me before, but I've been convinced that the legal way is the longer lasting way. Part of me wishes that I'd turned my ex in to the police instead of enacting my own vengeance.

As nice as it'd been at the time, a nice, long prison sentence would have been much more satisfying.

I sigh when Frank drops to one knee to pop the question. Sylvia's obvious joy twists my gut. She's an innocent victim in all of this, but once we get Frank out of the picture and give her some time to heal, I have a few blind dates to set her up on. I know plenty of single firefighters who would love a sweet, beautiful woman like Sylvia.

Besides, that woman makes a mean chocolate chip cookie, and there's nothing these men love more than some good home cooking. Well, okay, maybe one or two things.

Will's fingers slip down my spine like he's reading my thoughts, and I shiver.

Once we have the money shot, so to speak, Marcus opens the door, and Ethan drops out of the van, keeping low as he runs, drops the envelope with everything we found on Frank on her front porch, and rings the bell. He's halfway back before they even make a move for the door. Their confusion makes my heart race because I know everything is about to implode.

Ethan is back in the van, and Marcus has the door shut quietly before Sylvia opens the door.

There are other cars parked on the street much closer than our van, so when she looks around with the package in hand, she doesn't linger on us.

Her confusion quickly turns to disbelief when she opens the package. She rounds the table, keeping it between her and Frank. He's curious but not scared yet. I can see her flip through pictures—his marriage certificate, redacted birth certificates of his children, redacted credit card activity and the giant debt he has across the five he's maxed out.

She blinks at it halfway through, more than getting the gist of what the rest will hold. Sylvia picks the photo off the top and sets everything else down on the table.

Frank is now shifting from foot to foot in his growing anxiety. He freezes when she shoves the photo toward him.

We wait long enough to see if Frank is going to be violent. But when she throws the ring back at him and points him out the door, he goes reluctantly. Sylvia is smart enough to ask for her key back and lock the door behind him.

He drives away, shoving a hand through his hair as he passes. Little does he know, the games have just begun for him. Because we have another package waiting for the pictures we took tonight to deliver to his wife.

And those will arrive by morning.

Will drives us home to relieve the sitter. Zayah wakes, but Lily is sound asleep. She's been sleeping better now that her sister can do the crying for her. I feed Zayah as Marcus holds onto me, staring at our little girl as she suckles.

I feel so connected, so loved, in this house. In this family.

Once our baby girl is satiated, all four of my men usher me upstairs. Zayah goes down in her crib easily enough, and we all pile into bed.

When I wake, I remember that I finally have all of my pieces.

Theo brushes my hair from my face after he slides a breakfast tray on the nightstand. His thumb runs circles over my cheek as he whispers a good morning to me. I lift up on one arm as he stirs my milk and chicory and vanilla spiked sugar into it before handing it to me.

I'm so happy that times like this feel unreal. Theo kisses my forehead and takes his own mug. His happiness radiates back at me as he sips his black coffee—the masochist. Marcus takes it the same way. At least Ethan and Will have some sense.

They each have a baby in their arms. Will has Zayah with a bottle of milk I pumped yesterday. Ethan has Lily making grumpy faces as she chews on her binky. She's been teething and wants to be held a lot. It's easy to accommodate her since someone stays home with her every day now.

Marcus closes his big hands around my foot over the sheet, and he rubs my arch slowly and firmly. Too good to be true. I don't get pampered to this degree every morning, but when all four men are home, I'm treated like a princess.

And somehow, the four of them make this easier than any relationship I ever imagined.

"Remember when you first met us, Ella?" Theo asks with a chuckle. "You wouldn't have believed this would be your life, huh?"

I laugh softly, taking a sip of my perfectly prepared chicory latte. "I thought you were all just annoyingly persistent firefighters with a knack for getting in my way."

Marcus grins, his fingers working wonders on my foot. "And now we're annoyingly persistent dads with a knack for pampering you."

Lily fusses in Ethan's arms, and he bounces her gently. "Who knew you'd bring us a beautiful baby girl and a whole lot of excitement?"

Will, still feeding Zayah, glances at me with a playful smirk. "And don't forget about the late-night stakeouts and the covert missions. Life with you is never boring, Ella."

I roll my eyes affectionately. "You all love it. Admit it."

Ethan nods, a rare sparkle in his usually stoic eyes. "Yeah, we do. We really do."

Marcus shifts closer, his hand moving up to massage my calf. "But I think what we love most is this. Being here, together, with our family."

Theo leans over, his lips brushing my cheek. "And seeing you happy. That's what matters most."

I close my eyes, feeling the overwhelming love and warmth radiating from all of them. "I love you all so much."

There's a comfortable silence as we savor the moment, the only sounds being the contented coos of our baby girls and the occasional clink of mugs.

Suddenly, Lily decides to throw her binky, hitting Will squarely in the forehead. He feigns a dramatic injury, earning a giggle from Lily and a round of laughter from the rest of us.

"She's got your aim, Marcus," Will teases, rubbing his forehead.

Marcus laughs, still massaging my leg. "Nah, that's all her mom. Ella's always been a sharpshooter."

I stick my tongue out at Marcus. "Well, someone had to keep you boys in line."

Ethan, still bouncing a now giggling Lily, shakes his head with a smile. "And you do a damn good job of it."

We settle into a peaceful routine, everyone enjoying the rare morning together. Theo takes Zayah from Will, cradling her gently while she nuzzles into his chest. Will joins Marcus at the foot of the bed, taking over the foot massage duties with a grin.

"You know," Will says, his fingers pressing into the arch of my other foot, "I think we need to make this a regular thing. Family breakfast in bed. What do you all think?"

"I think it's a great idea," Marcus agrees, moving his attention to my other leg.

Ethan nods, finally getting Lily to settle back down. "As long as Ella gets to relax and we do all the work."

I laugh, my heart swelling with love for these amazing men. "You spoil me too much."

"Never," Theo murmurs, kissing the top of Zayah's head. "You deserve every bit of it."

I sip my latte, feeling utterly content. "Well, if you insist. But I get to pick the breakfast menu."

Marcus grins. "Deal. As long as there are pancakes involved."

Will raises an eyebrow. "And bacon. Don't forget the bacon."

Ethan chuckles. "And coffee. Lots of coffee."

Theo laughs softly. "And maybe some of those chocolate chip cookies Sylvia makes. You know, if she ever needs an excuse to bake."

I smile, feeling the warmth of our little family surrounding me. "It's a date, then. Breakfast in bed every Sunday."

"Perfect," Marcus says, his hand resting on my knee, his thumb rubbing soothing circles. "Here's to us. To our family."

My heart is smiling. It feels good to be home.