I stand upright, finally facing her down. “Is that why you abandoned your daughter?” I ask. “Is that why you framed your husband for the crimes you committed? You wanted a bigger life?”
People around the room whisper and gasp, the tranquil meditative state forgotten.
Gabby blinks, her eyes darting around the studio. Suddenly, she’s not so damn smug anymore. “Who…who are you? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Let’s not play dumb here.” I ball up my fists and step closer. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You know that Eli went to jail for years to pay for your crimes. You know that you left your daughter with no parents to look after her. You know that you’re a stanky bitch.”
Her eyes narrow on me. “Excuse me?! You don’t know what it was like to live with that guy. He’d settled. Settled for that small, little life. I just wanted more.”
I glance around at the room full of witnesses, the cameras aimed in our direction. I’m not sure if any of this will help with a court case against her but my heart beats easy knowing that she just took responsibility for what happened, even in her very roundabout way.
The door opens quietly and Eli appears in the doorway with the lawyer by his side. He stands back to let me say my piece. I take a breath. I’m not letting anybody get in my way before I do what I came here to do.
I get all the way up in her space. “Y’know what? I’m gonna live the fuck out of the life that wasn’t good enough for you. Your child will be calling me ‘mommy’ every day and the man you betrayed will be feasting on my pussy every night and that house that wasn’t good enough for you will be bursting with love. Enjoy your fulfilled life behind bars, bitch.”
When she turns to walk away, I grab her by the wrist and spin her around.
“Also, fuck you!” I slam my fist into her face with a shot that would make my daddy proud.
Gabby falls to the floor and shrieks. “You shifted my chin implant, you freak!”
People yelp. My girlfriends protectively stomp closer in case they need to swoop in.
“For fuck’s sake, Jessa!” Eli rushes into the room and grabs me by the waist before I can swing at Gabby again.
Out of nowhere, Isla, the owner of the yoga studio darts into the room. “Oh my goodness! Stop the livestream! Stop the livestream!” she yells at the camera guy.
“Don’t you delete that video!” Gabby shrieks. “Don’t delete it! I’m going to press charges against that insane woman and I’ll need the video as evidence!”
That’s when Frank steps in. He hands Isla some sort of official-looking document. “I’m afraid I have to agree here. There may be a criminal confession on that video. I’ll be needing to review it to build my case against our friend here.” He gestures to Gabby with his chin.
There are policemen in the doorway now. Frank singles out Gabby for them and the officers scoop her off the floor.
“Wait, what?! What is happening here? What is happening?!” she screams as they shackle her ass up.
I hear Lexi chuckle. “Gabby, boo. You are under arrest for being a stanky bitch.”
When one of the officers shoots my troublemaking sister a warning look, Alexia puts on her innocent face and imitates locking her lips with an invisible key.
The officer then proceeds to read Gabby her rights and drag her out of the room, kicking and screaming. “That savage punched me and I’m the one getting arrested?! How is this justice? How is this democraccccyyyyyyy!!!”
My friends follow the crowd out into the lobby, eager spectators to Gabby’s demise.
Eli stays in the corner of the studio, holding me to his chest. Finally, I’m starting to cool off. “You feel better now?” he asks, trying to hide his smirk.
“Much better,” I assure him. I’m still shaking with rage but I think I’ll be okay.
Eli delicately examines my swollen fist. He presses his lips to my bruised knuckles. “Look at you. A hardened criminal. And to think, when we met, I thought you were a princess in search of a fairytale.”
I was always the soft, sweet girl but—sure as shit—love toughened me up. I guess you never really know what you’re capable of until you have something worth fighting for. Eli Kingston taught me that—through the sacrifices he made for his daughter, for his family—and since he came into my life, I’m a woman with something worth fighting for, too…Underestimate me at your own risk.
I cup his face with my uninjured hand. “Baby, the best fairytales are the ones where the princess isn’t scared to get a little blood under her fingernails.”
He chuckles at me before kissing my lips. “Then, you’re the best kind of princess…”
Epilogue
Jessa
Eight months later…
This is crazy. This is crazy. This is crazy.” I mutter the words under my breath as I pinch myself.
My heart is in my throat as the heavy oak double doors of the Kingston guesthouse’s ballroom slowly swing open. The flutist begins a serenade and a grinning Callie ambles off ahead of me, sprinkling colorful flower petals along the lily-lined aisle of the all-white room.
Through the opening, I get a tiny peek at my gorgeous bridesmaids already gathered on the altar. Lexi, Penny and Iris—each sporting baby bumps of varying sizes—gaze expectantly in my direction.
The flutist changes up her tune, sliding seamlessly into The Bridal Chorus. Here comes the bride.
I guess that’d be me.
I still can’t believe this is happening…
It was barely two months ago, mere days after Iris and Jude’s wedding, that Eli proposed to me. It was a moonlit night and we were standing wrapped up in each other’s arms looking out at the dark river from our bedroom’s sliding door. He dropped to one knee with a shiny diamond in hand and proclaimed his love. I was so blissfully happy that I pulled him to his feet and planted kisses all over his face, saying ‘yes’ again and again and again. Now, here we are.
“You ready, Jessa?” Dad squeezes my arm, his huge smile beaming in my direction.
My lips move but nothing comes out so I just nod.
All of this feels surreal as my father and I stride down the aisle, past the small gathering of guests assembled to watch me marry the love of my fucking life. The only person in this room—in this world—I have eyes for.
Eli is at the altar, standing tall and handsome with his dad and three brothers forming a supportive huddle behind him. When our eyes meet, my belly swishes around.
God—the man is so handsome. And he’s about to be mine. Forever.
His gaze glides down my body before sweeping back up to my face, making me feel more beautiful than I ever have. I’m dressed in the delicate slip gown I borrowed from Diana.
The same gown Lexi wore when she married Cannon.
The gown Penny wore to marry Walker.
The gown Iris wore to marry Jude.
These women and I were friends before we were sisters-in-law, we were family before it was ever official on paper. And now, we are forever bonded together by our glittering love for the four incredible Kingston brothers. This dress is a symbol, connecting our four love stories. The significance behind it makes my heart swell.
My groom is dashing in his perfect tuxedo and clean-shaven jaw. The devoted look he gives me as I amble down the aisle—oh my god—I don’t know how much longer my knees will be able to carry me. He can’t keep staring at me with all that love. His face holds the same look of awe and reverence I feel in my heart. He sets the butterflies loose in my belly when he gives me the smallest smile. I smile back and, for a moment, I can’t believe how lucky I am.
My nose tingles and my eyeballs prickle. The ceremony has barely started and I’m already getting emotional. It’s all too much for my romantic little heart which has now dissolved into a pile of mush in my chest.
When Dad hands me off to Eli, I overhear my father mumbling to my groom through a tight smile. “If you ever make my daughter cry again, I will merrily whoop your
Kingston ass all over Crescent Harbor…”
“Daddy!” I hiss, discreetly pinching his bicep.
Eli nods solemnly. “You don’t have to worry about that, sir. Your daughter is in safe hands.”
Satisfied, my father grins. “Welcome to the family, Eli.” The men shake hands.
We turn to the officiant and the ceremony begins. I completely lose my battle against my tears as we stand at the altar, declare our love for each other, state our vows and exchange rings. By the time we’re kissing for the first time as husband and wife, I am so much of a hot mess.
Then, there’s a blur of cheers and camera flashes as we hustle back down the aisle, arm in arm. Not even the handful of rice I get tossed in my face can stop my grin.
Right before we enter the reception hall, Callie runs up and hurls her little body into my arms. “I love you so much, Jessa. I’m so glad you’re my mommy now.”
I hold her to me. My affection for her is overwhelming. “I love you even more, Callie Cal. You can count on me to love you. Always.”
Eli wraps his arms around us both and there is no doubt in my mind that this is family, this is where I belong.
Moments later, my husband and I are kissing and making lazy circles on the dance floor as our guests look on. It’s better than any fairytale I’ve ever read.
A while later, a sexy Ariana Grande song comes on and I lead my girlfriends to the dance floor while our husbands sit back for the show. Then we eat and we drink and we laugh until our feet can barely hold us upright.
“I don’t want this night to end,” I tell my man as he’s leading me out of our reception after many, many hours of fun.
Eli loops my arm through his. “The party is over but our wedding night has only just begun, Firefly.” He grins. “I have a surprise for you. Something really special that you’re going to love.”
My eyes widen at the promise. “I don’t think it’s possible for me to love this moment any more than I already do,” I confess.
His boyish grin grows bigger as we stop at the inn’s front door. “You trust me?”
I look into his eyes and speak with earnestness. “Always…”
The doors swing open and, sitting there in the courtyard under a perfect sky of twinkling stars is a gleaming white, old-timey looking carriage.
I grip my stomach to keep it in place. “Eli…” I gasp.
“Nothing but the best for my queen.” He extends a hand to me.
When I lay my shaking palm into his, he carefully escorts me down the stairs and across the courtyard. I climb into the vintage Auto-Buggy carriage with his assistance as our friends and family look on from the inn’s front steps. Callie stands at the front of the crowd, waving and grinning wildly in our direction. Lucas wraps Diana in his arms as she waves, exhausted but giddy from having married off all four of her sons in barely a three-year period.
As the chauffeur pulls onto the driveway, fireworks explode in the night sky over the river.
“It looks like a million tiny fireflies…” I sigh awe-struck as I stare at the pyrotechnics and cling to my husband’s arm.
He presses a kiss to my forehead. “A million tiny fireflies…but there’s only one you.”
“There’s only one ‘us’,” I tell him. “This is our own fairytale. And we fought like hell for it. And we deserve this happy ever after.”
Thank you so much for reading MISTER BOSSY! I hope that Eli, Jessa (and Callie) stole your heart!
Can you believe that we’re at the end of the BAD BOYS IN LOVE series already?! Ahhhh!
First off, if you haven’t read the other books in the series, then you must! Trust me on this. Yes, all the books are standalones, but reading them all together will give you a whole new appreciation for the series. So many Easter eggs to be found!!!
Here are the links:
The Bad Boys in Love Series
Mister Billions (Cannon & Lexi)
Mister Baller (Jude & Iris)
Mister Baby Daddy (Walker & Penny)
Mister Bossy (Eli & Jessa)
Anyway, thank you for taking this amazing journey with me! Creating this world for you has been so much fun :)
Eli and Jessa’s honeymoon was hot, hot, hot. Let’s just say that Eli put his new wife’s pancake butt issues ‘to bed’ once and for all. Puns intended.
Click here to grab your copy of Eli & Jessa’s honeymoon.
As an extra, extra special bonus, you’ll get a copy of the BAD BOYS IN LOVE series epilogue where you can catch up with the entire Kingston family ten years in the future. Grab your bonus epilogue now!
Ready for your next wild and romantic adventure? Of course you are. I’m hard at work on the PLAYBOYS OF SIN VALLEY series. It’s coming soon. Take a peek!
These playboys thought they had it all figured out. But as they’re about to find out, it’s all fun and games…until someone goes and falls in love.
Pre-order the Playboys of Sin Valley series here:
Book 1 - Playing House
A brother’s best friend romance
Book 2 - Playing Pretend
A grumpy boss fake marriage romance
Book 3: Playing Along
A second chance romance
What to read next?
Are you new to my books? Do you want to keep reading but don’t know where to start?
No biggie!
Small Town Sizzle is a first-in-series box set featuring book one in each of my bestselling small town romantic comedy series. Each book is a complete, full-length standalone featuring characters who will make you laugh, get you hot and sneak right into your heart.
Included in this box set:
Dirty Neighbor (Dirty Suburbs book 1)
Lover Boy (Blue Collar Bachelors book 1)
Mister Billions (Bad Boys in Love book 1)
Sneak peek of Playing House (Playboys of Sin Valley book 1)
Stories by Cassie-Ann L. Miller
The Playboys of Sin Valley (Pre-order)
Playing House
Playing Pretend
Playing Along
The Bad Boys in Love Series
Mister Billions
Mister Baller
Mister Baby Daddy
Mister Bossy
The Blue Collar Bachelors Series
Lover Boy
Play Boy
Bad Boy
Hot Boy
Rich Boy
Dream Boy
Blue Collar Bachelors Box Set
The Dirty Suburbs Series
Dirty Neighbor
Dirty Player
Dirty Stranger
Dirty Favor
Dirty Lover
Dirty Farmer
Dirty Silver
Dirty Forever
Dirty Christmas
The Esquire Girls Series
Amber Nights (Amber – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Madison’s Story
For Madison, Always (Madison – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Ruthie’s Story
Ruthie’s Desire (Ruthie – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Hailey’s story
Moments with Hailey (Hailey - Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Esquire HEAT Series
A Very Eager Intern
A Very Frustrated Attorney
Psst…Join Dirty Folks, my Facebook reader group, to always be in the loop about what I’m working on next!
You can find me here
You can find me here:
Facebook reader group
Facebook page
Bookbub
Amazon
Dirty Cameos & Easter Eggs
I had the best time writing ‘Easter eggs’ into Mister Bossy.
You may have noticed a few familiar faces (and objects!) from my older books making an appearance in Jessa and Eli’s story. If you’re new to my universe, here’s a little guide to help you figure out who’s who and what’s what.
The Dirty Suburbs Series is a sexy rom-com series set in Reyfield which is a neighborin
g town to Crescent Harbor.
Isla Hamilton - Dirty Stranger
Maxwell Masters - Dirty Player
Prasanna Oneness Light Yoga Studio - Dirty Stranger
Barre Investments - Dirty Stranger
The Blue Collar Bachelors Series is set in Copper Heights, a town right between Reyfield and Crescent Harbor.
Gallos Italian Eatery - Bad Boy
There are three earlier books in the Bad Boys in Love Series.
Cannon and Alexia Kingston - Mister Billions
Jude and Iris Kingston - Mister Baller
Walker and Penny Kingston - Mister Baby Daddy
The soon-to-be-released Playboys of Sin Valley Series is set in Sin Valley, Iowa.
Jason Bellino - Playing House
Liam Kline - Playing Pretend
Mister Bossy (Bad Boys in Love Book 4) Page 30
