“I’m aware.”
“Yet another reason we need an agreement. If something should happen to you, mechanisms need to be in place.”
“I get the practicality, but you aren’t rootin’ for me to die, are ya?”
“No, but I want to be prudent about this situation. And what about Brady?”
“If it’s alright with you, I’m going to adopt her, so she’ll be a Beauregard. Brady Beauregard’s got a ring to it, dontcha think?”
Jane smiled. “It does, assuming she’s okay with it.”
“I’d like both of you to share my last name.”
“I’d be happy to, but I’ll be hyphenating mine.”
“Works for me.” Byron had no trouble with the modern custom.
“And what about my father?”
“You seemed to think he wouldn’t be a problem earlier.”
“I might have overestimated his ability to adapt.”
“Don’t worry about it, darlin’. In time, Jed will come to love me like a son. No one resists my charm for long—you’re livin’ proof of it. The old coot will give in eventually.”
“He got your police file and went through each line item the last time we went to his house for Sunday supper.”
“He was simply bein’ thorough.”
“Dad said they’d never find your body if you hurt Brady or me.”
“I find those terms acceptable.” If Byron ever laid a hand on either of them, he deserved to be dragged out to the woodshed. “Now, see, what I’m takin’ from all these obstacles, is—”
“I’m discussing realities, not obstacles.”
“Lord Almighty, you weren’t lyin’ about terms and conditions.”
“I'm serious. People get married, and they never take the time to think it through. I only intend to do this once, so I want to do it the right way.”
“Back to my earlier point. What I noticed is, you aren’t saying ‘no.’”
Her eyes rounded. “Oops. I probably should’ve led with that—I’d love to say yes to your proposal.”
“Yet you still have concerns. Well, the matter of Brady is settled.” Byron glanced over to find her perched on the arm of the couch, watching them intently. “Assuming we get a prenup?” She nodded. “And your father comes around to the idea?”
“Yes.”
“Let me take care of the prenup now.” Byron grabbed a pen and a piece of paper from his desk and scribbled a few words, then signed and handed it to her.
Jane read it aloud. “What’s mine is yours.”
“Because that’s how marriage works.”
“And my father?”
“We’ll do some manly bondin’ together. Maybe a huntin’ trip.”
“You two alone in the woods with firearms? Not the best idea.”
“I’ll think of somethin’ else then. Can I have an answer, please?”
“Yes.” Jane wrapped her arms around him, and he squeezed her tight. “I accept your terms and conditions. Point of information—as your wife, the state can’t compel me to testify against you.”
“An added bonus. I’ll make a couple of promises to you. I’ll keep you safe, and I’ll always tell you the truth.”
“And I’ll try to keep you out of legal trouble. You already know I’ll never lie to you.”
“Countin’ on it, darlin’.” Byron kissed her. Jane would be at his side, his bellwether.
“Now can we talk about dresses?” Brady raced over to them and hugged their waists.
“Yes, sweet pea.”
Byron lifted the little girl up into his arms. He had everything he’d ever wanted right there in his arms, and he’d never, ever let them go.
Thank y’all for readin’!
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Books in the Series
Flesh and Blood (Dix & Belle)
Blood in the Water (Byron & Jane)
Blood Money (Jasper & Vick)
More coming soon!
About the Author
Cynthia Rayne is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Dixie Mafia Series and the Four Horsemen MC Series. While Cynthia was born and raised a damn Yankee in Ohio, her parents hail from Dixie, and she grew up on homemade buttermilk biscuits and southern wisdom. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, reading way too many romance novels, and drinking a truly obscene amount of coffee.
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Copyright
© Cynthia Rayne 2016
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review or book discussion, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part is forbidden without the written permission of the author.
Editing
Edits by Jade
JRT Editing
Stock Photos
Can Stock Photo
Deposit Photos
Cover Art
Mayhem Cover Creations
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are the product of the author’s wicked imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and frankly a bit creepy.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
Blood in the Water (Dixie Mafia Series Book 2) Page 24
