by Faith Gibson
Sin angled his mouth over Rocky’s, and the love coming from her man flowed through the kiss. Like he was sharing his life force with her. She still had doubts about what she had to offer him, but they were mates, so it wasn’t like she was going anywhere. Maybe with enough time, Rocky would find something positive to offer Sin besides her body. She would spend her days making him happy, however he wanted.
They stayed at the manor for a couple of days, and Rocky spent a lot of time with Kaya. Seeing her hold her belly kept the ache in Rocky’s heart churning right below the surface, but she admired the Queen and wanted nothing but the best for her and Rafael. For all her new family. When it was time to leave, Sin promised to bring Rocky back soon, but he also promised to introduce her to Sixx and his family. Rocky would have new friends in Desirae and Simone, if she so desired. And she did. The more she was around the others, the more she would learn how to deal with having an alpha Gargoyle in her life.
As soon as they were home, Rocky called Vivian so they could get together and chat. Rocky also visited RC’s with Sin by her side. It was weird walking into the place she’d called home for so long, but seeing it put back together and thriving warmed her heart. She’d done right by Uncle Ray in selling the place to Banyan. Bridget was happy with her new boss. Not only did he run a tight ship, but he was extremely easy on the eyes.
Rocky and Sin got into a routine. He worked from his home office, and Ingrid taught Rocky to cook. Rocky had to write everything down, because she tended to forget some of the most basic day to day things, and when she tried to cook, she always left ingredients out. When she would get frustrated, either Sin or Ingrid would pull her into a sweet hug and tell her it was okay. Their patience never wavered, and Rocky began to get used to the fact she would never be the woman she once was.
A couple of weeks after they returned from Greece, Rocky and Sin were relaxing in the hammock he’d put up for her in the garden. Her thoughts turned to children as they often did, and Rocky said, “Something’s bothering me.”
“Tell me, Bella Ragazza.”
“I showed you the picture Connor drew for me. Isabelle said his drawings were usually premonitions. I wonder if the one he drew for me was merely a pretty picture, or if it has a hidden meaning.”
“I was going to wait, but I can see it is time.”
“Time for what?”
“For us to take a ride. Let’s get our shoes on, and maybe I can ease your mind.”
After they found their shoes, Sin put Rocky in the Lambo, and they set out on a little drive. When she saw the direction they were headed, she said, “I’m not sure I want to go this way, Sin.”
“Trust me, baby.” Sin linked their fingers together and did what he always did when she was nervous or upset. Somehow, he pushed his happiness into her through nothing more than a touch. As they neared the area where the strip club was, Rocky sat up in the seat and looked around. “It’s gone,” she muttered.
“It is,” Sin said as he parked the car in the lot in front of where the club used to be. In its place was a beautiful park. The landscaping rivaled anything she’d seen in a magazine or on television, but the best part about it was it was almost identical to the drawing Connor had given her.
“How did he know?” Rocky asked as she got out of the car.
“I honestly have no idea. Before I… before Blake went missing, he signed over the club to me. I knew then I would put something beautiful in its place, but until I saw Connor’s picture, I had no idea how beautiful. Come on, let’s take a look around.”
They walked the path circling the park. Benches were nestled between trees and plants. A children’s play area had been constructed in the middle. Rocky’s heart clenched, but Sin pulled her closer to his side as they continued on around. When they came to a fountain, Sin stopped. He dropped to one knee and took Rocky’s hands. “Raquel, you and I are already mated and as such, you are stuck with me, but I wanted to give you something else. Something more.” He pulled a box out of the pocket of his cargo shorts and opened it. The ring wasn’t huge, but it was larger than any diamond Rocky had ever seen. The setting was simple, like her. “I love you, Bella Ragazza, and I want you to have my last name. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Yes,” Rocky whispered through her tears. Ever since she was little, Rocky dreamed of a man like her father. Fate had smiled on her and given her what she asked for. She wasn’t worthy of him, but she was getting there. Sin slipped the ring on her finger and said, “Let’s go to the courthouse. I want this done today. Then, if you want, we can have a huge wedding with all our family present.”
Rocky didn’t need anything extravagant, she just needed Sin.
Epilogue
Three Years Later
“Rocky, are you ready to go?” Sin asked as he snugged his tie around the top button of his white dress shirt. It wasn’t necessary to dress up for the trip they were about to take, but Sin felt it appropriate to look his best for the occasion. When his mate didn’t answer, Sin walked down the newly reconstructed hallway outside their bedroom. He found Rocky in the baby’s room, holding a new teddy bear.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered as she clasped the bear to her chest. She didn’t have to look at Sin for him to know she was scared shitless.
“You can, beautiful girl. You’re going to be a wonderful mother, and I’m going to be there with you every step of the way. So are Ingrid, Desirae, and Simone.”
Rocky had only recently graduated from nursing school. It had taken her three years and a lot of help from Sin, but she had completed her LPN course. He tried to convince her it wasn’t necessary for her to get a job, but after a while and some advice from the other mates, Sin realized it wasn’t about the job. Rocky needed to feel like she had accomplished something, especially after her near-death experience made it hard for her to complete thoughts at times. She often got frustrated when she forgot things, and her mood swings had worsened instead of improved.
Both Desirae and Simone had given birth four months after Sin and Rocky had gotten married. The two women spent as much time with Rocky as she would allow. She loved Rae and Simone, but the babies were a reminder of what Rocky would never have or never be able to give Sin. If he could go back and kill Tommy Cartwright all over again, he would. Only this time, the torture would last much longer. He had not only taken away Rocky’s ability to have children, but also something deep inside her heart that kept her from feeling whole. When Sin saw the longing in his mate’s eyes each time she was around the babies, he decided they needed a child of their own.
Sin looked into the adoption process. He convinced Rocky it was something he needed in his life, even though he was doing it as much for her as for himself. She agreed but only if they slept downstairs with the child. Since Sin didn’t want to change bedrooms, he had workers come in and modify the upstairs, making it into two bedrooms instead of one large one. One night while patrolling for Unholy, Rett mentioned an infant whose parents had been killed in a car wreck, leaving the child an orphan. She had been placed with children’s services because no family could be located. Sin petitioned the court to adopt the baby, and he and Rocky had been approved. This was the day they were picking her up, and Sin was ready to go.
Pushing off the door frame, Sin went to Rocky and held out his hands. Rocky allowed him to pull her to her feet and wrap her in his strong arms. Over the last three years, Sin had done his best to show Rocky how much he loved her, because the gods knew he did. And he knew she loved him just as much. The sex between them had gotten even more intense. Rocky couldn’t get enough of Sin when they were in the bedroom. She wouldn’t admit it, but he was pretty sure she was still trying to erase the memories of her past. Whatever the reason, Sin met her thrust for thrust, bite for bite. Orgasm for blindingly powerful orgasm. But something died inside Rocky the day she almost lost her life, and he was still trying to resurrect that part of his mate. Sin vowed to make his mate whole again, no matter how long it
took.
“Let’s go get our girl,” he whispered against her ear. Rocky didn’t reply. She let him lead her to their bedroom where he helped her get dressed. When they were ready to go, Sin and Rocky climbed in their new SUV. They still had the sedan, but Sin insisted Rocky and the baby have the safest ride possible. He would have stuffed it full of bubble wrap if others wouldn’t have thought him crazy.
When they arrived at the brick building downtown, Rocky’s heart rate kicked up several notches, but Sin didn’t let her have that moment to freak out. He rushed her into the building so she could meet her new baby. Their baby. Sin had already met with the case worker, Mrs. Pritchett, but when Rocky met the woman who reminded him of Ingrid, his mate began to calm down. The woman praised Rocky for being strong, loving, and selfless to take someone else’s child into her home and love it as her own. Sin had told her the same thing, but hearing it from someone else made a difference. Mrs. Pritchett didn’t make them wait. She led them down a hallway and into a room that served as a temporary nursery. Sin stood back and allowed the woman to hand the baby to Rocky.
The change that overcame his mate was instantaneous. As soon as Rocky had the sweet little baby girl in her arms, she melted, and her resolve strengthened. The love Rocky had for the baby filled the room. It was so strong it almost knocked Sin down. He knew then he’d made the right decision in convincing Rocky to adopt. He stepped closer so he could get a good look at his daughter. A sob caught in his throat. Sin had a daughter. No, she wasn’t biologically his, but the instant he saw her tiny hands and her bright blue eyes, he was gone. He understood why Rocky reacted the way she had. This tiny little person was now his responsibility to love and protect. Not caring who was in the room, Sin placed his fist over his heart and bowed to the baby in his mate’s arms. “On my honor,” he whispered.
“Are you going to change her name?” Mrs. Pritchett asked. Sin and Rocky had discussed this already. Since the baby was so young, she wouldn’t be confused if they gave her a name of their choosing. As she got older, they would tell her about her birth parents and the name they had chosen, but Sin and Rocky wanted her to have a different name. Something that was special to them.
“Yes. We’ve decided on Athena Michelle, after both our mothers. We’re going to call her Chelle,” Rocky said. “Here, Daddy. Your turn.” Rocky held the small bundle out to Sin, but he hesitated. Being only one month old, Chelle was tiny. He’d held Desirae and Simone’s children, but they were older. And they hadn’t been his.
Rocky gently pushed the baby into his arms, and the same love Rocky had exuded rushed through Sin. It was love at first sight. “Il mio bambina bella. I’m your papa, and I’m going to be the best papa in the world. I vow this to you on all that is holy.” Sin was barely able to speak the words as they caught in his throat. Chelle’s tiny hand reached for Sin’s face. He slid his finger in her fist, and the bond began right there. Mrs. Pritchett left the room, giving them time alone with their new daughter.
“She’s beautiful,” Rocky said as she ran a finger down Chelle’s cheek.
“Just as beautiful as her mother.” Sin tipped Rocky’s face up and kissed her. Never in his long life had Sin experienced more love than in that moment. Not only the love he had for someone else, but the love his mate had for him and their baby girl. It was a living entity, and he would carry it with him throughout eternity. Sin tried daily to fill the void in Rocky’s life, and now, the baby in his arms would help fill in the gap. Sin had no doubt his mate was well on her way to being complete.
Coming Soon
Julian
Stone Society Book 9
Finding Me
The Music Within Book 3
Cast of Characters
http://www.faithgibsonauthor.com/stone-society-family-tree.html
Dear Reader: The best way you can help an author is to leave a review where you bought the book. It doesn’t have to be long, just honest and heartfelt. If you liked this story, please consider leaving a review.
About the Author
Faith Gibson is a multi-genre author who lives outside Nashville, Tennessee with the love of her life, and her four-legged best friends. She strongly believes that love is love, and there's not enough love in the world.
She began writing in high school and over the years, penned many stories and poems. When her dreams continued to get crazier than the one before, she decided to keep a dream journal. Many of these night-time escapades have led to a line, a chapter, and even a complete story. You won't find her books in only one genre, but they will all have one thing in common: a happy ending.
When asked what her purpose in life is, she will say to entertain the masses. Even if it's one person at a time. When Faith isn't hard at work on her next story, she can be found playing trivia while enjoying craft beer, reading, or riding her Harley.
Connect with Faith via the following social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/faithgibsonauthor
https://www.twitter.com/authorfgibson
Sign up for her newsletter:
http://www.faithgibsonauthor.com/newsletter.html
Send her an e-mail: [email protected]
Other Works by Faith Gibson
The Stone Society Series
Rafael
Gregor
Dante
Frey
Nikolas
Jasper
Sixx
The Music Within Series
Deliver Me
Release Me
The Sweet Things Series
Candy Hearts – A Short Story
Troubled Hearts
Spirits Anthology
Voodoo Lovin’ – A Short Story
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
1-800-799-7233 OR 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, I urge you to call the number above. Please, say NO MORE.
Table of Contents
Prologue
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
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Epilogue
Coming Soon
Cast of Characters
About the Author
Other Works by Faith Gibson
