by L. E. Bross
“Nah, don’t need to watch it when we live it, right sweetheart?”
I inhale deeply and let my breath out slowly. It’s been a day of endings, but also new beginnings. With the sale of LB Tech, we get to start a new chapter in our lives. This is another fresh start where we can do anything we want.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.
The laughter cuts off abruptly and three wide-eyed stares snap to me.
“What?”
“When?”
“How?”
I point to Ry. “Pregnant.”
Then Baz. “I took a test this morning because I’ve felt off for weeks and had a suspicion when coffee lost its appeal.”
Last, I give X an eye roll. “And the usual way. Which isn’t surprising really, since you guys jump on me every chance you get.”
The silence in the kitchen gets thicker as the news sinks in. We never really talked about starting a family seriously. About a year ago I stopped the Depo shots to give my body a break. I’ve taken a pill every day since, but it says right on the box that they are about ninety-nine percent effective.
We’re the one percent, it seems.
As the quiet stretches out, my stomach tightens. I’ve gone through every emotion since I peed on that stick—okay, five sticks—this morning: surprise to terror to elation.
I need to give the guys a chance to process as well.
“Anyway, we should probably get going?”
“A baby,” Ry croaks, finally breaking the silence.
His gaze drops to my stomach. It’s early so there’s nothing to see yet. Like he’s in a daze, he walks over to me and then drops to his knees.
“Is this okay?” he whispers, looking up at me with glassy eyes.
I nod, suddenly speechless when he leans forward and presses his lips carefully against my stomach. My fingers fly to my mouth and I press hard to keep from bursting into tears. It’s no use; they stream down my face as I watch him whisper something so low I can’t hear.
Over his head, I watch as X and Baz inch closer, their gazes locked on my stomach as well. X nudges Baz with his elbow.
“Holy shit man, we did that.”
“I know how it works, you asshole.” His face pales and his wide-eyed gaze shoots to mine. “Shit, I shouldn’t say asshole in front of the baby, right? Shit—I mean, shoot…”
A laugh bursts out of me, mixing with my tears.
“I think you’re okay for a while. So yeah… Happy Anniversary,” I choke out.
X catches my watery stare and his lips curl into the most breathtaking smile I’ve ever seen.
“Damn, sweetheart, all we got you was a necklace.”
~ The End ~
Acknowledgements
This book was bittersweet to write because I knew it would be the last one. When Ever After ended, I felt like the story wasn’t quite over, and I was right. Ever and her boys had to get through one more thing before they finally got their happy ending.
And Brooke Warren, I hope I made you happy with that final sex scene! ;P
I’d like to thank all the readers who fell in love with Ever, Riot, Baz, X, Luc and Belle. You are all the reason I write and I hope that I gave you an entertaining story that pulled you in and made you part of their world for a little while.
I also need to thank my amazing editor Helen Froats of Precision Red Pen. This was the first time working with her and she polished this book up to a perfect shine. Thank you Helen and I can’t wait to get started on the next one!
My family know how important they are and how much I appreciate that they give me the time I need to pursue this passion. Thanks guys! I love you!
There is still so much more to come and I hope you stick around on this crazy ride with me to see what’s next. It’s going to be a dark and crazy ride, that’s for sure!
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www.lebross.com
More books by L.E. Bross
Lost Boys of Neverly Prep - Academy Romance
Ever Lost
Ever Found
Ever After
Hooking Up
Never Again
Second Chance series: Contemporary romance
Right Where You Are
Whatever It Takes
Contemporary romance stand alone:
The Do Over
Maelstrom: Boys of W.A.R. - Dark Romance
Twisted Mind - Preorder now!
Twisted Heart - Coming March 2020
Twisted Valor - Coming April 2020
Twisted Mind coming February 14, 2020
Preorder today!
Maelstrom. A powerful, often violent whirlpool sucking in objects within a given radius.
They are W.A.R. and these three tatted up bad boys rule over Emerald Ridge, Nevada.
The manipulative mind game master, Rome
The heartless heart breaker, Jace
The valiant coward, Eli
They've earned their Wreckage and Ruin reputations working for their uncle, the notorious crime boss, Vincent Verolli, and nothing is off limits in their twisted world. Not even me.
For years I've managed to keep my distance from the W.A.R. crew, avoiding their notorious playground that's rumored to be painted with blood. That is, until my father uses me to pay off his debt to Vincent Verolli. Now I'm the collateral, at the mercy of a cruel Kingpin who just wants a pretty plaything, and under the “protection” of Rome and his boys.
But I refuse to be a willing pawn, and I hate my father enough to want the kind of justice the W.A.R. boys are famous for. In fact, maybe I can convince Rome to help me enact a little vengeance of my own against the men who turned me into a monster. To do this, I’ll have to outwit the mind game master himself and convince Rome to go against his uncle, to betray everything he stands for.
It’s a crazy plan, but what I quickly realize is that Rome has a thing for crazy. We are a match made in hell and the world better watch out, because when the dust settles, the body count is bound to be high.
The only question? Will Rome be my salvation, or my demise?
