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  I understand Foster a little more now. He’s an isolated man, and whatever he has going on with Arnold he’s keeping it a secret. “If he doesn’t come after Cleo again I’ll stay out of your war, but if you capture him alive I want a crack at him,” I growl the last part.

  “I can live with that,” Foster agrees.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t be a kidnapped again. I think three times in the last three months is pathetic enough at this rate,” Cleo grumbles.

  Foster laughs and it’s the first time I’ve heard him do so. “Trust me Cleo, the last thing people think of you is pathetic. You must have taken out fifteen men. That’s pretty fucking impressive,” Foster tells her to which Quinn and Novak agree.

  “I know.” She smiles at us and we all laugh. “What now?” She asks, looking at us.

  “We go home,” I state simply.

  “With Smith dead what do we do with Blade?” Quinn asks.

  I shrug and say, “I killed him when we found Smith dead. I had no more use for him.”

  “You know Foster, since we are all here and have formed this magical friendship, I think we should negotiate a trade route,” Cleo hints and I hide my smile. That’s my girl, she was made for this life that’s for sure.

  Foster chuckles at her. “For you Cleo, anything.”

  We spend the next few hours negotiating, a treaty I guess you can call it. Foster has agreed to work with Novak, Quinn, and I, and possibly sharing some businesses. By the end of the meeting I actually feel excited to work with him. I may not have liked him in the past but he’s grown on me.

  “You all can spend the night here and we’ll get you home tomorrow,” Foster suggests.

  Cleo walks up and gives him a hug. I should feel the jealousy rise in me, but the look Foster has in his eyes is brotherly, like the way Novak, Quinn, Liam, and the others have for her. “Thanks for everything Foster. I owe you,” she tells him.

  “Let’s call us even,” he smiles at her.

  We make our way back upstairs. The bed has been freshly changed and I am now feeling dead on my feet. Cleo helps me sit, then she reaches over and fluffs the pillows. I lean into her and rest my head on her stomach as she stands in front of me. “I’m going to love you so much,” I tell the baby inside her.

  I feel her hands run through my hair, being careful not to hurt me. “She is going to love you so much.” I hear the teasing in her voice.

  “God help me if its girl. I’ll need an arsenal like Foster.” I feel her giggle.

  “Let’s get some rest. I’m sure your mother is going crazy. She must’ve been so happy knowing I was safe.” The face I make must give me away. “You didn’t tell her?” She shouts at me.

  “I was kind of in a mad rush to get to you, and didn’t have time to stop and explain it all to her,” I say, trying to make up an excuse.

  “Oh, she’s going to be so pissed at you.” She shakes her head at me.

  “Trust me, she will forget all about it when she finds out you’re pregnant. She’ll forgive me.”

  “How do you think?” She asks me.

  “I helped make that,” I boast, pointing to her belly and making her laugh.

  “We’ll sleep now and face her together later. I talked to Liam earlier so I’m sure he must have passed on the news already.” We climb into bed, and as best as I can gather her in my arms for the first time in two months. I fall asleep instantly and have dreams instead of nightmares.

  Chapter 18

  Cleo- One month later

  “Lawson,” I moan as he thrusts hard. He leans in and kisses me as I wrap my arms around him, trying to bring him closer, if that’s even possible.

  “Come for me Cleo. Now,” he growls out. He takes a nipple in his mouth and bites it playfully. The shock of pain and pleasure makes me come instantly, and he follows right after.

  I lean back on my elbows on his desk, trying to catch my breath as Lawson rests his head on my breasts. “We need to get back to work.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince, but my suggestion holds no weight. We’ve been home for a month and can’t keep our hands off each other. The first couple days were hard since Lawson needed time to heal, and I was practiced mulled by Beth, Liam, Owen, Andrew, and Levi. Lawson had to yell at them to leave me alone. Of course that did nothing to his mother and she stuck by my side for a solid week. She was over the moon about being a grandmother.

  “Don’t you think we’ve worked enough today?” Lawson asks as kisses my small baby bump.

  “It’s barely noon.” I stroke his hair the way he likes it.

  “Perfect time for lunch.” He helps me off the desk and we get dressed. I am hungry, but I always am these days. We head to the kitchen and I make us a quick sandwich and some fruit. Lawson takes the plates and we go to the backyard to eat. It’s a beautiful summer day, and the garden Beth and I planted is in fresh bloom. We sit on the patio set and enjoy our lunch. We have a casual conversation, laughing and talking about business, and the future. When we finish, I notice Lawson fidgeting which is unlike him.

  “What’s wrong?” I probe hoping he will finally spit it out.

  He takes a deep breath and pulls out a red velvet box from his jacket pocket. I suck in a breath as he gets down on one knee.

  “Cleo, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to do this, and over this last month it’s been killing me not to snatch you away and marry you, but I wanted to do this right. You deserve the very best in life and I plan to give that to you. So, Cleo, will you make an honest man out of me and be my wife, my Queen.” I have happy tears spilling from my eyes and can barely form words I’m so happy.

  “Yes, Lawson of course.” He stands and tugs me up engulfing me in a hug.

  “You’ve just made me so happy Cleo.” He kisses me hard, passionately. I wrap my arms around him. “Oh shit, the ring.” He pulls back and takes my hand. “We can’t forget this now can we?” He gives me a loving smile as he slides the 4ct white gold diamond ring on my finger. It’s simple and elegant, not overly flashy. “I don’t ever want to see you take this off.” He kisses my left hand.

  “It’s beautiful Lawson. Thank you.” I pull him in for another kiss and feel his hands rub my baby belly.

  “Can I come out now?” I hear Beth sob from the patio. She is hiding in the doorway holding up her phone, obviously having filmed the whole thing.

  “Yeah Mom, you can,” Lawson laughs.

  Beth rushes over and hugs me. I can feel her tears on my shoulder. “I’m so happy. I can’t wait to start planning. I love you so much, dear.”

  I can’t help but smile, feeling so loved. “I love you too, Mom.”

  As soon as I said that Beth lost it again and it took about an hour for her to calm down. We moved into the living room with some tea and Beth went full steam ahead with planning. I found it fun surprisingly enough.

  “So, this time next year would be an excellent time?” She suggests to me.

  Before I could answer Lawson did. “No fucking way, Mom.” Both Beth and I give him a dirty look.

  “Why not?” She demands.

  “Did you want a fall wedding?” I ask, wondering why he has such a strong opinion.

  He shakes his head. “No, I want a summer wedding. This summer,” he clarifies.

  I want to laugh at the face Beth makes “I’m sure we can handle it Beth. Don’t you think?” I quickly try to reassure her.

  “Well of course we can! I have more samples at home. I’ll go get them.” She stands quickly.

  “How about I come by tomorrow and we can make a day of it?”

  “Of course, dear! I’ll see you then.” She says her goodbyes and leaves.

  When we are finally alone Lawson gives me a sexy smile that only means one thing, and with these pregnancy hormones I am more than willing to comply. Just as we are about to jump each other the front door opens and Liam, Andrew, Owen, and Levi walk in.

  “Have you idiots ever heard of knocking?” Lawson growls.

 
; I smack his arm for being so rude. “They are always welcome.”

  The guys give Lawson a smirk and he just rolls his eyes. I walk up to them with my hands behind my back. “Guess what?” I ask, almost giddy.

  They give me a curious smile until I pull out my hands flashing my new ring. The guys erupt in cheers. I get hugs from all of them. They seem ecstatic about the news.

  “Cleo, I will be happy to walk you down the aisle,” Liam generously offers.

  “Why do you get to do it?” Owen shouts.

  “I’m second in command,” Liam states.

  “I’m the oldest,” Andrew adds.

  “I’m the strongest,” Owen throws out.

  Levi is just shaking his head at the older men acting like fools. I can’t let them fight over this any longer. “I plan to ask Fred to do it. Without him I would’ve never met Lawson or any on you for that matter.” They all nod, seeming to understand my choice. “I do have a big favor to ask all of you.” That seems to perk them up. “I want you guys to be my men of honor.” They all give me a weird look. “You know like bridesmaids but you’re guys,” I clarify.

  “Really?” Liam asks, sounding a little shocked.

  “Of course. You guys are my best friends.” I hear Lawson grunt behind me and roll my eyes. “After Lawson, of course,” I finish.

  “Are you kidding me? Of course! I’d be honored,” Levi gives me another quick hug.

  “So, boss, who will stand beside you?” Liam asks

  “Novak and Quinn,” he tells them.

  “And Foster,” I demand.

  “And Foster,” he grumbles.

  “Well whatever you need Boss, Mrs. Boss, we got you,” Andrew tells us.

  “Did you four come here for a reason?” Lawson drawls out.

  We eventually get back to work and spend the next couple hours like we do most days. Over the last month, Lawson and I have made a name for ourselves as a couple, and our businesses are thriving on all fronts. As we work we laugh, joke, and talk about the future, and from the sound of it, it’s a bright one.

  Epilogue 1

  Epilogue 1

  Lawson- Two months later

  “Calm down Lawson, it’s not like she’s going to run away at this point,” Novak chuckles.

  “Don’t even fucking say something like that,” I growl at him.

  “Pretty sure you can’t swear on your wedding day,” Foster grumbles.

  “We’re not in a church,” I snap.

  “Relax man. The wedding isn’t supposed to start for another few minutes,” Quinn points out.

  “How was she when you checked on her?” I ask Liam.

  “She thinks she looks fat. I told her she looked pregnant. She didn’t like that answer and threw her shoe at me,” he chuckles. I can’t help but smile because it sounds like her. I start to relax a bit.

  We’re waiting at the altar; the wedding is about to start any moment. I have Novak, Quinn, and Foster and across from us are Liam, Owen, Andrew, and Levi. We have a shit ton of people here, most criminals, loan sharks, money launderers, you name it. I run this whole damn state, so this is like a royal wedding here in D.C.

  I see my mother walk down the aisle and she smiles and waves to the guests, taking her sweet time. When she gets closer to me I see her eyes filled with tears. “What’s wrong?” I demand, suddenly in a full-blown panic. “Where is Cleo? Is she okay?”

  “Oh, Lawson please relax. I’m just so happy! I wish your father was here to see this.” She dabs her eyes with a tissue.

  “So, she’s okay?” I need to confirm it. My mom just rolls her eyes.

  “Yes, son. She’s beautiful and very eager to get married. You have nothing to worry about,” she assures me.

  “Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!” I growl out.

  Just then the music begins and I see Fred at the end of the aisle. He holds out his arm and then Cleo steps beside him. I swear I just swallowed my tonged. She’s stunning. She’s wearing a white wedding dress, its sleek and elegant, like she’s wrapped in white silk, with her dark skin and black hair she looks like Cleopatra come to life. Her noticeable baby bump makes me swell with satisfaction and pride. There’s no denying she’s mine. She’s marrying me and has my baby in her belly. She practically floats down the aisle. Fred is smiling like a damn fool, but also trying not to cry. I want to laugh, but I realize I’m also trying not to lose my shit as well. When they are almost to me I can’t wait any longer and walk to meet them.

  “Take care of him,” Fred leans down and kisses Cleo on the cheek.

  “I will Fred, don’t you worry, and thank you for walking me.” She smiles at him.

  “It was my honor.” He places her hand in mine and sits beside my mother.

  We just stare at each other. I don’t know what to say I’m so captivated by her. “Hi,” is all I can manage.

  She giggles at me. “Hi.”

  “Let’s get married.” I smile at her.

  “Yes, boss,” she says sarcastically. I can’t help but chuckle.

  The wedding seems to go by so fast, but I remember every moment of it. It will go down as one of the best days of my life, also the worst. My control was seriously tested when all the men wanted to dance with her. Liam, Andrew, Owen, Levi, Novak, Quinn, Foster, and Fred. Eight. All eight of them insisted they needed to. By the end of the night I couldn’t stand to share her with anyone else. I just wanted to be alone with her. So, we left early and headed home. We planned a two week honeymoon and plan to travel Europe.

  “I’m tired,” Cleo yawns and stretches as we enter our bedroom. “Zipper, please.” She turns her back to me, lifting her hair out of the way.

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” I chuckle. I walk up behind her and unzip her dress letting it fall to the floor. She’s wearing a white lace bra and matching panties and when she turns around it takes all my strength not to fall to my knees. She’s gorgeous. I run my hands over her baby bump and lean close to give her a kiss, which quickly turns heated and she starts tugging on my clothes.

  “I need my husband,” she breaths against my lips.

  I get such satisfaction from her calling me that. “Wife,” I growl out, loving that even more. I pick her up and gently throw her on the bed and she giggles as she bounces. “Now I’m going to make it official.” I kiss her bump, working my way up.

  She laughs. “I think it already is.” She rubs her belly.

  “You’re right, but this is our first time as man and wife, King and Queen. I want it to be special.” I nuzzle her neck, kissing below her ear.

  “It is. I’m with you. Nothing else matters,” she whispers to me.

  I feel my heart burst with love, but with her that’s something I know I’ll get a lot of, and can’t wait to spend every day of my life with her.

  Epilogue 2

  Epilogue 2

  Cleo-Ten years later

  Me and the girls are tanning by the pool in the backyard when we hear our husbands and kids enter the front door.

  “Oh, god they’re back,” Foster’s wife, Anabelle, says.

  “That took ages just to get groceries.” Molly, Quinn’s wife, laughs, her Irish accent as thick as her red hair.

  “Four men and ten kids enter a grocery store, how many do you think survive the trip?” Willow, Novak’s wife, jokes making us all laugh.

  “Mommy!” Olivia, my 6-year-old daughter, comes running out.

  “Hi, baby. How was shopping?” I sit up on the recliner to give her a hug.

  “Uncle Foster said shit,” she tattles.

  “Oh god, I’ve told Foster a million times to watch his mouth. The kids are picking up on it,” Anabelle groans.

  “Oh please. Quinn has the worst mouth by far of the four of them,” Molly says.

  “Uncle Quinn said fuck,” Olivia nods, confirming Molly’s statement.

  “Olivia darling, I thought we agreed that was a secret” Quinn joins us, holding his young daughter on his hip, a
nd his two older boys run past him to the play structure we built in the backyard.

  “Oh right,” She smiles at him, turning back to me she gives me a serious look. “That was a secret Mommy, don’t remember it.”

  I hear the girls giggle and can’t help but join in. “Okay, baby.” She nods and runs off to join the boys.

  “I told you she wouldn’t last two minutes.” Foster comes out with his three kids running towards Anabelle to say hello before joining their cousins.

  “Hey, don’t run!” We hear Novak yell as his two and my oldest, Devin, comes bursting out the back door holding water guns.

  They instantly slow down. “Sorry Uncle Novak,” Devin smiles at him.

  “God, you look just like your dad,” he grumbles before rustling his hair and shoving him away with his kids. He’s right. Devin is nine and the spitting Image of Lawson.

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Lawson himself comes outside looking like hell, now that I glance at the men I see they all do.

  “So how was shopping?” I ask, trying not to laugh.

  All four give me a dirty look, and us ladies burst out laughing. Earlier today they were dead set on giving us the day to relax with no kids, so the four of them and the kids spent the day at the beach, and then we called and asked them to shop for food for our BBQ tonight. Needless to say, they all look like they’ve been through the ringer.

  “Yeah, it’s hilarious,” Quinn grumbles, passing their daughter to Molly and sitting next to her on the recliner.

  “Well, we appreciated the day.” I get up and walk to Lawson, wrapping my arms around him and showing him my gratitude.

  He growls and pulls back “If this is the reward I get, I should do it more often.” He looks me up and down hungrily. Ten years and two kids later, I have added weight, but Lawson seems to appreciate it.

  “You guys relax, and we’ll start dinner,” Anabelle says, standing and giving Foster a kiss before heading inside.

  “Beth and the guys should be here soon,” I tell them.