by Sarah Bailey
“You love that about me,” Dad said with a grin.
“Hmm, not sure love is the right word. Put up with, would be more accurate.”
“Too right,” Quinn scoffed.
“Boisterous and driving everyone crazy,” Rory said, rubbing his granddaughter’s back as she slept.
I swear Cleo could sleep through anything. She was the quietest baby. Mum said Cole had been exactly the same. Unsurprising really, given they shared DNA with Rory, who never spoke unless he actually had something to say.
“Hey! I wasn’t that bad,” Dad grunted.
Mum stood up and wrapped her arm around Dad’s waist.
“No, you’re perfect, tesoro,” she murmured.
He leant down and kissed her.
“My angel.”
The way my parents loved each other after all this time was pretty inspirational, considering they’d been together for thirty-four years.
My attention was dragged away from my family as Kira came out the patio doors with a cake in her hands, complete with candles. She walked along the grass with her feet bare, grinning from ear to ear.
“Ready everyone?” she called.
And that was the point everyone burst into a chorus of happy birthday. I couldn’t help smiling. My whole family was together and I couldn’t ask for a better birthday.
“Happy birthday, dear Duke, happy birthday to you!”
Everyone started clapping. Kira came to a standstill in front of me. I turned to my son.
“Want to help Daddy blow them out?”
He nodded. I moved him closer and the two of us blew out all the candles, which was followed up by whoops and cheers from everyone else. Dad took the cake off Kira’s hands and carried it over to the table they’d set out, laden with all sorts of food so Mum could cut it. I’d requested a chocolate cake with buttercream icing and ganache, which Eric had made.
I pulled Kira closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. She reached up and stroked our son’s hair.
The moment struck me hard. There were times when I never thought we’d reach today. When we’d be together and happy. When my siblings had found love and created families of their own. Seeing everyone here, celebrating my birthday with them all in love was special. It was one of those days which would stick out in my memory. A snapshot of my life when everything had fallen into place. It gave me a sense of belonging and hope.
We’d all been through so many hard times, ups and downs, and had fought for our partners and our happiness. Sometimes you struggled in life, but I’d come to realise it was all a part of being human. It made us who we were. Everyone was shaped by their experiences, their hardships, their failures and their successes.
When I looked back on my life, I didn’t regret a single thing even though some of my choices had given me pain. All those moments had brought me to where I was meant to be. Standing here surrounded by my family with my beautiful wife, our son and our baby girl on the way.
“I love you,” I whispered in Kira’s ear, appreciating this woman more than words could express. Needing her to know she was my entire world.
She turned her head and looked up at me, her copper eyes glinting.
“I love you too, Dukey.”
“I love Mummy,” Soren put in.
I chuckled, hugging him closer.
“And Mummy loves you.”
Soren wrapped his arm around my neck, burying his face in my shoulder.
“Is Daddy old now?”
I laughed harder, shaking my head.
“In your eyes, I probably am.”
“If you’re old, then so am I,” Kira said, rolling her eyes.
I leant closer to her.
“You’re not old, you’re beautiful, perfect and everything a man could ever want.”
She laughed but kissed me.
“Flatterer.”
“Just a man who loves his wife and wants her to know it.”
She leant her head on my chest, right next to our son, and held me closer.
“Then consider me the woman who wants her husband to know he’s the best thing to ever happen to her.”
I knew that already but hearing her say it made my heart hurt. This girl had been in my life for twenty-six years. I was grateful for each and every one. For her sticking by me and forgiving me for all my past mistakes. They say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I’d always known what I was losing when I walked away from Kira at eighteen, but it was only us coming back together which made me appreciate everything she’d given me. Everything we were to each other. And all the shit in between.
“Let’s get cake and celebrate what we have, eh?” I murmured.
She pulled away and looked up at me.
“The best family in the world?”
I looked around at the assembly of people, laughing and joking with each other whilst Mum cut up slices of cake and handed them around.
“Yeah, the best ever.”
They really were the best family anyone could ever ask for. And I’d appreciate that fact for the rest of our days together.
Have you tried The Devil’s Syndicate series?
Four of them. One of me. Who will give in first?
It started when they stole me from my life. The daughter of a crime lord who ruled with an iron fist. The heir to a family of blood and ruin.
They left only a whisper of a name in the air. Il Diavolo. A man whose reputation preceded him. Ruthless. Merciless. Cunning.
The one they called the Devil. He was as beautiful as he was terrifying. Except I wasn't scared of him or his three friends. They might want to use me in their quest for revenge, but they picked the wrong girl. Or maybe I was the right one and none of us knew it quite yet.
Our connection is undeniable. Our fates are entwined. But loyalty and lies keep us all locked in a battle of wills and denial.
There’s only one thing I know for certain in this fight between the five of us. Secrets always catch up with you in the end. And my secrets were the worst ones of all.
A dark reverse harem series with cliffhangers and drama in abundance and a HEA in the final book.
Out Now
I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did, I would greatly appreciate a short review on Amazon or your favourite book website. Reviews are crucial for any author, and even just a line or two can make a huge difference.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did, I would greatly appreciate a short review on Amazon or your favourite book website. Reviews are crucial for any author, and even just a line or two can make a huge difference.
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Sarah’s Sinners
Music is one of my biggest inspirations for when I’m writing my books. If you’re curious about what songs inspired me, have a listen to the playlist.
Our Darkest Dare Playlist
Sarah Bailey’s Dark Romance Novels
Corrupt Empire
Betrayal
Sacrifice
Revenge
Benson Siblings
Provoked
Promises
Prohibit
Protect
The Devil’s Syndicate
Deceived
Defied
Derailed
Debauched
Depraved
Four Horsemen
Carnage
Chaos
Corrode
Cataclysm
Our Darkest Series
Our Darkest Hour
Our Darkest Path
Our Darkest Scar
Our Darkest Maze
Our Darkest Dare
Acknowlegements
Thank you so much
for taking the time to read this book. I really appreciate all of my readers and hope this book gave you as much joy reading it as I did writing it.
A huge thank you has to go out to Ashley! I met you just at the right time in my life. You helped me get through this book, encouraging me to keep going and keeping me on track. I’m so grateful to have met you even if it’s only online. It’s something special to meet a person who shares your vibe.
Thank you to Chrishawn for being my accountability partner. You’ve been such an amazing friend to me since we met and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.
Shoutout to my wonderful friend Kat. Honestly, you’re an absolute superstar, helping me through some tough periods in my life whilst writing this book. One day we’ll meet when you come to Scotland. I promise to make it the best trip of your life!
To Elle Linder… girl, you know you are a very special part of my life. We met as baby authors and have grown so much over the past few years. Words cannot express how grateful I am for your friendship and support. We’re Olivia Pope-ing the hell out of this author business!
A big thank you to my mother for her support. This book wouldn’t be what it is without her. Her and my experiences with loss helped shape Kira and Duke’s story. Thank you, Mum, you really have no idea how much I appreciate you!
To all my readers – I love you! You’re the reason I can keep writing and bringing you these stories.
To my husband – you are the love of my life. Your support and encouragement keeps me from throwing in the towel. I’m forever grateful for everything you do for me. You pick me up when I’m low, take care of me and give me the world. I couldn’t ask for more in a life partner.
And to everyone else who supports me in my writing career – you are the absolute best! Thank you for being here for me!
About The Author
Sarah writes dark, contemporary, erotic and paranormal romances. She adores all forms of steamy romance and can always be found with a book or ten on her Kindle. She loves anti-heroes, alpha males and flawed characters with a little bit of darkness lurking within. Her writing buddies nicknamed her ‘The Queen of Steam’ for her pulse racing sex scenes which will leave you a little hot under the collar.
Born and raised in Sussex, UK near the Ashdown Forest where she grew up climbing trees and building Lego towns with her younger brother. Sarah fell in love with novels when she was a teenager reading her aunt’s historical regency romances. She has always loved the supernatural and exploring the darker side of romance and fantasy novels.
Sarah currently resides in the Scottish Highlands with her husband. Music is one of her biggest inspirations and she always has something on in the background whilst writing. She is an avid gamer and is often found hogging her husband’s Xbox.
You can find more about Sarah Bailey in the following ways:
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