She’s had a rough couple of years. She and her boyfriend split up, and she’s been focused on making her life right since he’s been gone. She hasn’t given us an answer as to whether or not she wants to buy Damien out, but hopefully she will, because she deserves it. She’s put a lot of effort into making this business succeed as have we. She’s also training two new girls in hopes that she’ll have more time at home. They’re really nice and not only will she have more time at home, we’ll have more clients in at one time.
Molly went back to college. She studied business even though she didn’t want to, she just did it to shut her parents up. She did the full course and ended up loving it, she’s now our business manager, she makes sure that the business side of things is legal and above board, because Bailey and I have no bloody clue when it comes to things like that. Thankfully Damien hired someone until Molly finished college, and she had to be approved by Damien’s actual business manager first and he was so impressed with her that he hired her to work for him.
Owen is Damien’s right-hand man. He no longer works in Pleasure Palace as Damien sold it and bought a nightclub. Owen is the manager there, as Damien and Saffron have loads of business now, and they’ve opened three more restaurants, two pubs and Amour nightclub. That club is amazing, and the queues to get in are ridiculous.
I’m so proud of Owen, he’s worked so hard to not only get this job but to help Damien get the club up and running. He worked tirelessly for months to get the club to where it is now. He was so worried that if anyone found out Damien’s manager was once in prison for dealing drugs, they wouldn’t come, or they’d try their best to have him fired. That’s not happened, and it never will. Owen’s too good to lose to some righteous arseholes, and Damien knows it.
Since I’ve moved in with Owen, I’ve not seen Harley. I’m glad because I don’t know what I’d say to him after everything that came out about Mickey wanting to leave and being killed by a member of the NDZ Crew, a member of his own crew. Molly told me that Harley is different now. He’s harder and colder with everyone. It’s hit him hard, knowing that he and his bloody crew are to blame for the death of someone he loved like a brother. Since being inside, Phil has been beaten on a regular basis. There’s a lot of NDZ and Bluds in prison and he killed a member of his own gang and let the other gang take the fall. He’s a marked man now, and I can’t bring myself to feel sorry for him.
“Cher, you okay?” Owen calls out, and I’m paralysed on the bed. He’s not kissed me in days, and I think this could be the end of us. “Cher?” he calls out again, this time his voice is closer.
My eyes are on my shoes, they’re so pretty. We were meant to go out tonight. Meet my parents, Molly, and Kieran and celebrate what would have been Mickey’s twenty-second birthday. Every year for the past five years, it’s become a tradition. We’d all go out and have dinner. We’d talk about Mickey and remember the good times. I’m wearing a dress. It’s not very often that I wear one, but I do on special occasions. I thought tonight would be the perfect night to tell Owen my news, but as soon as I walked in the door, he didn’t even look at me, just told me to hurry up that he didn’t want to be late.
I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that he’s going to end things between us. My heart is breaking at the thought. Thankfully I haven’t applied any make up, so I let the tears fall freely. I never thought this day would come. I thought we were going to be together forever.
“Katy?” He makes me jump as I didn’t realise that he had come into the bedroom. “Baby, why are you crying?” His hands frame my face, his thumb caressing my cheek as it wipes away the tears.
I look up at him and note his face is full of worry. “Will you just say it? Don’t keep ignoring me,” I whisper, begging him to end this misery.
“Cher, what’s going on? I’m not ignoring you.” He sounds so confused, and that hurts me even more. “Talk to me,” he demands, his thumb still wiping away my tears.
“You’ve not kissed me in days, you never talk to me anymore, and when you do it’s to tell me to hurry up. I understand. You want things to end. You should have the balls to say it to me instead of treating me as though I don’t exist.” How on earth did I manage to get those words out? I have no idea, but they needed to be said.
“Shit! Oh Katy, I’m such an arsehole. I don’t want to end things. Fucking hell,” he curses as he lets go of my face and bends down in front of me, shoving one hand into his pocket.
I look at him in confusion. “You don’t?” He shakes his head. “Then why have you been ignoring me?” I could smack him right now. I really thought he wanted to end things.
“I didn’t want you to know what I was planning.” He smirks at me and I really want to wipe that smug look off his face.
What’s he talking about? What has he been planning? But my silent questions are answered when he pulls out a box. My hands automatically go to my mouth as I gasp. Opening the box in front of me, I see the most beautiful ring ever.
“Katy Akers, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” His voice is shaking so hard I barely understand the words.
I throw my arms around him and kiss his face all over, not missing an inch. “Yes, yes, yes. A million times yes!” I scream in between kisses. “Oh, Owen,” I cry and then press my face into his shoulder and sob.
“I’m sorry, Cher. I didn’t mean to make you think I didn’t want you.” He eases my head from his shoulder and takes my hand. My breath catches when he places the ring on my finger. “Told you I’d marry you one day.”
“It’s beautiful,” I cry.
“You’re beautiful. Now come on, you need to wipe those tears away otherwise we’re going to be late.” He pulls me up off the bed and kisses my lips. “I love you so much, soon-to-be Mrs Hughes.”
I smile. That sounds so good. “I love you too, soon-to-be Daddy,” I blurt as I place my hand on my stomach and wait for him to realise what I’m saying. Maybe I shouldn’t have said it like this. I’ve been wanting to tell him, but I’ve been so scared.
His eyes follow my hand and my smile stretches just as he realises and his eyes widen. He drops to his knees, his mouth inches away from my stomach, tears in his eyes. “Katy, you’ve made me the happiest man alive. God, I’m going to be a dad?”
I nod, suddenly finding myself speechless.
“Oh shit,” he whispers before placing a tiny kiss on my stomach. “How far along are we?”
I love that he says we, and my heart gives a little flutter. “We are six weeks.” I grin as relief rushes through me. I honestly don’t know what I was so scared about. I should have known that Owen would be happy about my news.
“You’re perfect,” he whispers as he gets to his feet. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad. Katy, you’ve made all my dreams come true. I love you so fucking much.”
I wrap my arms around him. “I love you too. I think this will be Mickey’s best birthday.” I really do. I know he would have loved Owen and he’d be over the moon that I’m pregnant and engaged to the man I love.
“No doubt, Cher, no doubt.”
7 months and twelve days later, Mikayla Hughes was born.
The End
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Acknowledgments
Darren and Alannah: You both mean the world to me and thank you so much for putting up with my crazy. I love you both more than words could ever say. You make both put a smile on my face on a daily basis!
Wendy Porter: I love you! You are seriously amazing. You’re there to offer encouragement and support not only that, you’ve become such an important person in my life, you’ve
become an amazing friend. Thank you so much.
Rachael Tonks: Thank you so much for formatting for me!
Kay Springsteen Tate: I must have drove you crazy when you were doing the edits but you took my book and made it into this beautiful story! Thank you!!!!!
Gemma Woolley: Thank you for proofreading this book, you are amazing and I honestly wouldn’t know what to do without your friendship and support.
My Beta Readers: Stefanie Carney, Julie Tinkler, Nancy George, Kim Jones, Katy Birch, Jessica Davey, Cynthia Carpenter, Sherry Haynes, Stephanie Holmberg, and Nicole Nixon. Ladies you are the best, Thank you so much for your input, this book wouldn’t be what it was if it wasn’t for each and every one of you!
Lee Ching: As always, not only are you here for me professionally but personally too. You are an amazing woman and I’m grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for designing this gorgeous cover!!
My Brazen Bitches you and that group are my sanctuary, Thank you each and every one of you for being a part of this process.
The Sacrifices of Life Page 20