by Kat Mizera
Las Vegas Sidewinders: Ever After
Kat Mizera
Copyright © 2019 by Kat Mizera
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover: Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs
Created with Vellum
Contents
Also by Kat Mizera
Note from the author…
First Christmas
Hide the Salami
Daddy’s Girl
Oh, Baby!
Anya’s Turn
Simply Savannah
The Sweetest Things
The Sidewinder’s Siren
The Petrovs, Vol. I
The Petrovs, Vol. II
Excerpt from Jared (Unedited, subject to change)
Also by Kat Mizera
Las Vegas Sidewinders Series:
Dominic
Cody’s Christmas Surprise
Drake
Karl
Anatoli
Zakk
Toli & Tessa
Brock
Vladimir
Royce
Nate
Sidewinders: Ever After
Jared (June 2019)
Inferno Series:
Salvation’s Inferno
Temptation’s Inferno
Redemption’s Inferno
Tropical Inferno (formerly “Tropical Ice”)
Romancing Europe Series:
Adonis in Athens
Smitten in Santorini
Alaska Blizzard Series:
Defending Dani
Holding Hailey
Winning Whitney
Losing Laurel
Other Books:
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Protecting Bobbi (Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World)
Brotherhood Protectors: Catching Lana (Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors World)
Note from the author…
Dear Readers,
Ever After is a compilation of bonus stories, a previously released novella and two brand new novellas, all set in the world of my Las Vegas Sidewinders series. If you haven’t read the Sidewinders books, these are not meant to be stand-alones, with exception of “The Sidewinders’ Siren,” which is the prequel to a future book with a happy-for-now ending.
The Petrovs, Vol. II, is also meant to be a bit of a prequel with a happy-for-now ending. Anton’s story has been a long time coming and he will get his happily-ever-after at some point—just not quite yet.
I hope you enjoy these mostly lighthearted glimpses into the Sidewinders’ lives that show a little more of what’s been happening with them.
I love these characters and their stories, and I hope you do too.
Until we meet again,
Kat
First Christmas
Las Vegas Sidewinders Book 3.5
1
Christmas Day
Molly Gianni opened her eyes on Christmas morning to bright sunlight. She smiled and reached beside her for her husband, Dom. The spot beside her was cool and empty, and she turned over in surprise. The house was quiet, so she had no idea where he could be. Pushing back the blanket, she got up and padded into the bathroom. As she washed her face, she listened for sounds coming from her six-month-old son, Brian, but there was nothing and she figured he was with Dom.
Walking into the living room, her eyes widened at the sight of at least a dozen presents that had not been under the tree the night before. She couldn’t help but smile. This was their first Christmas with a child, only their second together, and Dom had promised it was going to be the best Christmas ever. Together just a year and a half, their relationship had gone from friends to lovers to expectant parents in four months. Now it was just over a year later and their life together was better than anything she could have imagined. He was truly the great love of her life, despite being 11 years younger than she was, and she could barely remember what it had been like before she’d met him.
Heading to the kitchen, she found the note he’d pinned to the refrigerator:
Merry Christmas, baby! Went to pick up your last gift and I might be a little while. I’ve got the baby with me so you can rest, and I’ll call if I’m going to be more than an hour or two. I love you! Dom
With a frown of confusion, she made a cup of tea and fried a couple of eggs. They’d gone to a party last night but were planning to spend Christmas Day at home. Dom was leaving on a road trip on the 27th, so she was making a pot roast for dinner and they were going to relax. Brian was really too young to remember anything about the holidays, but that didn’t mean they weren’t going to make it special.
Humming as she seasoned the meat and put it in the oven, she smiled as she thought about the 18 months they’d been together. He was the kindest, gentlest—and she had to admit the sexiest—man she’d ever known. Though they both had complicated pasts, nothing had been complicated since they’d gotten married and had Brian. They had wonderful friends, he had a lucrative career as a professional hockey player, and she’d never known anyone could love her the way Dom did. They were both essentially orphans, with no family to speak of, but it seemed as though they had everything they needed with the life they’d built here in Las Vegas.
Now he was off planning some other surprise and she shook her head fondly as she headed into the shower. Whatever the surprise was seemed to be taking a long time, so she would make herself pretty before he got home. Despite being a big, burly professional hockey player, Dom was as sweet and romantic as anyone she’d ever known and she loved him that much more because of it. Glancing at her phone to see if he’d left her a message, and seeing nothing, she started getting ready, excited and anxious to see what he had in store for her.
Dom stared at the picture on his phone at least a dozen times as he waited just beyond the security checkpoint at the airport. He’d never met Molly’s Aunt Janice, and Molly hadn’t seen her since she was in high school. Janice had been shocked and then excited when Dom contacted her and explained what he wanted to do. Though Janice had a family of her own, she’d been happy to fly out on Christmas morning to spend a few days with the niece she hadn’t seen in nearly 25 years.
She’d told Dom she would be wearing a white blouse and red scarf, so he was looking intently for anyone fitting that description. She’d sent him a picture and he had a general idea what she looked like, but he still felt a little uncertain. Molly had no family other than Janice and her kids, who were her cousins, but she didn’t remember them. Molly’s first husband, Tim, had alienated her from all her friends and family, and she’d lost touch with everyone. Dom was determined to fix some of that, and he was relieved Janice had been willing to fly out on Christmas Day.
Her flight was delayed, of course, but he’d wanted to get out of the house before Molly was up because he didn’t know if he could keep the surprise to himself. He was so excited to do this for her. He glanced down at their son, sleeping soundly in his stroller, and couldn’t help the grin that erupted of its own volition. He loved being a father more than almost anything, and he knew that giving Molly a child after a dozen miscarriages had made her the happiest woman in the world. Today’s surprise would hopefully run a close second.
“You must be a Dom.” A petite woman with the same green eyes as his wife made him jump and he glanced down in surprise.
“Yes. Hi. Dominic Gianni.” He held out his hand and was startled to feel her pull him close for a hug.
“How good to meet you,” she said. “I was so excited to hear from you—and even more excited to come see my Molly.”
“I’
m sorry I dragged you away from your family, but—”
“Molly’s my family too,” she waved a hand. “And my children are grown. I have grandchildren, but I see them all the time so they won’t miss me!”
“I know what you mean.” He glanced down at Brian and saw Janice’s eyes widen.
“Oh my goodness. You have a baby. Is this, I mean, how old is Molly now?” Her eyes were full of wonder and Dom could only smile.
“She’s forty-one. We weren’t sure she could carry a baby to term, but he’s our little miracle.”
“I had no idea.” She stared down into the stroller as they begin to walk.
“So Molly has no idea what’s going on and she’s texted me a thousand times already, asking when I’ll be home.”
“What a wonderful surprise.” Janice reached for her bag and laughed when Dom plucked it out of her hands. “I can carry it.”
“Not on my watch,” he laughed. “I had a crappy dad, but my mom managed to teach me a few manners!”
“I see that.” She seemed to be assessing him curiously.
“I’m really glad you came,” he said after a moment. “I’ve tried to give her everything, but I’m an orphan and Molly said she lost touch with everyone.”
“You didn’t tell me a lot on the phone,” Janice said amiably as they headed out to the car. “I didn’t know Molly and Tim had divorced.”
Dom sighed. “That’s probably a story for her to tell you,” he said after a moment. “I don’t know how much you know about what their marriage was like?”
She hesitated. “Molly started to pull away from us not long after her parents were killed, but I was never sure why. She was vague, said that Tim was really possessive and didn’t like sharing her. I felt there was more to it, but at the time I had young children, a full-time job, and all the usual excuses. Molly’s mother, my sister, and I weren’t that close, so I figured Molly was like her mother and not that interested in family.”
Dom shook his head. “I don’t know much about her mom, but Molly really had no choice but to pull away from everyone. Tim threatened everyone to keep Molly…well, let’s call it cowed.”
Janice looked horrified. “Oh my goodness. So those bruises…” She paused. “She always had bruises...was it because of him?”
“Yes.” Dom unlocked the door and put her bag in the back. “That’s how we met. He was hitting her in a parking garage and my buddy and I intervened. I told her she could stay with me until she found a way to leave him and then…” His voice trailed off. “Well, I fell in love with her.”
Janice got into the passenger seat and looked at the strikingly handsome young man. “I don’t mean to be impertinent, but you seem quite a bit younger than Molly.”
“She’s forty-one and I’m thirty, but Molly’s the most beautiful woman I know,” he said quietly. “Inside and out. I don’t even notice the age difference.”
“I’m so glad she’s found happiness,” Janice said. “I knew something was wrong, but she wouldn’t open up to me and eventually I stopped asking.”
“She’s different now,” he said. “At least, I think she is. She’s happy and outgoing, with friends and a busy social life. I want her to have everything she’s ever wanted, which includes a big family. That’s why I found you.”
Janice smiled and touched his hand. “You’re a very nice young man, Dom. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
2
Molly was starting to get frustrated when she heard the key in the lock. She got to her feet and practically ran to the door; she’d been starting to worry. Dom flashed her a smile as he came in, his dark eyes twinkling mischievously. He bent to kiss her, one hand instinctively pulling her close to him as he held Brian in the other.
“Merry Christmas, baby.”
“Merry Christmas,” she breathed, smiling. “Where did you—” Her eyes widened as she took in the woman standing behind him. A woman who looked so much like her mother it nearly brought tears to her eyes. “Aunt Janice?” She couldn’t stop her mouth from falling open.
“Hello, darling Molly.” Janice opened her arms and Molly fell into them with a laugh and a cry.
“What—I don’t understand?” She looked over her shoulder at Dom, who was smiling at her. “How did you—”
“I found her online,” he said softly.
“Oh my goodness.” Janice was just staring at her. “Look at you—still so beautiful, but you actually glow now.”
Molly nodded, blinking away tears. “That’s because of my wonderful husband.”
“Well, yes, of course.” Janice smiled. “Shall we go inside?”
“Oh! I’m sorry.” Molly tugged her aunt into the house apologetically. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Your wonderful husband wanted to surprise you,” Janice said, following her into the living room.
“I’m very surprised.” Molly looked into her husband’s handsome face and shook her head. “I still don’t understand how you did this.”
“It wasn’t hard,” he whispered, touching her face. “And I know how much you’ve missed having a family.”
“Thank you,” she whispered back. “This is the best Christmas present in the whole world. I love you so much, Dom.”
“I love you too.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Now go spend time with your aunt and I’ll feed Brian before we get to the presents.”
She laughed. “Looks like Santa came after I went to bed.”
“Maybe.” He grinned.
Molly sat on the couch next to her aunt, still incredulous. “I just can’t believe it,” she said, holding her hand. “You’re really here.”
“Dom contacted me and asked if I would come for Christmas. I was so shocked I didn’t know how to say no.”
“I’m sorry we lost touch but my ex…” her voice trailed off. “Well, he wasn’t fond of me having relationships outside of his.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you needed help?” Janice asked quietly, her green eyes darkening. “You know I would have come to you.”
“No one could help,” Molly whispered. “He was violent, ready to hurt people to keep me away from them.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Janice touched her face. “All those bruises…I always wondered but Sam said I shouldn’t butt in.” She pursed her lips. “I’m going to smack him when I get home!”
“Uncle Sam was just trying to be politically correct,” Molly said. “I understand.”
“So you met this wonderful young man…Dom.” Janice cocked her head. “He appears to be as kind as he is handsome.”
“He’s amazing,” Molly whispered, glancing in the direction Dom had gone. “Kind and gentle, generous and loving—as awful as Tim was, Dom is that incredible. I am so lucky to have found him.”
“And now a baby at forty-one.” Janice smiled. “How excited you must be. I remember hearing about a few miscarriages…”
“Twelve,” Molly said quietly. “And then this, out of nowhere. I’m hoping for one more, but if not, we may adopt.”
“Twelve miscarriages?” Janice’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry, darling girl. Your mother would be so disappointed in me for not being there for you.”
“Mom told me not to marry him,” she admitted. “She said there was something about him that rubbed her the wrong way. But back then he hadn’t hit me yet.”
“Dom doesn’t hit you, does he?” Janice’s eyes narrowed. “Because now that I’ve found you again…”
“Oh my God, no!” Molly shook her head. “He’s the gentlest man I’ve ever known. He would never.”
“After he contacted me, I did some research online,” Janice said. “He seems to have quite a past in the hockey world—with a temper to boot.”
Molly just smiled. “Yes, but he’s beyond that now. Just as he got me away from Tim, I got him away from his demons. We’ve both come a long way.”
“Molly, you would tell me, wouldn’t you?” Janice was staring at her inte
ntly and Molly cocked her head.
“You mean if Dom was hitting me?” She laughed. “Aunt Janice, really—he’s so wonderful. You’ll see.”
Janice nodded. “I hope so. I don’t think I could bear to think of you going through something like that again, and women who like that type—”
“That type?”
“Well, bad boys.” Janice seemed a little embarrassed. “You know, you were so shy in school and then you met Tim and he was so…” She wrinkled her nose.
“Tough,” Molly said softly. “A cop. Very secure in himself and protective of me. Or so I thought. See, that’s the difference: Dom doesn’t appear to be protective of me—he is. In your research did you find the story about the night Tim kidnapped me and our friend Sergei?”
“I saw the press conference video,” she admitted. “I was confused.”
Molly told her the whole story, beginning with how she met Dom all the way through Tim kidnapping her, her getting pregnant and their life now. She smiled as she spoke, reaching for her aunt’s hand and talking about her husband in glowing terms.
“He’s one of the best people I’ve ever known,” Molly whispered. “I really hope you don’t listen to what you’ve heard and get to know him yourself.”
“I only want what’s best for you. Your mother passed away and you just pulled away from us, so I feel like she would be disappointed in me.”
“You had no choice,” Molly sighed. “But now we have a second chance.”