Vow of Atonement

by Emma Renshaw

  Liam walks in, wrapping Savannah in his arms. “Gorgeous wife, we are not selling this place. It’s our only house. We can’t be homeless and pregnant, too—like that one over there,” Liam chuckles.

  Savannah’s eyes go wide when what Liam says registers. “Oh, my God,” I squeal. “I’m so happy for the two of you!”

  “It’s too early to say anything,” she says, holding up her hands. “I don’t want to jinx it. It’s too early. Don’t congratulate me yet. Act surprised when I tell you again in a few weeks.”

  I burst out laughing. “Deal.”

  Roman nuzzles my neck. “Need to hear that sound more, Sugar. I’ve missed it.”

  I turn to face him. “I’ve missed your laugh, too.”

  He kisses me softly on the lips, brushing his nose over mine. My hands cup his face while I stare into his bright brown eyes, full of hope and promise. A new beginning.

  “Hudson just called, they’ll be here any minute.”

  Valerie and Gabe walk through the back door just in time to greet James and Kiernan as they’re ushered inside. Kiernan eats up the attention, grinning from ear to ear, opening his arms to each of us for a hug. James stands back, staying silent as ever with a scowl on his face. It’s hard for someone that large to blend into the background. I walk over and give him a big hug. “Thank you,” I say in admiration, looking up at him.

  “Stop saying that,” James grumbles, rubbing my back while I continue to hug him tightly.

  “Never,” I whisper.

  “Hey, man,” Roman says walking up to us. He shakes James’ hand, telling him the same thing.

  James grumbles again, walking off. Roman and I have thanked him every single day and will continue to thank him. We owe him so much and we won’t stop until he realizes how grateful we are to have him in our lives, for everything he’s done, and most of all, the fact that he’s still breathing.

  “Take a walk by the water with me, Sugar?”

  I grab Roman’s hand. “I’d love to.”

  We walk along the sandy beach of the lake, hand-in-hand, sharing the silence. “I have a favor to ask you, Sugar.”

  “Anything,” I answer honestly, turning into him and wrapping my arms around his hips.

  “I have Santiago’s letter. I think it will be easier for me to process if I hear it in your sweet voice.” Roman pulls the crumbled letter from his pocket, handing it to me.

  “Are you sure?” I ask.

  “I need to know,” he says, squeezing me tightly.

  Wrapped in his arms, I start reading.

  Roman,

  My son.

  I do mean that literally. If you’re reading this, it means I am gone and never got to tell you in person. You are my son. I have watched you every day of your life. It was the hardest challenge of mine to not run and snatch you away from the hardships you faced as a child. I worried if you grew up with me, you would follow in my footsteps. Mine is not the right path to take.

  As you got older and skipped school a few times, I knew something needed to change. I could no longer only watch from the shadows. I approached you with an offer you couldn’t refuse. I used your desperation for food and money to my advantage. I told you I would pay for school and groceries, if you agree to go to the school of my choosing. I told you I had a similar childhood to yours and didn’t want to see a boy who reminded me of myself go down the wrong path. At the mention of food, your face lit up like a Christmas tree and my heart shattered.

  I chose that school because it’s where Harper went. I knew you’d meet her and fall into her magnetic orbit, like everyone around her. I could think of nothing that would make me happier. You, my boy, such a bright, good boy, with a girl I already loved as my own. She’d set you on the right path. When Harper’s father found out what I did, he was furious. He worried you would corrupt her, I said all he had to do was meet you.

  He called me after the night he met you and told me he was proud of me for doing the right thing for you. He could see even then that you were worthy of Harper. I know the two of you will live a beautiful life together. Protect her and honor her the way she deserves.

  I never got to tell you in person but I am damn proud to be your father. You may never understand my choices but I hope you can look past them and accept me in your heart as your father.

  There is another piece I must tell you. You have a brother. He’s dangerous. Keep him away from yourself and Harper at all costs. Do not ever get to know him. He can be charming and persuasive. Don’t fall for it. As far as I’m concerned, you are my only son.

  It was an honor to know you.

  Your father,

  Santiago

  Roman takes a deep, shuddering breath. “I knew it would be better if you read it to me.” His voice is hoarse, raspy and filled with emotion.

  “Are you okay?” I ask.

  “I will be,” Roman answers confidently. “Every day you’re with me, I will be okay.”

  53

  Roman

  Harper and I are staying in the suite at our decoy hotel. I finally got Harper to agree to raise our budget in the house search. Earlier this afternoon I found the perfect house. Settled just outside the Austin city limits, it’s close to Savannah and all of our normal hangouts. Commercial space is abundant for both of us. Harper told me when we were teenagers that she always wanted a house that looks like it belonged on a plantation. I found it. A plantation house in Austin, near her friends, and on a nice piece of land. I’m surprising her with it later this afternoon.

  The smile on my face hasn’t dissipated since I got off the phone with the realtor. The sun will be setting as we tour the property, and with the hills in the distance, it will be an irresistible backdrop to convince her. I’m ready to make an offer on the house right now, but Harper would kill me if she didn’t see it first. Making a pregnant woman angry is not a good idea. These last few weeks of her first trimester have been difficult for her. The morning sickness hit her hard, and she’s been overly tired and groggy.

  I wince, looking toward the door, hoping the knocking didn’t wake her up. Kiernan stands outside with a box in his hands. “Hey, boss.”

  “Keep it down. Harp’s asleep,” I say softly.

  “That’s perfect. I need to talk to you about something.”

  “What’s up?”

  Kiernan hands the box to me. I take it over to the table, removing the top. It’s filled with files. “What’s this?”

  “Caleb’s files. The information he had on Harper is in there,” Kiernan says, looking down at the ground. “I thought you want might want it. None of this was your fault, I’ll keep reminding you of that.”

  “I did want this,” I say, running my hand over the papers on the inside. I’ve been wanting to get back to Tennessee to sort some things out and pick up the files. And the ring I have for Harper. “Thanks.”

  “One more thing,” Kiernan says. He pulls a velvet box out of his pants pocket.

  I know what it is the second I see it. My eyes meet his. “How did you know?”

  Kiernan shrugs. “Didn’t want you to leave Harper to pack shit up in Tennessee. Your stuff will be here in a few days. If you’re going to make her your wife before the baby comes, you need to get on it.”

  I laugh. This is perfect. I clap Kiernan on the back. “Thanks for everything, brother.”

  Kiernan smiles at me. “Don’t get sappy on me.”

  I slap him on the back of his head as he quietly chuckles.

  “I’ll handle the office shit, too. Think you’ll close and start fresh?”

  “That depends on you,” I answer. “Want to run the Tennessee office? You’re the only one I trust to handle it. You’re not a complete bonehead.”

  “No, I don’t,” Kiernan says, shaking his head.

  I push the disappointment out of my system. I don’t mind closing the doors and opening a new place here in Texas. I did want to run my business with Kiernan, though. Me here and him there. “Where do you want to
work? I’ll put in a call and get you on whatever team you want. It’s the least I can do.”

  “I want to work with you, dumbass. Here in Texas.”

  I blink at him, surprised. “You’re moving to Texas?”

  “Yeah, the movers got my shit, too. I’ll go back to Tennessee and close up shop on the office and our apartments, but then I’m back here for good. Already found a nice little place to rent.”

  “Why?” I ask. “You love Nashville.”

  “Dude,” Kiernan says, shaking his head. “My goddaughter or godson will be making their way into the world soon. I can’t miss that. Besides, if I’m not here, who will teach them to be cool?”

  “You’re definitely not the godfather.”

  “I totally am,” Kiernan says, laughing.

  “Absolutely not.”

  “We’ll see. Harper loves me.”

  I grumble. I told her not to feed him. All the strays stay after you feed them.

  I help Harper down from my truck. Thank Christ our minivan days are over. Harper looks past me, slack-jawed and staring at the house with the backdrop just as amazing as I hoped. It’s perfect. The sunset paints the sky in vivid colors, casting a glow on Harper’s skin. There’s no way she can say no.

  “Welcome home, Sugar.”

  “I haven’t even seen the inside and I’m already in love,” she gasps, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “I’ve only seen the pictures, but it’s perfect. Let’s watch the sun set before we go inside.”

  “Won’t the realtor be waiting?”

  “No, she’s not here yet,” I lie. The realtor’s inside, waiting on us. I asked her over the phone to stay inside until we came in. She happily agreed.

  I walk Harper to the back of the house where two rocking chairs are set on the wraparound porch. She’s watching the sun sink lower, and I’m watching her take in everything that will be ours.

  I drop to my knee in front of her and grab her hand in one of my sweaty palms. This has been years in the making, and she’s carrying my child, but I’m still more nervous than I’ve ever been.

  “Sugar, my sweet girl, I fucking love you,” I rush, unable to hold it in.

  Her free hand is covering her mouth. She stares down at me with tears in her eyes. “When I saw this place online, I knew it would be ours. It’s just like you described when you were a teenager. I want to sit out here on these chairs, rocking our baby, and watch all the sunsets with you. Or a thunderstorm. Or our kids playing in the yard—as long as it’s you next to me and our kids. And grandkids. I’ve been in love with you since the second I saw you. I’ll spend the rest of my days worshipping you and making you crazy in the best possible ways. Will you marry me, Sugar?”

  “Yes,” she shouts, launching herself out of the chair and into my arms. “I’ll marry you. I need to marry you, I want to be your wife more than anything.”

  “That’s good, Sugar, because we’re getting married soon. Anywhere you want. Just as long as it’s soon.”

  “Here,” she says. “Let’s do it here.”

  I pull the box from my pocket. “This is the ring I bought a decade ago. If you don’t like it, I’ll get you something more modern and bigger. Whatever. Whatever you want.”

  “Don’t you dare. I love this one.”

  “You haven’t even seen it yet.”

  “Don’t need to. You bought it for me.”

  I open the box and grin when she sucks in a startled breath, staring at the ring. I slip it on her finger. Just as perfect as I imagined.

  Epilogue

  Harper

  Six years later

  “Don’t you think you went just a little overboard?” I ask Roman, staring at the inflatable obstacle course taking up a huge portion of our lawn. Not to mention the petting zoo, bounce house, and go-carts.

  “No,” he says, grinning down at me. “You only turn five once.”

  “You say that every year,” I sigh, shaking my head. “You’re spoiling our kids.”

  “Damn right, I am. Nothing is going to stop me from spoiling them and spoiling you,” he whispers, running his lips along my neck. I shiver—my reaction to him hasn’t dimmed even the slightest bit.

  “Besides, look at our little boy,” Roman says staring at our son, Caden, as he helps our three-year-old daughter, Sadie. After Caden helps Sadie over an obstacle, he turns, holding his hand out for Liam and Savannah’s five-year-old, Avery. They slowly make their way through each course with Caden leading the way and clearing the path for them. “I may spoil him, but he’s going to be a damn good man.”

  “Only because he has you as a father,” I whisper, running my hand over his arm and turning my head to kiss him. His lips graze mine softly.

  “And me as a godfather,” Kiernan says, walking up to us and leaning down on the porch railing. I pull away from Roman’s lips as he groans in frustration.

  “I still can’t believe you picked him.” Roman’s head comes down on my shoulder, not caring that his best friend is next to us as his tongue and lips kiss a path up to my ear. “I’m having my favorite dessert later, Sugar.” I shiver in response.

  “Don’t lie, you know you want me to watch your kids,” Kiernan says grinning, used to the fact that we’re always like this.

  “I suggested Liam or James. Harper insisted on you,” Roman says, glaring at his best friend, who beams in response.

  “That’s because she has great taste most of the time, except when it comes to you, of course.” Kiernan leans over giving me a kiss on my cheek.

  “Get the fuck outta here,” Roman growls.

  “Testy,” Kiernan laughs as he walks toward our friends sitting at a table on the lawn. Savannah waves us over to join them. I wave back, signaling we’ll be there soon.

  Roman rubs his hand over my growing stomach. “I don’t want this one to be the last one,” he says. “You’re so sexy pregnant.”

  “I’m not having another baby. Three is enough,” I insist, laughing along with him.

  “I’ll give you anything you want if you have another. I know I can tempt you.” His tongue slides up my neck as he pulls my hips back, making my ass glide over his hard dick. I softly moan.

  “Not here,” I whisper.

  “Anywhere,” he says.

  “Kids are present, Roman.”

  “We’ll send everyone home. The kids can go to Savannah and Liam’s. They owe us.” He grinds his hips against my back again, and I turn to kiss him. His mouth immediately comes down on mine, his tongue invading, clashing against my own. My hand wraps around his head, anchoring him to me. He groans softly, sliding a hand down my side and grazing the side of my breast. It’s not enough. I won’t be able to get enough for hours.

  “Fucking delicious,” Roman moans. “Everyone needs to leave. Now.”

  “It’s a birthday party, you can’t kick anyone out,” I say, reaching my hand behind me and squeezing his hard cock once.

  A low growl erupts from his chest. “You’ll pay for that,” he whispers against my ear.

  “Let’s go join our friends.”

  “And tell them to get the fuck out.”

  “Roman,” I sigh, barely containing my laugh.

  “It’s my house, my kid’s party, I can do whatever the hell I want.”

  I laugh. A day never passes where he doesn’t make me laugh. He couldn’t give me anything I don’t already have. I stare out at the lawn filled with our friends and children with my husband behind me, rubbing his palm over my pregnant belly. Life couldn’t get any sweeter.

  The End

  The Vow Series continues with Vow of Honor

  It’s James’ turn to find love in Vow of Honor!

  James’ mysterious past comes back to haunt him and threatens to destroy everything he’s built

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  Acknowledgments

  Creating a book from the spark of an idea to the finish product in your hand truly takes a village. I couldn’t live this dream of mine without the help of so many around me. Please accept an apology to anyone I may have left out, it wasn’t by intention—my sincerest apologies and my deepest gratitude.

  My first thanks needs to be my husband. You help me in my day-to-day, reminding me when it’s time to eat, and making sure I always take care of myself when my mind is in another world. I’m grateful for you every single day. Thank you for letting me live my dream and being the best damn partner, best friend, lover, and husband, a girl could ever ask for.

  To my family, Del Pueblo family, and friends, thank you all for every ounce of love and support y’all give me. I feel it so deeply and am truly humbled by everything y’all have done for me. Each of you holds a very special place in my life, I don’t know where my life would be without y’all in it.

  A special thank you to my mom for being my first reader, every time, and for re-reading my words whenever I need you to. Your honesty helps me so much. Thank you for being on this ride with me. I love you!