“I’m good, Dad,” Kade says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I have everything I need right here.”
James smiles at his son. “I can see that.” Then he quietly exits the room.
Kaden tips my head up, and our eyes meet. “How do you feel? Are you badly hurt?”
“Stop stealing my lines, and, no, I’m not badly hurt. My back is bruised, I pretty much ache all over, and I’m weak, but it’s nothing a bit of rest won’t cure.” I cup his face, my expression faltering as I trace gentle fingertips over his bruised, cut-up face. His busted eye looks so sore. “God, Kaden. I’m so sorry for all this. What you must have gone through …”
“I’m fine, Eva.” He kisses the tips of my fingers. “I’m not going to lie, I hurt literally everywhere. I’ve a few broken ribs, and I’ll have to wear this sling for a few weeks, but I’m alive, and so are you, and that is the only thing we should focus on now.”
“I thought we were going to die,” I tell him, running my fingers through his hair. “I really did.”
“I know, honey. I was praying my guy would come through, but in the end, it was my brother who saved us.”
I arch a brow. “What? Who? How?”
He smiles, and it’s unbelievable how much that brightens up my world. I never thought I’d get to see that smile again. Get to snuggle with him like this. Have a future to look forward to.
“It’s just as well Kev is as stubborn as me.” He chuckles. “I told him not to get involved but he ignored me. Kev has monitored all our cells for years,” he starts explaining and my eyes pop wide. “He has no qualms about boundaries and privacy, but his heart is in the right place, and he has saved our butts more times than I can count.” He kisses my forehead, and I melt. “Anyway, Garcia’s bastards smashed my cell and left it on the side of the road, so I knew there was no way my brother was riding to the rescue this time, but I underestimated him. Again.”
He brushes my hair back, planting a soft kiss on my neck. “Don’t ever tell him I said that though. His ego is worse than mine.”
“Doubtful,” I tease, kissing the underside of his jaw. “But that’s a conversation for another day. What did Keven do?”
“I found him snooping in my bedroom a few weeks ago. Turns out he put trackers in the soles of all my shoes. Kev knew we were leaving, and he was up all night monitoring shit online. He had also discovered Jonas’s identity and he was tapping his phones, so he heard how some of his guys were MIA, and he knew something had gone wrong. He tracked me to the warehouse and sent an anonymous tip to the FBI with our location.”
“Wow. We owe him our lives.”
“We do, and I don’t think he’ll ever let me forget it.”
“Nor should he.”
“He hacked into the FBI’s communication channel and heard everything as it went down. I’m glad he was smart enough not to attempt to come after us himself because if anything had happened to him …” He doesn’t need to complete that sentence.
And that brings other memories to the surface. “Poor Tiffani.”
He nods, and his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat. “I can’t believe she’s dead. She didn’t deserve that, even if she did throw you to the wolves.”
“She didn’t understand what she was doing.”
“He was so cold when he took her out. Like she was an annoying insect under the bottom of his shoe.” He shivers. “I’m so grateful you’re free of him, and I wish you’d never had to endure the things you have.”
“He’s dead, and he can’t hurt either of us again.”
“I know. Kev updated me. He said there’s an internal battle going on for control of his business, and he doubts anyone will be concerned with us, but I think we still need to take precautions. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve hired my dad’s guys to watch over us.”
While I hate the thought of more men with guns hiding in the shadows, I know it makes sense to take precautions until we know we’re in the clear. “You won’t hear any complaints from me.”
He holds me tighter to his side, and I wish I could kiss him, but his mouth is all torn and bleeding, and I don’t want to hurt him. Instead, I press a kiss to the sliver of exposed skin at his collarbone. “I love you, Kaden, and I’m so happy you’re okay.”
“I love you too, honey.” He presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “And now we get to start living our lives the way we’ve always wanted.” He peers into my eyes, and I fall in love with him all over again. “It’s over, Eva. From now on, there is nothing standing in our way.”
Epilogue
Present – Christmas
Kaden
“Oh my God,” Eva exclaims, beaming at me, “it’s as noisy as a toddler’s playground in here.”
She’s not wrong. Christmas dinner chez Kennedy is becoming quite the boisterous affair. Our family is growing, and the get-togethers are getting bigger. Faye’s father is here along with her three half-siblings, as well as Brad’s mother and two sisters, and Rachel and her dad. Although my nephew Hewson is the only actual toddler in the place, the way Kal and Keaton are shrieking and hollering as they chase him around the room makes it seem like we’ve a roomful of sugar-crazed, over-excited kiddies.
“I love it,” Eva adds, looping her arm through mine and grinning. I lean down and kiss her on the lips, uncaring that my family surrounds us. I spent far too long hiding my love for her, and I won’t shy away from PDAs or from telling her how much I love her. “This is what family is all about.”
The last month has been blissful and strenuous in equal measures. We both had to give numerous statements to the FBI around the events in the warehouse, and Eva has had a lot of legal stuff to complete to officially sever all connection to Jeremy Garcia. Dan Evans, our family attorney, put a rush on things, and when the paperwork came through, we snuck off to the courthouse and got married.
It was, hands down, the best day of my life.
Eva looked so beautiful in her simple off-white knee-length gown. With minimal makeup and her gorgeous hair pinned up in an elegant bun, she was the most radiant bride. As long as I live, I will never forget the blissful, adoring look in her eyes as we made our vows. The moment the officiate said I could “kiss my bride” is forever imprinted on my heart. Kissing my wife for the first time was indescribable. It feels like everything we’ve endured over the last few years has been building to his point, and everything has come full circle, like it was supposed to.
Asking my wife to remove her new engagement and wedding rings today was difficult, but I know Kyler is making a big announcement after dinner, and I won’t steal my brother’s thunder.
The only two people who know we are married are Renee and Keven. Both stood with us, as maid of honor and best man, respectively. And both have been sworn to secrecy until we’ve publicly announced it. I don’t like asking Eva to keep it quiet, but, frankly, I like having this time to ourselves. As soon as Mom finds out, she’s going to demand a big, glitzy wedding, and she’ll suck Eva into wedding planning before she knows it.
“I’m happy you’re comfortable here.” I wrap my arms around her as Mom smiles in our direction. “And I knew my family would love you.” I was worried about her mental state today because her dad has just started his two-year stint behind bars, and I know she’s going to miss him. Despite their history, he has really stepped up these last few weeks and come through for Eva. His testimony will put a lot of men away for a long time, and he’s single-handedly removed any final threats to our freedom. No one in those circles cares about Eva anymore, and that’s the way I like it.
She squeezes me tight. “You have a wonderful family, Kaden, and they couldn’t have been more welcoming. I wasn’t expecting them to be as open and forgiving.”
If she realized half of the stuff my family has been through, she’d understand how our situation is almost the norm. At one time, it looked like Kyler
was in love with his half-sister, and let’s not forget the courtroom shit Kal’s fiancée Lana put him through, so Eva’s murdering ex-husband and her position as professor wasn’t any more scandalous. “It takes a lot to shock my family,” I admit, kissing her temple. Oriental scents of apricot, plum, and coconut swirl around me, and I inhale the hypnotic fragrance of her perfume.
It’s new, like a lot of other things.
Eva insisted on turning her back completely on her old life, leaving most of her clothes and personal possessions behind. I offered to take her shopping, to buy her whatever she needs, but she wouldn’t hear of it, and I didn’t protest. I understand how important independence is to her after almost a decade spent living in a cage. So, as much as I want to shower her with gifts, and spend every spare second with her, I have taken a step back and given her the space she needs. I’m happy for Eva to set the pace, as long as I’m there for the ride.
Hewson darts past us like a whirlwind, his daddy and uncle chasing after him with glee. Hewson wraps his little arms around Eva’s bare leg, looking up at her. The cutest little smile spreads across his face and his arms go out. “Up!” he demands. “Me want up!” Without hesitation, Eva scoops the little angel into her arms, tweaking his noise and making him laugh.
“You have that look on your face,” my brother Kalvin says, smirking at me.
I play along. “What look, asshat?”
“The look of lurvveee.”
I shrug. “I’m in love. I’m not hiding that.”
Kal raises a brow, and Keaton makes his escape, any mention of love making him run for the hills, even if he is devoted to his long-time sweetheart Melissa. The triplets turned eighteen last month, and they’re technically adults, but to me they’re still my kid brothers.
“I think I might have to kidnap this little guy,” Eva tells Kal, tickling a chuckling Hewson. He now has his arms latched around her neck, and the sight stirs something powerful inside me.
“You’ll have to get in line,” Kal replies. “And I think Faye would come to blows with you over it.”
“Fact,” I agree. “She’s besotted with him. Both her and Kyler are.”
“I know you’re only home for Christmas break, but if you and Lana need any more babysitters, we’d be happy to help,” Eva says, cooing at Hewson.
“It’s like a feast or famine,” Kal quips. “We only have a few friends we trust to babysit back in Florida, so we don’t get out much. Then we come here and everyone’s trying to push us out the door!”
“Take advantage of it,” I say, plucking the little guy out of Eva’s arms and putting him up on my shoulders.
“Kade.” Eva’s tone holds considerable caution.
Ignoring the sharp tug on my still-healing shoulder, I reach up and hold Hewson’s little hands. “Relax, honey. I’m fine.”
Leaving Eva chatting with Kal, I race around the room with Hewson still on my shoulders, delighting in every little chuckle and squeal coming out of his mouth.
“Should you be doing that?” Mom asks, stepping in front of me.
“I’m fine, Mom. I barely feel a twinge, and I’m fed up of taking it easy.”
Hewson wriggles on my shoulders, and I carefully let him down. He takes off running straightaway, making a beeline for his momma. Lana lifts him up, pressing a loving kiss to his forehead.
“I have a feeling you might be the one to give me my next grandchild,” Mom says with a twinkle in her eye.
I stumble back a little. “Steady on there, Mom. I know how you get, and don’t go putting ideas in Eva’s head yet. I only just got her to myself, and I want to enjoy this time together before we start a family.”
“But you are planning that with her?”
I’m tempted to tell her about the wedding, but I spot Kyler out of the corner of my eye, holding Faye close, his eyes radiant with the news they’re bursting to tell everyone, and I won’t take this from him. “Absolutely.” I circle my arm around Mom’s shoulder. “Eva’s the one, and I look forward to starting a family with her, just not yet.”
Although, practicing is lots of fun, but I keep that thought to myself.
I haven’t been of much use to her in that regard until recently. The first couple of weeks after I was shot, my injuries made it too difficult to do much, but I’ve been making up for lost time this past week.
“And you’re happy, Kade?” Her eyes probe mine.
“Extremely.” I kiss my mother on the cheek. “I didn’t think I’d be here for Christmas. I thought Eva and I would be alone somewhere on the other side of the world, and while that would’ve been special in its own way, I would’ve missed everyone like crazy.” I look over at my wife, laughing and joking with Kal, Lana, Keven, and Keanu, and my heart swells with love.
“I’m thrilled for you, Kaden.” Mom palms my face. “And she’s perfect for you.”
“You don’t care that she’s older?”
“Pft.” Mom waves her hands in the air. “Age is only a number when it comes to love. You’re both adults and it doesn’t matter if there’s five months or five years between you. Besides, you’re following in family tradition so I’m hardly going to complain.” She winks, nudging my hip as she goes off to round everyone up for dinner.
I always forget that Mom is older than Dad, and I hadn’t thought of it like that.
Keaton rubs his belly, groaning. “I don’t think I can eat another thing,” he tells the table. “I’m fit to burst.”
“Well, you better make some room.” I mess his hair up. “Eva spent ages making those cheesecakes, and it’d be rude to refuse to taste it.”
“I’m stuffed,” Kal admits, “but I’ll always make room for cheesecake.”
“You are like a bottomless pit,” Lana proclaims, smiling as she shakes her head. “I don’t know where you put it.”
“I know,” Faye pipes up, envy obvious in her tone. “I only have to look at cheesecake and it goes straight to my hips.”
“You’re gorgeous, babe, and you know it. Knock yourself out with the cheesecake,” Kyler tells her, earning a chorus of groans from the guys around the table. The girls all predictably swoon.
“Jesus Christ,” Kent moans. “If I—”
We all round on him, telling him to zip it, that we’ve heard it a million times. Whitney, Faye’s half-sister, drapes her arm around Kent’s shoulder, whispering something in his ear, much to the chagrin of her dad Adam. I don’t know what it is with those two, but they’ve been carrying on for years, whenever they see one another. Kent is far from ideal boyfriend material, and I don’t need to be a mind reader to know Adam isn’t one bit happy about their relationship, even if it appears pretty casual.
“Hey, man,” I say, nudging Keven’s shoulder. He’s seated on my left, while Eva has been sitting on my right. I clear my throat. “I have something I want to say.” In all honesty, this should’ve been said weeks ago but I was drugged up and not thinking clearly in the hospital, and the last few weeks have been hectic, so this is the first opportunity I’ve had to properly thank Keven. I could’ve pulled him aside at the courthouse, but I didn’t want to spoil our wedding by referencing anything about that awful day.
He arches a brow.
“I haven’t properly thanked you for what you did for me and Eva. Neither of us would be here today if it wasn’t for your super-stalking skills and your quick thinking.” A messy ball of emotion clogs the back of my throat. “I owe you my life, brother.” I lower my voice. “My wife owes you her life.” I clamp a hand on his shoulder. “And I will never, ever forget what you did for us.” I squeeze his shoulder. “I love you, bruh.”
Kev surprises me, tugging me into a hug. “I love you too, man. And seeing how happy you both are is all the thanks I need.”
Our uncharacteristic mushy moment is broken up when Mom and Eva return to the dining room with dessert. They
are both laughing, and the sight almost brings tears to my eyes. Once everyone has their cake, Eva sits back down, grinning up at me. “Happy, honey?” I ask, kissing the tip of her nose.
“Deliriously,” she confirms, leaning in to kiss me. “I love your family, and I love this day, and I can’t remember ever feeling this happy. You have given me so much, Kaden.” She flings her arms around me, and I love that she has no qualms about doing so in front of my family. Everyone is chatting, and eating their dessert, but I’m guessing all eyes are on us too. “I love you,” she whispers in my ear. “And I’m going to show you just how much when we get home.”
Home.
I never thought I’d love that word as much as I’ve come to. I gave Eva free rein to redecorate my penthouse however she liked, and she went to town on it, filling it with all the homey little fixtures and fittings it was missing, all the things that now give it that warm, welcoming vibe when you step foot in the door. I think she was glad to have something to do now that she’s no longer working.
The day after the showdown at the warehouse, Eva resigned her position at Harvard. She felt like she had no choice once the news channels started reporting events, splashing both our faces over TV screens. At least this way, Eva’s reputation is still intact. If she had stayed, an investigation would most likely have been launched into our relationship, and she probably would’ve been fired in a cloud of disgrace. As it is, the rumor mill is in overdrive on campus, but I refuse to confirm or deny anything. They can form their own opinions, and I don’t care.
I hate that she’s lost the career she loved so much, but she has come to terms with it a lot quicker than I thought she would. Now, she’s getting heavily involved in my business idea, and she’s going to conduct market research and put some of the structures in place while I finish out my degree and graduate. Then we’re going to run my online golf business together, and Eva has a few ideas of her own that she’ll most likely pursue down the line.
Seducing Kaden (The Kennedy Boys Book 6) Page 23