All We Ever Needed

by D. A. Young

  “I’ve never been saner in my life; thanks for askin’. This is how it’s gonna go…”

  ***

  One week later

  Holt walked Hamish to his car. Behind them, two more men carried banker boxes of documents from Samuelsson’s briefing and put them in the trunk.

  “That should be everything, Brammer.” Hamish stuck his hand out. “Thanks for all of your help.”

  Holt shook it with a grin. “Thanks for bein’ so understandin’.”

  Hamish snorted. “Like you gave me a fucking choice.”

  The two men struck a deal that in exchange for Samuelsson providing information. he wouldn’t have to go to jail, but McCray would. When Holt first explained the terms, Hamish had laughed.

  ***

  “They both need to be in jail for what they’ve done! Why would I even agree to that?”

  “You can have McCray and that’s it.”

  “I can have McCray? Have??? What does that even mean?”

  “It means you’re gonna take what I say or me and my very pissed of father-in-law aren’t gonna give you shit but some good ol’ fashioned personal justice. McCray intended to kidnap my wife. The Wolf’s daughter? The only reason he’s still breathin’ is because it didn’t happen. Now, we’ve discussed it amongst ourselves and decided that I get to keep Samuelsson.”

  “You decided?!” Hamish shouted. “You don’t get to –”

  “Finish that sentence so we can prove you a fool. If we wanted them all, we would take them. We both know there isn’t a damn thing you could do to stop us.”

  Silence.

  Then an aggravated sigh. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “You have twenty-four hours to decide.”

  ***

  “Take the win and leave it at that, Gray. Good luck over there.”

  Hamish was heading to the Bergqvist mansion to clean house. He planned to expose the house of horrors and that the family was now on the run, evading arrest. Holt waved him off and went back inside to meet his family in the basement. They were all gathered there except Ivar. Unfortunately, the paramedics hadn’t made it in time, Tage and Julian explained to the family. Holt didn’t miss the look the brothers had exchanged or the serene smile that came after it. Both men were finally at peace, as was Elin who was present for today’s event. Ivar had divided up his fortune and estate amongst everyone except his daughter. Spiteful to the end. They’d mutually decided to sell the estate. Holt and Kat agreed to donate his share to his grandmother’s foundation, and it would now be run by the entire family. They also decided that they would divide their time between Stockholm and Whiskey Row.

  “Sorry, I’m late. I guess we can all get started,” he apologized.

  There were four, large cages he’d borrowed from the Bergqvist property. They’d housed Cleo, Nolan, Samuelsson, and Ras for the last week. They were stripped to their undergarments and treated the way their victims were while awaiting their fate. Each had been tranquilized. Blaise and Holt lifted each one individually from the cage and placed them in separate barrel containers that he’d drilled holes into. Holt wasn’t that inconsiderate a bastard. He wanted them to have air and be able to communicate to each other.

  The family had discussed their punishment long and hard for all the anguish suffered. Ultimately, it was decided that rats belonged with rats. Holt lifted the first container that held fifteen of them and poured them into Nolan’s barrel. The tranquilizer was wearing off, and he was becoming lucid. He screamed as they crawled over him, and Julian smiled as he placed the lid on the container and Tage sealed it in place. The pattern was repeated until all four containers were shut, and the frenzied screams of panic muffled.

  One-by-one, the Falks and Brammers filed out, planning to return in a week’s time. The clean up was anticipated to be easy as the rats had been starved beforehand.

  “I need a vacation,” Thea sighed. “How about we take the yacht and disappear for a while?”

  “It does sound nice,” Vera agreed.

  “I’d love to, but I need to go home,” Elin said.

  “But you only just arrived!” Tage exclaimed.

  Everyone kept mum on this surprising exchange. “Maybe you can stay a couple of more days? It’s been a long while since we’ve talked. I have much to tell you.”

  Starting with the way Ivar really died.

  ***

  “Thea, go check if Katerina needs help!” Tage ordered, continuing to administer chest compressions. He stopped as soon as she left the room.

  “Help…me.” Even under duress Ivar was still autocratic.

  “No. I don’t think I will,” Tage spoke flatly watching his father clutch at his chest. “You killed my wife and son. You murdered my nephew and you have treated your daughter and her family abominably.”

  Ivar’s unremorseful eyes fed his son’s strength and conviction that he was doing the right thing. Tage reached over him and grabbed a pillow from his bed.

  “You cannot possibly think playing judge and jury with peoples’ lives wouldn’t have repercussions? That you would never have to suffer as you’ve made others?”

  Ivar was panicking looking at the pillow.

  “Don’t…no!”

  “Your reign is over. I want to tell you to roast in hell and I hope you’ll fry eternally. Except, even hell is too good for the likes of you. I’ll just say good riddance instead.”

  Tage lowered the pillow. He didn’t remove it even after Ivar died. It was Julian who came in and lifted it. He escorted Tage back to his room and sorted things out with the paramedics.

  ***

  “I don’t want to intrude…” Elin said, yet she looked hopeful. She glanced at Holt and Kat who gave her a thumb’s up approval. “A few more days wouldn’t hurt…”

  “I’m going to check on Jules.” Blaise left and returned with the baby that would be raised by all of them.

  Holt scooped Kat into his arms. “If y’all will excuse us, we’re technically still in honeymoon status. We’ll catch you later.”

  “And just where are we going, Mr. Brammer?” Her eyes gleaming with love as she looped her arms around her husband’s neck.

  “Gonna go check out one of those little red cabins in the Archipelago. Let’s see if we can get that Holy trinity thing goin’ again. Maybe do a little skinny dipppin’ and a whole lotta things that’ll make the local wildlife blush, darlin’.”

  “I’ve never been skinny dipping,” Kat mused. “I’ve always wanted to, though.”

  Holt smirked sexily at her. “You’ve mentioned it a time or two. Don’t worry. I’ll show you the proper way to do it.”

  “I’m intrigued. There’s a proper way?”

  “Yeah. It’s called ‘only with your damn husband’.”

  Kat heaved a long-suffering sigh. “I guess I can endure the sight of you naked. If I must…”

  Holt snorted. “Brat. Play your cards right, I’ll even find a ridge we can make out on underneath the stars.”

  “Deal. Hey, I need to pack!” she exclaimed when he bypassed the staircase and headed toward the front door the butler held open for them.

  Holt didn’t tell her he’d taken care of that this morning while she slept. “Nope. All we’ll ever need is this right here, min drottning.”

  Kat reached up and kissed him. “Sounds good to me. Let’s go get lost, babe.”

  Epilogue

  Avery opened the French patio doors in the master bedroom to take in the view. The trees were starting to turn an ochre shade. She took a deep breath, smiling at the change in the air. Summer was fading and fall would soon arrive. Avery was looking forward to the change. The pregnancy had taken a toll on her body. Unlike Sidra, who’d eaten her way through her entire pregnancy, Avery could hardly keep anything down. Her OBGYN had also put her on bedrest due to preeclampsia. Darby and D.J. doted on her hand and foot despite her objections. Her husband had hired a housekeeper, which caused a major argument between them. Call her old-fashioned but
Avery loved doting on her little family and took great pride in how spotless and efficiently their household ran. Plain and simple, she didn’t want another woman doing the things that she cherished doing for the two people she loved most in the universe.

  Darby had cut back in his traveling and wouldn’t dream of leaving her, allowing Tuck to run point on most things. Avery’s condition put a damper on their traveling plans, and the family had stepped in to ensure D.J. still had a great time. Kat and Holt invited him to visit them in Sweden and he happily accepted. He stayed for a month and sent Avery and Darby pictures daily. He was home for a week before her parents swooped in, and D.J. spent two weeks in the Hamptons. Guy next took him to Baymoor on his weeklong vacation. D.J came back crazier than ever about Camille. Now, he was walking around the house doing tasks from an ‘Are You Really Ready for a Baby’ Checklist his Uncle Casey had printed for him.

  Since Avery couldn’t do much, the family brought the party to her. Noelle used her kitchen more than she did and always made sure it was full of meals for the family to eat throughout the week. Sid and Moira also dropped by. Avery loved playing with her niece whose features were shifting toward her mama’s every day. She was amused by the couple’s bickering of who the baby smiled more for and if they were okay with the baby’s changing features, as if they could stop it.

  Avery felt a shifting behind her and the crisp pine and sandalwood scent her husband carried. His arms, bands of inked-up steel, came to rest under her giant belly, cradling it preciously.

  “Ms. Avery.” The deep, rumbled greeting was accompanied by a kiss to her bare shoulder and the tickling of his beard, made her already full belly heat with longing. It had been so long since she’d felt him moving inside of her. They pleased each other in every way but good old-fashioned nasty sex. It was depressing but Avery chose to stay positive. Their baby’s health was their main priority. “Shouldn’t you be off your feet, darlin’?”

  “I’ve been off my feet all day, babe. I’m bored and my lower back is aching fiercely. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer.”

  Darby heard the husky tremor of longing in her voice and hadn’t missed the way her hands clenched the railings with his touch. It struck a chord in him. He loved his wife. She was perfect in every way and matched his intensity perfectly in the bedroom or anywhere else they’d chosen to partake in the good-good before getting pregnant. He wanted her every chance he got. The slightest touch of her lips against his and he was a goner. Darby was trying to be good. Except, that was the last thing on his mind when she backed that bodacious ass of hers right up on him. Like now.

  “Why don’t you come back inside, and I’ll give you a massage?”

  Avery turned in his arms, and they smiled at the enormous beach ball distance between them. Some of his sexual frustration waned. This was what life was about. The joy of experiencing it on your own terms, no fucks given. He’d chosen her from the beginning, and she’d unconsciously been choosing him, too. The fact that she chose to have his baby…His dick could have a backseat to this fine woman’s heart any day.

  “Boy, you know good and well those hands are what got me like this. How soon are you trying to do this again, D?”

  “Shoot, woman. I was thinkin’ of goin’ for a basketball team!”

  Avery giggled and Darby’s heart leaped at the musical sound. He joined in and all of the tension disappeared. This was their specialty. Making each other feel good.

  D.J. stepped out on the deck with the clipboard. “What are y’all lovebirds gigglin’ about?”

  He was so caught up in Avery’s laughter that had morphed into giggle-snorts that Darby could barely form a reply. “Nothin’, son. Your mama’s just the funniest woman I know!”

  “No, that’s you all day, D!” Avery was trying to catch her breath but couldn’t. Darby’s infectious smile and charm always kept her in stitches. Life with him was the grandest adventure of all. Her stomach was so tight that Avery was rubbing it, trying to ease the pressure when she unexpectedly felt it pop and liquid gushed between her legs.

  “Oh!”

  ***

  Liam Henry Alexander Sullivan made his way into the world eight hours later, weighing in at a whopping nine and a half pounds. He had a thick head of reddish-brown curls, big brown eyes, and the sweetest smile he’d stolen right off his mama’s face. Instantly, his parents and big brother knew he was going to be a ham from his amused face. Liam seemed to be perpetually on the verge of laughter.

  “He’s gonna be hell on wheels!” D.J. proclaimed as soon as he saw the mischievous, cherubic face.

  Darby had just returned to the suite after calling everyone and informing them of Liam’s arrival. He took a moment and leaned against the doorway to watch his newly expanded family with a heart bursting with love, joy, and gratitude for the beautiful life he’d been given. Avery had Liam in her lap, and D.J. was curled up next to her reading to him. As sure as he knew his social security number, Darby knew God had put the right older brother in the newborn’s life. They’d taken to each other like ducks to water.

  Avery saw him and smiled that pretty smile he loved so much. It had been absent more than present in the days leading up to this event, but she’d handled her condition as she did everything else, calm, ladylike, and with grace. Forever his Ms. Avery she would be.

  “What are you doing all the way over there? Come sit with your family, babe.” Avery knew how emotional Darby was feeling. Her hubby was as fierce as a grizzly for his family, but underneath it all was a heart of gold. His green eyes were glassy with unshed tears, and his smile was bright enough to blind the sun.

  Darby thumped his chest and cleared his throat noisily. “I’ll be right there, darlin’. I just need a minute.”

  “He’s gonna cry. Again,” D.J. explained to Liam patiently. “You gotta just let him go sometimes. He’s got so much love inside of him, it’s the only way he knows how to express it. Did I nail it, Mama?”

  “Right on the head, baby.” Avery held her hand out, and Darby came forward to take it.

  “Why’re y’all tryna ruin my reputation with the lil’ fella?” he complained, scooping D.J. up and into his lap as he settled down next to his wife.

  “You been a boo-hooin’ so-and-so Mama’s entire pregnancy, and you know it,” his oldest son informed him delicately. “It’s been a bit much to take, Daddy.”

  Liam stared at his daddy with those brown eyes, so like his mama’s, and Darby swore the baby winked at him like, ‘‘Sucka, I got your number!’’. Man, did he ever. He knew the baby was going to be every bit of his payback for all the hell Darby had raised in his youth. He could feel Ma laughing down at him from heaven. He knew she had to be tickled pick at this delightful turn of events.

  “I must admit the sensitivity over the Brawny paper towel ad in the magazine took me by surprise,” Avery confessed to her husband. “I had no idea you idolized him.”

  “He’s a “man’s man”! How come women are quick to be like ‘Yesss, queen! I see you! Girl power!’? But I can’t celebrate his ruggedness or admire the way he wears his plaid shirt?” Darby demanded indignantly. “You don’t know his struggle or ever walked in his lumber boots, and y’all got the nerve to sit up here and judge him!”

  “Here we go again…” D.J. muttered out the side of his mouth. Liam heard him and chortled uncontrollably, gnawing on his fist, seeming to enjoy their banter.

  Avery was quaking with laughter at their silliness. This was her tribe, and she loved them fiercely. She’d asked God to send her a good man when she was ready, but he’d ignored that request and deemed her worthy of a great man. And they’d been blessed with not one but two beautiful sons. “I love you, guys.”

  “We love you, too, sugar.” Darby kissed her, making sure to keep it respectable in front of their grossed-out preteen. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet jewelry pouch with Kat’s signature Vixen design. He opened it and extracted a double-strand bar gold necklace. The i
ndividual plates were inscribed with each of their sons’ names and birthstones. “For you, my love. Thank you for givin’ me the best gifts of my life.”

  “That’s a real good look on you, Mama.”

  “Thank you, Darby.” Avery kissed him and then kissed D.J.’s forehead. “Only because you make it easy for me, son.”

  D.J. tilted his head toward his little brother and raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, well it’s a whole different world than it was two hours ago. Don’t worry, I got your back.”

  “Knock! Knock!” Noelle called gaily, entering the room holding Baby Jack. Jack was right behind her, holding Ruby’s hand.

  “Baby!” Baby Jack pointed with a pleased grin.

  “Hey Zilla! Honeypie!” Noelle kissed Darby’s cheek and D.J.’s. She hugged Avery and kissed her too and promptly swooned over Liam. “Omg! He’s…! I can’t with him! I love him!”

  “Hey, Aunt Noelle, Rubes, Uncle Jack. Allow me to introduce everyone to my baby brother, Liam Henry Alexander Sullivan. Zilla, meet your new friend.”

  Jack took one look at Liam and laughed when the baby focused on him. “Did he just wink at me?”

  Liam did it again, stealing every heart in the room, including his suspicious older cousin’s. Jack bearhugged his proud brother with a laugh. “This is gonna be so good! Congratulations on your karma-I mean-kid, brother.”

  Casey and Sidra and Moira brought chocolates, and Nana and Papa followed with dozens of yellow ducky balloons.

  “Mar!” Baby Jack greeted Moira and she squealed at him. The two cousins were best friends. Where he was exuberant with everyone else, Baby Jack treated Moira with kid gloves, and she adored dominating him. Ruby steered cleared of both of them whenever they were together, gravitating to D. J., per usual. Guy joined them with flowers for Avery.