by Tracey Jukes
“Hey, princess.”
She grabs my hand and tries to pull me toward her. I lean over her and she whispers, “I’m so sorry. I tried to stop him; I really did.”
My thoughts immediately go to rape again and I need to listen to her and not get ahead of myself like last time, so I keep listening.
“Hey, listen to me, no matter what, we will get through it, I promise.”
Her sobs come hard and fast and it kills me seeing her like this. Stuff the hospital rules. I gently slide her across the bed just enough for me to be able to lie next to her and hold her.
“Princess, I’ve got you, always. Now just sleep, please.”
I look at Nyla and she nods and gets up and kisses Esme on the head.
“Hey, Es. I’ll be back later. I love you.” She hugs me, and now it’s just me and my woman.
I lie there as she slowly drifts off in my arms, and I think about everything that happened tonight and how close I was to losing to her. Effie lost her brother and is pregnant with my brother’s child. Declan’s in custody and won’t see the light of day for a very long time. I need to focus now on Esme and her recovery, and give her the life she deserves. I also need to let Effie know I am behind her whatever she chooses to do regarding the baby. What a fucking mess this has all been, and for what?
Just as I think Esme is fast asleep, she opens her eye and whispers the words we haven’t uttered to each other yet.
“I love you, Reid.” A tear rolls down her cheek.
I wipe it away with my thumb and then kiss her slowly and gently. She starts moaning, and I know this wrong, but I can’t help myself around her. I stare into her blue eyes and I’m done for. The feelings inside me are so strong I can’t deny them anymore. Tears fill my eyes, and it’s because of the woman in my arms. The realization of how close I came to losing her, not once, but twice, has finally broken me.
“Princess, you are my future, my everything, and I love you so much it hurts.”
We lie there next to each other until we both fall asleep.
Esme is given the all-clear to leave the hospital after four days. She is nervous about leaving, but we are all there, including Ash and Nyla.
“You want to walk or be carried out? The choice is yours. Your wish will be my command.”
She lets out a little giggle and it’s the first smile I’ve seen in weeks. She needs to have more of those moments, but all in good time.
“I’ll walk, if that’s okay with you.”
And there she is, my determined girl. She holds out her hands, imploring us all to take them, and what comes next swells my heart more than anyone ever could.
“Together we are strong and fierce, because we are family.”
And that’s exactly what we are, family. It may have only been a month since she and Nyla breezed into our lives and caused a whirlwind of chaos, but I wouldn’t change a thing. This is us, our family.
Epilogue
Esme
Four Months Later
It’s been a tough few months. The nightmares continue, but Reid’s been amazing, giving me the space I need to deal with everything. I’ve not been back to my apartment yet; it’s too hard. All I see is Declan’s face and the damage he could have brought to us both. There would’ve been no coming back from that. He could have ruined everything between Reid and me, but we are stronger than ever right now, regardless of what he did. The dates he promised me have happened at least every other day so far. Some may only be a walk in the park, but him making good on his promise means more than anything.
Declan got life in prison and won’t see the light of day, along with the other guy who was there on the night my family were murdered. It should make me happy that my family finally has some justice, but I don’t know if it ever will. Maybe as time goes on, it will ease.
Reid still trains for the underground, but has yet to return. Something is holding him back, and I can’t figure out what that is. In the meantime, he is thriving at the gym, and his business is flourishing. He and Ash decided to go into a partnership and take the gym to the next level.
Nyla is glowing lately, and that’s because of Ash. No matter how many times she tries to convince herself that it’s just casual with him, I can see she’s smitten with him. I just hope he doesn’t break her heart, or he’ll have me to answer to.
I believe it was fate that brought Reid and I together in a twisted way that no one could comprehend. He’s a cocky caveman who doesn’t take no for an answer, and boy, is he overprotective. But behind all that is a fragile soul of a gentleman, who loves like no other and will fight for those he calls family, no matter the cost or the consequences. Reid Taylor is all mine. My smiler and my caveman, and damn anyone who tries to get in between us. This is our time, and it’s a new beginning for each and every one of us.
Epilogue
Reid
Four Months Later
My princess is healing. She is the bravest, strongest, and most determined woman I know. Sometimes I have to thump myself and ask what I did to deserve her. I’ve nearly lost her twice now, and I’ll be damned if that’s going to happen again. My brother did his best to ruin what we had, but in fact he’s made us stronger than ever.
Effie is grieving for her brother, which is to be expected. He was all she had left, no matter what he did to me, he loved her, and everything he did was out of revenge. She has decided to keep the baby and Esme and I are standing by her one hundred percent. She’s moved into Esme’s apartment, which is hard, but she, Jase, Nyla, and Ash are renovating it. Maybe one day Esme will be able step back in there, when it’s all done.
Ash has bought into the gym. We are now equal partners, and I couldn’t be happier. We have big plans for the future, something I never thought I’d have a few years back, so making this work means a lot to us both. I’m training for the underground again, but I’m unsure if, or when I’ll go back, even though my princess wants to see me back in the ring, something is holding me back.
When I first met Esme, I thought she was a naïve young woman who’d been sheltered by her parents. But one taste, and I was done for, there was no going back. I wanted more, I needed more, and I got more. She’s my woman, and I love her. She’s my everything, my future, and my family, which is why it’s time for new beginnings, starting with a proposal.
THE END
Acknowledgments
In August 2016, my head was spinning with a story that was itching to be written. So, I decided to take the chance and give it a go, and here it finally is.
Rob, my darling hubby, throughout all of this you have constantly pushed me and have been my biggest fan. The late nights and never-ending hours I’ve spent writing and editing, and not once have you moaned at me. Even when things went wrong, you were the one who calmed me down and said, “Take a step back and all will be okay, I promise.” And boy, were you right. I just hope you’re ready to do this all over again. I love you more than you know.
Megan and Phillipa, you pair have been a pain in my ass sometimes, but when I have needed you both for advice, you have always given it to me. Just like your dad, you have supported me all the way and never once doubted me. Thank you girls. Momma loves you xx
Gemma Weir, lady it doesn’t matter what time of day or night it is, you have pretty much always answered me and my tirade of messages. You’ve made me laugh when times have been stressful and helped shape my book in ways, I didn’t know it needed. For this, I am truly grateful.
Rebecca Prescott, you, my beautiful friend, have been amazing with your feedback and words of wisdom. You really have no idea how much confidence you instilled in me after our facetime. I will never forget that call, and I hope there are many more of those to come.
A special thanks to all my beta readers, Chanah, Laura, Samantha, Bri, and Janice. Ladies, thank you for reading my debut book and for being totally honest with your feedback. Your honesty, suggestions, and advice has enabled my book to be its best.
And finally, Ni
kki Groom and Karen Sanders: both of you ladies have worked your magic not only on this book, but also on myself. I have learnt so much this past eight months, and neither of you will ever know how grateful I am that you helped make my dream of publishing a book come true.
About the Author
Tracey Jukes is from Wolverhampton in the UK. She’s a wife, Mum of two and Nanna to Tiggy (4) and Tilly (nearly 2). Her much loved family is a little crazy, but then she would argue that she is also. She loves to blast out loud music in the car and has a fetish for designer handbags. She loves to read—especially books that involve a hot, protective alpha, and believes she will always be a reader foremost, however her dream of writing a book is now becoming a reality. She primarily writes romance with a twist and her debut adult novel, Twisted Fate, starts the beginning of her writing journey.