Page 111 of Beyond the Darkness

Connie nodded in agreement, his head resting on Kit’s shoulder. “We love you too, so much.”

Kit smiled softly, contentment washing over him like warm waves. His life had changed so much since meeting these two—an unexpected but most welcome turn of events.

He’d been thrown into the deep end of the pool, but not only had he learned to swim, he had learned how to survive in this new world. There were challenges ahead. Of course there were. But they could handle anything as long as they were together.

“My dragons,” he whispered.

They stayed like that for a while longer, reluctant to break the intimate connection they had forged. Eventually, though, Hudson pulled them from the bed and herded them into the shower.

OUTSIDE, THE world continued on as it always did, but inside that room, time stood still for Kit, Hudson, and Connie. And as they finally drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms, Kit knew beyond a doubt that Fate had placed him herefor a reason. They would face any challenge together—as three hearts beating as one.

EPILOGUE – KIT

THE FOLLOWING morning, or perhaps Kit should say afternoon since they’d slept in, they enjoyed a light lunch before spending a couple of hours on the computer discussing potential destinations in Colorado for their honeymoon now that it was finally safe to travel.

They were still searching when Hudson got a call, then abruptly announced they needed to make a trip into San DeLain. Kit tried to argue against it, but his protests fell on deaf ears. Before he knew it, Hudson had bundled them into one of his many black SUVs and was driving them down the road.

“Tell me again why we’re doing this?”

“I’d like to know that too,” Connie said.

“It’s a surprise. I promise it’s a surprise Kit’s going to love.”

“Could maybe Kit know about it then?” Kit asked plaintively.

Hudson just laughed. “You will, soon enough.”

Kit grumbled, but he quit pestering his mate. He knew Hudson well enough to know that when he got like this, there was no dragging the secret out of him until he was good and ready.

Damn dragons.

When they reached the city, it didn’t take long before Kit started noticing familiar landmarks, the main one being the Dominion, where Kage and Austin resided. The construction onthe Embers was coming along nicely, as best Kit could tell as they drove by. Okay, so apparently, they were not stopping to visit their friends.

A thought crossed Kit’s mind, and he peered curiously at Hudson. His mate, of course, refused to make eye contact. Glancing into the back seat, Connie grinned at him.

Surely Hudson hadn’t.

When they stopped in front of Whispering Pages Bookstore, Kit knew then that Hudson surely had.

“If this place has too many bad memories, I’ll have Kage add it to the list of properties that are going to be auctioned to the leaders of San DeLain. But if it doesn’t, I thought this might be the perfect wedding gift. It’s a bookstore, and you love the written word. I can see you taking this place and making something astounding out of it.”

Kit covered his mouth with both hands. Yes, the tunnels were underneath this bookstore, but they were under a lot of businesses in the city. Yes, he’d faced down a psychopath there, and he’d experienced a terrifying situation down there too. He’d watched a man die in those tunnels whom he’d once cared about.

And yes, that bookstore needed lots of love. But Kit had lots of love to give.

“You’re a very sly dragon, you know that? And yes, I want it. I’m going to turn this unloved place into something extraordinary. I love you. I love you both.”

Connie whooped in the backseat. “Look at you expanding, Mister Businessman. So? Are you going to keep the name?”

Kit stared out the window at the sign on the building. “I think so? I really like that name.”

While Hudson and Connie discussed the business details, Kit continued to stare at his new shop. He even rolled his window down. There was good foot traffic, a lot of cute littlecafés around with their tantalizing aromas wafting through the air, and, not to mention, Austin lived right down the street.

This was definitely a hot area. Gazing at the front of the building, he couldn't help but daydream about all the renovations he would do: changing the colors, fixing up the facade, and more.

Suddenly, a tall figure with androgynous features and a finely tailored suit strode by. Their deep red hair cascaded down to their feet, adding to their striking appearance. Wait. Down to their feet?

Alarm bells went off in Kit’s mind.

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