Page 43 of Karrington

“What’s all this?” he asked with soft eyes, wrapping his arms around me.

“I know it’s technically not your birthday, but I wanted to celebrate your life, so I bought you a few things. And I wanted to make the room comfortable so you wouldn’t be tempted to walk all over the house. It’shuge!”

His hearty laughter was like music to my ears. I loved the way his eyes crinkled at the edges. How his head tilted back slightly when he was really amused.

“Thank you for making this a smooth transition for me, little one. I love you, and I promise I’m going to take it as easy as I can around the house for the next week.”

“Month, and that’s the minimum.”

“Baby, now I done spent the week at the hospital—”

“And you’re already dressed and ready to go like they didn’t tell you to take it easy while you heal.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll take it easy.”

“Thank you. Now, I’m going to make sure Pamela has picked up your prescriptions. Can I assume you’re about to leave?”

“You can.” His syrupy grin made me chuckle. “But I made the plans before I saw all this. I can reschedule and rest in bed with you.”

“You sure?”

“I’m positive, baby.”

“Yay.”

Carefully, I undressed him before getting out of my clothes as well. The minute we snuggled into bed, he started kissing myneck and face and rubbing my belly. Nothing could have been better than this.

Things were different.With Karrington knowing the truth about his father now, my music still helped him, but not in a haunting kind of way. While I played, he painted. We were considering knocking a wall down and replacing it with a sliding door to combine my music room with what would be his art room. Every time he picked up a paint brush now, pride consumed me. I wouldn’t say it was just my urging that motivated Karrington to paint again but also the peace of accepting he wouldn’t have the life he thought he would with Luna Ray and appreciating the life he had with me.

Like musicians had shed sessions where they played instruments for hours, Karrington, Aspen, and Neko were going to have an art session where they would be painting tonight. While they did, Malaysia, Malorie, and I were going to do some planning since we all had things we were working on for next year. I would be playing at the same children’s hospital that saved my life until I gave birth. After that, I would take some time off so I could devote all of my energy to the baby and my husband. When I started back up, it would be with my own practice, and I’d offer my services to whoever needed them.

All in all, things were great for me and my husband, and I was excited to see what was in store for us next.

Epilogue

Karrington

One Month Later

“I can’t believeI let y’all bully me into bringing you into the organization,” I grumbled teasingly. Truth was, there wasn’t anyone I trusted more than my crew. My brothers. Though it was never my intention for them to join me, even if temporarily, I felt safest and most confident with them. The only person missing was Bully. He was still MIA, and the guys and I had been taking turns taking care of Innvy and the baby. As Thanksgiving neared, I’d be most grateful if he came back home.

“I know this is only temporary, but you know we got you always,” Beethoven said.

“There was no way we could let you start this new phase of your life alone,” Asylum added. “And by alone, we mean without us.”

“Yeah, especially after that bullshit your cousin and uncle did,” Merc replied.

That was true. Their betrayal affected me more than I’d let on. Even without me saying the words, they knew. Betrayal ofany kind was expected in the lifestyle, but with it coming from them, it cut deeper.

“As long as y’all know it’s temporary,” I reminded them. “Your women made me promise to kick you out in six months and keep you safe during that time, so everything we’re going to do, we have to do before then.”

“And after?” Blaze asked. “I know they’re leaving, but what about you?”

“Yeah, you don’t plan on stepping down, do you?” Angel asked.

I thought about it for a while then shook my head. “Nah. This ain’t on me; it’s in me. I’ll be the boss of all bosses until I take my last breath.”

I looked around at my team: Asylum, Merc, Beethoven, Aspen, Blaze, Angel, Jue, and Loki. I licked the corner of my mouth and swallowed my emotions from missing my brother Bully. After saying a silent prayer for his quick and safe return, I initiated a toast. With our glasses lifted, we toasted to the new reign of the Lowe Mafia.

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