Page 43 of Deceit

“If it weren’t for you, I don’t believe Brynn would have ever told us the things she went through and how she felt after findin’ out about the bet. You were honest with her when she came back and didn’t just write her off when she disappeared. And, you put your own body on the line when you weren’t physically able to do as much as you did to make sure she could live the rest of her life without lookin’ over her shoulder. You’ve always had my blessin’, King,” Maddox says, a small smile on his face as he finishes his beer and sets the bottle on the table in front of him as I turn to face Blood.

“You protected Brynn when she didn’t trust us enough to take care of her. She’s determined, strong, and tends to hold things in so she doesn’t hurt another person. By doin’ that for so long, she was the only one hurt. We’ll all spend the rest of our days tryin’ to make everythin’ up to her. You looked into Jerome and got your dad’s help to ensure nothin’ was missed. As Scathe said, you didn’t hold back when it came to givin’ her the information as you found out about it.

“You also didn’t hesitate to contact us when Jerome took her. King, you could’ve gone to get her with nothin’ more than your club and told us about it after the fact. Instead, you chose to involve us because we’re her family. No one would accept us but you. You’re strong, lovin’, and the perfect guy for Brynn. You came into her life when she needed you the most and aren’t holdin’ anythin’ back in comin’ to us. Yes, you have my blessin’ to make her your ol’ lady and marry her when you’re both ready. You’re both goin’ to make the best parents to your little one and I can’t wait to welcome them to the world and our family,” Blood says, standing from his seat and pulling me up from mine to pull me into a man hug as the rest of the men stand and do the same once he releases me.

“Thank you,” I say, looking at the men in the kitchen with me. “Your blessin’ means more to me than anythin’ else. I look forward to becomin’ a member of your family.”

We all make our way back into the common room and I head straight for my girl. She leans up to give me a kiss, not caring who sees us. I take a seat next to her and my mom pushes a plate of food in front of me. They continue to talk around me as I eat my dinner. Brynn is so happy and completely at ease as she talks and laughs with the women surrounding us. For the first time, I’m getting to see her truly free. It’s an amazing sight and one I don’t plan on giving up for any reason.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Brynn

IT’S BEEN TWO weekssince I was taken by Jerome and my family just went back to Brighton Hills. They didn’t leave until our new furniture came in so they could help Kingston and his family put our home together. Our families are blending together seamlessly and I couldn’t be happier that they all get along so well. Anyway, our home is now completely furnished and Kingston and I spent our first night in it last night. We still have his room at the clubhouse and won’t ever give it up, but it’s nice to have our own space. Kingston and I can hang out without someone knocking on his door all hours of the night. I don’t have to worry about the people in the next room hearing us have sex and I don’t have to see it happen in the common room when I walk down to get a drink or a snack later at night when the kids have been taken home. Yes, I’ve walked in on a few of the single guys fucking the Phantom girls in the middle of the common room late at night. It’s not a sight I want to see again. However, growing up in a clubhouse, I know sex in the open is common and the members aren’t shy about where they get laid or get a blowjob.

Kingston made sure our home had an office for himself and one for me as well. Our offices actually face one another and we decided to always leave the doors open when we’re inside working so we can talk or just look at one another. There are never any barriers between the two of us. Kingston doesn’t let me get lost in my head and makes me talk about everything going on in my mind. Especially if it’s about the Jerome bullshit. Anyway, our offices are my favorite part of the house because Kingston made sure they fit each of us and we’ll be comfortable while spending countless hours sitting in front of our computers. I have to say that my absolute favorite room in the house is our master bathroom. It’s the largest bathroom I’ve ever seen in my life.

Our bathroom has his and her sinks resting below a large mirror. The toilet is closed off in its own room and the linen closet is huge. I’ve placed everything in there and still have room for things. The drawers under the sinks are filled with make-up, hair styling products, medicine, and all the smaller things I didn’t want in the closet. Our shower is large enough to fit six people and has two of those rain shower heads. There’s also other areas of the shower where water comes out depending on the settings we have it on. Kingston also made it so we can play music while we’re showering. Still, that’s not my favorite part. It’s the tub he had installed. We have one of those soaker tubs that takes up an entire corner of the bathroom. I’m hoping to talk Kingston into taking a bath with me tonight so he can relax his muscles after going through physical therapy yesterday after helping everyone move us into our home.

Today, I’ve been in the office working on my book. I’m actually almost done writing it. I don’t know the next step in the process to move forward. But Kim is going to help me. The first thing she’s doing is creating a cover for me. We spent countless hours yesterday talking about what I’m looking for on a cover and she completely got my concept. Kim and I weren’t allowed to help move Kingston and I into our home so we sat talking in the kitchen while everyone worked around us. Anyway, she’s also going to get me in contact with another ol’ lady who writes so she can help me figure out what the next step I need to take is. For now, I plan on reading through my manuscript again and doing some editing on my own. No, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I can make sure it’s exactly the way I want it before anyone else sees the work I’ve done.

After showering and making sure to get rid of the few boxes that were left to be broken down, I start a load of laundry for the new clothing my family bought me. Tomorrow Kingston and I are going to my house to pack up what I want to bring here because it means something to me while letting the Prospects pack up everything else and take it to a donation center so someone else can use it. I don’t want anything Jerome may have touched, but there are certain things in the house I can’t leave behind. Pictures of my family over the years and other things I’ve received as gifts for holidays and my birthdays.

With nothing else to do to occupy my time until Kingston gets home, I start making dinner for the two of us in our new kitchen. Our home has an open floor plan on the first floor with the exception of our bathrooms, a few bedrooms, and our offices. Even the laundry room is seen from the kitchen and living room. Tonight, I’m making lasagna with salad and homemade garlic bread. I overheard Kingston saying it’s been forever since he’s had that to eat so I’m gonna make sure he has it as often as he wants.

Fox and Kim sent the Prospects out yesterday while we were moving in to shop for groceries for us. They had Kingston and I write out a grocery list of everything we’d need or want to fill the cupboards, freezer, and refrigerator. We even have a stand-up freezer that has been completely filled. There’s nothing we’ll need for a while because Kingston’s parents spared no expenses in filling our home with food and everything I might crave with my pregnancy. No, I’m not getting any cravings yet, but they want to make sure we’re prepared when it happens.

At the beginning of the week, I had my first appointment with Dr. Craven. Not the one who came to see me at the clubhouse, but his daughter who is an obstetrician. She’s so sweet and I’m going to love having her as my doctor. When she entered the exam room, Dr. Craven instantly put Kingston and I at ease. She sat down and listened to everything we had to say and understood our fear about the baby being hurt when I was kidnapped and held against my will. To ease our minds, she immediately took us to a different room after giving me an exam for an ultrasound. Kingston and I got the shock of our damn lives. But, the baby is okay and no damage or harm was caused by Jerome when he attacked me and I fought against him. Dr. Craven also let us know I’m very early in the first trimester and we’re going to keep a close eye on things as we move forward until we get into the second trimester at least. It was a great appointment and we have the pictures on our refrigerator already.

Moving around the kitchen as I think about my appointment, I prepare our dinner as music softly plays from my phone in the background. It eased the last of my fears and now I can truly move forward without fear.

After browning the hamburger and letting it cool, I boil the water for the noodles and add them when it’s ready. I put together the lasagna as I let my mind wander. I’ve made this so many times I can do it in my sleep. But I still make sure it’s perfect since this is the first meal in our home that Kingston and I will share between just the two of us. Last night we had pizza with everyone here when the work was done. Our home was filled with laughter and love before everyone headed back home. Tonight is all about the two of us and celebrating our life moving forward.

Kingston walks in thehouse in the early evening and slides his boots off just inside the door before making his way to where I stand at the island in the kitchen.

“How was your day, Kitten?” he asks me, leaning down for a kiss I gladly give him.

---