Page 124 of Keep Her from Them

“I can’t. I’m under contract. It’s tied up so tight.”

Leo chimed in. “Let me help with that. My mother-in-law employs the best entertainment lawyers and would love to tear up whatever they had you sign.”

The woman on the phone screen paled. “Is this even happening? Dori, please.”

“All you need to do is tell us yes.” He gripped the phone tight.

The desperation in her features bled into her voice. “Yes.”

Epilogue

Raphael

A short while on and we were celebrating again, this time at a boozy party following a double wedding. Ben and Daisy, and Mia and Valentine had been married in simple ceremonies back to back. Neither bride had wanted a huge fuss, and according to Ben, chose to spend their hard-earned money on their honeymoons.

Not that the party was in any way slacking. The copious amount of alcohol had been provided by Gordain and his older brother, Callum, and the food brought by every invited household. The venue was Castle Braithar’s hall with a friend of Leo’s playing DJ and every face a friendly one.

We were well into the evening, with ties loosened and more than one overtired child asleep on a chair and ready to be carried to bed. The happy couples danced in the middle of the floor space with the older generations smiling on, and the teenagers from the newer generation stealing drinks and trying to appear grown up.

At a round table, I enjoyed a beer with Jackson, my lass and my sister dancing together like they’d known each other for years. In a corner, Dori danced with Elsie. Like Alex had been, the musician was in hiding here, but none of us would give her up. We’d helped her escape, which was a story for another day, and she was working on getting out of her predatory contract. Dori didn’t stray far from her, and from the looks of things, she only had eyes for him.

All had come good for everyone.

Mathe, the son of Effie’s brother, Artair, had been sitting with us, asking question after question about our bodyguard work. At thirteen, he was nearing six feet tall, but with a grandfather closer to seven feet, had some distance to go.

He was a determined kid. Serious about jumping into work as soon as he could.

Satisfied with our answers, he left us to go hang out with his gang of cousins. The next generation of McRae kids would be a force to be reckoned with. They were already a tight group with all the love and support they could need. I loved that my nephew, Xavier, would join their clan. My own kids, too, if Alex wanted any.

She danced back over, landing on my lap and stealing a kiss.

I hugged her to me. “Just a random question, but if your father gets his way and marries off his daughter, what kind of ceremony does that look like?”

Alex rested her head on my shoulder, her focus on the room. “Most of my family enjoys the spectacle. Or maybe are forced to endure it. The public expects a royal wedding to be a huge deal. There’s something magical about a prince or princess finding love.”

Her fingers interlaced mine, and she squeezed. “I can’t think of anything worse. I want this. The real magic of a quiet ceremony with no strangers. No fanfare, no photographs soldto national papers. I wouldn’t even want the media to know because it would be none of their business. I don’t know how possible that will be; I can’t ignore my relatives completely. Dad would probably want to come.”

Her lips curved, and I couldn’t resist stealing a kiss.

“Other than that, I’d just want to be married more than have a big wedding.”

I couldn’t have said better myself. When the time was right, I would get down on one knee and beg for my princess’s hand. After, of course, asking her da first, because I knew she’d want me to. After that, and for the rest of our lives, I’d get to keep her.

The End.

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