Page 136 of Debt of My Soul

“Liam, this is … now I need one.”

My mouth curls with the thought of Fleur wearing a ring or inking one there. I don’t care how, but I want my ring on her finger.

“Now I can say I’m getting my second tattoo.”

I nod automatically, as she pushes up to her knees and shuffles toward me. With the tip of her finger buried in my chest, she pushes me back until I’m at her mercy on the bed.

My body sings as she straddles me, her hands pushing my shirt up and over my head. This woman is perfect for me, and she’s forever mine.

Wait—

Second tattoo?—

Black catches my eye and I snatch her wrist midair. She yelps, but I pull it down closer to my face and brush my lips over it. There, over her horseshoe brand, is a new tattoo. It outlines the pink welts perfectly and I blink, wondering why she’d ever draw more attention to the mark forced on her person.

“Why?” I whisper, dragging my mouth over it.

“Because.” She leans her head back, her mouth parted as I reach for her leggings—she has too any clothes on. “Because I never want to forget how much I love you, how I’m tied to you. And there’s not a brand in the world that could force me to be married to you when I choose you willingly, wholeheartedly.”

I drop her wrist, pulling her down and rolling her over. “I love you so damn much.” My mouth tangles with hers, and I rip her shirt down the middle, exposing her chest where I know she has twenty-four freckles, and I kiss each one. Her hips buck, and I have to slow down because I don’t want this to end too quickly.

I have the rest of my life to make love to my wife, and I plan to every night she’s with me. There’s no debt too great to pay if she’s the end result.

Epilogue

Fleur

Three Weeks Later

Ispent my first Christmas in Mississippi. Granted, I missed the twinge of white on the ground ushering in the festive spirit, but in this cozy apartment, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Liam and I left Michigan after spending three glorious days with my parents a couple weeks ago, and we were welcomed back into Ruin with open arms. We settled quickly into the new apartment and Mrs. Northgate gave me a small tree to put up in our new space. Liam and I decorated it together and ended up spending the night under the twinkling-colored lights.

The week of Christmas, Liam had a lot of paperwork at the station to wrap up for the holiday, and I helped out at the bed-and-breakfast, putting the finishing touches on the outside Christmas decorations. I’ve stepped back from my job as housekeeper and have taken on the role of marketing, along with other managerial needs. Even picked up the new camera I purchased to take some photos for the new website we’re designing.

Both of Liam’s parents came over that evening, and we all sat around the firepit out back, where I listened to Mrs. Parker tell stories of Liam as a kid. They seemed more agreeable after finding out Liam was undercover, but there’s still an undercurrent of hurt there, and I hope with time the relationships will thrive.

No one has heard from Adam, but Liam has used his connections to gather information. He doesn’t know exactly where Raven’s new location is, but he works hard every day, desperate to find it. I’m not sure he’ll ever shake the feeling of responsibility for his brother, but with the town of Ruin’s safety being his new priority, he’s lessened the pressure on himself.

Today, we’re headed to the bed-and-breakfast for lunch with the Northgate’s. River is also meeting us there.

I stuff some red and green tissue paper into the gift bag I have for River, and Liam comes around the couch in uniform to plant a kiss on the top of my head.

“I’m headed to change and then we should go.”

I glance at the clock. “It’s a bit early to leave. Weren’t we meeting for lunch?”

He waggles his brows at me. “Yes, but I have somewhere to take you first.”

Twenty minutes later, we load up into the truck and Liam pulls out of the parking spot.

“Look in the back seat,” he says.

I narrow my eyes at his cryptic words but reach back there to find a square-wrapped gift. I pull it upfront with us.

“Open it.”

I raise my brows at him. “Demanding,” I say, but he smiles, and I rip the paper open, blushing at what I find.

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