Page 98 of Crown of Smoke

“Too bad for him,” Flint says with a laugh.

His other brothers leave shortly after, and I settle into my new role of Mom.

Flynn stirs in my arms, his tiny fingers wrapping around Flint's thumb. The sight melts away my concerns. This is what matters now. Our little family, safe and together.

"Did you think having a family could be this good?"

Flint smiles. "My parents were pretty happy, so yeah. I just wasn't sure I wanted it or could find it. That is until you followed O'Brian out into the alley and fainted in my arms."

I laugh. "Lucky you."

"Lucky me." Flint leans over and kisses me.

Flynn makes a small noise between us, demanding attention. "See? Already jealous of his mama kissing his daddy."

"Smart boy." Flint grins, carefully lifting Flynn from my arms. Our son immediately settles against his chest, his eyes drooping with sleep. The sight of my dangerous, tattooed husband cradling our baby is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

I won’t say I’m glad I walked into that alley and almost got killed nearly a year ago, but I can’t deny there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here. My life begins and ends with these two men. I plan to savor every moment of every day with them for the rest of my life.

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

Blaise

I pull up to the Kean estate, working to control the rage that comes each time I think about those fuckers building this home on the ashes of my parents.

I park and make my way to the front door. The gravel crunches under my shoes as I approach, nodding to the guards who've come to know me as their newest recruit.

Marshall’s death and Lucy’s story bringing forth what had just been rumors about the Keans’ true nature has made the Keans paranoid. They’ve closed ranks and at the same time, worked to build a bigger force. It became the perfect opportunity for me to get a job with them.

Three weeks into infiltrating the Keans’ security detail, and I’m finally being allowed into the inner sanctum. The house. The place where the traitor Jenna Hart works.

With a new member of the Ifrinn family born last night, it’s time to get Keans out and take our rightful place. I still can’t believe Flint is married with a kid now. But we’ve always been different. Or I have. My brothers are all dark-haired and blue-eyed. If I wasn’t born at the same time as Flint, I might have thought I was adopted with my blond hair and green eyes.

So far, no one in Kean’s crew has questioned who I am. I guess in ten years, I’ve changed enough. No one is even guessing that the Ifrinns are back.

I straighten my suit jacket, playing the part of the professional guard. Inside, I'm itching to wrap my hands around Ronan Kean's throat for burning our home with our parents inside. The confession Lucy recorded wasn't enough to bring them down legally, but it gave us exactly what we needed. Confirmation of everyone involved.

Flint found his happiness despite our mission for vengeance. But me? I won't rest until the Keans pay for every life they destroyed that night. And now that my brother's got his own family to protect, it's my turn to step up and finish what we started.

I check my watch. It’s almost time for my shift guarding the man who murdered my parents. I allow myself a small smile as I head inside. Soon, Hampton and Ronan Kean will learn what it means to fear the Ifrinn name again.

But first, I need to go inside and meet the staff. In particular, I want to meet Jenna Hart, the girl who betrayed us by giving away our home’s secret access.

I stroll through the Keans’ marble halls, taking in the gaudy display of wealth. Crystal chandeliers catch the morning light, casting rainbow prisms across gilt-framed mirrors. The air reeks of money and fear, evident in the bulletproof windows and armed guards posted at every entrance.

Hampton Kean's paranoia bleeds into every corner of this fortress. Security cameras track movement through every room, and panic buttons hide beneath antique furniture. The staff scurry about like frightened mice, heads down, voices hushed. Yeah, you should be afraid.

The cleaning staff move quietly through the halls, dusting and polishing. Jenna isn’t a maid so I keep going, heading to the kitchen as that seems like where non-house staff might hang out.

I round the corner toward the kitchen, following the sound of female voices.

"Did you see Mr. Kean this morning?" A breathy voice carries through the doorway. "That navy suit he was wearing…"

"Oh, girl, you've got it bad." The other woman laughs. "You should stop wasting your time. He doesn’t know any of us exist."

I stop, remembering that Lucy said the woman had a crush on Ronan. Could it be this woman is who I’m looking for?

"He smiled at me yesterday when I brought fresh flowers to his office." The voice holds such hope. "Maybe he's finally noticing me."

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