Page 106 of Knot for Sale

I stroked Rosa’s curly black hair. “Her doctor seems confident that the new heart meds are working,” I told him. “Shesays she has a lot more energy now and has been able to get back to her regular activities.”

“So, taking down crime families and threatening bodyguards with pepper spray?” Elijah said. “Well, that’s a relief. I was afraid London was going to have to recruit a new crime-fighting superhero.”

I snorted. Having an ocean between myself and my grandmother was probably best for the emotional wellbeing of everyone concerned. Technology meant we could get together for chats, and she could keep up with the triplets’ development as they grew. That, in addition to necessary time spent in London for either legal reasons or business reasons, was the perfect balance for our relationship as far as I was concerned.

“Ahnks!” Annabelle cried, jumping down from the couch and toddling over to where Onyx had just come in.

“Hello, sprog,” Onyx said, scooping her up. While Rosa was the one who’d inherited Onyx’s dusky skin, blond-haired Annabelle seemed to be the one who’d glommed onto them as a favorite packalef. Onyx carried her back to the sofa and plopped her down on it as she giggled. “Evening, Emma,” they greeted. “I just got a call from Curran—he and Gabriel should be home in a few minutes, and it sounds like they’ve got news.”

My smile crept back. “I’ve got some news of my own. But I’ll wait until everyone’s here.”

True to their word, our missing alphas showed up about ten minutes later. Gabriel, who still struggled with slowing his overactive brain down enough to remember things like familial greetings, strode into the living area like it was a board room.

“The Huntwells’ final appeal was denied today,” he said without preamble.

My breath caught.

Curran tossed his suit jacket over the back of an armchair and sank into it, pulling Jason into his arms when he abandonedElijah in favor of a new lap. “Also, hello. I’m sure his nibs was working up to that part.”

Gabriel waved him off testily. “Yes, yes. But you know what this means. The case is finally closed for good. No more appeals, no more hearings. It’s finished.”

He was thrumming with nervous energy, and I felt mine rise to match. I handed Rosa off to Elijah and hurried forward to wrap my arms around Gabriel. He embraced me back, holding tight.

“It’s really d-done?” I whispered, overcome.

“It really is,” Curran confirmed. “Tommy and that little prick Cade are in prison along with their old mates the Rathbones, and so are another three-dozen people from the syndicate that were found guilty of trafficking charges.”

I shuddered and buried my face against Gabriel’s chest. He didn’t seem much steadier than me, considering this meant his long quest for justice for his sister was finally at an end. After a moment, I took a deep, steadying breath and pulled away.

“Nana Allen says the syndicate is in a shambles since all the arrests last year,” I told the others. “She doesn’t know if there’s enough left of it to keep things going.”

“And the feds on this side of the pond are still sniffing aroundThe Secret Boudoirafter Casick’s conviction,” Curran added. “It doesn’t help all those poor models who went missing on his bloody cruises, but it’s something.”

The triplets were watching us, wide-eyed—aware that the atmosphere of the room had grown strange. I felt almost lightheaded at the news.

“I think I’m going to turn more of the day-to-day operation of the company over to the board,” Gabriel said out of nowhere, running a hand through his sandy hair. “I know I haven’t been as invested in raising the children as I could have been, and I want that to change.”

Elijah smirked at him. “Oooh. Planning on becoming a kept alpha, are you? Living off the labor of your omegas?”

Gabriel didn’t rise to the bait. “You two are welcome to stop working as well, you know. I think we can probably afford it.”

Elijah only laughed. “Not a chance. I’ll be forced out of modeling soon enough, when these three become teenagers and give me gray hair and worry lines.”

“I’m good too, thanks all the same,” I said, throwing off my reaction to Gabriel and Curran’s news in favor of sharing my own. “I just signed Greta Van Wilder to a modeling contract.”

Curran sat up straight, drawing a whine of protest from Jason as he was jostled. “The movie star? You’re kidding! I loved her inLetters from You.”

“Sweetheart, I amso proudof you,” Onyx told me, dark eyes glittering.

“We all are,” Gabriel agreed. “And it sounds like I'll be in good hands as a kept alpha.” He seemed to shake himself free of the earlier topic of conversation. “Now, how about a pack outing to celebrate? I’m told there's a festival in the village center for the next few days.”

Three toddlers perked up like wolves scenting prey. “Bawoons?" Annabelle asked hopefully.

“All the balloons,” Gabriel promised, his tone suitably solemn. “And fireworks, and music, and the ridiculous fried food that Yanks seem so fond of.”

I exchanged a look with Elijah, both of us failing to hide our stupid grins. Maybe it hadn’t been lightheadedness I’d felt earlier. My wholebodyhad become light, as though a heavy weight had fallen away from my shoulders. As the pack fell into plans for an evening of fun with no fears or responsibilities, safe in the knowledge that our future was secure, I was half convinced I’d float away completely.

“Fried food and balloons sound absolutely perfect,” I agreed.

---