Page 127 of Cruel Revenge

“And what’s that?”

“A fresh start. My family always goes to my place in Vermont for a week or so in mid-October. You’re going to come with us, and you’re going to see that you still have a family, even if it looks a little different now.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“And what if they don’t want me there? I doubt your brothers are ever going to warm up to me.”

I smile and stand on my toes, pressing a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Lucky for you, you married a serial killer.”

“You’re going to kill your family if they don’t like me?”

“No.” I take his hand and pull him to the door as the sound of laughter comes from outside.

They’re early, which isn’t surprising in the slightest. They probably think that I’d lock them out if they came any later.

They’re not wrong.

“Then what does your body count have to do with anything?”

I spin to face him with a grin. “The power of fear is a wonderful thing.”

He laughs and pulls me back to him. “You’re not half as scary as you think you are.”

“You might change your mind.”

Joshua rolls his eyes. “How?”

“Spend a lifetime with me.”

“I plan on it.”

EPILOGUE

Skyla

A few monthslater

“I know I said I wouldn’t kill them, but I’m beginning to think I spoke too soon.”

Joshua laughs and tucks his arm beneath his head, laying on his side. His free hand glides up and down the curve of my waist as sunlight cascades in through the windows, though it’s getting later in the day.

“You know, I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful than you do during golden hour in Vermont.” His fingers trace up along the curve of my breast, sending shivers down my spine.

Screaming comes from somewhere else in the house, but I’m pretty sure it is only because Ellie found the stash of wine in the basement.

It took days to move my collection from my other house to the new one, and in one single family trip to Vermont, I know the stash is going to dwindle.

Joshua laughs, his hand stilling against the side of my throat, his thumb rubbing over my jaw. “You wouldn’t trade this for anything else in the world.”

“I know I wouldn’t.” I turn my head and kiss his thumb. “I’ve actually been thinking.”

My stomach ties itself in knots as I look at him, searching for the words I want to say.

I’ve been thinking about it for days, and though I don’t know what his answer is going to be, if I don’t talk to him about everything on my mind, I’m going to burst.

He arches an eyebrow, amusement shining in his eyes. “You look like there’s something on your mind. Do you want to go out and hunt for someone at a bar tonight?”

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