Page 82 of Taking the Fight

Peyton giggled and disappeared down the hall to the kitchen. A few seconds later, she came back and stood next to me. I kept thinking she’d change with stardom, but she was still the same Peyton I grew up with. Her dark hair was a few inches shorter and curled with beachy waves; I loved it. Her familiar honeysuckle scent made me smile. I’d missed her.

I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, and she slid hers around my waist. “I’m glad you’re back.”

Peyton turned her bright green eyes my way; they were the same color as Braden’s. “It’s good to be here.” Her smile faded. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you needed me.”

“No, Peyton,” I said, shaking my head, “it’s a good thing you weren’t. You were safe in Charleston. I didn’t want you involved.”

She blew out a breath and looked back at the ocean. “With Nikolai going after you, Braden, Emma, and Carter, it makes me wonder when my time will come.”

I squeezed her shoulders. “Hopefully, it doesn’t.” But, of course, we both knew that was wishful thinking. “Whatever happens,” I said, keeping my voice low, “you won’t be alone. I’ll do whatever I have to do.”

Peyton winked at me. “Thanks, Ray, but you’ve already been through too much. There’s no way in hell I’d drag you through more craziness.”

Laughter echoed down the hall, and I could hear my mom joking around with Gabriella, Braden’s mother, who was also my second coach. Before she left to join Peyton in Charleston, I’d trained with her more than my dad. Now that she was back, I had a feeling she was going to be harder on me than before.

When she and my mother turned the corner to the living room, I let Peyton go and smiled at them. Gabriella and Peyton could pass for sisters instead of mother and daughter. My dad and Paxton were right behind them, claiming they each put the beds in the two guest bedrooms faster than the other. I was happy to have them all here helping; the house was finally complete.

Gabriella held out her arms and hugged me tightly. “Welcome to the family, Reagan.” She let me go and smiled. “I’m glad you finally gave my son a chance.”

My mother grabbed my arm and pulled me in for an embrace. “Me too. We’ve been planning this for years. I knew one of our sons and daughters had to get paired up.”

Letting her go, I grinned. “Hey, you still have Peyton and Ethan. Something could still happen there.”

Peyton burst out laughing and shook her head. “I’m too busy to even think about getting serious with someone.”

Paxton came forward, his muscular arms wrapping around me. “If my son mistreats you in any way, I’ll kick his ass. Just let me know,” he said, letting me go.

Gabriella huffed. “Same. I won’t put up with that.”

I laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll do it for you.”

Paxton and Braden were so much alike in both looks and personality. As I gazed around the room at everyone, I was grateful to have such an amazing family. Soon, Peyton wouldn’t just be my best friend, she’d be my sister-in-law.

Smiling, my dad draped his arm over my shoulders. “You have a beautiful home, sweetheart. I’m proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”

I leaned into him. “Thanks, Dad.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Where’s everyone else?”

“Braden’s outside saying goodbye to Ethan and Ripp,” I replied, pointing at the door. “Uncle Camden and Aunt Brooklyn left a few minutes ago. And Emma and Carter left because she had to get ready for her shift at the news station.”

My dad squeezed me once more before letting go. “All right, I guess we’ll get out of your way, too.”

Braden walked through the front door just as everyone was headed toward it. He said goodbye to them, and we watched everyone leave.

Once we were alone, everything was quiet except for the ocean crashing against the rocks below. Braden stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me against him.

He kissed my neck and breathed me in. “How much do you love me?”

I smiled. “More than anything.”

“You know, it’s our first night in the new house together.”

“Yes, it is,” I said, tilting my head to the side, hoping he’d kiss me more.

He nipped my ear, his deep chuckle sending tingles throughout my body. “I can only think of one thing to do now.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

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