Page 98 of Torched

I stick out my tongue, then look at Kane. “Where is Callie?”

“Over there.” I follow Kane’s eyes over my shoulder, quickly locking with Callie sitting in the sand. She’s wearing a beige bathing suit that brings out her bronzed skin, her freckles brighter under the sun. Her reddish hair looks fiery as ever, but it’s her beaming smile that expands my own. She’s building a sandcastle with a little girl in pigtails, and for the first time, I can truly see it.

“Callie is going to be such a great mom.”

“She is,” Kane confirms. When I rear my head back to him, he’s staring at his wife with a dreamy look that almost makes me melt on the spot. Who ever thought the raging crime lord could soften up by the sight of his wife with a little girl.

“You’re in trouble if it’s a girl.” Liam adds.

“Oh, it’s going to be a girl,” I pitch in.

“How the fuck do you know?” Kane narrows his eyes at me.

“A gut feeling. It’s gonna be a girl.”

“Oh, fuck,” he huffs.

“Don’t worry, Kane. Callie is the most badass person I know. Your daughter will be in great hands. Callie won’t allow you to screw her up.”

His lips curl down, his eyes dull. “Shut up, Gen.”

“I’m kidding.” I cackle. “You’re going to be fine.” I’m sure they will be. Besides, they don’t have to do this alone. Liam and I will be there to help them with anything they need. It will be a whole different kind of adventure, but I’m excited for it.

“Who’s going to be fine?” Callie mimics my stance, taking a seat on the edge of Kane’s sunbed. Instantly, his palm strokes her leg, the love dripping from his normally icy eyes. Cristina was right about one thing; Kane is completely wrapped around Callie’s pinky, even though he will never admit it.

“I just told Kane that he doesn’t have to worry. We won’t let him screw our little girl up.”

“You don’t know if it's a girl!” he huffs.

“Yeah, we do,” Callie argues.

“See!” I cry out, triumphantly.

“How?!”

Callie and I both shrug our shoulders, then say at the same time, “A gut feeling.”

“You two are crazy.”

“We are,” Callie agrees. “But you decided to marry me, so I guess you’re just as crazy.”

Kane pulls her side to his chest, planting a kiss on her neck. “Touche.”

“How is Babushka doing?” I ask both of them.

“Good!” Callie’s eyes sparkle, almost matching the color of the ocean. “The jet is picking her up. She is coming to South Reef Bay to strengthen back to normal. She was excited to be flying out and doing ‘nothing,’ she said.”

“I bet she does!” Lord knows the woman deserves a holiday after a week of being held captive.

“Agent Hobbs called, by the way.” Callie swings her gaze to me. “Your permits will be waiting for you when we get back to New York.” There is pride in her eyes, and it makes me feel three inches taller.

“EEK! Really?!” When agent Hobbs said he'd call him if I ever needed anything, I didn’t hesitate and decided to grab the bull by its horns. Sorta. In reality, I was still high on adrenaline and figured that if I wasn’t going to do it then, I’d probably chicken out. So, I ripped a page from Callie’s book of boldness and told him exactly what I want: the New York permits to start my own escort service.

I thought it was a big ask, but the old man replied with a smile and a genuine curiosity marring in his face, asking, “That’s all?” I replied with a shrug and a nod, and he just said,“Consider it done.”

“Really!” Callie cheers. “You finally get to realize your dream!”

I jump up, clapping my hands like a freaking seal, my blonde hair bouncing up and down my shoulders. “We need to celebrate! Drinks! We need drinks!”

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