Page 110 of Compelled Obedience

Karin laughed. “Do I take that as a yes?’

“Yes. Yes. Yes!”

When I flew into Grant’s arms, he lowered his head, capturing my mouth and I heard Sanchez’s voice over the roar of the crowd.

“Way to go, Ms. Bettington!”

Then I heard the sweetest voice of all, the one that would keep me grounded. My little brother.

“Yuck!”

EPILOGUE

Milan, Italy

Grant

“Do we really need to return to LA tomorrow?” Kerri asked as she swirled her glass of wine.

“Yes, but we can come back. Maybe for our honeymoon,” I told her as I pressed my hand against the small of her back.

“Are you asking me to marry you, big man?” she teased.

“You’ll know when I do.” And I planned on it, but not until the time was right.

“The wedding was incredible. You have wonderful friends and Lark and Alexandra are amazing. I also adore your sister.” She nuzzled next to me and I was ready to eat her alive.

“Uh-oh,” I said as I walked us back to the massive table where everyone was sitting. Lucian Valentino, the owner of the club in Milan, had been a consummate host. He was thrilled with the turnout. In truth, all three of those who’d started the club were as well. Suddenly, the very conversation when the three of us had developed the idea shifted into the back of my mind. I hadn’t thought about it in years.

“Uh-oh. What are you thinking?” Jameson asked.

“About the chat we had at that dive bar right before we graduated from college. Do you remember?” I asked, glancing from Jameson to Lachlan.

“Refresh my memory,” Lachlan said.

“Let’s see…”

“Here’s a good idea. In a few years we get back together and develop a company. I’ll be the CEO while marketing our product. Buddy Grant here will handle the finances and Master Jameson will design and be the general contractor for the great big, all glass buildings in our complex,” Lachlan said.

“Oh, now we’re going to have a complex? He’s already drunk and it’s barely eight at night,” I’d told them, snorting as I shook my head.

Jameson remained quiet. Then he glanced from me to Lachlan. “You know what? That’s a good idea. Our boy Lachlan could sell an igloo on a tropical island. Grant, you can turn ten bucks into ten million in the blink of an eye. And I’ll design the sexiest goddamn building you’ve ever seen.”

I threw Lachlan a look, nodding twice. “Not bad. We’ll have our trust funds by then, school under our belts. Why the fuck not?”

Lachlan laughed then huffed as if realizing we were serious. I could instantly tell his wheels were turning, realizing that we might be onto something. “There’s just one problem.”

“What’s that?” Jameson grinned.

“What the hell would we do in this awesome building we own?” There was something about the filthy look on his face that made me grin.

I took a deep breath as I figured out what he was thinking. “We use our real skills.”

“What the hell you talking about?” Lachlan threw back, giving me a look as if he could read my mind.

“Sex.”

“Oh, God. How could we forget?” Lachlan said. “And here we are twenty some years later.”

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