Saint (Dixie Reapers MC 12) Read online

  Sofia reached up and cupped my cheek. “She has a wonderful dad. The best ever.”

  I rolled to my side and pulled Sofia into my arms. Now that we’d settled things between us, for the most part, exhaustion was pulling at me again. I no longer worried that I’d lose Sofia. Yawning so wide my jaw cracked, I tightened my hold on her. Sofia snuggled closer and pressed her cheek against me.

  “Sleep,” she murmured. “We should both sleep.”

  With a smile on my lips, I closed my eyes and it wasn’t long before I was completely out. In hindsight, I really should have locked the bedroom door. Having a four-year-old launch herself onto your bed isn’t the best way to tell her she’s going to have a mom, and a baby sister or brother. Especially when there’s a lack of clothing on the adults’ part.

  Epilogue

  Sofia

  Three Months Later

  “You’re doing it wrong, Daddy.” Delia glared at Saint, and I had to bite my lip to stop the laughter.

  He glanced at her from where he was adding bedding and stuffed animals to the crib he’d just put together. “How am I doing it wrong?”

  “You put green blankets on the bed. I’m going to have a little sister, not a little brother.” Delia placed her hands on her hips. “I asked for a sister. You’re supposed to give me one.”

  I had to slap my hand over my mouth because I was seconds from laughing so hard I’d pee myself. Delia had been very clear about where she stood on having a sister instead of a brother. Ever since Hadrian had given Delia an impromptu pee shower during a diaper change, she’d absolutely refused to have a little brother.

  “Honey, we’ve talked about this. It’s not like picking out a puppy. There’s already a baby in Sofia’s tummy. It’s either a girl or a boy.”

  “Why don’t you know?” the little girl demanded.

  “We’ll find out in a few more weeks, remember?” I asked Delia. “Until then, we’re picking colors that can be used for a boy or a girl. You like green, don’t you? Like your favorite dress?”

  She nodded.

  “See? If the baby is a girl, the green blanket will be fine. Once we know if you’re getting a sister or a brother, we’ll buy more stuff. And just like I promised, you can help pick out the clothes and toys.”

  Delia sighed and wandered down the hall to her room, looking very much like an aggravated adult trying to explain things to a child. I glanced at Saint and saw the bemused expression on his face.

  “What’s that look for?” I asked.

  “Do you think when she finds a boyfriend she’s going to just club him over the head and demand he date her?”

  I couldn’t contain my laugher another moment. “Oh God. You know, I can actually see her doing that. But I thought you weren’t letting her date. Ever.”

  “Well, not until she’s at least sixty,” he said.

  I snorted. Yeah, like that would happen. I rubbed my belly. The sunlight filtering through the window made my ring sparkle. A month after Saint had asked me to marry him, Wire had shown up on our doorstep with a piece of paper in hand. The sneaky bastard had married us with his computer mojo and not said a damn word. As much as I’d have liked a pretty wedding, I had to admit I didn’t miss the stress and drama that went along with planning something like that.

  “I love you,” Saint said as he came toward me.

  I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned up to kiss him. “Not half as much as I love you.”

  “You know, when Torch said I’d have to let you stay here, I was so damn pissed. I just knew you were going to be a problem. It never occurred to me that you would be exactly what Delia and I needed. I’m glad Casper brought you here. You make my life complete, Sofia.”

  Tears misted my eyes and I hugged him tight. “Damn pregnancy hormones,” I muttered.

  “You can only blame the baby for so long.”

  “I can blame the baby for at least eighteen more years.”

  Saint laughed, then kissed me until I was breathless. I’d always thought my life was horrible and I’d be better off dead, but I was wrong. I’d endured so that I could find the amazing man I got to call husband, and the sweet little girl I’d claimed as my daughter. Life was perfect, and I had the mysterious Casper VanHorne to thank for it all. I hadn’t seen him since the day he dropped me off here, but I hoped that someday I’d get a chance to tell him how grateful I was that he brought me here. He saved me, and my sisters, when no one else had cared. I didn’t understand the reason behind it, but I didn’t have to. He’d given me a second chance, my only chance to find happiness, and I owed him everything.

  “Come on, wife. Our daughter is too damn quiet.”

  “Bet she’s contemplating world domination.”

  Saint snorted. “Or figuring out how to get even with Hadrian without being mean to a baby.”

  “Our life won’t ever be dull, will it?”

  “Not a chance.” He gave me a wink before tugging me into Delia’s room, where we discovered she was plotting ways to get rid of a baby brother.

  Definitely not dull. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Author’s Note

  Dear Reader,

  No, Sofia’s dislike for all things science fiction does not in any way represent me or my feelings of sci-fi books and movies. Check out the various alien series I write as Jessica Coulter Smith as proof of my love of sci-fi. Aliens deserve love too! Especially purple ones!

  I know that what Sofia suffered may have been difficult for some to read, which is why I didn’t go into a great amount of detail. I wanted you to get an idea of what she’s survived without getting graphic and possibly triggering someone who has suffered physical or sexual abuse. Her backstory is important as it’s a huge part of who she is, but I didn’t see the point in making you live through it.

  If you haven’t already picked up Spider (Hades Abyss MC #1), it’s now available and tells the story of Luciana (Sofia’s older sister) and the President of Hades Abyss. There’s a really big age gap between them, but Spider is perfect for Luciana in every way.

  Thank you for picking up a copy of Saint! I hope you enjoyed the book. Stay tuned for Rocket (Hades Abyss MC #2) in August to find out more about the youngest sister -- Violeta! If you have a moment to leave a review for Saint, I’d really appreciate it. Even if it’s just a few words about what you did or didn’t like.

  Thank you so much for your support!

  Harley

  Harley Wylde

  When Harley is writing, her motto is the hotter the better. Off-the-charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place!

  An international bestselling author, Harley is the “wilder” side of award-winning sci-fi/fantasy romance author Jessica Coulter Smith, and writes gay fantasy romance as Dulce Dennison.

  Harley on Changeling: changelingpress.com/harley-wylde-a-196

  Jessica on Changeling: changelingpress.com/jessica-coulter-smith-a-144

  Dulce on Changeling: changelingpress.com/dulce-dennison-a-205