Page 101 of Shattered Dreams

“You’re thinking,” Gage murmurs into my hair.

We were going to wait to get married, but we had a small ceremony at the house, and Zane walked me down the staircase I used as a wedding aisle. Gage met me at the bottom, Linc standing by his side. It was romantic and cozy, the way I’ve been trying to keep our life as he acclimates to being part of the Maddox legacy.

He’s adapting well, even if he won’t admit it.

“About how much I love you.”

“Hmm.” He props himself up on an elbow and kisses me, gliding his tongue over my lips. Breaking the kiss, he curls his body around mine and drifts, content.

Across the sand, I meet Zane’s eyes.

Mom and Dad would be happy for us. We avenged their deaths, and in doing so, brought a lot of evil people to justice.

We deserve to be happy.

We’ve earned it.

Stella, my sister, my savior, and my best friend, beckons for us to join them, and I rouse my sleepy husband with a kiss and a promise to do naughty things to him later.

Quinn and her wife, Linc, Lucille, and Baby, Brad and Monica, Douglas, and Adelyn and her husband and daughter join us at the water’s edge, and we watch the sun sink beyond the water.

We’re family.

No one will tear us apart, ever again.

We’ll be ready if they try.

EPILOGUE

Six months later

Zane

My gaze follows Stella as she walks through the glass doors of the ballroom and into the garden.

I’ve put this off for as long as I’ve been able, but I can’t do it anymore. I can’t let us keep building our lives on a false foundation. It will only hurt more when it crumbles.

The jet’s ready to fly me somewhere. Anywhere. I can’t be here after I tell her, and I’ll be too heartsick, too miserable, to care I’m on a plane without her.

I don’t hear the sounds of our reception, the music playing, our guests chatting.

Zarah’s sitting in her husband’s lap, laughing at something his mother said, his arms tight around her. Gage never asked Zarah to accept his mother into our family, but she did, knowing it wasn’t Delilah’s fault her husband was a monster. Gage didn’t admit it, but I think it meant a lot to him that he didn’t have to cut his mother out of his life. But he would have. For my sister.

Linc and Lucille are sitting at their table, talking to Brad and Monica.

I’m glad Stella will have them.

Quinn and her wife are dancing near Stella’s sister and brother-in-law.

Douglas is standing near the ballroom doors, watching over everyone, including Ariel, Stella’s niece, who’s sitting at his feet, ignoring a coloring book and pile of crayons. She’d rather pet Baby.

Stella will have plenty of people supporting her, including Willow, who’s leaning against the bar holding a glass of champagne. Stella and Zarah wanted to invite her, and she’s become a part of our circle of friends.

She nods and lifts a corner of her mouth in sympathy. I think, though I don’t know how she could, she knows what I’m going to do.

I tip my head in return.

I’ve always said I can’t live without Stella. I wonder how long I’ll last.

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