Page 65 of His Prize

“Want to go inside and think about it.”

I smiled. “I’d go anywhere with you, Israel.”

He took my hand. “Then, let’s go check it out.”

Epilogue

Israel

Seven months later

“Knock, knock.”

Bonnie called out to me, “Come on in, Israel. I’m just wrapping up.”

I opened her study door. “I figured you were since it’s almost nine o’clock.”

She pushed away from her desk. “I had way too many fires to put out today. But I think it’s finally finished.”

I chuckled. “Come. I’ve got dinner set up in the gardens.”

“Wait, you haven’t eaten yet?”

“What good is a meal if I can’t share it with the only person I want to eat with?”

She smiled brightly, and it warmed my heart. “Sometimes, your romance still surprises me.”

I shrugged. “Even monsters have their moments.”

Her face fell. “You’re not a monster, and I don’t want to hear you call yourself that ever again. Got it?”

I offered her my arm. “Come. Our food is going to get cold.”

I watched her scribble down a few more things before she slid her files into her desk. My eyes danced around the study, and I marveled at its beauty. She had really done a number on this place. The decorations and the fresh paint job thrust a new life into her office. Hell, her entire plan to overhaul this estate was coming along beautifully. We were making our new home one for the ages. A place where we could run our families, live out our days, and make memories that would hold us close after we passed.

I loved this woman.

And I loved the way her body felt as she threaded her arm through mine.

“Lead the way, handsome.”

I ushered her through the foyer and the kitchen. We made our way out to the back patio, where the smell of freshly cut grass wafted up my nostrils. I led her through the impeccable gardens that weaved itself through a maze of hedges and fruit-bearing trees. The smell of apples and pears and blackberry bushes ushered the way, rolling out a red carpet fit for the king and queen we had become.

After all, we controlled the two most powerful families in the city.

And that meant we controlled the majority of Chicago in the process.

“Oh, wow. Israel, this is—”

I pulled out her chair. “Trust me, the night is only beginning.”

She sat down. “What in the world is all of this for?”

I walked around and sat down. “What? I can’t spoil my wife?”

She giggled. “Usually, when you pull out the big guns like this, it’s for a reason. Did you finally hire a new head of security?”

“Last week.”

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