Page 97 of Wicked Shadows
“No, I knew even less than you did. And I was mad at him for about a second, but then I remembered how hard I’d prayed to wake up from that nightmare and have him back with me. Being left out of the loop when his life was in danger didn’t seem like a big deal then. Though, I did threaten him if he ever pulls that on me again.”
“Oh.” Liz dropped the polish back into the bag, her voice flat and her eyes downcast. “I didn’t think of it that way. Maybe I should’ve talked to you before I painted these guys. You’re right. His life is more important, and we were all so thrilled to learn he was okay.”
Four large and angry men began shouting and pointing at once.
“Do you know how long we’ve been wearing this shit?”
“I actually slept all night in the fucking doghouse!”
“No way does he get out of his punishment! I’ll hold him down and paint him myself!”
“I took my punishment like a man! Now he will too!”
Liz kept talking to Elle as if a brawl weren’t about to break out in front of them. “If you’re not upset, then I’m not either. Besides, I knew it was all fake. Tracey told me before the funeral.”
All the yelling stopped cold.
“You knew?” Silas asked.
“Of course. Took you long enough to get me off the casket. I thought I’d actually get that kiss I’ve been hankering for.”
Silas glared at her, the ability to connect letters into those things they made had escaped him.
“What? What’s the problem?” Liz prompted him.
“We all took our punishment…but you knew.”
“Did you hide it from us?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. You knew. You hid it. You got punished. Now, imagine what I would’ve done if I hadn’t known the truth. Chew on that for a while.”
Devon leaned down and kissed Liz’s cheek, then winked. “Thanks for always having my back.”
“My pleasure, my boy. Now it’s time for us to get to know this pretty little lady.” Liz took Elle’s hand in hers and led her to the house, leaving everyone else standing on the front lawn, by their assigned doghouses, in shock. Devon watched them walk together, then realized he’d been left alone with the angry mob. He sprang into action, holding his side while he took long strides to reach Elle’s side and Liz’s protection.
Later that evening, after the men had scrubbed all of the skin off their lips and removed the polish from their nails, they sat on the back deck. Steaks, chicken, and seafood cooked on the grill. The team was all together, laughing and sharing stories again as if nothing had happened. Elle felt welcomed with open arms and became instant best friends with the ladies.
Devon leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek while she talked with Brianna. She turned and looked at him thoughtfully. “What was that for?”
“Because I love you. Because I’m so glad you never gave up on me all the years I was such an idiot. Because I can’t imagine ever being happy again if I lost you. Because I finally understand why these guys can’t function without their better halves and why they’d move hell and earth to reach their loves, and God help anyone who gets in their way. Because if I had to choose between having decades to live alone undercover, or only one night, but it was with you, I’d choose you every time.”
Elle kissed his lips, lingering and savoring the moment. “We’ll never have to be apart again, my love. There’s never been a remote possibility of you losing me. No matter what happened, I’ve always loved you. And I’ll always love you, no matter what happens.”
“I’m so happy for you two,” Brianna gushed. “Have you decided on a wedding date yet?”
“No, we haven’t even talked about it yet. Devon has been healing and getting stronger. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do now that the studio closed and my movie hasn’t released yet. I don’t even know if it will release now. Nothing in my life is definite except this man beside me.”
“We’re getting married as soon as possible, and I’m keeping her chained to the bed the entire first year,” Shadow added.
The group laughed, but they didn’t doubt he’d actually try to do what he’d threatened. Silas leaned forward and steepled his fingers. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you both about that.”
“About chaining my woman to the bed? Do you have a death wish?” Shadow fired back.
“No and no,” Silas replied sardonically. “I mean talk about what you’re going to do next. Steele Security is here. The studio lots are in LA. Are you moving to California? Is Elle moving to Miami? Have you thought about what you’re going to do next, Shadow?”
“Not really. I’m waiting for inspiration to hit me. Or for Elle to demand I move in with her. Or for Elle to demand to move in with me. Or for Elle to demand we move to Kansas and commute to work.”
