Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Relief flooded through me so hard my knees almost buckled. “Guess having a hacker for a brother has its perks.”
Jaxton scowled immediately. “You know how much I hate being called that, smart-ass.”
Chance’s arm tightened around my waist as he shot my brother a look. “Enough.”
I tilted my head back to smirk up at him. “You’re not the boss of me.”
“Yeah, it’s not like she’s even officially your old lady yet,” Savannah pointed out.
Rev ducked behind the bar, grabbed a brown paper bag, and tossed it to Chance. “This came for you.”
Chance caught it easily and pulled out a small leather vest—similar to his but sized for me.
Shaking it out, he turned the back toward me so I could see the property patch that announced to the world that I was his. But then he froze and muttered, “What the hell?”
I didn’t understand what was wrong until he flipped it over, and I saw the front of the vest. Jax Jr. was stitched above the left breast pocket.
A low growl rumbled from his chest. “Who the fuck thought this was funny?”
Jaxton didn’t even pretend innocence. He crossed his arms over his chest with a smug grin. “You claim my baby sister, you deal with the branding.”
Lark snorted, Savannah and Callie howled with laughter, and even Kane’s mouth twitched. I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle my laugh.
“This shouldn’t even be possible.” Chance glared at Jaxton. “You just found out about us yesterday.”
My brother shrugged before admitting, “Already had the patch made in case we’re having a boy. Just put it to good use yankin’ your chain. Can’t say you don’t deserve it.”
Lark tilted her head back to look up at Jaxton. “We haven’t even discussed names yet.”
“I know, baby.” He stroked his hand down her spine. “Had a Lark one made too, thought it’d be a fun way to do one of those gender reveal things like you’ve been watching on social media.”
She pressed her face against his chest with a sniffle. “Aw, that’s so sweet.”
I took the vest from Chance’s hands and slipped it on. “I kinda like the nod to my brother.”
Chance’s expression eased, and his hand brushed the back of my neck as he murmured, “You gotta be fucking with me.”
“Maybe a little,” I admitted with a grin.
He shook his head and sighed. “At least he didn’t mess with your ring.”
Jaxton grinned, wicked as ever. “Or did I?”
Chance’s head snapped up. “Shut up, fucker. It’s safely upstairs in my room.”
The laughter that followed chased away every lingering shadow in the room.
I tugged on Chance’s arm. “Show me.”
His hand settled at the small of my back as we climbed the stairs, the noise from the lounge area fading with every step. When we reached his room, he closed and locked the door behind us. Then he crossed to the dresser and opened the top drawer.
When he turned back toward me, there was a small black box in his hand. “I bought this before I ever admitted to myself that I could have you. Loved you then, even though I tried like hell to deny it. Told myself you deserved better than me.”
Emotion clogged my throat, and I shook my head, stepping closer until I could press my palms against his chest. “What I deserve is to spend the rest of my life with the man I love. And that’s you.”
The tension in his body broke all at once. He cupped my face, his thumb brushing my cheekbone. “Say that again.”
“I love you, Chance.”
His mouth found mine, the kiss slow and reverent, unlike our usual heat. When he pulled back, he pressed his forehead to mine. “I love you too, Alanna. Been fighting it since the day I saw you walk down the aisle for your brother’s wedding, all grown up and too damn beautiful for your own good.”
I laughed softly, tears stinging my eyes. “Guess you lost that fight.”
“Glad I did.” Flipping open the jewelry box, he let out a relieved sigh. “At least that fucker didn’t mess with this too. Meddling bastard.”
I peeked inside and gasped. The diamond solitaire was perfect. “Chance, it’s gorgeous.”
His grin turned wicked as he slid the ring onto my finger. “Now the whole damn world will know you’re mine.”
I kissed him again, grinning against his lips. “Don’t worry. Once the baby comes, my brother will be too tired to interfere.”
Chance’s laugh rumbled low in his chest. “Good. Gives us time to start working on one of our own. If we time it right, you’ll have the kid during summer break before senior year.”
EPILOGUE
ALANNA
The May sun was warm on my face as I stepped onto the stage. The dean’s voice echoed through the outdoor amphitheater, reading the name I still couldn’t believe was mine. “Alanna Lawton, Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Research.”
Cheers rose from somewhere in the crowd, cutting through the polite applause around us. I didn’t have to look to know who they belonged to.