Page 121 of Married to the Devil

“Then why do you seem so happy?”

“All those other people are gonna shut the fuck up for once.” He grins and waves as he walks out of the room.

The remainder of the meeting is procedural. More documents, more signatures. Most of the real closing costs were settled weeks ago. Theodora congratulates me when it’s all done and we’re alone in the conference room of my shiny new pharma distribution company.

“How’s it feel to be a drug peddler? Oh wait.” She smirks at me. “Seriously, congrats, Rafe.”

“Thank you.” I wander to the windows overlooking the city. “You know what it took to get here.”

“I sure do.” She joins me. “But you deserve it. You and your brothers.”

“I wonder about that word, deserve. I suspect I deserve much worse than this. But I’ve always taken what I wanted and now here I am.”

“Good enough for me.”

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t mind.”

“The massive check I’m getting sure as hell helps ease any moral issues I may have with our partnership.”

I arch my brows at her. “Moral issues? Since when did you have any sense of morality?”

“Great point.”

I think about how busy the next few weeks will be on the drive back home. Denning is a mess, but we’re going to fix it. Silas has plans, Devlin and Kellan have grit and determination, and I have an iron will. Cassian is Cassian and will remain in the woods until needed.

I stroke my knuckles and walk up my stoop. I open the front door⁠—

“CONGRATULATIONS!”

I drop to a knee, one hand going to my jacket on impulse, reaching for a weapon.

Until I realize it’s June holding Hattie. My brothers, minus Cassian, are behind her, all three cracking up at my reaction.

“Ah, I wasn’t expecting this.” I straighten and clear my throat. “Erm, thank you.”

“Daddy Rafey, were you tying your shoes down here?” Hattie reaches for me. I take her from June.

“That’s right, baby.”

June rolls her eyes at me and kisses my cheek.

“Congrats, bro.” Kellan pounds my shoulder. Devlin punches my other arm.

“Can’t wait to tear that place to pieces,” my youngest brother says happily. “God, it’s going to be fun to fire all those assholes.”

I glare at him. “Watch your language in front of my daughter.”

“It’s okay, Daddy Rafey, I hear you say bad words all the time.” She wriggles from my grip and runs off.

Devlin cackles in my face and I scowl at him.

June takes my arm and steers me away. There’s champagne and food already prepared.

“I’m just happy that it’s over. You’re happy too, right?” she asks. “You’ve been a ball of stress this last week.”

“I’ve never bought a company before, but I’m glad it’s over.”

“Think you’ll do it again?”