“Afraid not, I fucked things up all on my own.” Drew shook his head. “But he did set things into motion.”
Connor took the book. “All your meddling stops now.”
“Absolutely son.” William nodded. “Scout’s honor.”
“You weren’t in scouts, old man,” Drew said.
“But it’s such a nice phrase,” William protested. “In any case, my work here is done.”
“Leave London alone,” Connor warned. “She already adores you. Don’t fuck that up.”
Their dad waved him off. “She’s too young. Got her whole life ahead of her.”
As soon as he left, Connor turned to Drew. “Do you believe him?”
“Not for a second.”
“I’ll warn London later today.” Connor tucked the book into his back pocket. “Did you really think Faith would go for the money?”
“Everyone has a price.”
“Not her.”
Drew grimaced. “Almost everyone... and if I’m being honest—”
“I know how hard that is for you. So speak slowly into the corner camera. I’d like to watch it later,” Connor said, earning a glare from Drew.
“Faith is truly a good person and not once in all the times we asked her to help you did she request anything in return. Not once.”
“I know.”
“Did you know that we didn’t actually ask her to go to Colorado?”
“What?”
Drew nodded. “She paid for her own flight. I’d been monitoring her for a while, keeping an eye on her while you... were distracted. I had no idea she’d gone to you until I saw your Insta story. She had viewed it, too. Honestly, we’d given up on you, but she didn’t. She never did.”
His brother’s admission should have stung, but it didn’t. Connor had thought he was a worthless cause, too. “And yet, that didn’t change your mind about her?”
“In all honesty, it made me more... protective of her. If I didn’t make certain arrangements, you would have eventually taken her down the same path you were on.” Drew chuckled to himself. “She’d follow you anywhere, even if it was the worst idea ever. Actually, when dad hired her, I thought that was the worst idea ever.”
His brother didn’t know Faith as well as he thought he did because the woman made him a better man. “I don’t have death wish anymore. I got cleaned up.”
“I know, but it didn’t seem quite right for her to succumb to you so easily. You needed to work for it, for once.”
Connor gave him a look. “I’ve been in love with her since I was twelve years old and had to pretend otherwise. In what world would you call that easy?”
“Shit.” Drew scratched his jaw. “I didn’t think of that... damn, well, I was wrong.”
“Yeah, you were, and I’ll be sharing this portion of our conversation with Faith first.” Connor turned tossing over his shoulder, “Thanks for the meeting.”
“Leaving already?”
“Yeah, I have a baby to make with my wife.”
“I did not need to know that.”
“Payback for the castle.”
“Fair enough.” Drew cleared his throat. “Connor.”
Connor turned. “Yes?”
“Congratulations. You are perfect for each other.”
“I know.” Connor smiled. “But thanks for saying it.”
EPILOGUE
CONNOR
NINE MONTHS LATER
“Meet your new grandson,” Connor said, placing his son in his father’s waiting arms. “Nine pounds and six ounces. Momma’s a warrior.” He nodded at Faith as she lay in the hospital bed, sleeping. The afternoon light made her glow. “A sleeping warrior.”
“That she is and you be sure to make her comfortable until she’s ready to do more. Hell, make it so she doesn’t feel like she has to lift a finger with this sweet babe.” William Montgomery had actual tears in his eyes. “All the money in the world doesn’t compare to family.”
On that he and his dad could agree.
“London is on her way. Drew and his family will stop by tomorrow.”
“Good.” William walked to the nearest chair in the private maternity suite. “When will Faith’s mother arrive?”
“Not coming until Friday. She wants to help her out at home, not here,” he said. “I think she’s of the opinion that I’ll be like Faith’s dad and sit on my ass, but... that’s not me.”
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” William asked suddenly, lifting his gaze to Connor. “Not just because you’ve given me a grandson, but because you finally let yourself become the man I always knew you would be.”
“Don’t get sentimental on me now.”
William laughed and Lachlan’s eyes popped open, blue as cornflowers like his mother’s. “I’m not. I always knew you were waiting for the one woman who would allow you to be yourself. You’re a lot like your mother, you know. She was such a romantic at heart.”
Connor swallowed the lump, no the boulder, that had formed in his throat. “Thank you.”
Faith stirred and he went to her. “Hi,” she said, her eyes widening slightly when she saw his dad holding Lachlan. “I didn’t know we had company.”
“I won’t stay long, but I was too excited to wait,” William said.
Connor kissed her forehead. “You were so damn brave, and you worked so hard. Just rest. Our son is fine.”
Faith blinked slowly. “Love you.”
“Love you, Mrs. Montgomery. Now rest.”
With a smile, Faith closed her eyes and he stayed at her side until her breathing evened out.
William joined him. “Time for me to go.”
Connor took his son from him and watched William move to the door. “Hey, Dad?”
William turned. “Yes?”
“Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
William nodded. “I won’t be.” Without another word, he left.
Connor gazed at his son, laying so trustingly in his arms, with tenderness. “You will be the most loved boy in the world, no matter what you do or who you become. I swear to it.”
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My next release is SEDUCING THE BILLIONAIRE’S DAUGHTER—a steamy billionaire romance that is now available for pre-order! You can click on the placeholder cover below to secure your copy or simply click here. In the meantime, be sure to check out my other titles on the next couple pages.
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About the Author
Marquita Valentine is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary romance.
When she's not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the south.
Marquita’s next release is coming this summer! You can sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/gfSgtP