Epilogue

EMMA

Two weeks have passed since I discovered Diablo’s betrayal with Lauren. Today, I’m leaving the hospital. I’ve avoided all the men in my life: Diablo, Levi, Alex, and Blaine.

They’ve tried to visit me, but the doctor has kept them away, respecting my wishes. I’ve visited Dean a few times to see how he’s doing.

He’s also being discharged today and will be flying back to California tonight.

I’ve spent the last two weeks reflecting on what I need to do. I’ve made a decision.

I’ve also asked the doctor to replace my implant, but I can’t have sex for the next two weeks. I’m still healing from my injuries and, honestly, sex is the furthest thing from my mind.

On the outside, I look like my old self. But inside, my heart feels dead. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the baby I lost. I don’t talk about the baby with anyone.

For me, it’s in the past. The baby will always be a part of me. I’ve chosen to grieve alone. I’m tired of everyone pretending to be concerned and sad.

I’m heartbroken over what Diablo has done again.

I asked Levi to pick me up from the hospital. I’m dressed and sitting on the bed, waiting for him. When the door opens, I rush into his arms. I’ve missed him so much.

“I’ve missed you, Ems. I’ve been worried you’re going to fire all of us.”

“Never, Vi. You’re my best friend. I just needed some time to think.”

“That’s a relief, Ems. The guys will be thrilled to have you back home.”

When we get to the penthouse, I greet Alex and Blaine, hugging and kissing each of them. I assure them they’re still employed by me, but I plan to keep a low profile for a while.

I suggest they take a vacation. But all three decline, choosing to stay close to me.

Feeling it’s the right time to tell them before I lose my courage, I announce that I’m going back to Diablo and moving into his apartment.

“What the fuck, Ems? You can’t be serious?” Levi yells.

“I know what he did was wrong, Vi, but I have my reasons. Please respect my decision.”

“Ems, you’re asking a lot from us. After everything he did, you’re still going back to him? You must really love him.”

I don’t respond.

After catching up with the guys, I get ready to leave. I hug each one of them and head to Diablo’s apartment.

When I open the door, I find him standing by the window, nursing a whiskey. He turns when he hears the door.

“Baby? Baby, is that you?”

“Yes, Diablo, it’s me.” He rushes over and pulls me into his arms, burying his face in my neck, breathing me in.

“Are you back for good, baby? Will you please forgive me?”

“Yes, I’m back, D.” I don’t answer his second question.

He pulls me closer and tries to kiss me.

“D, we need to take it slow. I don’t want to rush into anything,” I say.

“I understand, baby. As long as you’re here to stay, you’re making me the happiest man alive.”

“I’m here, D. I just need a bath.”

“Sit down. I’ll get you a whiskey and draw you a bath with candles and bath salts. Make yourself comfortable.”

He hands me a glass filled with whiskey and kisses my cheek, “I’ve missed you, baby. I’m so happy you’re back.”

I smile at him without saying a word.

Diablo leaves the living room to prepare my bath. I sit and sip my whiskey.

After a few minutes, he returns.

“Your bath is ready, baby.”

“Thank you,” I say. Before I can stand, he lifts me up, carrying me bridal style to the bathroom.

He sets me down near the tub and starts undressing me, tossing my clothes in the laundry basket. He lifts me again and gently places me in the bathtub.

“Enjoy your bath, baby. Call me when you’re ready to get out. I’ll get your PJs ready. You must be tired.” I just nod.

I relax in the bath until the water turns cold, then call out to Diablo. He rushes in with a large, fluffy white towel.

He lifts me out of the bath, dries my body, places a kiss on my stomach, and carries me to the bedroom. I reach for my PJs but he stops me.

“Let me, baby. I want to do everything for you. It’s the least I can do to show you how grateful I am that you’ve forgiven me.”

He dresses me, applies lotion to my legs and arms, and tucks me into bed.

“Do you need anything, baby? Have you eaten? Do you want me to order something?”

“No, I’m fine, thank you.” He plugs in my phone to charge and heads to the bathroom. I hear the shower running. He comes out in clean boxers and gets into bed.

“I’m so happy you’re here, baby. Can we cuddle?” I nod and he pulls me close, my back against his chest, his hand resting on my stomach.

I hear his soft snores before I fall into a dreamless sleep.

The next week is the same. Diablo does almost everything for me. He keeps telling me how much he loves me and how grateful he is that I’ve forgiven him—even though I haven’t actually said the words yet.

We haven’t had sex since I came back. I’ve asked him for some time to adjust to our situation, and it’s doctor’s orders anyway. He’s not happy, but he respects that we have to wait.

***

“D, your birthday’s coming up in a week. I was thinking we could spend it together, just the two of us. I could cook something special for you. Unless you had something else in mind?” I ask.

“No, sweetheart, whatever you want to do sounds perfect. As long as I’m spending my birthday with you, I’ll be happy.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll cook, but how about you wear a tux? I’ll wear a black dress. And remember, it’s the last day of the doctor’s no-sex ban, so dessert will be… me,” I say, making him grin from ear to ear.

^Diablo’s Birthday^

I spend the whole day getting ready, preparing his favorite dishes, setting the table, and letting the wine breathe. I asked Diablo to get dressed in the penthouse and to be here by eight o’clock.

At 7:55, I light the candles on the dining room table and arrange the food, ready to be served. Diablo knocks on the door right at eight, as if he’d been waiting outside.

“Come in,” I call out.

He walks straight to me and kisses me passionately. “Damn, I’ve missed you. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed ~us~,” he says. He leans down to kiss my lips again.

He deepens the kiss, his tongue tracing my top lip, asking for entrance, which I grant. His tongue dances with mine, making him moan.

Pulling away from him, I see the disappointment on his face.

“Dessert’s later, D, remember?” He nods, his face a picture of frustration.

We sit down. We eat, chat, and sip wine. When the meal is over, I clear the table while Diablo waits in the living room. I want everything to be clean before I join him.

Once everything is done and packed away, I walk into the living room.

“There’s my girl.” He reaches for my hand, but I gently pull it away. He gives me a puzzled look.

“What’s up, sweetheart?”

“I haven’t given you your birthday present yet,” I whisper.

“I have everything I want right here,” he says.

“I know, but I got you something special. I’ll be right back.”

When I return to the living room, I’m only holding my handbag.

“What’s going on, sweetheart?” he asks, confused.

I open my handbag, take out one of my guns, and point it at him.

“Seriously, Diablo. Did you really think I’d forgiven you for everything you did to me? You’ve broken my heart so many times, and every time I forgave you.”

“I almost got killed because of your ego, and I had to fight all those men—but still, I forgave you.”

“While I was away training, you fucked Lauren non-stop. Still, I forgave you.”

“You fucked my ex-best friend, Carly. Still, I forgave you.”

“You chased me away and flaunted Crystal in my face. Still, I forgave you.”

“But this? This I can’t forgive. You fucked Lauren while our baby was being kicked to death by a psycho who tried to rape me.”

“I can’t forgive you for that.”

“Sweetheart, please. We can work through this. These past two weeks have been heaven, don’t you see that?”

“Are you fucking insane, Diablo? You were so wrapped up in your own world, thinking I’d actually forgiven you, that you didn’t even notice how distant I’ve been.”

“I never once called you ‘baby’. I barely let you touch me. Tonight is the first time I’ve let you kiss me in two weeks and still, you thought everything was just fine.”

“You’ll never change, Diablo. You don’t deserve me. You never have.”

“Someday I’ll meet a man who will be more than satisfied to be with just me. He won’t look at or crave another woman. I’ll be enough for him. It’s just sad you won’t be there to see it.”

“What do you mean, Emma?”

I can hear the fear in his voice.

“You, my dear Diablo, will be dead. I hate you. You killed the last shred of humanity I had left, along with our baby.”

I pull the trigger twice, shooting Diablo once between the eyes and once through the heart.

His lifeless body drops to the floor, blood pooling around him.

I pick up my handbag, put my gun in it, and leave the apartment.

I deserve better than this. One day I’ll find a man who loves me. And I’ll be enough for him.

^End of Book One^