“How’s Vicki?” Zoe asked.
****
Tristan couldn’t stop his hands shaking. They were covered in blood. He’d washed them until they were red raw, but it didn’t stop him from seeing Vicki’s blood on his hands. The doctor came back with good news. He even pointed him in the direction of where she was resting. For a few minutes he stared at his hands knowing he shouldn’t go in there.
Sweet, innocent Vicki deserved someone better than he was. What had happened between them was his fault. He should never have let it go so far.
He walked in the room. She was hooked up to a load of tubes. Her face was pale, and the pain in her eyes killed him dead on the spot.
“How are you?” he asked.
“Fine.”
Tristan took a seat next to her bed. “You didn’t tell me about the baby,” he said.
“You didn’t tell me about your wife until it was too late.”
He winced. He was a fucking coward.
Neither said another word. Tristan stared at her until she fell asleep.
What have I done?
Epilogue
Four months later
Zoe stood with Vicki inside the kitchen and watched Connor pull some more cocktail sausages out of the oven. They were hosting the New Year party. It had been an exciting year. Zoe had never been happier. Bill had been taken away and put in jail for drug dealing and murder. Zoe hoped she never had to hear his name again, let alone see him. The guy had given her the creeps. She stared at her friend seeing the sparkle in her eyes still hadn’t returned. Vicki hadn’t been the same since the incident at The Dugout, and she also no longer worked at the bar. Zoe’s heart went out to the younger woman. She looked so lost. Zoe caught her hand and pulled her close for a hug.
“It will be a great year, Vicki. You’ll see,” Zoe said.
“I hope you’re right. I don’t think I could handle another year like this one.”
“I hear you.” Zoe raised her glass and clinked with Vicki.
“Ladies, no getting drunk. I don’t want to pry you both out of the bathroom later,” Connor said.
They both chuckled. Brent wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her neck. “Happy New Year, baby.”
“It’s not that time yet, Brent.” She snuggled against him watching as Vicki left the kitchen. Tristan was in the sitting room. Zoe saw him watching Vicki. It was so sad to see two people want each other and yet keep each other apart. She didn’t know everything about them together. She only knew that Vicki didn’t trust him anymore.
Jake pulled her out of Brent’s arms. They were the only people in the kitchen with Connor.
“You look so good. I can’t wait until everyone goes home and we can have you to ourselves.”
“I like the sound of that,” she said.
A giggle burst out of her as Connor pulled her to him. It was like they were playing tug of war with her body.
“My turn to kiss our woman.”
They each took it in turns to hold her, dance with her, and kiss her. She felt their love so completely surround her. “I love you,” she said to Connor.
“I love you, too.” He’d found a therapist to talk to, and his mood swings were lessening in ferocity. It hurt her to see him in pain. She knew Brent and Jake felt guilty for not knowing what was happening to their friend. She loved them all equally and didn’t blame them.
When the countdown began, Jake, Brent, and Connor each took turns. As the crowd shouted out at the New Year, she saw Vicki leave the house, Tristan staring after her.
Her only wish for the New Year was that Vicki found some happiness. She knew the younger woman deserved it.
The people began to leave, and by three they were alone. They left the mess for the morning. Zoe followed them up the stairs to their shared room. They never slept in any other room in the house but this one. She loved it. Waking up surrounded by three gorgeous men never failed to entertain her.
They pulled her clothes off and took her to the bed. Zoe opened herself up to their rampant need. Their love was spoken in actions rather than words. She closed her eyes as they brought her body to fulfilment over and over again.
She fell asleep exhausted but with three men wrapped around her. Their love was worth every second of what she’d been through. Losing her parents and being in the foster system had all led her to Law Castle, and that had led her into the arms of three men who would spend the rest of their lives loving her. It was more than she could have ever hoped for. The only thing she ever wanted was to be loved and to have a family of her own. She knew they were planning a special dinner to propose. Zoe had heard them talking the other night when they’d thought she was asleep. It would be the best day of her life as she knew the answer without hesitation. Yes!