If only

Epilogue

Two months later

After hanging a sign on the front door directing people toward the side gate, Galen made his way through the house and out the back.

The sound of easy conversation and laughter washed over him as he crossed the patio. Splashing came from the pool where Jessica and Beth were swimming token laps, stopping at each end to gossip and giggle.

The sizzle of steaks came from the grill where Raoul and Kim had joined Vance.

As Galen stopped here and there to talk with various clusters of guests, he noticed Sally watching him with concern. The little mother. The surgery on his knee was long over, the incision healed. Despite Sally’s annoyance, he’d abandoned his cane a few days ago.

Odd how irritating—and amazing—it was to be so loved.

But he didn’t want her fretting at her engagement party—although she had no idea that was what the celebration was for—so he picked up a beer and sat down with Z and Nolan.

“Has the new business started?” Z asked, idly stroking Glock. After rejecting several guests, the cat had apparently decided that Z’s lap was up to feline standards.

“On the record no, although I negotiated an early contract for Sally where someone had embezzled a fortune from a credit union. She’s been going stir-crazy since she quit the police station.” And she was thrilled to be working. Completely, thoroughly happy with hunting through lines of software code. The imp was insane.

“But the company officially opens in a month,” Galen continued with a smile. “It will be a pleasure to turn in a report and not have to arrest anyone.” Even more of a relief that his work wouldn’t follow him home with knives or firearms.

“I bet.” Nolan leaned back, stretched out his long legs, and rested his beer on his stomach. “Any problems with the Harvest Association?”

“Paperwork is done. Court cases will continue”—he sighed—“probably forever. Ellis Somerfeld died last month.”

Nolan grunted. “I’d call that a mercy.”

Considering the percentage of burns, his prognosis had been poor. And he’d been quite insane. All Galen felt was relief mingling with pity. “Ayuh.”

Jake dropped down in a chair next to Nolan, having scored a bowl of nacho chips.

With a sigh of exhaustion, Dan pulled over another chair.

“You okay?” Galen asked him.

“Been babyproofing the house. Did you know how many cupboards and shelves are in reach of a crawling rug rat?”

“I do know. Wait until he’s a teenager and sneaking out windows,” Z said.

“Shit,” Dan muttered. “And Kari wants another one.”

Sam obviously heard as he grabbed a chair and joined them. He gave a raspy laugh. “Enjoy life while you can. Once they’re in college, they stay up late—and you’ll find out how difficult it is to fuck quietly.”

“Hell.” Dan frowned before turning to Galen. “You mentioned your dungeon’s available. You okay if I drag Kari down there? So we can enjoy life a little before we have two kids?”

The detective was fast on the uptake, wasn’t he? Galen grinned. “Wait until Vance and I make an announcement, then escape during the confusion. Use the cabana for as long as you want.”

“Thanks.” Dan turned. His wife was by the pool, chatting with Jessica. As if she felt his gaze, she glanced over her shoulder…and the look they exchanged scorched the air.

Nice. With that as a spur, Galen rose to gather his own family.

Over with Marcus and Raoul, Vance saw him move. He excused himself and headed toward Galen.

Near the dock, surrounded by the trainees, Sally was flushed with laughter. By God, she was lovely. And with one of the most beautiful habits of a submissive, she was always visually checking on her Doms to see if they needed anything.

When her eyes met Galen’s, the love he saw made his heart glow.

Pull it together, Kouros. Crooking a finger, he beckoned for her to join him.

With instant obedience—not a given with Sally—she hurried over. He grasped her hand.

On her other side, Vance did the same and grinned at Galen over her head.

VANCE TOOK OVER as he usually did if a situation required a voice loud enough to be heard over shouting or gunfire. This was a hell of a lot more fun. He sucked in a breath and called, “People, may I have your attention?”

Conversations stuttered to a halt.

Looking down, Vance caught Sally’s puzzled expression, and unable to resist, he ran his fingers along her jawline. Fine bones under the smooth skin. Stubborn little chin.

Stay on task, Buchanan. “I’d like to announce the engagement of Sally Hart to Galen Kouros. And Vance Buchanan.” He added with a grin, “That would be me.”

Sally’s gasp was drowned out in the laughter and cheering and congratulations. The enthusiasm filled his heart. He liked having friends outside the small FBI community, ones he’d have around after he quit. Ones who’d be there for their marriage, children, maybe even old age.

“You didn’t tell me. Just announced it.” Eyes sparkling with outrage, Sally punched him in the stomach.

Fuck. Then again, he might not reach old age. That tiny fist had a concentrated impact. When his partner laughed, Vance tossed him to the wolves. “This was Galen’s idea.”

She spun around.

Warned, Galen caught her fist in one hand. “You want a public spanking to go with your engagement, pet?”

“You should have told me!”

“Seemed like we owed you something for the lights going off during our last scene,” Vance said. Next time he heard please, please, please, he’d gag her before she got the third one out.

Galen huffed a laugh. “Vance voted for mercy; I wanted you naked and gagged for the announcement.”

Vance could almost see her blood starting to boil.

Galen put an arm around her waist, pried her fist open, and held her hand out to Vance.

He pulled out the ring he and Galen had chosen and slid it on her finger. “You’re ours, sweetheart,” he said softly.

Stunned to silence, she stared down at her hand, and with the quicksilver changes of mood he loved, she burst into her enchanting giggles. She threw herself at Galen, bestowing kisses and hugs and love-you’s before doing the same for Vance.

He lifted her over his head and treated himself to a long kiss.

Once back on her feet, she announced to the crowd, “Just wait. I am so going to make them pay for their sneaky ways.”

Under the wave of laughter, Z walked over and hugged her. “Felicitations, little one. I’m happy for you.”

She had tears in her eyes and a quivering chin when he released her. Z turned to shake hands with Galen and Vance. “Congratulations, gentlemen. She’ll keep your home lively—and filled with love.”

“Thank you.” Vance smiled. “We know.”

The stream of people continued.

Cullen slapped Vance’s shoulder. “Glad it worked out.”

“So am I.” Vance rubbed his jaw with painful recollection. The bastard had a wicked right hook.

Cullen gave a bark of laughter. “Heard you’re doing supervision rather than fieldwork. How’s that going?”

Vance stroked his hand down Sally’s mink-brown, mink-soft hair. “Safer. But it’s harder to send people into danger than to handle the trouble myself.”

Cullen nodded. “Know that feeling.” He put his arm around his Andrea. “Having someone to talk with helps.”

“So I’m finding. And I have two someones. Galen understands; Sally comforts.”

Hearing her name, Sally stood on tiptoe to kiss his chin, her brown eyes warm with love.

As planned, the next one up was Marcus, with Gabi a step behind. Marcus was already grinning.

Vance swept his arm in a welcoming motion, giving Marcus the stage. “Your turn.”

“I do look forward to the sound of an outraged pup.” Marcus gripped Gabi’s shoulder, pulling her closer, and raised a voice trained to reach the farthest corner of a courtroom. “Ladies and gentlemen, to add to yo’ah pleasure, I’d like to announce the engagement of Gabrielle Renard to Marcus Atherton.” He shot Vance a smile. “That would be me.”

The welling of laughter and outpouring of renewed congratulations didn’t come close to smothering Gabi’s shriek.

Marcus’s little redhead whipped around so quickly she almost fell. “You…you douche bag. We were going to wait until winter. You said.”

“I lied, darlin’.”

Galen muttered to Vance, “Better warn him to keep Sally away from his computer.”

“No shit.” Last Friday night, when he’d logged on to finish some work, the screen had frozen while the speakers blasted out Alan Jackson’s “Good Time”—an unsubtle hint his workweek was over. At least the tune had been country western, unlike what she’d done to his partner.

Postsurgery, Galen had given her trouble over taking his pills, and she’d booby-trapped the poor bastard’s laptop with “A Spoonful of Sugar” from the Disney Mary Poppins movie. She’d set it off every time he refused his meds…which had been often.

Unable to resist, Vance hummed a bit of the song.

Sally snickered.

Galen’s look was deadly.

As everyone clustered near, the noise levels continued to increase, but the mere clearing of Z’s throat silenced the group. He pulled Jessica in front of him and wrapped his arms around her from the back. “Since announcements are the order of the day, I’d like to announce that Jessica Randall Grayson is expecting her first child. The father is delighted.” He gave Vance an amused glance. “That would be me.”

Jessica’s shriek of outrage was higher pitched than Gabi’s had been. “You, you, you. I just did the test this morning—I haven’t even told you yet!”

Z captured the hands beating on his chest, smiled down at his submissive, and asked gently, “Did you think I wouldn’t know?”

“I—” She sputtered for a moment before shaking her head. “Are you really delighted?”

“Absolutely. Incredibly. Completely.”

The answer set her to glowing with a beauty that showed Vance why Z was so in love. “Well, okay.” She snuggled closer to her husband with a low grumble, “But still…”

Peeking around Z’s side, Jessica whispered to Gabi and Sally. “We are so going to make them pay.”

LIKE AN INEBRIATED bumblebee, Sally’s body buzzed with joy. Tucked between Galen and Vance, she bounced on her toes, wanting to dance. To sing. Her friends and her family surrounded her. She had a home. A cat. And two Doms.

When she sighed, Galen tightened the arm around her waist and studied her face. “You’re happy.”

“Oh yes.”

To her joy, he stole a quick kiss. He’d changed over the past months. Not only was he more relaxed and happier, but also more open with his affection.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Vance grinned at her, looking far too pleased with her surprise.

So she told him begrudgingly, “I suppose…maybe…I might eventually tell you I love you. Since you saved me from that palmetto bug and everything.”

“Eventually?” The muscles in Vance’s square jaw tightened, reminding her he still worked in law enforcement. “If I—or Galen—don’t hear ‘I love you’ often enough, one little subbie will be punished.” He glanced at Galen. “Right, bro?”

“Ayuh.” Galen’s lips quirked. “Either way, I win.”

Fun punishment or bad punishment? Sally eyed her men warily. “I think we’d better talk about—”

“I like that rule.” Master Sam’s gravelly voice interrupted. Arm wrapped around Linda, he looked down at his redhead with icy blue eyes. “If you don’t tell me at least once a day, I get to beat your ass.”

“Really? Oh my goodness.” Linda smiled slightly. “I don’t think I told you today. Or yesterday. You’d better beat on me extra hard.”

Galen snorted. “Got yourself an S.A.M., Sam?”

Sally snickered. No matter how motherly she was to the Shadowkittens, Linda was definitely one smart-ass masochist with her sadistic Dom.

“If you prefer not to delay the punishment”—Vance pointed to the nearby dirt path—“we made the cabana into a dungeon. The cupboard has a supply of toys for guests.”

Sam’s hand closed around Linda’s nape.

Her eyes widened, and she protested, “Wait. This is a party. You can’t just—”

“Yes.” Sam’s voice was flat. Uncompromising. “I can.” Behind her back, he winked at Galen and Vance and steered Linda across the patio.

Nearby, Dan grinned. “Seize the day—before more babies arrive.” With a swift move, he swept Kari up. She gave a loud scream as he tossed her over his shoulder and headed down the cabana path.

After a second, Sally managed to close her mouth. Kari had said things were going well at home, but dayum.

Sometime later, Sally walked out onto the dock.

Jessica, Beth, Kim, and Andrea had been swimming and, near the end, they’d stretched out on beach towels to dry off.

Midway, Gabi lounged in one of the old chairs with her feet up on the railing.

“Gabi.” Sally took the other chair. “Marcus is fetching you a drink and food.”

“God, I love that man.” Gabi glanced back at the patio, then smiled at Sally. “Great party, Sally.”

As the rest chimed in with agreement, Sally flushed with pleasure. “I’ve never planned something this big. It was fun—although I’d have had better decorations if I’d known it would be an engagement-announcement celebration.”

“Can I see your ring?” Jessica asked, sitting up on her towel.

Sally leaned forward and held her hand out. In the bright Florida sunshine, the jewels were almost blinding.

Jessica considered. “The big blue is a sapphire. After the huge diamond, what is the big yellowish one?”

“Citrine.” Sally smiled, remembering how she’d started to walk into the office, heard them discussing her rings, and had managed to tiptoe away after only listening a…little…bit. “Birthstones. Vance’s is sapphire, I’m diamond, and Galen’s is citrine.”

“Got you tucked between them, don’t they,” Kim said with a grin.

Andrea frowned at the gold band, so thickly encrusted with diamonds the metal had almost disappeared. “Please tell me that all the little diamonds aren’t supposed to be babies?”

“No. Galen said they thought my ring should sparkle almost as much as I do,” she whispered. Tears stung her eyes. They really felt that way.

Andrea’s eyes filled. “Oh, don’t start or we’ll all be crying.”

Kim blinked quickly. Jessica sniffled.

“It’s perfect, Sally.” Gabi leaned over, kissed Sally’s cheek, and pulled in a long breath. “Okay, moving on, or the guys will stomp out here, wondering why we’re all bawling. I’m snoopy enough to want to know how you’re going to marry two men. Aren’t there laws?”

“Oh yeah. Can’t you imagine the headlines? FBI agents arrested for polyandry.” Sally laughed, remembering the night they’d proposed. “First, they offered to have me ‘officially’ marry one of them—and Vance said it should be Galen, because he’s older.”

Jessica frowned. “Well, that sounds—”

“Actually”—Sally snickered—“Vance called him an old man.” Which was just wrong since she should be the only one telling old jokes.

“Galen let him?”

“He shoved Vance off the dock.” Sally shook her head. “We had to haul him out, before the gator got him.”

“You’ve definitely improved Galen’s sense of humor,” Gabi observed. “Which one will you marry?”

“Neither. Oh, being they’re crazy overprotective, they’ll set up trusts and legal stuff for me and any children that come along.” Children. Sally felt as if her heart actually swelled as she imagined Galen’s face when he saw his baby for the first time. And Vance teaching a little boy to play football—or, being Vance, he’d teach the girls too.

“Yeah, that sounds like men.” Jessica scowled. “And that’s it? Just legal stuff?”

“No.” Sally smiled. “They think we should have a ceremony.” She glanced back at the crowd on the patio and whispered, “Actually, I think they want one more than I do.”

Kim nodded. “Honestly, men are more romantic than women are.”

“But, how?” Andrea asked.

“The guys talked to the other Masters about the local laws. They said Master Z has married people—and done ceremonies—before, and he volunteered.” And wouldn’t that totally appeal to Matchmaker Z. She beamed. I’ll be married by Master Z. It seemed only right.

Jessica blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that. He’s mentioned conducting marriages.”

“Ohhh.” Kim smiled. “That’s actually pretty clever.”

“I thought so,” Vance said, coming up behind Sally. He bent over and kissed her cheek and handed her a cold soda.

Her other cheek received a kiss from Galen, and he set a plate of snacks in her lap.

She turned and smiled at them, her big Doms standing shoulder to shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” Kim frowned at Gabi. “You’re thinking so hard I can see steam coming out your ears.”

“I had an idea.” Eyes alight, Gabi grabbed Sally’s hand. “Now if you don’t like it, just say no, okay?”

Gabi always had good ideas, so Sally grinned. “Shoot.”

“Okay, it’s like this. Although Marcus’s family is wonderful, mine is completely stuffy. And they’ll try to score points with my wedding, going all fancy and inviting their clients. I’m not good at standing up to them.”

“Oh God, seriously? That sucks.” Sally shook her head in sympathy, remembering one sorority sister having hysterics because her mother-in-law-to-be messed up all her plans.

“Yeah.”

Families. Sally stiffened. “Oh my God, Galen and Vance have families. I hadn’t even thought about them. Oh no!” She turned to face her Doms. “We’re flying to Vegas. I’m sure Elvis will marry us.”

“Sweetie,” Vance said, obviously on the edge of laughing. “I’ve heard rumors that Elvis has left the building.”

Before Sally could answer, Gabi said, “See? You get it. You totally understand. Why do you think I kept putting Marcus off?”

Behind Gabi, Master Marcus had started to reach for her. His hand stilled, and he took a step back, eyes narrowing.

Yep, he’d heard. Sally started to warn her friend. “Gabi, you have—”

“No, pet,” Galen forestalled her from finishing with a merciless grip on her shoulder. “Not your place.”

Oblivious, Gabi continued, “Sounds like you have some relatives like mine. Whose?”

Where was Gabi going with this? “My brother is nice, and he already said he’d come to the ceremony, and Vance has a fantastic family. But, oh God, Galen’s mother could outfreeze icicles.”

Behind her, Vance chuckled, and Galen gave an amused snort.

“Yeah, see?” Gabi bounced in her chair. “Daughters and potential daughters-in-law are obliged to be polite. But Galen’s mom isn’t related to me, so I wouldn’t have to be nice to her. And you…you could totally flatten my parents.” Gabi’s smile grew. “So, do you want to?”

“Gabi—want to what?”

“Boy, those stuffy Feebies are slowing your wits, girlfriend.” Gabi shoved the blue-dyed lock of hair out of her eyes and grinned. “Want to have a double wedding?”

“Oh. My. God.” Sally sat up straight. “Oh, Christ in a paddy wagon, that would be past fun and into sublime!”

“Exactly. Think of the havoc we could create.”

Master Marcus took a step forward and gripped her shoulders. “Gabi…”

Gabi stiffened, and her excitement faded away. She gave a resigned sigh. “Right. It was just a thought. I’d love to take on Galen’s mama. And Sally’s so tricky—she’d be great up against my dad. But…never mind.”

His keen eyes softened. “Take yourself a breath, darlin’,” he murmured, tracing his finger over the blue temp tatt on her shoulder. “I got a mind to wallop you for not sharing with me—and not thinking I can protect you.”

“You can’t guard me, big boy. Not for wedding stuff. That’s girl country.”

His surprise was almost laughable. But even a lawyer couldn’t argue that one, Sally knew. He looked over at Galen and Vance and shook his head before looking down at Gabi. “As long as I get my ring on your finger in a timely manner, y’all have my blessing to create whatever havoc you want.”

Under the sound of Gabi’s elated scream, Sally heard Vance mutter, “Fuck, just shoot me now.”

She turned to look at her Doms. “Um. Guys?”

“Sweetheart,” Vance said. “Have you ever met Gabi’s parents?”

Unbelievably enough, Galen was the one who laughed. “Up against our imp? They won’t know what hit them.” He bent down to kiss her cheek. “Go for it, pet. I know you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Her eyes filled with tears at the utter confidence in his voice.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of, bro. She’ll make mincemeat out of them.” After a second, Vance grinned. “At least the ceremony won’t be dull.”

God, could they be any more perfect? Blinking away tears, she remembered back in the spring, she’d given up on love. On finding a Dom. On hope.

Now she had love in abundance, hope for the future…and two Doms.

Even as she smiled down at the twinkling stones on her ring, she heard Vance mutter to Galen, “But she’s not bringing that laptop and voice stuff to the wedding.”