EPILOGUE
MADDIE WATCHED HER husband swim towards where she lay on a lounger next to the pool at the Amber Palace.
At five months pregnant, she knew her be
lly was rounded enough to make her state visible—a fact demonstrated by her husband when he launched himself out of the pool and immediately crossed to her side, his gaze lingering lovingly on her belly.
‘Have I told you how breathtaking you look?’
‘Not since this morning, no,’ she said with a mock pout.
He dropped to his knees beside her, one hand gliding over her swollen stomach as he leaned down to kiss her. ‘I can barely catch my breath from how beautiful you are, dea mia,’ he said gruffly when he lifted his head after a thorough, soul-shaking kiss.
‘You take my breath away too, my noble king.’
King Remirez of Montegova had taken to his new title and role with aplomb, and his people were showering even more adoration upon him now than they had at his coronation three months ago.
But it was when Maddie used his title like this in private moments that he loved it most.
His eyes darkened now, an arrogant smile curving his mouth when a thorough scrutiny showed what his focused attention had done to her body. His gaze lingered on her peaked nipples and racing pulse before coming back to hers.
He started to reach for her again, then groaned when his phone rang.
He answered, his features growing irritated as the conversation continued. Then he hung up abruptly and tossed the phone aside.
She caught his hand, wove her fingers through his. ‘Is everything okay?’
His lips compressed. ‘It looks like Jules isn’t the only brother causing waves. Zak isn’t answering his phone...again...and Violet Barringhall seems to have disappeared.’
‘What? Is she...? Do you need to inform the authorities?’
He shook his head. ‘My security team informs me they’re both unharmed, and curiously in the same Caribbean location.’ His tone was more irritated than furious.
‘You think they’re together?’
‘Most likely. I can only surmise that they wish to remain incommunicado. But, whatever they’re up to, I’m not going to let them ruin this moment.’
‘Oh? And what moment is that?’
‘The most perfect of moments—which is every second I spend with you, my wife, my heart. And with our son. With this love that fills my heart each day.’
He kissed her again, his hand resting on her belly. And, as if fate itself had decreed it, their child gave his first ever kick.
Maddie gasped, tears of joy filling her eyes. ‘Oh, my God—did you feel that?’
Remi’s smile was shaky. ‘Si. That was our son, confirming what I already know. That we are blessed beyond words. That each day you hold my heart in your hands is a lifetime I would never wish to be without. I love you, Madeleine.’
‘I love you, my king. Always.’
* * *