He doesn’t look at her the same way she looks at him, and it makes me wonder what this is all really about.

It’s certainly not normal.

“Hi Marcus,” I say, my voice slightly shaky. He has that effect; he’s so powerful and dominating. “I know it’s taken a while, but I wanted to come by and, ah, thank you for what you did.”

His eyes flash to me. Oh, boy.

“No need to do that.”

“Of course there was,” I protest. “You saved my life.”

His eyes hold mine, dangerous. “No problem.”

He turns to Katia. “My office, ten.”

Then he’s gone.

Damn, that was intense.

“Sorry about him. He can be slightly, ah, broody.”

Santana grins. “I bet he likes to spank the bacon?”

Katia’s face lights up. “He most certainly does.”

We all laugh again.

That girl is definitely our people.

~*~*~*~

MACK

“You went to visit Marcus?” I murmur, running my tongue up Jaylah’s neck.

“Yes,” she whispers.

“Marcus.”

She giggles. “Yes.”

“Marcus . . .”

Her giggles turn into laughter. “I know he’s a bit, ah, stiff, but he saved my life.”

“Stiff,” I grunt. “He’s a fuckin’ asshole.”

“No he isn’t.” She grins.

“Baby, he is.”

“Do you know what the deal is with him and Katia?”

“No fuckin’ clue, but whatever it is, it’s dodgy.”

“You think he loves her?”

“With Marcus, no.”

“She’s a really good girl.”

“No doubt, baby.”

She pouts. “If he’s using her, I’ll take him down to Chinatown!”

I burst out laughing and tuck her into my side. “I’m sure you will, honey.”

“So, why did you come home early?”

“Got a surprise for you.”

She stares up at me. “You do?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Is it awesome?”

I grin down at her, pressing my lips to hers. “Pretty fuckin’ awesome, babe.”

“Of course it is; it’s from you.”

I press my lips to her cheek, breathing her in. Fuckin’ beautiful.

“We’re waitin’ on the others,” I murmur against her skin.

“Why?” she gasps.

“Because they need to see it, too.”

“O-o-okay.”

I run my lips down her neck.

“Do we have much time before they come?” she breathes.

“Enough time for me to put your sweet cunt on my lips and make you come.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Maybe enough for you to get on your knees and suck my cock.”

“That works.”

I grin and lift her, throwing her onto the couch. “Better concentrate, baby. This one is going to blow your mind.”

She laughs softly. “Miakoda, there is never a time you don’t blow my mind.”

She’s fuckin’ right about that.

EPILOGUE

TWO HOURS LATER

JAYLAH

“What’s he doing?” Santana asks as the guys all disappear outside.

I bounce Diesel on my lap. “I don’t know.”

“Ohhh! He’s so secretive. I think he looooves you.” Ash giggles.

“Come over here, cutie.” Pippa, who is here too, smiles and stretches her hands out to Diesel.

I put him on the floor. “Show Aunty Pippa how you roll, handsome man.”

He giggles and reaches for his foot, putting it into his mouth.

“Such a charmer.” Santana laughs.

He hears her voice and lets his foot go, then with what seems like great effort, he rolls towards her.

“Oh my God!” she cries happily. “Come here, baby boy.”

He half rolls, then plops back down. He tries again and gets it. We all coo over him, clapping and praising as he rolls towards her. Santana lifts him into her arms, kissing his cheeks, and then she hands him to Pippa, who does the same. He’s a very loved boy.

“He’ll never lack for women.” Ash grins.

“Not like his daddy,” I snort.

Santana laughs. “Mack finally found the one. I’m happy for him.”

“The second one.” I laugh. “But what is it they say? First is the worst, second is the best . . .”

Santana snorts, Ash laughs, and Pippa giggles.

“You know,” Santana says, “I never knew about Ingrid when I met Mack.”

“You didn’t?” I gasp.

She shakes her head. “Nope. I met him when I was in a bad way five years ago. He was away more than he was there, but the months I was first around, he spent a lot of time with me. After six months, he was back and forth. I only even saw him with a few women, but I had no idea the love of his life was at home with another man.”

“So he slept around while he was with her?” I whisper.

“My guess,” Ash says. “He was hurting. I mean, she wouldn’t leave her husband; she surely couldn’t ask him to be faithful.”

“You’re right about that.” I nod.

“I don’t know if he was with her at those times, but it wasn’t often he was with women.”

“Poor Mack,” Pippa says softly.