Page 324 of By His Vow

“I promise, I’ll always give you everything you want and need. Including the cat.”

“Aw, you love her, don’t you?” I tease.

He harrumphs, letting me know that he really doesn’t.

It’s fine. I think the little love/hate relationship they’ve got going on is cute.

Thankfully, the roads are clear and only minutes later, Lewis is pulling the car into the underground lot and we’re climbing out.

“We won’t need you for the rest of the day or tomorrow,” Kingston explains. “But we’ll both be heading to Warner Group first thing the following morning.”

“No problem. If you need me though?—”

“Go and spend some extra time with your family, Lewis,” Kingston says before taking our luggage from him and leading me toward the elevator.

“Aw, see, you can be nice,” I taunt.

“I’m always fucking nice.”

I chuckle. “Pretty sure you have plenty of staff who would say otherwise,” I deadpan.

He scoffs as the elevator dings to announce our arrival, but he doesn’t respond.

He can’t. He knows how true it is as well as I do. It’s what makes him so good at his job.

“Welcome home, baby,” he says after opening the door and letting me step inside before him.

The second I’m inside, I breathe in deeply, letting the scent of home fill my senses.

Contentment washes through me, letting me know that I was right to return.

I love England, I love the village, and the thought of having a life there. But not yet. Right now, my life and my family are all here. It’s where I need to be. Where I belong. With my husband, my brother, my best friend, and?—

“What’s that?” I ask, taking in the ridiculous addition to Kingston’s living room.

“What?” he asks innocently, letting me know that he knows exactly what I’m talking about.

“That…that…cat castle.” I stare wide-eyed at the most elaborate scratching post I’ve ever seen in my life.

The thing is pink.

Pink.

“Oh, it’s not a castle. It’s a palace,” Kingston explains matter-of-factly.

“A palace,” I muse. “I guess that explains the crown on the top.” I’m about to say something else, although God knows what, when a familiar purr hits my ears.

“Griz,” I call, searching the monstrosity before me for my girl.

At the sound of my voice, her little face pops out of a hidey-hole.

“Grizzy,” I say, holding my arms out for her.

She immediately jumps into them and begins nuzzling my neck.

Emotion burns up my throat, not just because I have my girl back, but because Kingston knew I’d want her here. And he hasn’t just got her here, he’s bought her the most ridiculous peace offering.

The man in question steps up beside me and reaches out. I freeze as his hand moves toward Griz, waiting for the moment she notices and strikes out.