Cuff Master (40 page)

Captain Morrison came in a second later, keeping Taran from
responding to Sam’s challenge.

“They’re next,” Morgan whispered in Ethan’s ear.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Ethan said. “Hey, listen, looks as if
our Samhain plans are ruined. But I’ve something else in mind. Will you trust
me to figure out a way to see them to fruition once I’m out of here and able to
make love to you?”

“Yes, I will. I’m committed to you, Ethan. I’ll wait and
I’ll be there through thick or thin, bad guys and migraines.”

“Hopefully, we’ll keep the migraines to a minimum and the
bad guys never win.”

Already rethinking how he could collar Morgan when the time
came, he looked at the feathers dangling from her ears. Now that she wore her
hair out of her face, letting everyone see how beautiful she really was, he
thought earrings would be a nice way to collar her.

Next he had to get a ring and a license.

“Detective Maddox,” Captain Morrison said in a deep
baritone. “Glad to see you’re recovering well. You’re too good of a man and
detective to leave us so soon.”

“I’ve got my woman and my family and partner, Captain,”
Ethan told him. “I’m not going anywhere. Naturally, Detective Riley and I wore
our vests and will always do so in the future.”

“We couldn’t ignore shots fired,” Sam added. “We had backup.
Unfortunately, we were too late.”

“You two did fine, Detective Riley,” Morrison said. “Thanks
to your persistence in reopening Jennifer Bailey’s case, we were able to stop a
very sick couple from ever hurting another teenaged girl.”

Ethan looked at Sam, who quickly signed the number six,
adding seven and spelling Erica White’s name with it. American Sign Language
was a method of communication they’d established when they became partners.

Sam told him they’d found the bodies of six girls in the
orchard. The seventh body was that of Erica White. Damn, seven!

“Captain, may I introduce you to my lady?” Ethan asked.

“You may, but I figured the beautiful woman beside you was
Morgan Everhart,” the captain commented, looking at Morgan and smiling.

“Nice to meet you,” Morgan said, offering her hand. They
shook and introductions were official.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Morrison dropped his
hand. “Friends of yours, Remington Sinclair and Evelyn Stratham, are out in the
waiting room. They were cleared of arson charges yesterday. Salem police also
have footage from a security camera installed outside of Ink Master’s tattoo
shop that shows Maura Andrews setting the fire to Sinclair’s vehicle and your
store.”

Morgan bowed her head gratefully. “Thank you, Captain Morrison.
I’m glad they’re okay.”

“I’ll send them down, if it’s all right with you, Detective
Maddox?”

“Yes sir,” Ethan agreed. Morrison left. “Phalen, I thought
that camera you installed was aimed toward the parking lot.”

“It was,” Phalen said.

“Could have been a miracle,” Morgan suggested. “My grandma’s
been known to move things from time to time.”

Ethan was beginning to believe in Grandma Everhart. Who was
he kidding? He believed in miracles. Tightening his hand on Morgan’s knee, he
grinned when she laid her hand over his.

“My money’s on Grandma,” he said.

“Whatever the explanation, I’m installing cameras all over
that lot. Anyone who messes with Maddox businesses will get caught,” Phalen
stated.

“Amen,” Cassie said.

“Who’s up for a round of poker?” Taran suggested. “I picked
up a pack of cards in the gift shop downstairs.”

“I’m in,” Ethan agreed. “Morgan?”

“I’m a terrible poker player. I’ll play if you show me the
ropes.”

Ethan leaned in. “No ropes with me, honey, cuffs,” he
whispered in her ear, kissing her softly.

“Promise?” she asked. “No matter what, will you promise
you’ll keep using them with me?”

“You bet. You learned the other night what I can do with
bondage chains made out of handcuffs.”

“And a cocksicle,” she reminded.

“Hey, lovebirds, get into the game here,” Taran interrupted.

Phalen had gone to the nurse’s station to ask for some extra
chairs, brought enough back and they decided to use an L-shaped table for a
makeshift poker table. It wasn’t ideal, but they were able to get Q-tips to use
as chips and the game was on.

Eve and Remy came in, saw what was going on and joined in.
Even Sam stayed to play.

All in all, Ethan’s leg hurt. But that was okay. Pain meant
he could feel and that he was still with his friends and family. And the woman
firmly at his side was his reason for being able to laugh and love right along
with them.

Chapter Fifteen

YES
! Three letters, one simple word, stared back at
Morgan from the test stick in her hand.

Ten minutes ago, she’d tried a different kind of test. That
one had lines. Two lines meant pregnant, one meant not pregnant. Her test stick
had two lines!

Before that, Morgan used a plus/minus-style test kit.
Result?
Plus
.

The first of them all was digital. The display read
pregnant.

It was surreal! Yet she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that
she and Ethan were having a baby.

She suspected when Ethan was still in the hospital. But then
thought maybe she was overly tired and missed her period because she was
stressed out from being there and slept in a special cot that Phalen had
procured for her use at night.

Morgan only left Ethan long enough to go to the brownstone
with Taran, take a shower, change clothes and eat. She’d returned as soon as
she could, helping Ethan in and out of bed the way a nurse and a technician
showed her.

The cot wasn’t cozy. But it was better than sleeping alone.
She’d rolled the cot right up against his bed. All Ethan had to do to calm her
down at night was take her hand.

He was released a week after he’d been shot. It still scared
the hell out of her knowing that he had a dangerous job. But she wouldn’t balk
or ask him to change.

Ethan had been amazing the last six and a half weeks. He’d
been sweet, romantic and loving, taking her on actual dates after long days of
physical therapy at Doc’s clinic. He helped her choose a college to apply to
and she’d been accepted into UMass, Boston. They had an online program that
meshed perfectly with classroom learning.

After Christmas, she’d start earning her bachelor’s degree
and eventually apply to a graduate program. It would take awhile to become an
archaeologist. That was okay. She was grateful to know Ethan would be there
every step of the way.

The most surprising thing of Ethan’s recovery was his
physical therapist, Avery Grant, Alexander’s sister. She’d moved to Danvers and
taken over the lease on Ryan Hathaway’s apartment that had once been Cassie’s.

Morgan met Avery when she’d come to Alex and Ryan’s wedding.
They’d become friends in an instant. Avery was an excellent therapist. Because
of her, Ethan had graduated from using crutches to a cane to walk around. The
other day, he’d rejected using anything at all and was beginning to do light
workouts with Phalen.

Morgan knew Ethan was anxious to return to work. He was
planning to do so at the end of November, although his captain told him he’d
have to pass a psych evaluation after having been shot in the line of duty.

She had no doubt he’d pass. He was still very confident and
strong, both mentally and physically.

But both Ethan and Samantha had to deal with the fact that
two terrible people had bought and killed seven teenaged girls over the last
six years for their own perverted reasons. During that time, one had been Jenna
Bailey. Erica White had come to Massachusetts to expose Spencer Bailey for the
cretin he was, but she ended up a victim too.

It was tragic. And Samantha was still coming to terms with
the fact that she used lethal force to stop Alisa Bailey’s rampage. Morgan was
sad for the lost soul Alisa had been, but grateful that Samantha saved Ethan’s
life.

Alisa had made a choice that fateful day, opting to avenge
her daughter, sacrificing her life to do so. Sad as that was, Morgan found a
sense of peace in believing Jenna had finally crossed over.

Temporarily, she and Ethan moved into Phalen’s studio
apartment above his tat shop because it was easier for Ethan to get around. It
wouldn’t be long before they returned to the Southie townhouse.

She looked forward to it. They were a couple and Ethan
constantly referred to her as Morgan Maddox, even though they weren’t
technically married.

And here she was, staring at another positive pregnancy
test.

A sharp knock on the bathroom door startled Morgan, causing
her to send the test sticks flying. “Crap,” she muttered.

“Morgan? You okay in there, darlin’?” Phalen asked. “Ethan
told me you don’t like small places. Open the door.”

Oh great. This was so
not
what she needed right now.
“I’m fine. The window’s open. You startled me. Is something wrong?”

“Yes. You’ve been in there for an hour. If you’re sick, I’ll
take you to Doc.”

“I’m not sick. No need to worry so much.” She’d been sick
this morning, briefly.

Beyond the apartment bathroom she could hear the buzz of
saws and slamming hammers. Reconstruction of Enchanted Treasures had begun. It
was a long way to completion, but the frame was up and Ethan, Alex and Phalen
made sure the crew remained true to the original construction.

“Morgan, open the goddamned door or I’ll take it off,”
Phalen insisted.

Over the construction sounds, she heard the telltale squeaks
of the hinges.

“Wait!” Gathering up the tests, she shoved them under the
sink, keeping one stick and tucking it into the pocket of her multicolored
skirt.

She wore a pair of brown leather boots and a feminine forest
green sweater. She was suitably dressed. By the time Phalen took the hinges off
and
removed
the door, she stood there calmly.

“Hi, Phalen, you didn’t have to take the door off. What
would you have done if I wasn’t dressed?”

“Same damn thing, but I’d have closed my eyes until you were
decent. I’ve been sent to get you.”

“Sorry, who sent you? Ethan’s at PT.”

“Why don’t you come outside? The fresh air will do you good.
I’ll get your coat.”

“Hang on one second,” she said, rushing back to the sink to
check her face. She’d brushed her teeth after she’d gotten sick, so her breath
was minty fresh.

Her makeup was in place. Her hair was relatively straight,
with the sides pulled back into a braid down the back. Her favorite earrings
were in place. She looked the same as she had when she came in the bathroom.

But she wasn’t the same. She was staring at a mother-to-be.

Feeling shaky all of a sudden, Morgan took a deep breath,
wondering at the tiny miracle within her. Except for the time she’d been struck
down by a migraine and Maura Andrews with a flashlight, she hadn’t skipped
taking the Pill. It was low dose and she’d been on antibiotics.

Given that, one of Ethan’s potent little sperms met up with
one of her eggs and life found a way.

“Darlin’, I’m not going to ask what’s going on with you.
Thanks to Cassie, I know the signs. Ethan will be thrilled. Hear what I’m
telling you?”

Phalen came into the bathroom with her, drew her to him and
held her with brotherly affection. It was so nice, she relaxed.

“I love Ethan so much. He’s my anchor,” she admitted against
his big chest. Damn, up this close and personal with Phalen Maddox made her
very aware that he was a huge man. How on earth did Maddox men get so freakin’
big?

“He loves you too.”

“Thanks, your hugs are nice. His are better.”

“I should hope so,” Phalen said, laughing softly. “When
you’re ready, talk to Cassie and take the next steps. Promise?”

“Yes.” She finally stepped back and let him lead her out of
the bathroom. Phalen stopped to get her long coat off a rack and placed it on
her shoulders.

“Hard to believe Thanksgiving is coming up,” Morgan
commented.

“Do they make veggie turkey?”

“Probably, but that does not sound appealing.”

“What does sound good?”

“Stuffing, old-fashioned stuffing, mashed potatoes made
without the chicken broth and sweet potato casserole, with tons of
marshmallows. And pumpkin pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.”

“No apple pie?”

Morgan groaned. “Maybe someday I’ll eat it again. I can’t
though, not when the smell of apples makes me sad for Jenna Bailey.”

“What happened to her and her family was terrible. But you
can’t look back with regrets or sadness. Jenna is in a better place, where her
stepfather and aunt can’t hurt her or anyone again.”

Not sure if it was hormones or Phalen’s words, Morgan got
all teary and flustered.

“Great, I’m going to cry, dammit. This may sound horrible,
but I hope demons in hell are putting Spencer Bailey and his twisted bitch
through the same torment they subjected their victims to.”

“Much as I agree, I never thought you’d have a potty mouth,”
he teased.

“This is nothing. You’ve never heard me when I’m
having…never mind.”

“Good call, best not to finish that one. Plus if Taran found
out, he’d tease the shit out of Ethan.”

“I happen to love Taran very much.”

“So do I, never doubt it.”

“You think he and Samantha will get together? I thought for
sure she was giving in at the hospital.”

“Taran needs to be patient. She’s got a defense shield
around her that seems impenetrable. But he already knows which buttons to push
and loves when she pushes back.”

“She’s what he needs, a challenge. She’s been hurt before,
Phalen, deeply and in ways she may not admit to anyone.”

“Yeah, I figured as much. She talked to Alex about joining
the club without Taran’s permission. That’s going to lead her into trouble.
She’d better be prepared for it.”

“Taran’s a sweetheart. So are you.”

“Thanks, darlin’. Don’t let Taran fool you. Growing up, his
dating life made mine and Ethan’s look eligible for sainthood.”

“He erased every other woman except Samantha’s number from
his contact list, making her number one. I think they’re soul mates. And Taran
has every ounce of Maddox honor that you and Ethan have. He’ll heal her, wait
and see.”

“Then he’s going to have to figure out if he can compromise
and switch. He’ll have to if he wants to keep Sam.”

Phalen and Morgan got quiet after that. Honorable gentleman
he was, he walked her down the steps and around to the front of the tattoo
shop. That was when Morgan realized construction had stopped.

No one was hammering or sawing or talking. It was weirdly
quiet and the parking lot was deserted.

“What in the world is going on? Where are the cars? Where
are the patrons for the diner and members of the dojo?”

“Cassie and Alex had everyone move their cars,” Phalen
answered.

Just when she’d have asked why, a dog barked, drawing her
attention to the diner. The main door opened up. Cassie, Alex, Ryan, Taran and
Avery Grant walked out.

A half second later, Ethan came around the side of the diner
leading a huge dog, who’d decided to play, leaping up a little and revealing it
was a male. A gentle command from Ethan calmed him back down.

Right then and there, Morgan fell in love. The dog was a
handsome black and tan mixed breed that looked to be mostly Labrador and
Bernese Mountain Dog, but with a Bloodhound’s floppy ears.

“Oh my, Phalen, look, he’s gorgeous.”

“Go on, darlin’…” Phalen urged her forward.

Being certain she didn’t run or frighten the dog, she kept
her pace even as she approached them. Ethan walked confidently, with only a
minor limp in his stride that would surely be gone soon.

Heart pounding nervously, she met them in the middle of the
parking lot. “Is…is he ours, Ethan?”

“He is. Read the note,” Ethan answered, gesturing to a small
package that was strapped to the dog’s leash. A tag on a badass spiked collar
read Guinness.

“His name is Guinness?”

“He’s black and tan and a Maddox. I had to name him after my
favorite Irish stout and pale ale. The shelter folks called him Elvis.”

“Why?”

“He’s handsome and part hound dog. Morgan. Read the note.
Open your present.”

She knelt down before the dog, offering her hand. He licked
it right away. Smiling, she raised her eyes to Ethan. “I have something for you
too.”

Ethan lifted a brow, waiting. Morgan scuffed Guinness’ head.
“Aren’t you a fine-looking puppy? I just want to bury my nose in your fur and
hug you.”

“He’s three and weighs eighty-five pounds. He’s not a pup.”

“He’s always going to be a puppy to me. I love him already!”

She couldn’t help it. She let Guinness give her welcoming
kisses. It was sloppy and he smelled like a dog, but it wasn’t unpleasant. He
was freshly groomed and his fur was silky soft.

After Guinness settled down, Morgan removed the package and
stood up, opening the note first. It was an adoption paper from the shelter
telling her all about Guinness’ extensive mixed-breed lineage. Across the front
was a message.

Hello, my name is Guinness. I’m lovable, house trained,
good with kids and need a family. Will you marry my daddy and be my mom?

“Oh my, does this mean what I think it does?”

“Open the box, honey,” Ethan insisted.

Morgan obeyed. Nestled inside the velvet box was a gold and
emerald Claddagh engagement ring. It was simple and lovely.

“Marry me, Morgan, today.”

Morgan blinked up at Ethan. “We can’t. We need to get a
license, call my mom and stepdad, pick out wedding bands…arrange a wedding.”

“If I already got the license, have the bands in my pocket
and made arrangements for the ceremony, would you marry me? Your parents are on
a cruise. I called to let them know my intentions. If you want to wait until
they return, that’s okay, as long as you say you’ll be my wife.”

Morgan looked around. Her friends watched in awe. They were
as much her family as her mom and stepfather, perhaps more so. Guinness sat
down on his haunches, his fluffy tail flopping happily as he watched them.

“You need to know something before I give an answer, Ethan.”
Taking the test stick that spelled out
pregnant
from her pocket, she
handed it to him.

Ethan read the stick, let out a belly-whopping whoop, caught
her around the waist and hoisted her right up in the air, spinning her around.
Guinness jumped and barked and played around them.