Nash (Daddies of Justice #3)

Chapter 20

Rosie

The ocean breeze whipped through Rosie's hair as she leaned against the balcony railing, gazing out at the sun-dappled expanse of white sand below. Nash's strong arms encircled her waist from behind.

"What do you think, baby girl?" His voice was a low rumble in her ear. "Can you see us making a home here in the Bahamas?"

Rosie sighed contentedly, sinking back into his embrace. After weeks of carefully narrowing down their options from the 1001 Great Escapes book Nash had gifted her, this secluded island villa was by far her favorite. It was like something out of a fantasy—private, luxurious, an oasis just for the two of them.

She turned in Nash's arms to face him, looping her arms around his neck. "It's perfect, Daddy. Like a dream come true." Her smile faltered slightly as a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. "But, before we really do this, tell me one more time. Are you sure this is what you really want? To leave everything behind in Chicago and hide away with me on some island?"

Nash's green eyes softened as he cupped her face tenderly. "Rosie Love, I've spent my whole adult life chasing bad guys, living on the edge. I don't need the rush anymore." He brushed his thumb over her lower lip. "The only thing I need is you. Us. This is my dream now too."

Rosie's heart swelled with love and relief. Still, she had to be certain. "It doesn't feel like we're just running away from our problems?"

"No, baby." Nash shook his head, his gaze intense and certain. "We're running toward our future. No more looking over our shoulders, no more danger. Just you and me, building a life together in paradise."

“What about Chloe? You were fighting bad guys in her memory? Do you feel like you’ve done enough?”

Nash paused to consider this. “You know, I think about Chloe every damn day. The shit she went through. The unfairness of it all. My folks too. And you know what? I’ve come to the conclusion that I made a difference. My brothers and I have done a lot of good work in Chicago. We saved a bunch of girls, we exposed a bunch of bad guys. But the bad guys are gonna keep on coming. And at some point, I have to put my hands in the air and say, ‘You know what? I need to live my own life now. To save myself and the people around me.' Because, like always, family comes first.”

Tears pricked Rosie's eyes as she surged forward and captured Nash's lips in a searing kiss. He responded instantly, hauling her tight against him as he claimed her mouth with the passion and possession that never failed to make her melt.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, matching grins spread across their faces. This was really happening. No more demons to haunt them. Just a bright, beautiful future stretching out ahead, waiting to be discovered, hand in hand.

Rosie ran inside and grabbed her tablet from the nightstand, excitement bubbling through her veins. "Let's video call the gang and tell them the good news!"

Nash settled beside her on the bed, one muscular arm wrapping around her shoulders as she opened the group video chat. Moments later, familiar faces filled the screen—Blake and Savannah, cuddled together on their couch at The Den, and Jax with Mia perched on his lap in what looked like their cluttered office back in Bloomington.

"Hey, lovebirds!" Savannah greeted with a grin. "How's the vacation going?"

"Actually . . ." Rosie shared a loaded glance with Nash before turning back to the screen, unable to contain her smile. "We've decided to make it permanent. We found the perfect place to settle down."

Exclamations of surprise and joy erupted from their friends.

Blake leaned forward, his eyes warm with approval. "That's fantastic, guys. I'm happy for you."

"We’re really sorry, though, Blake and savvy," said Rosie, her brow furrowing slightly. “We don’t mean to leave Paladin and The Den in the lurch.”

Nash squeezed Rosie's shoulders reassuringly. "Paladin is in good hands with Blake at the helm."

"About that . . ." Blake exchanged a smile with Savannah. "The Den is fighting fit with our new security upgrades. But we've decided to make a few key changes. We’re going to turn The Den into a fetish club for the DDlg community. A place where Littles and their caregivers can feel safe to be themselves. Just . . . without all the chasing down of bad guys."

Rosie's heart swelled with pride. "That's an amazing idea!"

“We couldn’t have all you guys running off to find your happy ever afters without deciding to take a little slice of peace and quiet for ourselves, too,” said Blake.

“Yeah,” said Savannah with a grin. "I'm not giving up my investigative journalism, though. And Blake is going to help me with some undercover work from time to time."

Nash nodded. “Glad to hear you’ll still be fighting the good fight, guys. And a DDlg club sounds perfect. A safe haven without all the danger." He swallowed. "As for me, I needed a clean break. Rosie and I both did. We saw so much darkness in the city. It’s time to let the light in.”

Jax nodded. “Amen to that. You know, I think Chloe would be proud of us.”

“And Mom and Dad,” agreed Blake.

“It’s not like we’re giving up,” said Nash, “just moving on. Evolving. I have an entire unit of the DEA looking into a drugs chain they found operating out of the casino. That councilor is still behind bars. No more ‘vase’ sales for him now. We exposed the assholes that took Savannah at that nightclub.”

“You stopped the strip club’s trafficking and saved all those girls there,” Mia added.

“Yeah,” Blake agreed. “We did more than a lifetime’s worth of work.”

“But we have our Littles now,” said Nash, looking fondly at Rosie. “We have our lives to live.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“Speaking of which,” said Rosie to Jax and Mia, “how’s life in Bloomington? Does it feel good to be back?”

Jax and Mia both smiled. “Business is booming," Jax chimed in, his arm tightening around Mia. "Better than ever. And taking a break in the city reminded us how we are to be living this life here."

Rosie felt tears prick her eyes as she looked at the faces of her chosen family, so full of love and support. "You guys . . . I can't tell you how much it means to us to have your blessing in this new chapter."

"Of course, little one," Blake said softly. "You two deserve all the happiness in the world."

Rosie blinked back tears, her heart too full for words. Nash picked up the thread, describing the private lagoon they'd discovered nestled on one of the outer islands of the Bahamas. "Crystal clear water, white sand, lush greenery all around . . . we'll send pics as soon as we close on the place. And expect an invite to come visit ASAP!"

Whoops and cheers sounded from their family, all vowing to take them up on that offer. They chatted a bit longer, catching up on everyone's latest news and adventures, the love and camaraderie wrapping around Rosie like a warm hug.

Finally, Jax clapped his palms together. "Alright, you crazy kids. As thrilling as this is, some of us have books to sell."

Everyone laughed and said their goodbyes, with promises to talk again soon.

Rosie ended the call and set the tablet aside, happy tears still glistening on her lashes as she turned to Nash. "We really did it," she whispered. "We're really going to build a life together in paradise."

Nash cupped her face in his big hands, his eyes glowing with love and promise. "Damn straight, baby. This is just the beginning for us." He paused. "I'm sorry I never made you fall in love with Chicago. But I see now that you never would. Not with all those bad memories there. Doesn't matter how many times I take you to the zoo or the Art Institute. You needed to start afresh."

Rosie smiled. "I think I'll enjoy going back to The Den from time to time."

"Me too," said Nash. "Especially now it's a fetish club." He winked at Rosie and she giggled. Then, he claimed her lips in a kiss that stole her breath and ignited her blood, a preview of the passion and devotion she knew would define the rest of their days.

Rosie melted into Nash's arms, savoring the taste and feel of him, the strength of his body against hers. His hands roamed down her back to cup her bottom through the thin sundress she wore, the only stitch of clothing on her frame aside from the bracelet that symbolized their love.

Nash growled low in his throat as he discovered her bare bottom underneath. "Naughty girl," he rumbled. "Teasing Daddy like this."

"I thought you liked it when I'm naughty," Rosie purred, grinding her hips against the thick ridge of his erection.

"Oh, I do. But naughty girls still need to be punished, don't they?" The dark promise in Nash's voice sent shivers dancing down Rosie's spine.

"Yes, Daddy," she breathed.

In a blur of movement, Nash had her dress off and Rosie tossed on the plush king-sized bed in their luxury bungalow. She bounced slightly on the mattress, biting her lip as she watched Nash strip off his own clothes with impatient efficiency, his chiseled body making her mouth water.

He prowled toward her, pure masculine power and barely-leashed hunger.

Rosie's heart hammered in her throat, her core already slick and aching. No matter how many times they made love, the sight of Nash in all his naked glory never failed to take her breath away.

He captured her wrists in one large hand, pinning them above her head as he loomed over her, his hard length jutting hot and insistent against her thigh. Nash's other hand skimmed down her body, finding her wet folds.

"Always so ready for me," he praised roughly, parting her and sinking one finger inside.

Rosie keened, her back arching off the bed as sensation crashed through her. "Daddy, please . . ."

"Shh, baby girl. Let Daddy take care of you." Nash captured her lips again as he stretched out over her, caging her in his warmth and strength.

He made love to her with exquisite tenderness and raw passion, worshipping her body, stoking the flames higher and higher until Rosie thought she might combust. Each touch, each thrust, each heated glide of skin on skin wove their bodies and souls more tightly together.

Rosie cried out as ecstasy finally crested over her in a tidal wave, her nails scoring Nash's back, her muscles gripping him like a vice.

With a guttural groan, he buried his face in the slender column of her throat, shuddering through his own release.

They clung to each other in the aftermath, sweat-slicked and breathing heavily, exchanging soft touches and even softer words as they basked in the afterglow. Their pasts and all the dangers and heartaches that came before felt distant, like a story that happened to someone else. All that mattered was the love shimmering between them, as vast and full of promise as the ocean just beyond their door.

***

Thank you so much for reading!