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Ford escorted Harmony out onto the streets without a penny to her name. She cried and sobbed and begged, but he didn’t feel an ounce of pity toward the woman.

He returned to Grace’s room, where she lay in her chair, an exhausted look in her eyes. As soon as she saw him, she stood and walked into his arms.

Ford gripped her tightly, caressing her back with soothing sweeps of his thumb.

“My heart hurts that I had to turn her away.”

Ford buried his nose in her hair. “Do you want me to send Thomas to check up on her?”

Grace raised her eyes to his, wide and surprised. “You would do that?”

“I hate her with a fiery passion. But I hate her for what she’s done to you. I don’t want you to suffer because of her any longer, and I know you won’t rest easy until you know she is faring well.”

“And what if she isn’t?”

“She is a grown woman who collected money off the offer of your head. She is resourceful. She will be fine.” He paused. “And if she isn’t, I am sure Eloise has a house she needs a cleaner for.”

“You would trust Harmony with your sister?”

“Not next to her, no. Never. But cleaning some house she visits twice a year? Yes, we can manage to send her to live there in isolation. That would be punishment enough. But I assure you, she will fare well on the streets on her own.” He kissed her head. “I envy your ability to love and care for people who hurt you.”

Grace let out a chuckle. “No, you don’t.”

He laughed. “No, I don’t. I know I sleep better at night without those worries. But I love you more for it.” She raised her face to his, and he pressed a kiss to her mouth.

“Help me sleep better,” she whispered against his lips.

“Gladly.” He took her mouth in a passionate kiss.

Epilogue

Grace carefully stepped forward, her feet touching the ground and her hand in Ford’s grasp the only tethers to the environment around her. She couldn’t see a thing for the black silk fabric covering her eyes.

“How much longer?” she asked and heard Ford’s satisfied chuckle. He was enjoying himself.

“A few more seconds.”

He had been working on the room in their attic for weeks, not letting Grace inside under any circumstances. He even kept the keys on him at all times.

The door creaked and a gentle nudge to the small of her back propelled her into the room. With a swift tug, the fabric fell away, and she blinked, adjusting to the light. As her eyes focused, she couldn’t suppress a gasp.

The room before her was a sensual palace. Leather straps adorned the walls, their purpose unmistakable. A sturdy sex swing hung from the ceiling, promising delightful adventures. And there, in a place of honor, stood the love-chair Grace had invented.

Her gaze darted around, taking in the array of other “accessories” artfully arranged throughout the space. Each item held the potential for pleasure, for exploration.

Ford’s voice broke through her awe. “Whenever you come up with new prototypes, we can test them here first.”

She turned to him, seeing the mixture of pride and desire in his eyes. A slow smile spread across her face as she imagined the possibilities this room held for them. She also felt warmth in her chest knowing how long he’d spent to set it up just to make her happy. When she first met him, she couldn’t have imagined that the proper and righteous thief-taker would love all the accessories within her brothel.

“Thank you,” Grace said, struggling between tears of joy and happy laughter.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Ford said. “I love you. I want to make you the happiest woman on earth. In bed and out of it,” he added with a mischievous grin.

Grace’s own lips widened as she reached for him. “Shall we begin the testing now?”

Without a word, Ford captured her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless. His mouth moved hungrily against hers, igniting a fire deep within her core. Grace’s fingers tangled in his hair as she responded with equal fervor, their tongues locked in a sensual dance.