The Hustle (Irreparable #4) Read online

  “You’re really serious about this?”

  “They’re a pair and they deserve a real home and Javier knows them already. It’s fate . . . or something. I don’t know. Most women feel some physical need to conceive a child, and I do too, but my desire to have Paco and Camilia join our family is so much stronger. And Rodrigo says that because we’re US citizens that once the process clears in Mexico, we can file US citizenship for them and move back to the states. If that’s what we want.”

  Here I thought asking about adding to our family was out of the blue. Clearly she’s been thinking about it a lot longer than I have. While it takes me a bit of time to process what she’s thrown at me, I know I want what she wants. I’ve wanted to adopt those two kids from the moment I met them, but it never felt quite right. I was never ready. Either I didn’t have a family to give them or my life was too chaotic to be there how they would need me. But now I have a family that could provide them with the life they deserve.

  I can’t help but wonder if Rodrigo knew all along I wasn’t in a place to provide what Paco and Camilia needed and he over dramatized the process to deter me. If so, I owe him many thanks for putting their needs before mine.

  “Are you opposed to having bio babies also?”

  “No,” she says, quietly. “I didn’t actually know what you’d think of that since three kids is already a lot.”

  “I want a house full of children with you.”

  “Me too.” Her hand pushes into my chest when I go to hug her. “One more thing. There’s a house just up the beach from Tori that I might of, kind of put an offer on. Can we go look at it?”

  She’s taken care of all the details and as I stare at her full bottom lip, I want her to take care of my raging hard on. “Yes, but first, I want to have baby making sex.”

  “Boob!”

  She squeals as I tickle her mercilessly.

  One month later we moved to Mexico, and two weeks after that, Paco and Camilia joined our family. The day they came home with us was emotional, but the day Aubrey Olivia was born overwhelmed me. Looking into your wife’s eye’s when she holds your baby for the first time changes a man. The bond with Paco and Camilia developed over time. I worked for it. While the bond with all of my children is unbreakable, with Aubrey, it was instant.

  I look at her and see a part of me. Not just in her thick brown hair, or her crocked smile, but in her trust and immediate devotion. She’s the best parts of me in an innocent package, sent to remind me my past was long ago. My mistakes are forgiven. I won’t forget my poor choices and chance making them again, but I’ve let go of the weight. And with every beautiful laugh from my daughter, I know with certainty, I finally took a risk that paid off.

  Family is the greatest reward bestowed upon a man, and I only have to look into Aubrey’s twinkling brown eyes to remember I deserve mine.

  There are days I sit on the beach with my wife by my side, and Aubrey in my arms, and can’t believe the unconditional love my life is filled with. I used to believe when things were broken they could never be fixed. They can, with time and family and love, nothing is irreparable.

  Healing takes faith. Once I accepted I wasn’t irredeemable, even my tattered heart could be mended.

  You know Brady and Tug’s story, but will Liv ever find love? Find out in My Way.

  My Way on Goodreads

  Ever wonder what Tug was thinking and feeling during Irreparably Broken and Irreversible Damage? Find out soon . . .

  Irrevocable Trust on Goodreads

  Irredeemable Loss on Goodreads

  Writing is a journey of learning and growth. I’ve made mistakes, but I learned from those mistakes with a lot of encouragement from those who stood by and nudged me to write the story better, and not to settle for fine. I owe them all many thanks.

  For starters, my incredible family who puts up with me, especially at crunch time. Tom (my husband), for his love and support. He’s my rock. My kids have sacrificed a lot of mommy time, and eaten a lot of junk food. I promise to make it up to them.

  Without my mother, I might still be writing my first book. I love her dearly.

  Big time thanks to: My friend Vicki, for her willingness to read my books from the first draft to the end, and for always giving me her honest feedback, even when I disagree with her. She’s been with me since book one, and I hope for many more. My betas; Nic, Kristie, Desiree, Lori and Sarah, thank you for helping me to improve Tug’s story. Especially Sarah, you amaze me every time. Your insight and notes are incredible.

  I don’t have enough words to thank my editor, Nichole. She pushed and she pushed and while there were times I wanted to skip over her comments, and not re-write a scene, I did it. She’s brilliant and I don’t think the conclusion to Tug’s story would be as perfect without her. I’m blessed.

  Christine and Nichole from Perfectly Publishable, put up with me, and their dedication, from the beautiful cover and formatting Christine designs to the attention Nichole puts into editing and proofing my books continues to amaze me. They’re a remarkable team and I’m incredibly grateful to have them. That’s Christine’s quote on the cover and I couldn’t have written it better myself.

  A thousand thank you’s to the bloggers who have stayed in touch, read ARC’s, and taken the time to review my books. You all rock my socks off. I’m in complete awe of how hard you work. Nic of Flirty and Dirty Book Blog, Emily from The SubClub Books, Kristie of Kristie’s Kaptivating Reviews, Jen of Naughty and Nice Book Blog, and finally, Desiree with A love Affair With Books have spread #tuglove from the first ARC of IB and I adore them for it.

  Finally, thank you to every reader who fell in love with Tug. I wish I could personally name all of you, but the list has grown too large. Every message you’ve sent, I’ve read. I’ve cried and I’ve laughed and you all have humbled me. I never expected when I drafted Tug as a fun-loving side character that I would get the chance to develop him into a man, but because of you, I have. Thank you for that opportunity. It’s been an incredible ride.

  KJ Bell currently lives in California with her husband and three children. As a mother of three, when she’s not writing, she’s usually carting one of her children to their various activities. She enjoys reading and music, and is equally addicted to both.

  Writing is a passion she simply can’t live without and looks forward to publishing many books in the near future.

  She loves hearing from her readers and can be found on various social media sites using the following links:

  WEBSITE

  FACEBOOK

  TWITTER

  GOODREADS

  The Irreparable Series

  Irreparably Broken (1)

  Irrevocable Trust (1.5) TBA

  Irreversible Damage (2)

  Irredeemable Loss (2.5) TBA

  Tug (3)

  The Hustle (4)

  My Way (5) TBA

  Standalones

  Cut Too Deep

  Battle

  The Locket