I nod my head in agreement, knowing he’s right. I moisten my lips with my tongue and push any other thoughts away. I’m part of this world, and I know what goes on for the most part. I also know what kind of man Luke is and I’m glad that he is the kind of man who takes care of his family. Maybe that makes me a bitch, or coldhearted, I don’t know. What I do know is that everything he said makes perfect sense and I’m glad. I’m glad that my man had my back, and even protected my father.
“I really do love you, Luke.”
His eyes close and I guess until this very moment, I didn’t realize he was worried that I might truly walk away or be unable to accept what he had done.
“Thank fuck,” he growls, making me smile.
“You’re supposed to say you love me too,” I murmur.
“That goes without saying, Red.”
“Promise me you’ll never quit saying it, Luke. I need it.”
“I promise baby, I promise,” he vows, and then he kisses me. It might be the single, sweetest kiss that we’ve ever shared. It’s slow, gentle, and full of love. When we break apart, Luke gives me the words that I’ll never tire of hearing.
“I love you, Red. Always and forever.”
What more could a girl ask?Epilogue TwoGrunt“I didn’t know the whole club was going to be at the family dinner,” Dancer says as he follows me to the grill.
“I didn’t either. They weren’t invited. I think it happened when one of the prospects reported that a Savage MC bike was spotted,” I tell him, opening the grill and flipping the burgers over.
“Not much trust between our clubs,” he admits.
“That’s the truth,” I agree, closing the grill.
“Would my two favorite men like a cold beer?” Jasmine asks, coming out of the house, holding two cold ones in her hand.
She looks fucking amazing today. She’s wearing a bright green tank top and cut off jeans. Her hair is down, the mass of copper curls bouncing with each step she takes, and perfectly highlighting the beauty of her face. She’s smiling bright and didn’t even give a damn that the club showed up. Instead, she sent her brother down to the local store to grab more food.
She’s perfect.
“Thank you, Red,” I rumble, taking my beer from her hand and then, unable to stop myself, pull her in and kiss her hard. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” she whispers, surprise on her face, before melting into a softness that’s so full of joy it settles into my heart. Ever since she told me how much she needed to hear me say that I loved her, I try to never miss an opportunity. She hands the other beer to her dad and kisses his cheek. “Glad you’re here, Daddy.”
“Me too, Princess,” he says, giving her a squeeze. “Looks like your troll might have turned into a prince after all,” he adds, and I frown.
“He’s a little rough around the edges,” she says, turning her head to look at me. “But, he’s getting there,” she adds, laughing as she walks away. Her laughter echoes in the air and damn if it doesn’t sound good.
“What is it with this troll shit? Why do you two keep calling me a troll?”
“She hasn’t told you yet?” he asks, his attention on Jasmine as she walks to her mother who is playing dolls with Daisy.
“No, but she tells Daisy this story every night about a Princess Caroline and a troll,” I respond, exhaling an annoyed breath, wanting to know the full story.
“She does?” he asks, and for some reason, I get the feeling that makes him extremely happy.
“Yeah, Daisy eats that shit up. You going to tell me what it’s about?” I question, watching him closely. “Does it have to do with me?”
“No, not technically. It’s a family story. Ask her to tell you tonight. She will,” he says, his eyes going thoughtful. “I think I owe you a debt of gratitude Luke. That’s not easy for a man like me to admit to.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, taking a swig of my beer, while I watch Daisy, Carrie and Jasmine laugh and play.
“You brought my little girl back to me. I haven’t seen that smile, that sparkle in her eyes in so long that I almost forgot it existed.”
I clear my throat. “She’s special.” I’m completely understating everything that she is, but right now that’s the best I can do.
“That she is. That’s why I have an important question to ask you.
“What’s that?”
“The report about Lagger’s death. I didn’t think too much about it, until I recognized the last names of the two other men. I thought I might just be overreacting. So, I did some digging and found that Lagger’s mother had a maiden name I did recognize.”