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“He said it wasn’t personal. Wasn’t personal!” I raise my voice. I throw my hand toward the room I just exited. “He didn’t for one minute think of how this would reflect on Francesca. Prison’s too good for the son of a bitch.”
“Best way to keep Francesca clean is to have him confess and serve jail time.” Guard jerks his head to the computer in Dante’s hand. “That recording is going to be the icing on the cake and will endear her in the hearts of her peers. Poor innocent girl trusted the only father figure she had in her youth, and he took advantage of her.”
I know Guard’s right, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to hurt him badly before we bring him to the police.
* * *
Two hours later, Reno and I deliver Jessop to the cops he has on his payroll, but before we go, he gets a final warning from Alessio. “If you even think of taking back your statement, I’ll know. You won’t make it through to the next day,” Reno tells Jessop.
Reno pulls aside one of the officers and hands him an envelope. I’m sure it’s full of cash. It’s the price you pay to circumvent the normal process, and I really don’t care about protocol at this point. We only stay as long as it takes for Jessop to be processed, then we head home. Dante is our host on the way back and as we’re getting off the plane, he shakes my hand and says, “It’s time to set the record straight. I’ve got to say, I enjoyed this immensely. Tell Orion it’s always a pleasure working with him.”
“Will do, and thanks,” I reply.
TWENTY-THREE
Charity Event
FRANCESCA
Six months later…
“Baby, you look hot,” Hammer whispers as he wraps his arms around me from behind. I’m facing the full-length mirror and relish the attention as his lips touch my bare shoulder. I’m wearing a full-length, red silk Prada gown with a sweetheart neckline. I haven’t dressed this formal in so long, I almost forgot how much I like playing dress-up. I saw Hammer in his tuxedo for the first time, and I have to say, whether it’s jeans or black tie, my man is magnificent.
“You look pretty good yourself, handsome,” I murmur as he nuzzles my neck, causing me to giggle. I turn to face him, sliding my arms around his neck. “I never thought my life could be this wonderful.”
“Are you ready for tonight?” he asks.
“Maybe a little nervous,” I admit.
“Demon and Sofia will be there. Lucien Bardon is performing, remember? And of course, Maddie and the Smoking Guns, with War as her bodyguard. You’re among friends, Frankie,” Hammer reminds me.
“And Izzy and Saint.” I giggle. “I’m really happy they’re going to be there.”
This is our first official outing at a charity event as a couple since Jessop was arrested. The trial was short and sweet, and his sentencing was even quicker. A recording was leaked that pretty much explained that I was unequivocally in the dark when it came to Jessop and his fraudulent schemes.
Since then, old “friends” have come out of the woodwork to attempt to reconnect. I’m not even sure how they got my new number, but I’ve blocked them from my phone. Some went as far as speaking to the media and asking me to come home to England because they’ve missed me so much.
I have a new home, wonderful friends, and a man I adore and who loves me back. I have everything I need.
“Ready to go, babe?” Hammer asks. He presses his lips gently to mine in a sweet, innocent kiss. “The sooner we go, the faster we get home. And I have a need to strip you naked and kiss every inch of your body before making love to you nice and slow.”
“We can skip the banquet and jump into bed,” I suggest.
He laughs. “No, we can’t.” He draws up my skirt, and his fingers trace my thigh. With a sly smile, he murmurs, “We can be fashionably late, though.”
* * *
We were only fifteen minutes late, but it was totally worth it!
TWENTY-FOUR
The Start of Something New
GUARD
“Good to see you, man,” Hawk says as he slides into the booth inside the run-down diner on the outskirts of Lincoln, Nebraska. Hawk and I have been working on opening several garages throughout the state. Hawk and the Redemption Riders do the mechanical work while Satan’s Pride supplies the parts.
Hawk’s done well for himself. He’s got a sweet setup in a small town outside Lincoln called Wellington. His club is growing strong, and his men are solid and loyal.
