Epilogue
Three months later
Las Vegas
Flashing yellow, blue,red, and purple neon lights lit up the night as Raven and Muerto walked hand-in-hand down the Vegas Strip toward the brightly illuminated pink-and-orange feather sign. The balmy desert air rustled through the palm trees as they passed a glittering Eiffel Tower.
Raven laughed. “I lived here for almost a year, and I never got used to the over-the-top, surreal feel of the strip. I mean, it’s jarring to pass the Statute of Liberty, the Great Pyramid, a medieval castle, and the Eiffel Tower in less than twenty minutes.”
Muerto squeezed her hand. “That’s what makes it Vegas, babe. It’s a place where excess is the norm and the more indulgent it is the better.” He winked at her.
She shook her head. “Did you want to join up with your brothers after we have dinner with my dad and Wanda?”
“Maybe. I can check in with them and see if they’re somewhere you want to be. Knowing them, they’ll be at a strip club. Goldie’s crazy for them, and Chains and Army are right behind him. I’m pretty sure Crow and Paco are checking out the chicks, and Diablo’s definitely at the blackjack tables.”
“Diablo seems real nice. Does he have a woman?”
Muerto chuckled. “Not that any of us know of. He doesn’t talk too much about himself. He goes with a couple of the club girls but not on a regular basis. He’s a real good guy. He’d give you the shirt off his back. Loyal all the way.”
They walked through the entrance of the Flamingo Hotel and made their way to the restaurant. When they entered, Raven spotted her dad and Wanda at a table by the window, Caesar’s Palace shimmered in the background.
“Pop!” Raven broke away from Muerto and dashed toward her dad, who had risen to his feet, his arms outstretched. She fell into his embrace and they hugged each other tightly. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too. It’s been too long.” He kissed her cheek and pulled back a bit, his gaze surveying her. “You’re looking really good.” He glanced behind her. “Is that young man the one responsible for making you look so happy?”
She nodded while smiling. She reached out her hand and tugged Muerto closer. “Pop, this is Muerto.”
Muerto shook the man’s hand. “Nice meeting you. Raven talks a lot about you.”
“I’m hoping it’s all the good stuff. My name’s Ed. You’ve got an unusual name. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before.”
“It’s a road name. That’s what a lot of the bikers have,” Raven said. “And you don’t really want to ask why he chose that name.”
“You’re probably right about that.” Ed pulled out a chair for Raven then sat down.
“How’re you Wanda?” she asked her dad’s partner. Wanda looked very stylish in her St. John black knit dress with a spattering of crystals along the neckline.
“I’m doing great. Your father and I have been having all kinds of fun.” The skin around her eyes crinkled when she smiled.
Warmth spread through Raven when she saw her dad grasp Wanda’s hand and squeeze it.Pop’s taken care of. After all these years, he’s finally found someone to love and settle down with.She leaned over and kissed her dad’s cheek. “I’m happy that you have Wanda in your life,” she whispered in his ear.
Ed brushed his fingers against her cheek, then turned to Muerto. With his arm around Raven, he said, “This pretty, intelligent, and sweet woman deserves to be treated like a rare, precious gem her whole life. I’m not as young as I used to be, but if you do wrong by her, I’ll come to Colorado and kick your ass good.”
“Ed!” Wanda gasped.
Muerto laughed. “You’re my kind of man. And if I don’t treat this awesome lady good, I deserve to have you kick my ass.” His lips brushed against Raven’s.
“Fair enough.” Ed motioned the waiter. “Now it’s time to drink and eat while you tell me why you prefer Harleys over Honda Super Cubs.”
Raven groaned. “I don’t think we have enough time for that.” She leaned against Muerto and smiled up at him.
“You and Wanda talk shoes and purses while I talk bikes with your young man. I always wanted to get a motorcycle. I’d be interested in hearing which ones you think are the best. Raven told me you’re a Harley guy, but there must be other bikes you like.”
“Nothing’s better than a Harley.” Muerto picked up his beer and brought it to his lips, but Raven saw the sparkle in his eye. One of his favorite things to do was to talk bikes. Actually, it was a favored topic of conversation for all the brothers.
As they ate, drank, laughed, and talked, Raven was overcome with joy that the two most important people in her life were getting along so well. She’d been worried that her dad might not think Muerto was a suitable husband for her, but he seemed quite taken with the outlaw biker.
As the foursome walked out into the warm, night air, Muerto pulled her against him. “Do you want to join us for a bit of gambling?” she asked her dad and Wanda.
