Page 176 of Where Sinners Repent

Even if it terrifies me.

Chapter 45

Epilogue Kaleb

Ithrow the stupid sling far away from me. Roxy keeps trying to get me to wear it, but it’s already been a week since the thing popped out, and I’m not going through the humiliation of wearing it down at the club.

It’s sweet that she cares.

Everything about her is sweet.

That’s why I’m standing in the meeting room, ready to do the thing I swore I’d never do.

Ash rests his chin on his palm, lounging in his chair as if he has all the time in the world. We both know that isn’t the case.

He watches me, waiting.

“Boss,” I rasp, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Yes, Kaleb,” he drawls, not taking his eyes off me.

I swallow. It’s not often I come to a loss for words. It’s not often I feel the need to speak at all.

When I brought this up to Kai and Roxy, Roxy told me not to do it. She promised me that she’s fine with how things are.

But I’m not.

“You’ve given us everything,” I murmur, holding his gaze. “Been a brother to me and Kai despite it all.”

Fuck, why is this so hard.

His blue eyes narrow on me.

“Are you breaking up with me?” he croons.

It’s a joke, but he’s not wrong.

I shrug.

“Kai... Roxy... All they know is pain and violence. All we know.”

The silence stretches thin. Noise travels from the club. The sounds of rowdy men and drinks clinking.

My family.

“If we survive this war, we need something different,” I continue. “Not forever. Just... We need to see what things can be like if we aren’t looking over our shoulders every second. Or shedding blood.”

“You love shedding blood,” he points out.

I have to fight my smirk.

Because fuck yeah, I love shedding blood.

And that’s the point.

“So you want a vacation? Want to go sip on pina coladas by a beach somewhere?” he taunts, eyes turning dark.

I don’t answer.