Page 55 of Ruthless Deliverance

“I had to find you, and he deserved it.” I feel her wince a little. “You can shoot me if it’d make you feel better.”

“It might help.” She lets out a soft laugh.

“Now, I’ve yet to hear a good reason. But there is one issue … my mom still wants you to stop by as soon as you can. Can’t help you get out of that one. Understandably, she stated there’s something about you she adores and wants you to know you are always welcome in her home.”

“Creed.”

“I’m waiting. Good reason. Lay it on me.”

“You’re a pain in the ass.”

“Touché.” I bend down, giving her a long, extended kiss for as long as she lets me.

Once she breaks away, she mutters, “This is not a good idea.”

“Okay. Then let’s spar. First one to three wins. If I win, you have supper with me tonight.”

“And if I win?” she asks, waiting for an out I won’t give her.

“If you win, you pick the place we have supper tonight.”

“So either way you win.” She rolls her eyes as she goes to walk away.

“Finally admitting defeat.” Moving to her, I loop my arm around her lower back and pull her against me.

Smiling, she says, “Not a chance. Get your ass on the mat.”

EPILOGUE

DANI

Five years later

“I’m at work.” I shrug off Creed as he stands behind me, his hands moving where they shouldn’t be as I attempt to maintain my composure with a gym full of people. “Creed. Stop. The new owner will be here soon.”

The thought alone makes me want to bawl my eyes out, but Gus said he’d had enough and wants to retire, sit in his recliner, and yell at the neighbors all day.

It’s hard to believe he’d step back after all this time, but I know things have to change eventually. He was more than happy to welcome me back to my old job after everything went down with Dad. I tried going back to the force, but with all that’d happened, it just hadn’t felt right. Not like Gus’s. “If they change the name, I’m gonna be pissed.”

“They might. Not many people want a gym named Gus’s.” He tries to make light of the situation, but he knows it’s killing me inside. “It’ll work out, Dani. Gus would never leave his place to someone who would ruin it by naming it some normal gym name or updating the place.”

“Let’s hope.” That does draw a laugh, but I pray Creed is right. The place is perfect as it is.

“Now, stop slacking and get back to work.” Creed teases, his palm slapping my ass as he steps from behind the counter.

It’s a few minutes later when I spot Philip entering the gym. He’d never hung out here before, but since my dad is no longer part of the crew, he’s here all the time. It seems that he and my dad not clicking had a lot of reasoning behind it that I hadn’t realized.

“Creed is somewhere over there. Go easy on him. Wedding pics soon.” I laugh as Philip stands near the counter.

“Never,” he teases. “When are you two lovebugs heading out?”

“Day after tomorrow. You know, the invite is still open if you’d like to join us.” A small, intimate destination wedding felt like the best plan, and thankfully our guests are excited to celebrate in Tuscany with us. Creed’s mom has been the best part of wedding planning. It was like actually having a mom to do things with. And I think she’s just as excited about the wedding as we are.

“You know. I think I will. I have some vacation time,” he jokes, being that he is newly retired from the force and joining his wife full-time in their corporation. I had no idea, but when he said he couldn’t be bought, he meant it.

“Awesome. I’ll add you back to the guest list.”

“Only if you’ll let me give you a wedding gift.”