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My struggle to breathe becomes more noticeable as my adrenaline wanes. I ignore the signs my body is giving me and kiss my woman.
A throat clears, and I break our connection to look at Demetri. “You have a fighter here.” He regards Sukie.
“Debt paid?” As the pain steadily increases, I clench my teeth and fight to stay on my feet.
“Debt paid,” Demetri confirms, then looks at Salem. “Your man here needs medical attention. One of my men will drive him wherever you need to go.”
My vision blurs, fading in and out. I try to suck in another breath, but I can’t get enough air in my lungs. I look down at Sukie; her face is the last thing I see before my world fades to black.
My body aches as I wake up. I blink a few times, my eyelids feeling like they’re made of lead. I inhale. Though it hurts like a son of bitch, I can finally breathe again. I look to my other side and find Sukie fast asleep, with her hand in mine. I’m transported back in time to when I last lay in this very bed, battered and broken. She was holding my hand then. That’s when I felt the spark. It was the moment I knew she was meant to be mine.
Sukie opens her eyes and smiles. “Hey,” she whispers.
At that moment, all my pain seems to fade away. She’s the reason I’m still alive.
“Come here.” My throat feels scratchy and raw. Sukie rises from her seat and leans over me. Needing her closer, I pull her down on me.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” she protests.
“I love you so damn much.” I stare at her, realizing how close I was to never speaking those words again.
“I love you, too.”
“Good, now give me your mouth, babe.”
Sukie smiles. “You’re so damn bossy.”
* * *
It’s been two weeks since my father’s demise, and I’m still healing from the collapsed lung I suffered during our fight. Turns out, Sukie’s kidnapping, though real, was all a ruse. It was all part of a well-thought-out plan. My father went and pissed off Demetri Volkov. The mole he planted within my father’s trusted circle found out about his plan to double-cross Demetri in a major business transaction. His alliance with our club saved our asses. He didn’t need us, but we sure as shit needed him. At the end of the day, Demetri got what he wanted: my father is dead, and now he controls everything my father ever touched. The debt is paid.
Juneau doesn’t want me on the back of a bike for at least another week, but two weeks of no riding is all I can take. I slip a helmet over Sukie’s head.
“You know what Juneau said.”
“Fuck Juneau.”
A smile tugs at the corners of her lips. My woman looks just as eager to ride as I am. I toss my leg over the bike, feeling a little pinch in my side.
“Maybe he’s right.” Sukie notices my discomfort.
“He can kiss my ass.” The bike vibrates between my legs, and I take off down the driveway.
The moment we hit the open road, I increase my speed. Sukie’s arms wrap tightly around my waist, and I feel an overwhelming wave of contentment that resonates deep within my soul. Life is meant to be lived like this—with love. I can’t predict the future, but I will fight like hell to ensure we get it together.
EPILOGUE
SUKIE
Life has never been better in the months since Luca and the club took down his father and empire. There has even been a change in Luca. He’s still a brooder, but the shadows in his eyes have been laid to rest. The threat of his past died with his father. My man is breathing easier these days.
As for me, I am the happiest I have ever been. I have the love of a man who adores me, and Belladonna’s is thriving, even without Luca butting in. I didn’t stay mad at him for long when I found out he was buying my products. How could I stay angry when he later confessed he’d donated his purchases to the local women’s shelter? Because of him, I now make my own donation once a month.
That’s something I’ve come to learn about the club. They are closeted good guys. Sure, they are not the kind of men you cross, and they don’t take any bullshit from anyone, and they are ruthless in their own right, but beneathallthat lies good hearts.
“Well.” Sage spins me around in the chair to face the mirror.
I gasp at my reflection. “Wow.”
