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Rocky and I sat silently in the Apple Andy’s parking lot, waiting for Grizzly and Libby to arrive with Rockson. When Rocky had gone to get money, he’d gotten his truck to take us to a hotel after we fed Rockson.
“I’m fucking sorry about everything, Ella. Everything since the day I ran out of town like a scared pussy. We wouldn’t be in this situation if I had stayed and waited for you to return from your trip. There’d be no Irisah. Vegas wouldn’t have had a stronghold on you. We might’ve been happy.”
“I’m certain we would’ve been happy.”
He turned toward me. “I’m sorry for letting you and Rockson down.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Cole?”
“Because I thought if you knew I’d loved another little boy, I’d lose you forever. Turns out I lost you anyway.”
“Vegas orchestrated everything. Are we really going to let him win?” I wiped a renegade tear off my cheek. All I wanted was to be with the man I loved, and our child. Why did it feel like Satan was out to get us?
“What are you talking about?”
“He confessed everything to me before I bashed his head to the ground. He killed my parents and ordered the town’s merchants not to hire me. He threatened their families. He’d made it impossible for me to do anything independently, but I had thought he was helping me. I was an idiot.”
“You were manipulated, baby.”
“So were you.” I reached for his hand and laced our fingers together. “He confessed to killing your mom.”
“What?”
“She didn’t OD on her own. Vegas shot her up.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“I don’t know if we can be like we were, but we need to try to be okay, for Rockson. I don’t mean to be together. I’m sure you’re hesitant like me.”
“Fuck no. I’m not afraid. I love you, Ella. I want you more than anything, and I won’t give up on us. If you tell me I have a fighting chance, I will do anything to win you back.” The conviction in his eyes touched my soul. “We can’t let Vegas win.”
“Do you mean it? You’ll do whatever it takes to win me back?”
“Yes. Anything.”
“What about your club?”
“I don’t want it. I only want you and Rockson.”
“I don’t want to live in Scornrock. I want out of South Dakota altogether.”
“Done. We’ll move wherever you want.” He cradled the side of my face. “Are you giving me a second chance?”
“It’s more like a third chance, but you know what they say. Third time’s a charm.” I smiled and gave him a chaste kiss. “I’m sorry for the things I said earlier. I don’t regret meeting you.”
“You don’t think we’re toxic together?”
“Nope. We’re each other’s perfect match, dark and depraved to our core. It’s a beautiful thing. Before our lives imploded, we were a force to be reckoned with and madly in love. Vegas and Irisah stole everything from us.”
“We won’t let them destroy us, baby.”
“No, we won’t.”
“Apparently, Vegas paid Irisah to keep me away. She didn’t know about Rockson, and I think she’s remorseful.”
“She should’ve done the right thing, Rocky. She knew about me, right?” Was he turning soft on me?
“Yes. I’m not letting her off the hook, but a desperate mother will do anything, and it sounded like Vegas had manipulated her too.”
