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“Always had a soft spot for me, huh?”
“Don’t push it,” she warns. “I want that prospect asshole in the van, pronto.”
“You got it.” Shadow thumbs behind him. “He’s just sleepin’ off the beatin’ we gave him, should be nice and quiet for the ride home.”
Sapphire and Ruby seem disappointed they don’t get to roll Scorpion’s head themselves, but this prospect will have to do.
When I look behind me, Decker is a few meters back. He looks good here, with the Stilettos. With me.
He gives me a subtle nod and I smile.
It’s gonna be okay.
Lanzetti is in town, and we’re gonna get that sit-down, one way or the other. This has gone on long enough. He has to answer, not only to us, but to the rest of Saddle. While he may claim none of the shit he’s done to the club is on him, we know he is the root cause.
And he must be taken down.
Bane claps his hands together. “Well, don’t just stand there. Let’s have a drink, for old times’ sake.” “You better have the good shit.” Diamond starts up the stairs. “That’s all I’m saying.”
I smile to myself, and when I feel Decker’s hand on my shoulder, I turn.
“Are you okay with all of this?” I ask. “Stilettos’ business can get pretty rough. This isn’t for the faint-hearted.”
He tips my chin up, getting a couple of interested looks from Onyx and Jade as he passes by. “I’m here for support, no matter what.”
“Even when shit gets rough?”
His slow smile tells me all I need to know. “Even when shit gets rough.”
EPILOGUE
DECKER
I meant every word.
After spending one amazing night with Pearl, and then Diamond asking me to assist with the truck, I have no doubt that I belong here, with her. With every fiber of my being, I’m with her.
That’s why this is so hard.
I asked Phoebe to come over to Decker’s cabin when we got back, so Pearl and I can tell her together.
“I’m nervous.” Pearl is pacing nervously.
“I know, but let’s just remember, she’ll be a little hurt once the shock wears off. Then there will be questions. I want you to know that all of this is worth it. I don’t regret a single thing.” I want to believe my own words, but I also understand how headstrong Phoebe can be.
Pearl and I both agreed that we want to address it with her first, rather than sneaking around and eventually getting caught.
She deserves better than that, and so do we.
Pearl stops pacing, her eyes locked on me as I reach for her. “Is it gonna be okay? What if this is the end of our friendship?”
I swallow. I’m secretly afraid of that, too. I can’t imagine a world where Phoebe would be okay about me being with her best friend. But she knows my heart.
Pearl completes me in a way that I can’t even explain. I can’t give her up.
I’ve shied away from relationships, but the second I saw her, it all fell into place. Everything in my life has been leading up to this moment. I just hope Phoebe sees it that way.
When she hollers from the doorway, “Dad! I’m here!” Pearl and I both bristle.
