“Anything you want.” Her smile made me do the same in return, and as she lowered her head to rest on my chest, over the heart I’d freely given to her, I vowed to stop at nothing to make sure no harm came to her.
I’d give my life for Chelsea without a second thought, and while I realized the notion was the biggest sacrifice, I’d do it repeatedly if that was what needed to be done to make sure she remained safe.
Epilogue
“Everything okay?”
Trigger passed me a cold one before taking one for himself, which wasn’t the norm, especially at one in the afternoon. But shit had changed recently, and I didn’t blame the guy for indulging every now and again. Hell, I was on my second.
“Yeah. Just anxious. You know?”
“I do,” the ol’ guy responded. “I know that feeling too well, and while I never thought we’d be goin’ through this again, here we are. We made it through last time, and we will again.”
“Not everyone survived,” I reminded him, remembering the names I’d been told of those who’d died during the war just over twenty years ago. Zip, a young and fiercely loyal member; Breck, Cutter’s son; and Smiley, one of the Laredo members.
“True. I suppose there’s always casualties.”
Needing to switch the topic from our possible impending demise, I asked about the status of the other guys, wondering if there were any changes in the past forty-eight hours from the last time I inquired.
“Tag’s back in the garage with Kaden, hobbling around on those damn crutches. Don’t know how he’s managing but he is. He told his mom he got into a motorcycle accident, which she thankfully believed because she had no reason to think he lied.”
“He’s a good guy. It’s a real shitty thing what happened to him.”
Trigger nodded, tipping the bottle of his beer back before continuing. “Ryder’s doing well, healin’ up nice Addy said. Although she told me Braylen is complainin’ about his sour mood. He wants a stiff drink to help with the pain because he’s not fond of the pills, but there’s no way he’s gettin’ that.” Trigger made a face, like I understood the reference, which I didn’t. “Ryder doesn’t do well with hard alcohol. There’s rage involved and sedatives to calm his ass.” He waved his hand in the air. “It’s a whole thing.”
“Okayyyy.”
“Oh, and he just found out Zoe’s been stayin’ with Brick while he recovers. He’s not too happy about that, wants Braylen to drive him over there so he can have a word with the fucker.”
“I’m hoping she has more sense than to give in to that crazy request.”
“She does.” Trigger drained the rest of his drink and slid the empty underneath in the recycle bin.
“And the big guy? How is he? Every time I call, he’s resting, which is good. But I miss shootin’ the shit with him.”
“He’s doing good. Slow but steady progress. I’m sure he’ll be back here in no time. Although, him and Ryder might come to blows over Zoe.”
“I don’t wanna see that. Brick would kill him.”
“Eh… Ryder might have a shot, or at least get in a few good ones. Besides, I doubt Brick would hit him.”
“Because he’s Zoe’s dad?” I asked.
Trigger nodded. “It’s why Kaden never hit Stone.”
“I wouldn’t hit Stone either. The man’s crazy. Worst temper I’ve ever seen.”
“Why do you think I shot him when I found out about him and Addy instead of raising my fists. I’m not stupid.” We both laughed at his admission, which I had no doubt was right on point. “It’s not like anyone can hurt him anyway, lucky bastard not feelin’ any pain like the rest of us.”
As I sat there chatting away with Trigger, I chose to live in the moment, one of forgetfulness, one captured in a bubble.
But soon enough that fuckin’ bubble was gonna pop.
And I didn’t want to think about the debris that would scatter.
Waiting for Ace to return home safe and sound had become the new norm, my anxiety on high until he walked through the front door and took me into his arms. Every breath I released when he was with me remained frozen when he left. I couldn’t breathe without him, and I never thought in a million years I’d become that person, but the reward of his love was worth the sacrifice of my worry.
Unfortunately, it took the attack on him and his friends to seal the deal where my heart was concerned. I never thought I’d be able to trust anyone, to have the confidence in someone that they wouldn’t shred my heart into pieces. But Ace proved himself over and over, and for the first time in my life, I felt safe, all things considered.
Every time my cell rang, my heart skipped a beat, but he assured me our lives wouldn’t always seem to dangle on the edge. There would come a time we’d be free from the issues his club dealt with, matters he continued to remain close-lipped about.
Today, I was gonna take one step closer to the future we envisioned for ourselves. Over dinner, I was gonna tell him that I would live with him permanently. He’d hinted at the subject several times, to which I’d cut him off, reminding him our arrangement was only temporary.
But I was done wasting any more time.
Life was precious, each of his wounds a constant reminder.