Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
By the time I finished, Shawn was barely conscious, sagging against the wall, his breathing harsh and uneven. His face was bruised and battered, his eyes swollen nearly shut, and his broken body was a clear warning. He was alive, barely, but only because leaving him that way would ensure the authorities got him and saved us the trouble of disposing of him.
We knew he wouldn’t tell anyone who had done this—he knew better. Even half-dead, Shawn understood that if he ever spoke our names, there would be no second chances.
When I stepped out of the cell, Edge, Fury, and Century moved forward, their eyes assessing the scene.
“Make sure he gets found. I want him gone, permanently, but let the cops deal with him. He’s not worth any more of our trouble.”
Edge gave me a quick nod, understanding clear in his eyes as Fury and Century moved silently toward the cell to handle the cleanup. I washed my hands at the small sink, rinsing off the traces of blood, then dried them and headed up the stairs without looking back.
Every step upward felt like it carried me back to Riley. By the time I walked out of The Pit and got back on my bike, the tension from earlier had started to drain away, replaced by a fierce satisfaction that Riley was finally free.
The next day was easier, calmer, more stable, especially with the warrant gone and Riley’s name fully cleared. As we prepared to go to a race at Torque Ridge, Riley seemed lighter, her smile freer and her posture finally relaxed. Watching her get ready, my pulse raced as I remembered the intimacy and heat we’d shared. It drove away any lingering darkness from the night before.
Before we left for the Redline Kings’ underground track, I paused near the dresser, reaching into the top drawer and pulling out something I’d been waiting to give her. Riley turned to look at me, curiosity bright in her eyes as I approached. Her gaze followed my hands as I revealed the leather vest with my property patch sewn onto the back, the emblem crisp, bold, and unmistakable about where she belonged.
Her eyes widened, surprise and something deeper softening her features as she took it from me carefully, her fingers brushing over the stitching. Before she could speak, I reached into my pocket again, pulling out a small black velvet box. Riley’s breath caught, her eyes darting up to mine in stunned disbelief, tears shimmering brightly as I flipped it open, revealing a delicate diamond ring.
“This means you’re mine, Riley. Permanently. This isn’t temporary, and it’s sure as fuck not negotiable.” I slid the ring onto her finger, watching the emotions ripple openly across her face. “You’re everything I didn’t even know I needed, and I’m not letting you go. Not ever.”
Riley stared at the ring, then back at me, her voice shaking slightly with overwhelming emotion. “Ryot, I love you. This is…it’s perfect.”
I smiled, wrapping my arms tightly around her and pulling her close, savoring the way her body fit perfectly against mine. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me, baby. Now let’s go celebrate and make sure everyone sees exactly who you belong to.”
EPILOGUE
GAUGE
Two weeks later
The Burnout was crowded, filled wall-to-wall with Redline Kings brothers, their old ladies, prospects hustling around tables, and other patrons. Riley sat tucked securely beside me in one of the back booths, her thigh pressed comfortably against mine beneath the table, her laughter mingling easily with the surrounding noise as she chatted with Savannah and Jana about whatever women discussed when we weren’t paying attention.
Watching her like this, fully relaxed and comfortable, was something I’d never get tired of. Even now the sight of her with my ring on her finger, my property vest snug across her shoulders, and my baby in her belly was enough to heat my blood in ways I wasn’t sure would ever ease up.
After a moment, Riley excused herself to go to the bathroom with Savannah and Jana, leaving me alone in the booth for barely ten seconds before Edge and Kane slid into the seats across from me. Kane’s typical scowl was fixed firmly in place, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes that told me something significant had gone down. Edge, on the other hand, was openly grinning in a way that sparked immediate suspicion—he only smiled like that when something had gone very, very wrong for someone who deserved it.
I leaned back, eyeing both men and instinctively knowing whatever they were about to share had nothing to do with casual club news.
“Just got word”—Kane’s voice was pitched low enough that no one outside the booth could overhear—“that organization we struck the deal with—they’ve been completely obliterated.”
I lifted a brow in silent question, glancing briefly toward Edge, whose unsettling grin only widened. He knew far more than he was letting on, and the secrecy in his expression told me he was holding something significant back.