Epilogue 2
LILY
Bursting through the doors, we turn to each other as music plays softly from speakers in the foyer, and I twist my dress into place as Asher rights his tie, shooting me a wink before chuckling.
“You have a little…” He points to my cheek before licking his finger and wiping off the blood.
Grinning back, I lick my finger. “You do, too.”
I wipe off the dots of blood on his neck before fixing the collar of his shirt.
Feeling eyes on us, I turn to see the raised brows of my sons and Barrett.
“Really?” Barrett asks, and when I shrug, he rolls his eyes. “You’re late.”
“You could have gone in without us,” I remind him, but his concerned gaze darts to the doors that enter into the reception centre where Gracie’s party is underway.
“Nope,” Barrett mutters, and when his eyes dart back to me, I see the uncertainty in them.
“Uh, would you mind giving me and Barrett a moment?” I ask Asher and my sons, who nod and move off to the side as I step closer to my cousin.
Barrett looks nervous as hell as he slides his hands into his pockets.
“Come on. Out with it,” I demand, and he sighs, leaning closer to speak.
“What if she hates me?”
Oh, my poor cousin. He can kill men in the blink of an eye, but when it comes to this particular girl, he’s nothing but mush.
“She doesn’t hate you.”
“How do you know?” he snaps, his dark brows tugging in. “Have you spoken to her?”
“No, but—”
“But nothing, Lil. When I up and left, the things I said…” he trails off, looking pissed at himself.
“It was a tricky situation. Leaving was probably the best thing you could have done under the circumstances,” I remind him, and he huffs.
“Fuck it. May as well rip the fucking Band-Aid off.”
I giggle. “Thatta boy.”
He glares at me, but there’s no heat to it.
“Come on. Let’s go and shock some people.” I tug on the sleeve of his jacket, and he chuckles, following me to the boys.
After another quick check that we aren’t carrying my latest kill’s DNA on my dress or Asher’s clothes, he takes my hand and we finally step into the party to face the music.
As we walk in, Barrett on one side, Asher on my other, and the twins at our backs, so many eyes turn to us, some curious as to who we are, others frowning as they track whose hand I’m holding, while others light up at seeing Barrett.
Yes, the prodigal son has returned.
He’s been away for five years, and the few times he stepped foot on Australian soil again, it was brief, and he never saw his family. He’s been avoiding them, and a certain female, but now he’s back, and I know Ewan will probably be just as shocked to see his son as he is to see me.
“You’re so fucking sexy in that tight green dress,” Asher whispers by my ear as we walk, causing my cheeks to heat. “I’m getting fucking hard,” he whispers again, and heat pools between my thighs at the thought of his hard cock, and what we did only minutes ago.
But shit, now’s not the time, and if he gets a bulge, it will be hard for him to hide.
I almost giggle at that thought, but hold back, not wanting Barrett to question me.
Asher and I are both riled up after my kill, and yes, we are late because I took my time, trying to avoid coming here.
“The way you sliced his skin off was a work of art, Angel.”
Jesus!
My pussy clenches at Asher’s whisper, and he chuckles quietly, all too aware of what he does to me, so I turn my head to whisper in his ear.
“So was the way you smashed the hammer into the side of his skull before we left. The cops are going to have a good time getting that free.”
“Stop,” he grumbles. “My cock is going to be noticeable soon.”
“Kindly stop talking filth,” Barrett mutters from next to me, which has both me and Asher laughing.
It’s at that moment that the crowd parts, and up ahead I spot my parents talking to none other than my uncle, Ewan Marx.
The moment they spot me, they stop speaking, and Ewan notices, stepping aside as he turns, revealing the beauty that has Barrett all twisted in knots.
We all stop walking then, both Barrett and I stiffening for different reasons, and all I can see is Ewan’s face, and the way it turns redder with each passing second as he realises who’s crashing the party.
“Why are you here?” Ewan booms, his voice sending a ripple up my spine, but I stay strong as we continue our approach, Asher’s hand squeezing mine and reminding me he’s right here.
Ignoring the audience we’ve gained, I smile sweetly, jutting up my chin.
“Uncle Ewan. What a pleasure it is to see you again,” I practically purr, knowing the confidence in my tone will piss him off. “Thank you for the invitation. I wouldn’t have missed Gracie’s birthday for anything.”
I can tell he’s grinding his teeth, rage radiating off him, but when the small woman next to him steps forward, completely oblivious to the danger lurking from Ewan, all attention falls to her, and the way her eyes lock onto Barrett.
“Rett?” she breathes, her eyes round and light, yet somehow confused before hope fills her gaze. “You’re here.”
There’s so much I want to say to Ewan Marx, but it can wait.
I want him to brew in his anger. To feel displaced by my obvious disregard for his authority.
Because I’m back now. I’m here to stay, and even if AJ fails at whatever it is he has planned, I fully intend on finding a way to bring this monster to his knees, and make him pay dearly for all the suffering he has caused not only me, but my sisters and cousins too.
As Asher gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, I glance up at him, and the love in his eyes fills my heart with strength and acceptance at sharing our new life here in Australia together.
One day soon, Ewan Marx is going to meet the Crimson Angel and the wicked man that always has her back, and there’s nothing my uncle will be able to do to stop them.