Epilogue
Standing at the bar talking to Teller, Cree knew today was coming. He just hadn’t realized how fast the past week had gone by. The celebration had lasted from Christmas day through New Year’s Day.
Kennedy had recounted their time on the road. Everyone was impressed she’d rode on a pussy pad in freezing temps. Some of the hardest bikers couldn’t make the run she and Cree had. Kennedy’s reply had been, “When you’re running for your life, you’ll do whatever it takes.”
With the brothers welcoming Kennedy into the fold, and her being Player’s sister, Cree wouldn’t have to worry about her protection while he was away. Hearing her laugh, Cree looked back over his shoulder to where she sat with Player.
“You got yourself an angel in that one, brother,” Teller said.
“Yeah, she’s one hell of an angel,” Cree told him.
Smiling, he drained the beer he’d been drinking and decided to not drag his leaving out any longer.
Picking up his cut, he slipped it on. Once he had it buckled, he knew it was time to say goodbye to his hazel-eyed angel.
She had definitely stood up to him at every turn.
Walking across the common room, Cree nodded at Player. “Katawasisiw?”
“Hmmm?” Kennedy looked up at Cree as he stepped toward her.
“I’m heading out.”
She’d been dreading it for the last hour. “I’ll walk you out.”
Putting on a brave face, she took his hand and let him pull her to her feet.
When he draped an arm around her shoulders, she leaned into him.
No one had ever infiltrated her well-built walls.
Not until Cree, and now, he was leaving.
Like everyone else had done. She wanted to be pissed at him, but she couldn’t.
She knew deep down this was going to happen.
If he would say the word, she’d ride with him, no matter where or for how long.
There was nothing to keep him from going.
If Kennedy was ever going to get her life back, her boss needed to be dealt with.
Keeping an arm draped around her shoulders, he led her outside, where his bike was already packed.
He’d been packed since early that morning.
They’d spent every spare moment alone and away from Player’s glaring stares.
The brother needed to get over it. Cree wouldn’t be gone forever—he’d be back in a few weeks.
Teller talked to him over the past week, filling him in on everything that had been happening with the club.
It was time to leave the dead where they lay, Cree thought.
Walking out the clubhouse, he slid on his shades.
He had already checked the weather, and the road conditions were favourable once he got out of Canada.
When they reached his bike, he dropped his arm from her shoulders. He saw the tears Kennedy was struggling to keep from falling. He hated that it was because of him. “You okay, katawasisiw?”
She didn’t want him to ride off into the sunset without her. She wanted him to either stay or take her along. Hadn’t she proven herself? Stepping back from Cree, she shook her head at him.
Brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Cree smiled and got one in return. “What’s with the head shaking?”
“Haven’t I proven I can ride no matter what’s thrown at me?” She asked when what she wanted was to shout at him. She wanted him to take her with him, but Kennedy reminded herself she had survived people leaving her before. She wouldn’t beg Cree for anything.
He wondered when she’d have an issue with him leaving, but this was something else. “Iskwew, where I’m going, you can’t go.”
“Why not?” she demanded, almost stomping her foot like a child.
“I’m going back to Reno to settle things with your boss.” Cree saw the shocked look spread across her beautiful face.
Kennedy was stunned at his words. “What? Wait . . . you’re not leaving me?”
“Damn, iskwew, you have to stop thinking like that. I won’t ever leave you.
You deserve to get your life back,” he said without inflection.
There was no way he’d let Angelini live.
The man would never stop hunting her if he wasn’t handled.
Cree failed to notice how quick Kennedy changed the conversation until he was in it.
“Cree, there’s nothing back in Reno that I need or want.” Kennedy stared at him. Did he not understand how she felt? Back on the reservation, he’d asked her to be his. That was a damn commitment. “Everything I want and need is standing in front of me.”
The moment was emotionally charged for Cree. On one hand, he had Kennedy staring at him with a teary-eyed expression. On the other, he had his brother shooting daggers at him.
Not one to care what others thought about him, Cree grabbed Kennedy by the front of her sweater.
Tugging her to him, Cree smashed his mouth to hers, making sure she knew how he felt about her.
When he broke the kiss, he smiled at the dazed look on her face.
“You sure there’s nothing in Reno you want or need?
It’ll only take me a few weeks to take care of things and get back. ”
She had lay awake working everything out in her head. She just needed to convince Cree she was right. “I have enough money to pay the rent for the next few months. That gives the feds time to pick up Mr. Angelini. Once he’s arrested, we can go back and clear out my place.”
He wasn’t worried about her rent getting paid. He could easily take care of it. “What about your car? You talked about it like it was your child.”
Making sure to include him in the comment as a united front, Kennedy reminded him the car was in good hands. “It’s in Provo with the chapter there. Would they store it for us?”
“Do you want to go get it?” He’d make the run back to Provo if she wanted the car. This time, there wouldn’t be anyone chasing them.
Kennedy laughed. “Can we wait until spring?”
“We can go whenever you want.”
Kennedy rested her forehead against his chest. “Does that mean you’ll be sticking around?”
Cree cocked his head to the side, and for the first time in days, he realized Kennedy thought he was leaving her behind. “Do you remember me telling you I love you?”
“Yes. Do you?” Kennedy wasn’t backing down. If she wanted Cree to look at her as a solid ol’ lady, she needed to make sure he knew she had a spine.
“Hell yes, iskwew. Words like those don’t fall from my lips easily.
” He saw the relief wash over her. Not once had he thought Kennedy didn’t understand he wasn’t leaving her.
Then it clicked in his thick head—everyone in her life had deserted her, so why wouldn’t she think he would do the same?
“I’m not one of those people who left you behind, and I never will, so get that out of your head. ”
“Okay.”
“Okay? That’s all you have to say.” Cree stepped closer to her, crowding her. He loved that she didn’t back down. Loved that she didn’t step back.
“I love you,” she blurted out in a rushed whisper. Although she had told him on her birthday, saying it in front of others was a risk. Now, they hung there like laundry hanging on a line to dry. Kennedy found herself being pulled off her feet as Cree lifted her so he could kiss her firmly.
The kiss wasn’t hard or rushed. It was sensual and soft. It was different than all the other kisses he’d given her. And she melted into it. When he put her down, Kennedy desperately wanted him to kiss her again. “I take it you’re keeping me?”
Fuck yeah, he was keeping her sexy ass. Movement to his left had him glancing over at the clubhouse door.
“Yeah, there’s just one thing I need to handle.
” Cree left Kennedy standing by the bike.
Walking across the parking lot, his sights were set on Player.
If the brother felt the need to throw down, he’d jump, but they couldn’t keep dancing around each other.
“Player.”
Player’s jaw clenched as he stared at Cree. The brother knew he couldn’t do what he had without repercussion. He’d kept his head through the holidays, but now, Player wanted Cree to take responsibility. “You crossed the line.”
Cree hated to throw Player’s words back at him, but . . . “Like you haven’t?” Cree leaned in so Player could hear his quiet words. “I know who holds your heart.” He stepped back just in time to block the punch Player threw at him. “Is that the best you got, Player?”
“Screw you,” Player growled, lunging at Cree. He hit the brother in the midsection. Wrapping his arms around Cree’s waist, Player took them both to the ground. Rolling across the snow and ice covering the pavement, Player’s fist connected with Cree’s jaw.
He didn’t get the chance at landing a second punch before Cree clocked him in the side of the head. Player saw stars for a split second. Strong hands gripped Player, yanking him back. Tossing back an elbow, he felt it connect with something hard.
“God damn it!” Joker shouted. It was the distraction Cree needed to throw Player off. Coming up on his knees, he slipped on a patch of ice and landed on his ass. Five feet from him, Cree was having the same issue. Neither man could get their footing to get back up.
All they heard was laughter coming from the front of the clubhouse. Player was the first to crack a smile as he rubbed the side of his face. Cree ran his thumb across his bottom lip, wiping blood from it.
“Are you two done fighting?” Kennedy asked with a perturbed look on her face.
“Yeah.”
“Yep.”
“Good.” Kennedy stuck her hand out for Cree to take and ended up on top of him, laughing.
Player managed to get to his feet. Glancing over, he saw Joker’s face was already bruising. He felt like shit for the cheap shot, but before he could say anything, Joker disappeared behind some of the brothers. Turning around, Player planted his feet and helped Kennedy up.
When Cree stood up, Player handed his sister to Cree. “You hurt her . . .”
“I won’t.”
Player needed Cree to stick around. He didn’t want his little sister staying at the clubhouse. He didn’t want her exposed to the things that went down within those walls. “Would the two of you like to stay at my place until the weather gets better?”
Kennedy was shocked but thankful for the offer. She didn’t like staying at the clubhouse. She’d already seen more than she cared to admit. “Do you have enough room for us?”
Player looked at Cree before answering. “I have an apartment I rent out. It’s empty right now.”
Kennedy realized her brother was giving them a place within his home. She wanted to stay with Cree, but not at Player’s discomforted. “We can’t take your place.”
“Yes, you can and you will, so I can spend time with you.” Player said it firmly, so there was no mistake how he felt about the situation.
Kennedy kissed Player on the cheek. “I’d love that.”
“Then it’s settled. You and Cree can play house in the upstairs apartment, and I’ll respect your privacy.”
Glad that was over, Player was about to head inside when he heard Kennedy’s next comment. “Oh, we won’t be playing house. We’re married.”
“What?” he asked so she’d repeat herself.
Kennedy saw the look on her brother’s face and started laughing. “I’m joking, but we came close to it.”
“I need a drink.” Player kissed her head before leaving Kennedy with Cree. He needed to find Joker and apologize. When he stepped into the clubhouse, he half expected to be sucker-punched. Instead, he was met with silence. “Fuck.”
He found Joker sitting at the bar holding a cold bottle of beer against his face.
There would be no easy apology. Things had been teetering on the edge of an unforeseen cliff between him and Joker for some time.
For the life of him, Player couldn’t remember a time they didn’t get along.
Things change, he reminded himself. And now the genie was out of the bottle, it couldn’t be put back in.
He needed to apologize, but he wasn’t in the mood to fight with Joker. Instead of having another scene, Player left the clubhouse. Walking across the parking lot, he climbed into his truck and left.