Epilogue
KNIGHT
Four years later
I turned off the tattoo gun and sat back to examine my handiwork.
The shading of the steampunk clock inked onto Pike’s shoulder was damn near perfect.
I was proud of it, because I’d had to take two community college art classes to lift my work up to the standard.
With an artist like Emory around, we all had to bring our A-game to compete.
“Damn, Knight, that’s amazing,” Emory said.
I puffed up. “It’s not bad.”
“It’s fucking badass,” Pike added with a huge grin. “It took forever, though.”
“Hey, you can’t rush genius,” I joked.
“It’s worth it, man. Not saying it’s not.”
I glanced at the clock and swore under my breath. Speaking of time, I was running late to meet Aiden. It was usually the other way around. I thought when he finished his residency, his life would slow down, but being a traveling doctor, he was sometimes late getting back to town.
Today, though, I was meeting him out at Larry Schumacher’s place for a doggy play date with Waffles and Biscuit.
Our gray-and-white Boston Terrier wasn’t quite as well-behaved as Waffles—especially when he ripped the stuffing out of my pillow—but he was too cute to stay mad at. Taking him out to romp with Waffles would also run off some energy.
Aiden took him along on his house visits most days—a lot of patients loved the extra comfort of a cute pooch, and for anyone who didn’t, he could wait in the car—so I didn’t have to worry about picking him up.
“Shoot, I’m running late.”
“I’ll take care of Pike,” Fox called from the back of the shop. “Go meet your man.”
“Thanks!” I grabbed my jacket off the hook by the door, left my station cleanup to our newest apprentice, and called out my goodbyes as I hurried out.
My Jeep Wrangler sat at the curb. I still had my bike, but I kept it for scenic cruises with Aiden plastered to my back rather than everyday transportation.
I hopped in and started the Jeep, reversing out of the parking lot where my former biker club had tracked me down and beat me to a pulp five years ago.
Hector had kept his word and left me alone after the illegal fight I won for him.
In his eyes, I’d paid my way out. Puck had tried to reach out to me once or twice, but I shut that shit down hard.
I wanted nothing to do with that part of my life, even if Puck hadn’t been a little weasel.
But he got his due. I’d seen a news article two years ago that there had been a big bust of the club. Four of the guys had gone down on weapons and drug charges, Puck among them. Because they were transporting weapons over state lines, they were doing hard time.
In the end, Puck would get what he dealt me, plus about twenty years more.
I was halfway to Larry’s, whistling an off-key tune and thinking ahead to the barbecue chicken Larry had promised to grill, when my phone rang. I put it on Speaker, so I could keep my hands on the wheel.
“Hey, Matteo. How the hell are you?”
“Not bad,” he said. “I was calling to ask you a favor.”
“Uh-oh. Who’s in trouble now?”
He laughed. “No one, thank god. I’ve got a good crop this year, but a lot of guys have graduated in the past few months.”
“So you’ve got newbies now, huh?”
“Yeah. You were always such a good mentor, and I know you’ve got a good thing going at the tattoo shop, but how would you feel about stepping in to lead group on Sundays?”
“Seriously?”
“The program has grown a lot. I’ve got twelve guys now, instead of four or five.
I spent most of my time coordinating the paperwork and making connections with business owners.
I think the guys could benefit from a mentor…
and I think you’d be an excellent role model for them to see. But I understand if you’re too busy.”
Running Sunday meetings would intrude on my weekends with Aiden—but hell, he’d understand better than anyone the good I could do. And we spent every evening together. Most Saturdays, too, though he still volunteered at the clinic.
A flicker of excitement made my heart flutter. I’d always loved the little family I’d made with the other ex-cons in my years of Redemption Road. We still hung out, but everyone had a lot going on in their lives right now. Good stuff, thankfully. But they didn’t need me the way they once had.
Helping a new crop of guys plucked at those protective chords inside me. If I could help, I wanted to do it.
“Sign me up,” I said. “I can’t wait.”
“That’s the Knight I know and love,” Matteo said, a smile in his voice. “I’m excited to see what we can do together.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll get back to you with more details. Let’s plan on next Sunday, yeah?”
It was only Tuesday. Plenty of time to prepare.
“Sounds good.”
The call disconnected just as I was turning onto the dirt road that cut between two fields and led me back toward Larry’s somewhat isolated house. He insisted on staying out in the middle of nowhere, but Aiden was trying to convince him to move closer to town.
I found a spare patch of gravel and parked. I threw open the door, and happy barks cut through the quiet evening air. Biscuit raced toward me, going as fast as his little legs could take him, but Waffles overtook him, reaching me first.
I crouched down, catching both dogs as they crashed into me with happy yips and eager tongues.
“Okay, I feel loved,” I said, laughing. “Are you guys having a fun play date?”
I stroked each of their ears, paying them both plenty of attention, until Aiden’s shoes came into my peripheral vision. He cleared his throat. “I know I’ve only got two legs, but how about some love for me too?”
I gave the dogs one last pat, then stood and leaned in to give my man his due. “Hey, Angel.”
He dodged my kiss and laughed. “Not until you wash out your mouth, you dog lover.”
“Oh-ho! I see how it is.” I grabbed him and held him close while he struggled and laughed, slobbering all over his cheek.
“Stop horsing around!” Larry called. “Come cook this meat for me, Knight. I’m starving.”
“Oh, I’m grilling?”
Aiden met my gaze, his smile slipping a little. “He’s a little shaky today. Probably best he doesn’t work the grill.”
“You’re talking to him again, right?”
“Already did. We had a good visit when I stopped in for his follow-up appointment. I think he’s ready to sell and move to town.”
“Good.” I swatted Aiden’s ass. “Now, go get me a beer if I have to stand over that hot grill.”
“Only if you promise to do that again later,” he said cheekily.
“Anything you want, Angel,” I said in a low voice. “You know that.”
He sauntered off, looking smug. My boyfriend was the biggest sweetheart I’d ever met, but in the bedroom he was decidedly naughty, and I loved it.
He also had me wrapped around his little finger, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. I’d never been so damn happy.
While I grilled chicken, Larry told funny stories about Waffles, Biscuit rolled over to show his speckled belly for rubs, and Aiden sent me contented smiles.
I counted my blessings.
Because there was nothing that could compare to moments like these, where I knew my place in the world—and it wasn’t with a bunch of hotheaded bikers.
That life was full of danger and adrenaline-fueled thrills.
But it’d never compare to the quiet love in Aiden’s eyes, the way he fit into my arms, or the quiet way he trusted and leaned on me when he’d had a hard day.
I’d had to fight like hell to escape my past, but I couldn’t entirely regret it. It had brought me here.
To the man I loved with everything in me.
To cookouts and cute dogs and sloppy kisses full of laughter.
And really, was there anything better than that?
What's up with the beef between Hollywood and Tex? There's got to be a story there! Find out in Hollywood, Book 2 of Redemption Road.
Want Flynn and Bailey's story? Find it in Problem Child, part of the Foster Bro Code series!
HOLLYWOOD
Everyone calls me Hollywood because I look like a leading man, but I didn't expect the starring role of single father....
When my ex-girlfriend, Carrie, is injured in an accident, I take sole custody of my two-year-old daughter overnight. I've wanted to be Ruby's father for a long time, but my ex and her family haven't forgiven me for going to prison.
This is my chance to get to know Ruby and prove that I've changed.
But becoming a father overnight is overwhelming, and I have no idea what I'm doing. Thankfully, my former best friend--the guy who ran away after I stupidly kissed him--shows up to help me out. He's a natural with kids, and one night of support turns into another and another.
Bit by bit, Tex is moving back into my life and becoming a second father to Ruby. He's impossible not to love--for me or my daughter. But he couldn't face the feelings between us before.
Will he return the love this time--or break two hearts instead of one?
Order your copy of Hollywood now!