Epilogue Letty
“How are you feeling?” I ask Mom as I tuck her in, worrying that she’s getting the best care in the hospital.
It’s been a long road of recovery. The hit to her head caused internal swelling, and she’s still a bit out of it most days. I managed to get her transferred to the hospital closest to Summit Hill. The drive takes about an hour, but it’s worth it.
Gage was right. Despite my anger and frustration with my mom, I do love her. I want her in my life.
I don’t know what that looks like yet. She’s not whole yet, and that will determine a lot. But I’m here. I visit. I’m trying.
That has to count for something.
“Tired,” she admits, closing her eyes.
She sleeps a lot. The doctors tell me that’s normal. Her body is fighting off infection and trauma. The wound in her stomach is deep.
There’s a knock at the door, and I turn my head.
Brekker smiles. “Hey.”
“Hi. It’s nice of you to visit her.”
“It’s my pleasure.” He waves at Mom. “Hi, Cynthia.”
Her eyes flutter. “Hi, Daniel.”
“I’m going to stay a bit if you need to leave.”
I will. As soon as Gage comes back. He said he had an errand to run. “Not yet.”
Brekker enters the room and leaves the chair for me. He approaches the bed, pausing to stare out the window when he sees Mom is falling asleep. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling guilty, Letty.”
His voice is low, and I detect both regret and sorrow.
“You’re not at fault for what Liam and Theo did to us.”
His jaw clenches as he faces me. “What they almost did.” Anger flashes in his eyes briefly. “You were almost,” he pauses and shakes his head. “I can’t say it.”
Raped. “I know.” I reach for his arm and lay my hand on it. “Gage stopped Liam.”
It came close enough that I still have occasional nightmares, and it’s been weeks. I’m working through it.
His palm rests on top of mine. “You’re being gracious. Thank you.”
“Don’t hold onto this, Brekker. Okay? It’ll just make you bitter.”
He laughs, and it already sounds that way. “I know.”
“Turn those feelings into something else. Find a passion project. I know I am.”
He lifts a brow. “You are?”
“Yes. I found a group that supports me and helps me walk through my feelings. They’re all survivors. We have dedicated time at each meeting to journal, scrapbook, and make crafts. It’s therapeutic.”
He smiles. “I don’t think I’m an arts and crafts kind of guy.”
“Maybe not, but you have interests. Find a hobby that has nothing to do with work. Do it for yourself.”
“I’ll do it for me,” he pauses, “and for you.”
“And Mom.” I pull my hand away. “Take care, Brekker.”
“You too, Letty.”
I sense Gage before he appears in the doorway.
“Babe, you ready?”
I nod, leaning down to kiss mom’s cheek before I go. She doesn’t wake up, but I’ll be back tomorrow. I come every day.
Gage nods at the marshal. “Brekker.”
“Blaze.”
I grin when I hear Brekker use Gage’s road name. There’s hope for him yet.
“Did you finish your secret biker stuff today?” I ask as Gage reaches for my hand, leading me down the hall toward the elevators.
“Something like that.”
He’s being so cryptic. It makes me excited to think about whatever surprise he has for me. I know it’s something to do with us. He doesn’t say, but it’s not necessary.
When we enter the elevator, we’re alone. Gage takes advantage of the moment and presses me back against the panel. His mouth lowers to my ear. “Stop trying to guess.”
“But I’m too curious.”
“Oh, I know.” His teeth nibble on my earlobe. “Stop.”
“Will you fuck me if I do?”
He nips at my neck before kissing a pathway up to my mouth. “No.”
“You’re mean,” I announce as the elevator opens.
He snickers. “Come on.”
I pout as he leads me out of the hospital. We walk to his bike, and Gage picks up my helmet, placing it over my head. I never ride without it.
As a gift, he bought it for me after I moved in with him, and had the outside painted with my nickname. “Little Heathen” appears on both sides with a pair of angel wings and devil horns. It’s stunning. I love it.
With the helmet secure, I climb on the bike, and he sits in front of me. My hands slide around his torso. I feel the hard muscles of his abdomen and nearly salivate. I’m going to want him until the day I die. He always turns me on.
I don’t know what to expect, but we ride to a tattoo parlor and park. Summit Ink blazes in neon above the door. I know it’s where all the members get their ink.
I’ve never gotten a tattoo. Until now.
Gage removes my helmet, sliding his arm around me before we walk inside. He walks right up to the big, burly guy at the counter. “We’ve got an appointment with Fizz.”
The guy nods. He gestures for us to go on. “He’s waiting.”
I don’t have time to look at all the colorful art on the walls that showcases the skill of the artists who work here. Gage urges me on with his hand on my lower spine.
“Hey, Fizz.”
“Blaze, how the fuck are ya?”
“Good. Brought my ol’ lady.”
Fizz is tall with a shaved head, big black gauges in his ears, a long black goatee, and a runner’s physique. He’s not thin, but athletic. Not bulky at all. “Hey, Letty. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Really? “Hi.”
“Blaze came by and already picked out your designs. Do you want to see them?”
I think it over and shake my head. “Nope. I trust him.”
Gage grins widely. “Told you, Fizz.”
“Fuck. I need to find a woman this beautiful and loyal.”
I smile because it’s sweet. I think.
Fizz directs us both to lie down. We lay back on leather chairs that are only about a foot apart. Gage holds out his hand, already knowing what I need.
I lock our fingers together and hope he doesn’t feel the slight tremor. I’m nervous. Excited. Unsure how bad this will hurt.
“Just breathe,” he says, and I close my eyes.
The first prick of the needle in my arm doesn’t hurt. It’s later, when Fizz has to add more ink to the design and trace over the skin he’s already dug the needle into, that hurts. But I can handle it. I stay still and keep breathing.
I do, however, squeeze the shit out of his hand.
Gage grunts once but doesn’t say anything.
After I’m done, he instructs me to stay still while he gets his tattoo. Unlike mine, Gage gets his ink on his chest. That has to hurt more than the spot on my upper arm.
I doze a little and wake up to Gage brushing his hand over my face. “Letty, baby. Open your eyes.”
I blink and sit up with his help. Fizz is cleaning up.
There’s a thin layer of ointment on my arm, the same as Gage. I stare at his new ink. Tears fill my eyes. I can’t help it.
‘Letty, Little Heathen’ is written over a red heart. There are devil horns above the heart.
“Wow, Gage,” I blubber, dashing the tears from under my eyes.
“Babe. Look at yours.”
I get up and move to the full-length mirror. A gasp leaves my mouth. I sniffle because I’m going to cry again.
My tattoo is just like my helmet. Little Heathen, a pair of angel wings, and red devil horns. Beneath it, in bold script, is ‘Property of Blaze’.
“They’re perfect.”
“They are,” Gage agrees before he brushes his lips over mine.
We pay for the ink and step outside. The sun is close to setting. Low in the sky, it rests just above the horizon.
Gage passes me my helmet as we climb on his bike. My arm hurts a little, but I quickly forget about it as we ride through the streets of Summit Hill. The wind is wild today and whips around us, billowing our clothing against our skin.
It feels liberating. Intoxicating. Like nothing can touch us on the back of his Harley. It’s become my favorite thing to do with him. There’s just no way to describe the bond that’s forged between us.
Maybe our relationship was only lust and attraction in the beginning, but it’s much deeper than that now.
Gage is more than a boyfriend. He’s become my person, the one I want to spend my life with, and someday raise a family.
He’s my first thought when I wake up and the last before I sleep.
That’s probably because he’s usually got his mouth on me or his cock inside me. I’ve got zero complaints.
Gage pats my hands around his waist, and I smile as I see the restaurant sign ahead of us. He glides onto the parking lot and slows until we stop. When I take off my helmet and rise off the seat, he takes it from me, stowing it until later.
He seems nervous as we enter the restaurant and we’re shown to our table.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” He picks up his drink and downs it.
“Um, babe, you’re freaking me out,” I laugh.
“Letty.” He reaches for my hands. “I love you.”
I know.
“I brought you here to propose, but it just doesn’t feel right doing it in front of strangers.”
He’s right. It doesn’t.
“So we leave. Take our order to go and ride back to the Grid Iron.”
“Yeah?”
“Definitely.”
So we do. The ride seems to take forever because we’re both excited. It’s not like I don’t know what’s coming, but I’m still emotional about it.
Gage parks his bike, then picks me up, without bothering to remove my helmet. When he walks inside the bar, it’s too quiet. I’m set on my feet, and I stand, nervous, as he lifts the helmet.
I watch as he lowers to one knee. He’s holding a black box in his hand and opens it. I nearly faint at the sight of that diamond ring. It’s gorgeous and impossibly big. Wow.
Gage is staring at me. His lips stretch wide into a grin that I swear is as sinful as it is handsome. “It’s not a secret that I’ve loved you for a long time, Leticia Jacobs.”
He has never called me Letty Blade, even after the adoption.
“I’ve fallen harder and deeper,” there are a few snickers at his choice of words, “with every day we spend together. I’m not fancy with words.
All I know is that you’re my sun and moon, my angel, my little heathen, and the love of my life.
I need you to marry me, baby, because I can’t live without you. ”
“That’s good, Gage Blade, since you’re stuck with me.”
He clears his throat. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes, Gage, I’ll marry you.”
Gage slips the ring on my finger and then pops to his feet. I’m in his arms, hauled upward until I wrap my legs around his waist. His mouth crushes mine, and I cling to him, getting lost in his kiss.
I become aware of my surroundings when I hear cheers and whistles. Gage breaks the kiss, and his grin is too fucking much. Cocky. Prideful. Full of love.
“Congratulations,” Storm hollers, and other people join in.
I look around us for the first time and see all our friends and family. The club is packed with everyone we care about. The only person missing is my mom. Someday, she’ll have to accept Gage. He’s going to be my husband.
But I don’t care about that right now.
I glance at the engagement ring as my feet lower to the floor, which, oddly enough, is not as heavy as it looks. It sparkles in the light.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s perfect.”
“Yeah, I thought so.” He tucks my hair behind my ear. “Ready for our forever to begin?”
Oh, yes. I reach for him, and he lowers his head. “It starts as soon as you chase me, hunt me down, and fuck me in the woods.”
His dark chuckle makes me shiver. “Better run, little heathen.”