Epilogue
Two Years Later
Keely tapped the code to the back door of the club and waited for the beep.
It only took a second, and she walked inside.
It wasn’t open for business on Mondays, so it was especially quiet.
She walked down the hall, stopped in front of the elevator, and glanced up at the camera.
She gave a short wave, and the doors immediately opened.
She had no idea who was manning the elevators, but Keely had made friends with everyone in security.
When the doors opened, she slowly walked out, surveying the balcony. Considering the club was closed, she expected the balcony to be empty. I was wrong. Keely stepped past the wall and halted, forcing a smile.
Déjà vu. All eyes on me. Caine would not be happy.
Oz, Rogue, and Trey were seated in the far corner of the room with half a dozen men guarding the perimeter. Nash was a few feet away. Unlike those seated, he didn’t seem as annoyed by her presence. His lips twitched, and he bowed his head.
She heard a low, deep growl from her right. “Keely.”
She glanced over to Caine, smiling. Yep, he’s not happy.
He moved closer, hardening his glare. “What are you doing here?”
“You never called me back.”
His scowl deepened. “I’m. Working. I told you we’d talk about it when I got home.”
“I know.” She held up her hands, inhaling a deep breath, ready to plead her case. “But the venue called. They have another couple looking at the space for our day. What if we lose it?”
Caine drew in a deep breath, glancing up at the ceiling. His jaw was squared, and his temple pulsed. It was a look she’d seen often. She grabbed the edge of his jacket in desperation.
“Caine, I don’t wanna lose this place, and we can’t change the date.”
It may have seemed silly, but when they were deciding on a wedding date and looking through Saturdays, she noticed her parents’ anniversary date. When she mentioned it to her mother, she broke down in tears. There was just something special about sharing the day with her parents.
He lowered his head, meeting her gaze. “Keely.” His tone was calm and controlled but she could tell it took effort.
“What the fuck is going on?” Rogue snapped.
Keely blew out a heavy breath. Thankfully, she only had to deal with him on social occasions.
He was still an asshole, and his distaste for her had only lessened by a smidge.
Feeling is mutual. But…seeing Rogue outside of the Bowery without a boss title had made him a lot more tolerable.
She’d left the Bowery eighteen months ago to dedicate her time to her podcast. It had been a slow start with only a few listeners.
All family and friends. A few months later, it started picking up some traction.
Then six months ago, an episode went viral, and her subscribers quadrupled in just a few days.
What if I fail?
What if you don’t?
Keely was always brought back to that conversation as her success continued to rise. Sometimes all it took was having one person believing. Keely had him, and next year he’d be her husband.
“What the fuck, Keely!”
Ugh, Rogue. She turned, forcing a smile and waving to the table. Only Trey responded, lowering his chin.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, but this is an emergency.”
“Jesus Christ, Keely,” Caine muttered under his breath.
She heard the low chuckles and glanced over to Ridge and Cyrus. Ridge was doing a better job at concealing his amusement.
“Well!” Rogue shouted, slamming his hand on the table. “What’s the fucking emergency?”
“Don’t,” Caine warned under his breath.
Keely hesitated, taking his request into consideration. But ultimately…
“We’re going to lose our venue for the wedding if we don’t lock it in right now.”
All three men shared the same puzzled gaze, which had her shifting on her feet. Maybe they needed more information to fully understand the magnitude of this dilemma.
Keely moved forward, and Caine matched her steps.
“There’s another couple who is interested in the space on the same day.”
“This?” —Rogue raised his brows— “is what you fucking interrupted our meeting for?”
Keely clasped her hands, darting her gaze between the men and ultimately landing on Oz. “I want to get married on my parents’ anniversary.”
Oz should’ve been the last person she pleaded her case to.
They weren’t close by any means, but they had an unspoken appreciation for each other.
On more than one occasion, she’d inquired more about the Underground, asking questions, and sharing her conspiracies on how it operated.
He never gave up information, but he was always engaged. As if it was a game he enjoyed playing.
“Pick another fucking day!” Rogue shook his head and grabbed his drink.
Her shoulders sagged, and she felt Caine’s hand on her back.
“What venue?” Oz asked.
Keely widened her eyes. “The Lancaster House.”
Oz shared a look with Trey, who nodded. “McNally’s brother owns it.”
Oz looked over at her. “The date?”
“June 16 th .”
“Nash?” Oz tapped his cigar and gave a curt nod. “Make the call.”
“Yes, sir.” Nash smiled over at Keely.
What? Oh my God, really? Keely gasped, covered her mouth with her hand, and felt the giddy excitement race through her body.
“Thank you so much, Oz. You have no idea how much this means to me. I have been looking at places, and when I saw this one, they had the date open, and I was…”
Oz held up his hand, then pointed to the hall and the elevators.
Dismissed.
It did nothing to batten down her excitement. She turned to Caine and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, squeezing him tightly. PDA was not his thing, especially in front of anyone in the Underground. She was usually respectful of that boundary, but she couldn’t contain herself.
His hand slid over her back in a circular motion. He knew what this meant to her. His lips brushed against her ear.
“You got what we wanted.” His emphasis on “ we” had her tightening her hold. “Now, get your ass home before I get fired.”
Keely chuckled and stepped back. She waved to the men and rushed toward the elevators. Just as she rounded the wall, she glanced over her shoulder to Oz.
“Thank you,” she mouthed.
His gaze softened slightly, and he lowered his chin.
Perfect!
****
Fucking. Menace.
The past two years did nothing to settle Keely’s propensity for trouble. If she wasn’t causing it, she was knee deep in it. It had become a way of life in the Savarese home. Most times, Caine went with the flow and rode silently on Keely’s Crazy Train.
Not fucking today!
He flashed his key fob for the elevator and waited. The longer he stood there watching the screen the more heated he’d gotten. When he heard the clicking of heels on the floor, he scowled over at the woman walking toward him.
Meaghan and Caine would never be friends, but over the last year Keely had put them in casual encounters that forced them to be cordial.
“Caine.” She smiled a little too bright.
He nodded, and when the doors opened, he debated on taking the stairs, but ultimately decided the elevator would be quicker.
His patience was waning. He punched his floor and stood in silence with Meaghan.
When the doors opened on the seventh floor, Meaghan walked into her apartment and glanced over her shoulder with a taunting smile.
“Tell Keely I really enjoyed today’s episode of her podcast.” She broke out in a grin. “Learned something new about my neighbor.”
The doors closed, and Caine’s anger level skyrocketed. When he reached his floor, he was walking out before the doors had completely opened.
“Keely!” he shouted.
She peeked her head out of the kitchen.
“Hey, baby.”
“We need to talk.” He stalked toward her. “About your podcast.”
“You listened?” Her excitement had her bouncing on her toes.
“Yeah, I fucking listened. So did Cy, Ridge, and all my men.”
She gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. “That’s amazing.”
What the fuck?
“Keely.” He growled. “You told the whole fucking world that I give great head.” He narrowed his gaze, trying his best to batten down his anger. “In fucking detail.”
“You’re giving me way too much credit. The whole world isn’t listening to my podcast. Yet!” She winked. “And, of course, I’m gonna brag about my man’s skills. That thing you do with your tongue right before I come?” She hummed. “You’re welcome, baby.”
Fucking menace.
Caine dragged his hand over his face, cupping his jaw. “We talked about boundaries.”
She knitted her brows, cocking her head. “Yeah. I didn’t, haven’t, and wouldn’t say anything about the Underground, Caine. You know that.”
He did. They’d had a long talk, which included Oz himself sitting in and detailing what Keely could and couldn’t reveal about their lives.
For the first year, she’d agreed to Nash reviewing her recordings.
Keely never slipped. She’d taken her own oath to protect the Underground.
Some days it felt as though it was the only thing she took seriously.
He gripped his hips. “No more talk about our sex life.”
“But my listeners love it.”
“No!” Caine snapped.
Keely pouted and sauntered toward him. She looped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his chest. With her soft green eyes pinned on him, he settled. Keely had that effect on him, even when she was driving him bat shit fucking crazy. Which is most days.
Caine held firm against embracing her. He had to make it clear she’d crossed the line, and it wouldn’t be tolerated. He lasted about ten seconds before curling her into his chest.
Everyone had their weaknesses, and she was Caine’s.
“I promise.” She lifted on her toes, and he met her halfway, kissing her. “I won’t share any more details on our smokin’ hot sexscapades.”
Caine snorted, taking her in for another kiss.
“But um” —she mumbled against his mouth and pulled away slightly— “I did have a listener ask where you bought the handcuffs.”
He ground his teeth, hardening his stare. “Keely.”
She laughed, sliding her hands up his chest and around his shoulders. “We’ll keep that a secret.”
This fucking menace of a woman.
And she’s all mine.
The End