29. Epilogue
Epilogue
Chicago, IL
One Year Later
The lock buzzed open, and Kate pushed through the prison door. A cool wind rushed in and whisked away the stale atmosphere. The sun blinded her for a moment. Finally. Freedom.
She walked through the fence-lined sidewalk with a bounce in her step.
Scanning the parking lot, her gaze landed on the man she’d dreamed of every night for the last few months.
Leaning back against his antique Charger’s passenger door, Raz gave off an air of casualness.
His leather jacket covered his crossed arms as he wore aviators like some badass cop.
She felt his heated perusal along her flesh.
“Fuck, have I missed you,” he said into her mind.
She wobbled on giddy feet. “Says the man who hasn’t kept his mind hands off me for seven months.”
A ghostly hand swept over both of her nipples, sending rockets off in her already burning core. Her breath hitched.
“It’s not the same as seeing you. Holding you in my arms.”
Boy, was he right. She sent an impression along the link, her hand caressing his cheek. Raz’s smile lit up the entire parking lot.
“Glad to see you go, Miss Kate,” the guard said, opening the fence separating her from freedom.
She tore her eyes away from Raz long enough to glance at the familiar red-headed man. “It’s been nice, Joe. Tell your daughter to stay in school for me, would you?”
He chuckled as she waved back at him.
Raz stood, muscles bunched. She ran, attempting to beat her racing heart.
She leaped into his arms, wrapping her legs around him and fastening her mouth to his. Tongues danced, and the world slid away. He turned and pushed her against the car door and ground his hard shaft into her. Sparks flew, and everything synced into place. This was home.
The guard coughed behind them.
Raz growled at the back of his throat. Her insides tingled at the sound. She couldn’t stop kissing him. But the door handle popped open.
“Get in,” Raz said, voice raspy.
She slipped into the car. Leather and pine filled her senses but only maddened her heightened desire. Raz jumped into the seat and peeled out of the parking lot.
On the road, she took off his glasses, grabbed his cock over his jeans and pressed her lips to his ear. “Pull the fuck over.”
He briefly closed his eyes and groaned.
So sexy.
His free hand squeezed her thigh. The possessive touch ignited her core, and she parted her legs. His hand swept up her leg and over her lower folds, rubbing sweet friction against her. She hissed.
“Make me,” he challenged.
He made it a mile before she rode him into oblivion.
Hand in hand, Raz and Kate walked down the bustling Chicago sidewalk toward the Dusted Tuck. The streetlights illuminated partygoers. Kate absorbed their positive energy, a smile lighting her expression.
The bar was closed for the night, but a couple of raps from Raz and the door swung open.
Sid stood on the other side, hand outstretched in greeting.
Nerves tangled in Kate’s throat. Last time she’d seen him, Sid had told her to leave the property.
As much as she and Sid hadn’t bonded, he was important to Raz, and so she wanted to get along.
Raz took his hand and stepped into a hug.
“Good to see you,” Sid said, clapping Raz on the back.
“You literally saw me yesterday.” Raz chuckled.
“But you’re a new man when this lady’s around.” Sid winked at Kate.
Her heart turned lopsided. See, there’s nothing to fear. And to her utter shock, he grabbed her into a tight hug.
“We know what you did for Caige and the rest of us,” he whispered against her ear. “Thanks.”
Relief clogged up her throat, and she could only smile as he stepped away from her.
A gentle hand squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll be inside,” Raz said.
She nodded, confused. He left, and Sid shoved his hands into his pockets.
“I wanted to apologize,” he said. “We were all hurting in our own way. And it felt like we were falling apart. I spoke in anger when I told you we didn’t want you here. You’re always welcome, Kate.”
A sting settled in her eyes. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
His face brightened. “We have a surprise for you. Come on.”
As she glided into the bar on light feet, a pair rose from a booth in the room’s center.
“Bonnie!” Kate flew across the room and enveloped her blond friend in her arms. Tears slid down her cheeks. “How are you feeling?”
“Better…” Bonnie drew back from the embrace and wiped the wetness from Kate’s eyes using the pads of her calloused thumbs. “There’s no need for that.”
Kate stuck her tongue out at the woman, who had a lively expression. “I’ll cry if I want to. I’m happy to see you.”
Bonnie’s blue eyes were clear, with minimal makeup to give her a lovely appearance. Sober again. Even if it wasn’t culturally normal, Kate gathered Clyde into a hug as well. Oh, how I’ve missed you.
“Good to see you, Ichikawa-san,” he said with a chuckle, patting her back awkwardly.
“Yeah, how did you manage good behavior while you were in there?” Bonnie asked, arm slinking around Clyde’s waist.
The pair caused Kate’s heart to twinge.
“I made a couple of friends with some guards and kept my head low. You know it wasn’t my first time in the joint.”
Raz cleared his throat and pulled Kate close by the hip. “I’m going to ask about that later.”
“Any updates on Naomi?” Kate asked.
“There are no signs Matsuda knows we were at the submarine, nor that Naomi is missing. But…” Clyde glanced at Raz, worry stretching his features. “We believe Matsuda has sold the LRAD replica.”
What?! “To who?” Kate asked. “Has it been used?”
“Nothing yet,” Raz said. “It happened quickly. Caige is trying to gather what he can. That’s why he’s not here tonight.”
She had been so happy to hear he’d been up and walking again. A miracle. But she couldn’t imagine he was healthy enough to go back undercover so soon.
I guess he couldn’t rest, knowing a replica of Lucifer’s Bell is free in the world.
What will Naomi do now? Kate didn’t know what kind of person Naomi had become.
Would she just take her revenge or try to retrieve the device she helped produce?
As for the original Bell they’d stolen from the submarine, according to Raz, it didn’t survive the fire of four pissed-off dragons.
“I’m surprised you haven’t asked about me yet,” a deep voice called from behind her.
“Lewis.” She whipped around to find herself standing in a drag queen’s presence.
A blond and brown ombre wig framed her face and swept down her back in curly waves. Makeup chiseled out her cheekbones; painted eyebrows and sweeping eyeshadow accented her eyes. The colorful sequined gown she wore hinted at cleavage and curves worth staring at.
Kate’s jaw dropped. “I’m Kate and you are—stunning.”
She could have sworn the queen’s cheeks turned rosier.
“It’s Barbie. But thank you. Come and give me some lovin’.” She stretched out her arms.
Kate hugged her tightly yet cautiously, so she didn’t mess up the beautiful drag.
“What’s the occasion?” Kate asked.
“Someone once asked me to perform for them, so I’m here to oblige.”
She gazed around the room, feeling all eyes on her. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
Barbie winked. “We are happy you’re home. Now take a seat and have your lovely man get you a drink.”
You’re home.
Kate could barely hold in her overpowering wholeness.
But it didn’t end there. Barbie took the stage, a beam of light sparkling off her sequined gown as she caressed the microphone.
After a nod, a piano echoed in the bar as if someone were playing backstage.
Then Barbie lip-synced to lyrics that strummed straight to Kate’s heart.
The song told a dark story that turned into beautiful color—and Barbie sang to Kate, asking her to join her in painting the world that same color.
With each punch of the music and orchestra beat, Barbie stomped the floor, and her dramatic movements hypnotized Kate.
Her facial expressions were heartfelt and came from a place that wrapped around Kate in a warm embrace.
Barbie’s performance was vivid and magical.
Touching. And Kate crumbled under the weight of acceptance. Wetness streaked down her cheeks.
Raz’s tingling presence preceded him leaning to whisper in her ear. “You know we all love you, right?”
“I love you, too.”
She may have lost her friend, but Naomi was free. And nothing felt better than being surrounded by family.