Epilogue
GAUGE
Two weeks later
The Burnout was crowded, filled wall-to-wall with Redline Kings brothers, their old ladies, prospects hustling around tables, and other patrons.
Riley sat tucked securely beside me in one of the back booths, her thigh pressed comfortably against mine beneath the table, her laughter mingling easily with the surrounding noise as she chatted with Savannah and Jana about whatever women discussed when we weren’t paying attention.
Watching her like this, fully relaxed and comfortable, was something I’d never get tired of. Even now the sight of her with my ring on her finger, my property vest snug across her shoulders, and my baby in her belly was enough to heat my blood in ways I wasn’t sure would ever ease up.
After a moment, Riley excused herself to go to the bathroom with Savannah and Jana, leaving me alone in the booth for barely ten seconds before Edge and Kane slid into the seats across from me.
Kane’s typical scowl was fixed firmly in place, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes that told me something significant had gone down.
Edge, on the other hand, was openly grinning in a way that sparked immediate suspicion—he only smiled like that when something had gone very, very wrong for someone who deserved it.
I leaned back, eyeing both men and instinctively knowing whatever they were about to share had nothing to do with casual club news.
“Just got word”—Kane’s voice was pitched low enough that no one outside the booth could overhear—“that organization we struck the deal with—they’ve been completely obliterated.”
I lifted a brow in silent question, glancing briefly toward Edge, whose unsettling grin only widened. He knew far more than he was letting on, and the secrecy in his expression told me he was holding something significant back.
“Care to explain?” I prompted dryly. “Because we both know the Kings didn’t break that deal, which means someone else decided to handle our dirty work.”
Edge leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, looking thoroughly entertained. “Turns out we weren’t the only MC those assholes pissed off. Apparently, those gambling financiers had tangled with another club out in the LA area. The Black Crowns.”
I exchanged a quick glance with Kane, surprise flickering through me at the mention of the name. I nodded, a quiet acknowledgment as I processed this new development. “Who tipped you off?”
“Stryker.”
Just as Kane said the name, Riley returned from the bathroom, sliding comfortably back into her place beside me. She tilted her head slightly, clearly intrigued by the serious atmosphere at the table.
“Who’s Stryker?” she asked, glancing between me and Kane with open curiosity.
I turned to face her, sliding an arm around her shoulders. “President of the Black Crowns MC. He and our former treasurer, Tyre, go way back. In fact, Stryker’s helping Tyre set up the Redline Kings chapter out in Los Angeles. Let’s just say he's someone you definitely want on your side.”
Riley shifted comfortably against my side, bumping my shoulder playfully. Her eyes drifted toward the bar, filling with curiosity again as something caught her attention. “Who’s that girl talking to Century at the bar?”
I followed Riley’s gaze, immediately spotting Century standing stiffly near the bar, his gaze fixed with uncharacteristic intensity on the woman seated on a barstool in front of him.
Her eyes were flashing with obvious annoyance, clearly unimpressed by whatever Century had just said to her.
He stood rigid, visibly stunned by her apparent lack of cooperation, and for a moment they appeared locked in some kind of intense verbal standoff.
Before I could respond, the woman snapped something, tossed her hair over her shoulder in a gesture of clear dismissal, and slid abruptly from her stool.
Century’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he immediately moved to follow her, calling after her to stop with an authoritative voice that carried even through the crowded bar.
The woman ignored him completely, marching out the front doors with Century close behind her, frustration radiating from every rigid muscle in his broad shoulders.
Kane smirked, shaking his head slightly as he watched them go. “From the looks of it, I’d say our brother just met trouble. Or destiny.”
“He’s a Redline King,” Riley snorted. “They’re probably one and the same.”
Laughter rippled around our table, and I couldn’t help but grin. My attention shifted back to my woman, who still watched the closed door with fascination. I drew her even closer against me, savoring the warmth of her body pressed to my side.
I leaned down until my mouth brushed softly against her ear. “Right now, baby, the only destiny I’m interested in is ours.”
Riley smiled up at me. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely.” The heat in my voice was unmistakable. “How about we get out of here, and I remind you again exactly what kind of future we’ve got waiting.”
Riley’s cheeks flushed at the sensual promise in my voice.
Without another word, she slid from the booth, taking my hand and leading me straight toward the door.
Riley belonged to me, now and always. Tonight, just like every night going forward, I intended to make sure she never doubted who she’d chosen to spend her future with.