Epilogue
Two months later…
Kendrick
“Jackie. What are you doing here?” I was shocked to see her standing on my doorstep.
“I thought it was about time I came to see you.”
“Is something wrong?” In the last two months, the city had been inundated with arrests, at least two dozen and there were more expected.
In breaking into the system created by Franklin, the information collected had turned Miami on its ear.
The FBI, CIA, DEA, and Interpol were all working together to round up everyone involved.
The shakeup in the Miami Dade police department had caused shockwaves.
Raven Intel had undertaken a much bigger role than we’d originally planned, opening ourselves up to discovery and subsequent scrutiny.
Yet somehow, Maverick and Chase had called in favors and as soon as the attack on the Privileged at the port had been concluded, we’d disappeared, the DEA and FBI taking credit, with Jackie and her team arresting the chief of police and other law enforcement officers who’d had involvement.
Only yesterday I’d gotten the news Franklin had been murdered in jail. I’d thought about thanking whoever it had been.
“Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to thank you,” she said.
“I heard you made deputy director. I didn’t have anything to do with that. You earned the promotion. I should thank you for all your hard work in ensuring the girls made it back to their families.”
Her smile was followed by a roll of her eyes. “Yes, the promotion has been good for my career. I can’t stand the new chief of police, but he’s a good guy. Although he goes completely by the book.”
“At least he’s honest.” We both laughed, but the moment remained awkward. “Any news on the girls?”
“Just Denise. She’s working with one of the abuse centers. She hopes to earn her psychology degree and even go to medical school.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Yes,” she said. “I heard through the grapevine that basically every abuse center in the country received a significant donation. That wouldn’t have anything to do with you and your group. Would it?”
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
Jackie lifted her eyebrows. “Sure you don’t. That’s fine. I don’t plan on exposing your work. As long as you don’t cross too far over the line. What you did was heroic. Maybe irresponsible, but heroic. At least justice was served.”
“Yes, it was.”
Another awkward moment settled in.
“And I wanted to thank you personally. You allowed the nightmares to fade. I didn’t that was possible.”
With what she’d endured as a young girl, I was surprised she’d managed to put the demons behind her. “I’m very glad.”
“How’s Reese?”
“I haven’t talked to her in a couple weeks. She’s back teaching. Briana is doing well. They’re both happy.”
“But you’re miserable. I can tell.”
“She’s doing what she needs to do to heal.”
Jackie had never been emotional with me.
We weren’t friends and I doubted we would ever be, which was why I was surprised when she placed her hand on my arm, squeezing in a motherly way.
“But you need her. You need each other. Don’t let too much time pass, Kendrick.
You’ll find that to be the greatest regret of your life. Take care and stay out of trouble.”
I laughed, waiting with the door open while she headed for her car.
She was right, but I just couldn’t find it in myself to interfere with Reese and her family.
After closing the door, I headed back to the poker game, thinking about what she’d said.
“Who was that?” Gabriel asked as soon as I returned to my seat, immediately grabbing my beer.
“Jackie. She just wanted to thank me for giving her a reason to take back her life.”
“When are you going to do the same?” Maverick asked, eyeing me as cautiously as he’d done for two solid months. Like I was an idiot.
“I am living my life and enjoying it,” I growled before swigging back half the bottle. Nothing tasted good any longer.
“Right,” Hudson snorted. “You’re more of a shell of a man than you were.”
“A pain in the ass too,” Chase added and I promptly gave him the finger.
“What do you want me to do, go to Jacksonville and tell her I love her and can’t live without her?”
I laughed.
The others didn’t.
“Oh, come on. She deserves to have time with her family.” I shook my head.
They weren’t moving. At all. All four staring at me.
“Jesus, guys. What if she doesn’t want to see me?”
The only movement was Maverick sighing. Heavily.
“So I just book a flight and tell her she’s coming home with me. Is that it?” I looked from one to the other. A sudden knot formed in my stomach. “What if she doesn’t want to return?”
My God. I sounded like some fifteen-year-old kid.
Chase cleared his throat. “Aren’t you her master?”
“That was a role-playing moment.”
“Was it?” Hudson pressed, a grin slowly sliding across his face.
Huffing, I sat back in the seat, thinking about what they’d just said. Okay, so she’d told me she loved me and I hadn’t responded. I hadn’t so much as told her that I felt the same. That made me such an asshole.
Images of her face rolled into my mind. I could almost hear her laughter. Christ. Even my cock was aching. This was getting ridiculous. I couldn’t sleep. Food had no taste. I wasn’t interested in my job any longer. I went in and performed, little else.
I’d felt nothing but hollow for weeks. Weeks.
A sudden urge washed over me I couldn’t avoid. I jerked back the chair, standing in a huff.
“What are you doing?” Gabriel asked, a sly look on his face.
“I’m going to Jacksonville and I’m bringing her back.”
“What if she won’t come with you?” Maverick was doing his best not to laugh.
I headed toward the door. “She will. And do you want to know why?”
“Yeah, I do.” Hudson already had his fist pumped. What the hell?
“Because I’m her master and she will obey me. Or else.”
Reese
The bell rang.
We were one of those schools that had an old-fashioned bell. Every time I heard it, I jumped. And why? Because for some crazy reason, it always reminded me of Kendrick. I had no idea why.
The last few weeks had been both grueling and heartwarming.
I’d only recently returned to my apartment knowing that Briana was in good hands with my parents.
We talked every day and after only three weeks, light had started to return to her eyes.
Now at two months in, she was talking about going to college.
She’d been one of the lucky ones, never touched by one of the men of the Privileged. And why? It would seem Franklin had had a conscience after all. Yes, he’d lured her to Miami, but he’d ensured she wouldn’t be auctioned.
The why didn’t matter. All what did was that she was healing day by day. And we were friends.
“Alright, guys. Remember your homework. I need book reports on my desk in the morning.”
The collective groan made me smile. As they started to file out, I returned to my desk to grab my things. A knock at the classroom door caught my attention.
“Ms. Murphy. Someone would like to see you.”
“Thanks, Jeanine. Show them in.” Lately, I’d had one too many parents need to see me about their child. Either there was too much homework or not enough.
Often, I had to brace for their disgruntled attitudes.
I continued gathering my things as I heard footsteps. “I’ll be right with you.”
A sudden giggle drew my attention and I flashed a look toward the door. A few of the girls from my class were hovering in the doorway, huge bright eyes staring back at me.
Almost immediately, a prickling sensation rushed down my spine.
Then a scent floated around me, rich in testosterone and musk. I knew the fragrance. I’d kept a shirt I’d worn unwashed and often slept with it.
As I turned my head toward my visitor, my legs began to tremble. “Kendrick.”
He walked closer, the sexy little grin I’d fallen in love with on his face. In his arms were flowers and a red foil bag.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, finding myself inching toward him.
“Well,” he said and took a long stride in my direction. “I wanted to see you.”
“You did?”
“Uh-huh.” He placed the flowers on the edge of my desk.
“They’re beautiful.”
“Yes, you are.” He cupped the side of my face and as soon as he did, another wave of giggling girls caught my attention.
As soon as I turned my head toward them to admonish their behavior, he quickly pinched my chin, pulling it forward and speaking in a low voice.
“I’ve waited for two months for your attention. You know I’m not a patient man.”
“So what are you saying?” I pressed my hand against his chest, marveling as I had before in how muscular he was.
“I’m saying that you belong to me.”
“How do you think that?”
He lowered his head and I forced myself to drown out the girls gasping from the sight in front of them. “I am your master. How quickly you forget. But don’t worry, I’m going to remind you of that every day.”
“You are, huh? What if I don’t obey you?”
Kendrick took a deep breath while sliding his hand into the bag. He shifted our bodies by a few inches until his massive form was blocking anyone from seeing the contents. “Then I guess I’ll need to use these.”
There was no way of hiding the heat of embarrassment rushing to my face from seeing the handcuffs. I was certain my cheeks were blotchy.
And thank God they couldn’t tell how wet I’d instantly become. “You’d use those?”
“Oh, baby. I intend on doing a lot more than just handcuff you to the bed.”
“Why would you do that?” Yes, I was fishing. I needed to know how he felt about me.
“Because I care about you.”
“You just don’t want me to take the job Maverick offered.”
He reared back slightly, the look of jealousy something I’d never forget. “When did this happen?”
“Oh, maybe this morning.”
“You are one bad girl. That’s not why you’re coming home with me.”
“Then tell me the reason. I need to know.”
With his features softening, he brushed his thumb across my cheek as if painting his own color, staining my skin to his liking. “Because you’re mine and because I love you.”
As he captured my mouth, a dozen emotions rushed through me.
Sadness.
Anger.
Fear.
All the things I’d felt during the last few months, but they were quickly replaced with everything I’d ever wanted.
The same love that would never end.
Being with Kendrick was my dream come true.
As my students cheered, he swept his tongue inside.
Through tragedy and sadness, there was always a light waiting at the end of the passage.
My light was my hero, a man who’d never call himself a savior, but someone who’d reminded me what life was truly about.
Trust.
Family.
And honor.
The End