Epilogue
TWO MONTHS LATER
BISHOP
The party storms below me.
A swirl of color, laughter, and music.
From my hawk’s eye view up in the old choir loft of the Marigny Opera House, I can see absolutely everything.
The couple examining the silent auction items and placing bids…
The mayor and his wife chatting with Savage and Gabe near the stage…
The rest of the family spread out at various tables and chatting up other invitees at the biggest fundraiser of the year…
It all feels so familiar, so normal.
Not at all what we should be doing right now.
But of course, my suggestion that we postpone was dismissed without even having to take a vote.
I would have lost anyway.
Tonight is too important to the Hawke Foundation and all of us. This one night will raise enough money to fund not only the free medical clinic, but also dozens of other community outreach projects we always have in the works.
They wouldn’t have cancelled it for anything short of another Category 5 hurricane, and even then, I’m not so sure.
Everyone is enjoying themselves, busy playing their roles, which means I’m not partaking in the festivities.
I’m working.
“I have to say, Hellcat…”—Gage’s voice floats over to me above the din from below, and I glance behind me to the top of the staircase where he leans, his heated gaze raking over me—“I like when you get dressed up for these things.”
I push up from where I was leaning against the railing and turn to face him, and his eyes skim from the coiled twist of my braids at the back of my head, down over the black pant suit that fits me like a glove, lingering on the deep V of nude skin the jacket shows off.
“You’re not disappointed I’m not wearing a gown like everyone else?”
He smirks as he pushes off the wall and makes his way over to me, looking positively sinful in his tux. When he reaches me, he bites his bottom lip in a way that makes my insides go molten. “Hellcat, you could never disappoint me.”
Damn him.
If he keeps saying things like that to me, I might actually wish I weren’t working tonight.
He tugs me into his arms and kisses me deeply, a little groan falling from his lips as he presses his growing cock against me. “What are the chances we could have a quickie up here before anyone notices?”
I grin against his lips. “Pretty slim, considering I’ve never known you to be particularly quick.”
He chuckles and nips at my bottom lip. “I’m going to take that as a tremendous compliment instead of a rejection.”
“You should.”
Our kiss lasts longer than it should, his mouth moving over mine greedily, as if he hasn’t tasted me in years when it’s only been a few hours since we left the condo to come here.
When we finally come up for air, he rests his forehead against mine for a moment before taking an exaggerated breath and retreating a step. “So, how’s everything going?”
I sigh and take up a spot next to him at the railing. “As well as can be expected, I guess.”
“No sign of our friends?”
I shake my head.
In the months since Gage came clean about who he really is and why he’s really in New Orleans, he’s doubled down on his efforts to locate his old mentor McDonald, and our old enemy, Satriano.
It seems that the explosion at the club either scared both of them away or was only a precursor to something much bigger, something that’s taking time and planning. Something that’s building…
But the point that was made before the opening of the second Hawke Hotel tower rings true just as much now as it did then.
We can’t put our lives on hold.
All we can do is our best to protect each other, to watch each other’s backs, and knowing we now have the support of the federal government helps ensure that.
Still, I would love this shindig to be over already so we can go home and relax.
Gage glances toward the front door of the event space where two armed guards stand at the ready, only a fraction of the force we have both mingling with the guests and outside surrounding the building.
Always in pairs, so no one is ever alone.
Since we still haven’t determined who might have assisted McDonald in gaining access to Gabe’s car, it meant a clean sweep of our entire security team and rebuilding from scratch.
It should quell my fears to know we’re covered in every possible way, but it doesn’t.
“You really think he’ll show up tonight?”
I peek over at him, knowing full well which he Gage means. “He did last year. Waltzed right onto the dance floor with Wren and acted like he belonged here.”
“He wouldn’t try that again.”
Snorting, I shake my head. “You don’t know Satriano the way I do…”
“But I do know you, Hellcat, and I know you’ve got this. Stop looking so worried and try to enjoy the party.” He shrugs, a grin playing on his lips. “I don’t know, maybe dance with your boyfriend.”
I raise a brow at him. “Is that what you are?”
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me up against him again. “I sure hope so. Otherwise, it makes what I did to you in our bed last night seem very inappropriate.”
Good God.
My entire body heats at the memory, and I squeeze my legs together against the throb deep in my core.
He nuzzles my ear, his scent invading every breath I take. “I got to tell you, Hellcat…”—his hand slides around and grips my ass tightly—“being here was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
“Me either.” I press my hands against his chest, digging in my nails. “But if you keep talking like that, we’re going to have to leave the party early.”
He pulls back, brows raised. “Is that an option?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“Damn.” He grins. “I’ll just have to wait until we get home then.”
“I guess you will.”
Footsteps sound behind us, and I glance over Gage’s shoulder as Atlas and Wren make their way up onto the balcony.
Atlas releases a sigh. “There you are.”
“You were looking for me?”
He nods.
Gage chuckles. “You sure you weren’t just coming up here for a quickie?”
Wren’s cheeks heat bright red, and she ducks her head and rests her hand over her growing belly.
Atlas barks out a laugh. “Did someone see us last year?”
I gape at him. “Are you serious?”
How the hell did I miss that happening on my watch?
He nods, and I cut my gaze back to Gage, who can’t stop grinning.
“See, I told you.” He winks. “We had plenty of time.”
Shaking my head, I brush off his continued flirtation and raise a brow at Atlas. “What were you looking for us to talk about?”
He approaches, his hand wrapped around Wren’s. “I was wondering if you’ve seen Astrid.”
Instantly, my stomach drops. “What do you mean?”
He runs his free hand through his hair. “She was at the table with us earlier, but I’ve been looking for her for like twenty minutes and haven’t been able to find her.”
I pull out of Gage’s hold and move back over to the edge of the balcony to look out across the party, scanning for her familiar pale-blond hair.
There are dozens of blond heads—socialites, friends, politicians, everyone we cram in here every year to raise money.
But not the one I’m searching for.
“I don’t see her…”
Atlas offers a concerned look. “She’s been…a little off lately. Quiet. You don’t think she would’ve left without telling anyone, do you?”
Gage shakes his head, all that humor and warmth draining from his eyes. “No. You all stay here and search from above. I’ll go look for her.”
* * *
GAGE
My pounding footsteps echo through the old stone stairwell as I make my way down from the balcony and out into the main event space.
The party rages around me. Hundreds of people dressed to the nines, chatting, drinking, socializing, all here to support the Hawkes and their endeavor to raise money for the good of the city of New Orleans.
It should be a fun night, a night to celebrate all these people coming together for such a good cause.
And ten minutes ago, I would’ve said that Bishop and I could have slipped out of here without anyone noticing and gone and had a repeat of last night.
But now any of that lightheartedness has disappeared along with Astrid.
I immediately make my way over to Skye where she sits at one of the family tables with Storm and Landon, Angelina, Allie, and Pope. “Have any of you seen Astrid?”
They shake their heads, and Skye narrows her gaze on me.
“No, but Atlas was looking for her earlier.” Her brow furrows. “Is something wrong?”
I try my best to keep my rising concern out of my voice, so I don’t panic her. “I don’t think so, but if you see her, tell her I’m looking for her.”
Skye nods. “I will. I’m sure she’s just in the bathroom or talking with someone in a quiet corner.”
“You’re probably right.” I force a smile. “There probably isn’t any reason to worry.”
But as I move away from the table, my gut tightens and that nagging suspicion in the back of my mind starts to move toward the forefront.
It’s that instinct I developed in the Rangers when the shit was about to hit the fan.
I hustle toward the main doors where two of our armed security team members stand. “Have either of you seen Astrid come through?”
They shake their heads.
The team lead dips his head closer so I can hear him better over the music coming from the live band. “No, sir, but we just moved onto this rotation about ten minutes ago, so it’s possible she went outside before we came.”
Shit.
I glance at my watch.
The shift change was ten minutes ago. Essential to make sure the men stay alert and on their toes, but also an opportune time for someone to slip in or out.
Why would she, though?
I push past them out into the warm evening air. The smell of honeysuckle and magnolias fills it as I step out toward the security team standing a few feet away. “Have either of you seen Astrid?”
They shake their heads, brows furrowing.
The larger of the two men instantly begins scanning the area immediately outside the door. “No, why?”
“I can’t find her. No one inside has seen her for a while. I’m wondering if she slipped out to get some fresh air.”