Epilogue #2
“No, you can’t, snow angel.” Venom kisses my temple, and it calms the hurt and sorrow bubbling up inside.
“Did you make out anything about the guys with the snake tattoos?”
I’ve been curious about them ever since I saw them. “They’ve never come to Vulture territory before.”
Phantom sighs and drags a hand over his face.
“We have names. To us it looks like they very well may be the new players in town trying to move in. But nothing is concrete yet. We’ll know more after tonight.
” His gaze meets mine and there’s a flicker of respect there.
“You did good, Willow. You did more than most when placed in your shoes. "
I don’t know what to say, so I just nod, the words sticking in my throat. These men, this family are about to risk everything to clean up a mess my father made. And the guilt, the fear, the need to see them come home safe, lands like a rock in my chest.
Reaper strides in and throws me a wink as he takes a hot cup of coffee Arabelle offers. By the set of his jaw, something is wrong. He has his phone to his ear and his permanent scowl takes a darker turn.
Venom tenses beside me. “What’s wrong, Prez?”
The rest of the crew walks in behind him. Everyone grabs buns and coffee while they wait for their president to fill them in. My father never worked like that. He never talked in front of the women living at the Vulture compound. He didn’t respect them enough. The Savages are different.
A few minutes later, Reaper hangs up, pockets the phone, and looks around the kitchen at his men. “Brothers, we’ve got movement in the backs of the bayou. A new shipment. ”
The room transforms in an instant. The men swallow their coffee and head for the walls.
I kid you not. Hidden compartments open up and I watch as all the Savages load up on guns and bullets.
Voices rise as orders are tossed back and forth.
Isa and Emilia stand, moving out of the way with practiced ease.
Arabelle blocks the door, making Reaper pause long enough to press a kiss to her forehead and promise to bring everyone back safely.
Charli slips a flask into Ash’s hand, muttering something about luck.
Venom lingers, hand still on my waist, eyes locked on mine. The energy in the room is hot and wild, tense with fear and adrenaline. I want to beg him to stay, to keep him safe and close, but I know better. This is his world. These are his brothers. This is what loving a Savage means.
He pulls me close, lips at my ear, voice low and rough. “I’ll be home soon. When I get back, you and I are going to the bookstore. There’s a Kama Sutra book I want us to couple read, if you know what I mean.”
His smile is devilish when he pulls back.
I laugh, fighting the urge to cry. “Deal. But only if you promise to keep safe and make sure everyone makes it home safely.”
He kisses me, slow and possessive, like it feels like it’s a vow placed on my soul. “Deal, snow angel.”
And then he’s gone, boots resound heavy on the hardwood flooring as they walk out. I shoot up a prayer to anyone listening that these men come back safely.
I stand in the kitchen surrounded by women who understand exactly what this feels like. Arabelle slides her arm through mine and Isa offers another cup of coffee. Charli presses a cinnamon roll into my hand, murmuring, “The sugar helps with the nerves.”
I’m not the only one worried that Euphoria isn’t done claiming lives, but I’ve found my family and place in the world. Despite all the heartache and worry, I wouldn’t change a damn thing.
P hantom isn’t only focused on taking down the men pushing Euphoria into his parish.
He’s about to find how hard it is to focus on the bad guys, when he shows up on a past lover’s doorstep and she’s holding little girl with a set of eyes that match his.