Epilogue
EPILOGUE
THORN
One month later…
“Where have you been?”
I shove the small box into my pocket and stride toward Soul. He’s sitting at the bar with a few other brothers, and they’re all nursing beers.
“Isn’t it a bit early for booze?” I ask, pretending I didn’t hear his question.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere,” Spike quips. “Or so they say.”
“Did you see the news this morning?” Malice asks, his expression guarded.
I nod. It was hard to miss. The FBI finally released an official statement about The Phantom Strangler. My mind replays the coverage.
“After a month-long investigation, the serial killer known as the Phantom Strangler has been identified as Shawn Miller from Glendale, Arizona. He also went by the name Morgan Ralph Stent for his true crime blog,” the reporter states. “Miller was found in the home of his first victim, Tamara White, in what has been ruled a suicide. There were injuries to his genitals, and the FBI reports that they believe someone identified Miller as the Phantom and attacked him. They further report that evidence suggests that, once he was identified, Miller took his own life so he wouldn’t face a long prison sentence.” The reporter clears her throat, her expression dismayed. “Law enforcement across the globe have been able to link thirty-two murders to Miller, and they span seven countries. In the house where Miller died, a box of jewelry was found, and each item was identified as belonging to his victims.”
“Mark, Abyss, Jacob, and Rogue did a damn good job at the crime scene,” Soul says with a grin. “They left no trace of you or De.”
“It’s the club’s best cleanup job yet,” I concur. Scanning the room, I frown when I don’t see Delaney. “Speaking of De, where is she?”
“She said you knew,” Spike comments.
I narrow my eyes. “I wouldn’t ask if I did.”
“She and the girls went to Fists of Fury, and then they’re going to Persuasion Ink.”
“Shit, that’s right,” I mutter. “Totally forgot.”
“You’ve been distracted lately,” Grim signs. “Everything okay?”
I’m not distracted. I’m fucking nervous.
“Yeah, it’s all good.” I start toward the member’s wing, calling over my shoulder, “Don’t drink too much, brothers.”
Their laughter follows me down the hall. When I reach my room, I flatten my palm against the sensor, and the door slides open. Stepping across the threshold, I smile.
Delaney’s belongings are strewn all over the room. She moved in shortly after we purged the Phantom, and I can’t imagine my life without her. Bound by tragedy and vengeance, we’re two sides to the same fucked-up coin.
Since we’re both aware of how fragile life is, we make a point to enjoy every second of every day. To that end, we made a pact to have date night once a week, just the two of us. I never want to take her for granted, and with what Saints Purgatory does, it’s too easy to get lost in the dark.
Tonight is date night, and I have every intention of leading her to the light.
Delaney
“He’s dead, Delaney,” Mom cries. “It’s finally over.”
The conversation with my parents plays over and over again in my brain. I’m thankful to the club for setting it up so all the families could get closure for their loved ones, especially my parents. I couldn’t have lived knowing Shawn Williams was dead and not telling my parents that they no longer have to worry about him. Every city that lost someone to the Phantom Strangler held a vigil for the victims and their families, and it was a beautiful way to honor those he killed.
Thorn went with me to Alabama for our town’s celebration of Daphne’s life. My parents absolutely adore him. They think he balances me out. Thorn doesn’t put up with my shit, but he also encourages me which is a huge plus to them. He helped me dig a hole at her gravesite to bury her locket while my parents stood nearby with tears streaming down their faces. At first, they wanted to keep the necklace with them, but I reminded them how much she loved that piece of jewelry, and how much her family meant to her. In the end, they agreed and accompanied us. It’ll take time for all of us to heal, but we’re getting there.
“We should think about adding another class,” Knuckles says as he bounds onto the mat. “I didn’t realize how popular these would be.”
After Daphne’s vigil, I decided Alabama was no longer home. I packed everything and moved into the clubhouse to be with Thorn. I approached Knuckles with the idea to provide self-defense classes for women and children. He went to the club, who unanimously agreed, providing that I teach the classes. The club felt the clientele would feel more at ease with a woman than with a hulking male. It’d also show that no matter your size, you can defend yourself. The classes filled up quickly, and we now have a waiting list.
I nod. “I agree. I cut back my graphic design clients so we can add more if you want to add more.”
“Fuck, De.” Knuckles rubs the back of his neck. “We never wanted you to quit doing what you’re passionate about. The club knows how much you love traveling and graphic design.”
I gesture to the women gathering their water bottles after the hard lesson. “ They’re my passion. If I can give just one person the strength to fight back, then we did our job.” I lower my voice. “Besides, I did love what I was doing, but now my reason for needing to travel is dead and buried, so I’m fine right here.”
Knuckles winks.
“If you’re sure, I’ll add some more classes to the schedule.” He pauses. “Shit, I need to talk to Thorn first.”
“About what?”
Knuckles shifts to his other foot. “Well… he uh… might not want you working so much.”
I narrow my eyes, placing my hands on my hips. “You might want to rethink that statement before you need to eat through a straw.”
“I’d listen to her,” Carmella says, sauntering up beside me, glaring at him. “She’s part of the Badass Bitches Club, and after she’s done with you, we’ll all take a turn. As President of the Badass Bitches, I’m not afraid to stand up for one of my own.”
I spin around to see all the ol’ ladies closing in on Knuckles.
Knuckles holds his hands up in surrender. “I don’t want any trouble ladies. You know how your men get when you work too much.”
“That sounds like their problem, not ours,” Cece sasses.
“Grab your shit, girl,” Jez orders. “It’s time to go.”
“Shit, is it already one?” I glance at the clock on the wall.
“Yep,” Apple says, popping the ‘p’. “Hurry up. Your appointment is at one-thirty.”
We all pile into the Escalade while Mark and Zach follow closely behind on their Harleys. Jez and the ladies surprised me last week with my introduction to the Badass Bitches Club. They showed me their tattoos, and I immediately fell in love.
Possum is waiting when we all file into Persuasion Ink. “Ready?” he asks.
I shrug. “Nervous. This is my first tattoo.”
Possum looks over at Skye and raises his brows. “You brought me another virgin?”
“I’m not a virgin,” I blurt.
My face heats up while everyone chuckles at my expense.
Kill me now!
Skye smacks Possum on the back of the head. “Moron,” she chastises. “He means you’re a tattoo virgin.”
“Oh.”
Possum rubs the back of his head. “Sorry, De. I thought everyone knew what that meant in a tattoo shop.”
“Obviously not,” Violet mumbles.
“Follow me.” He leads me back to his chair. “Where do you want it?”
I thought long and hard about where I would put my phoenix. There’s only one place that makes sense. I tug my shirt over my head and toss it to Apple, who catches it with ease. The ladies start hollering and screaming ‘Take it off, baby’ while Possum covers his face and groans.
“I swear you all are trying to get me killed,” he mumbles. “What color?”
“Yellow, for Daphne. It was her favorite color.” I point to a place over my heart. “Can you put it here?”
“Absolutely.” He fires up the tattoo gun.
A couple hours later, we head back to the clubhouse. Thorn is taking me out tonight so I’m in a hurry to return home. After we pull into the garage, I thank the girls for a lovely afternoon and rush to our room.
I pull on tight dark wash jeans and a deep V-neck black cami. I slip a black lace see-through cover over the camisole, and then I remove the bandage so the bright yellow phoenix on my chest is visible. I told Thorn I’d meet him in the common room, so I grab my purse and slip on my stilettos.
The common room is bursting with activity. When I spot Thorn, the noise around me fades because he’s all that matters. As if he can sense me, he swivels on his bar stool where he’s sitting next to Spike.
Thorn’s smile spreads across his face as he hops to his feet. He reaches me in three long strides and captures me in his arms, pressing his mouth to mine. I open up to him, and he pushes his tongue inside. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I tug him closer to my body.
“Get a fucking room,” Malice shouts over the music.
Thorn breaks the kiss first. “At least I’m getting some, grouchy bastard.”
I chuckle, and step back. Thorn’s eyes seductively run over my body, stopping when he reaches my chest.
“What the fu?—?”
“Thorn,” I huff. “You knew I was getting the tattoo. You don’t get to be pissed off. You have tattoos.”
“Babe, I love the tattoo.” He pulls me close. “But you just signed Possum’s death warrant.”
“I freaking told you this would happen,” Possum yells. “Fuck my life.”
I smile at Possum before refocusing on Thorn. “Why?”
“Why? Because I bet you had to take your shirt off, which means he saw your boobs.”
“So?”
“So?”
“Are you practicing for Halloween or something?” I ask sarcastically.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’re acting like a parrot, so I assume that’s what you’re going as this year.” I smirk. “Besides, I’m sure there are plenty of women here who’ve seen more th?—”
His hand covers my mouth. “You done yet?”
“Maybe, are you?”
“With you, never.” Thorn drops to one knee, pulling something out of his pocket and he does. In his hand is a black box with a beautiful diamond ring. “Delaney, you are everything I need and want in my life. Without you, my life has no meaning. I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you and fell in love with you even more when you opened that smart mouth of yours and told me off. Will you do me the honor of being my ol’ lady and wife, forever?”
Tears prick my eyes. “Yes, a thousand times yes.”