Epilogue
Leah
Killer looks like he’s about to pass out, and I’ve only hit the halfway point of his stitches. For a guy who got that kind of nickname, he’s going pretty pale at the sight of blood.
I bet Ripper gave him the name. He’s got a thing for handing out ironic ones for the members who stand out.
“The next time you need something cut, you’re going to use a proper tool, aren’t you?” Talking to him like he’s a kid, like I do with all of these reckless grown men, I pull up to tighten the thread. “You’re not going to use your pocket knife and risk tetanus because of a silly mistake.”
Next to us, on the table, is the tool that almost took his thumb. The handle is stained brown. Not from rust, but old blood dried to the surface. He grimaces at the sight.
“I’ll try.” Soft spoken, he follows up by thanking me.
It’s really hard to scold him when he looks like a puppy about to shed a tear.
“Keep some super glue on hand next time. That way you don’t have to wait for me to rush over here, alright?” Trying to sound a little nicer, I finish the last two stitches. “You’ll make it. Just keep it clean, and everything should be fine. Take the usual pain killers if it hurts.”
“Thanks, Doc.” Curling his thumb, he winces. Getting up, he pockets his knife and drifts off, thankfully not running into anything as he takes in his wound.
Sighing softly as I peel off my gloves, I work on cleaning up my station. Just as I’m tucking away the bandages, I hear a familiar cry behind me. A very frustrated one.
I don’t need to look over my shoulder to know Warden is causing a ruckus.
It’s the double or nothing demand that makes me crack a smile.
If I have to guess, Hammer has once again beaten him at a round of pool.
How much did he lose this time? Fifty bucks?
The more he loses, the higher the bets go, and the more frustrated he becomes.
Just as I’m squirting sanitizer onto my hands, two muscular arms appear, wrapping around me. My body has a mind of its own, melting against his front. His breath tickles my ear before his lips graze my cheek.
“So listen, don’t hate me.”
“A terrible way to start off a sentence, and I never will, but go on.” My mouth tries to curve even further without thinking, and I work hard not to reveal a full-blown grin.
“We have to take Hammer and Destiny out for dinner.” He wiggles to get a little closer. “They want to go to the diner.”
Twisting around, I look over his shoulder to see Hammer chatting with his girlfriend, the redhead planted right on the table in front of him.
“Unless you want to take them on in a duo match. I bet I can convince him. Maybe together, we could kick their ass—”
“Warden.” Grabbing his cut, he grunts when I give him a tug. “What did I tell you about involving me in your bets?”
He really enjoys giving away the time I can spend alone with him to others. After all these years, can’t he tell how greedy I am?
He grins, his eyes twinkling. “You started off with, ‘You know, I love you, but’, and the rest of it kind of got fuzzy. I was still focused on that first part.” Leaning in, he has the audacity to try to kiss me.
I can’t keep rewarding him for doing bad things. So I plant my palm against his mouth, and the smell of alcohol from the sanitizer keeps him from licking it. “We’ll enjoy a delicious meal, and then you can sleep on the couch. The floor by our bed if you’re good.”
His laugh tickles my hand before he plucks it away.
“I really thought I was going to win this time.” He kisses my fingers and gives me that same smirk that always makes my knees weak.
“How about I make it up to you after? I’ll do that thing you like.
You know, with the fancy collared shirt and silk tie—”
Face going hot, I slap his mouth with my other hand, a little harder than I mean to. Bringing up role play of all things right now is neither the time nor the place.
He’s back to being cheeky, too proud of himself despite the throb of his face.
“Fine.” Huffing the word, I feel the heat all the way to my ears. “Dinner. Sure. But you better keep your word.” Pulling away and turning around so he can’t see the embarrassment on my face, I’m shoving the med kit closed as Warden’s calling out to the other two that I’m “in”.
“You’re lucky I like you.” Grumbling the words, his hand is suddenly on my ass, squeezing it. Making me jerk in surprise, I can’t contain the laugh that leaves my lips. “I’m trying to be mad, stop that.”
He doesn’t. He never does. Instead, he traps me against the table and showers me with kisses until there’s not an ounce of annoyance in my bones. Once we’re both panting, he kisses my cheek.
“Next time, I’ll be sure to win.” Giving me a wink, he pulls himself away before drifting back toward the table he’s never won at. Not once. I have to admit, I love the confidence he carries around.
Clicking my tongue and shaking my head, despite everything Warden brings out of me, I already know there’s not a thing I’d change.