Page 35 of Savage Angels

“I know it doesn’t make sense, but in her twisted mind, she believed she was helping me.”

“None of this should have ever happened, Kat.” I hold her to my chest, determined to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. “I swear, I’ll tighten security and won’t let you go anywhere without me.”

“Thank you, Dane,” she whispers against my chest.

We sit here in silence for a moment, allowing the weight of everything to sink in before I start the car and continue driving home.

We have been driving for a while when Kat breaks the silence, her voice hesitant. “Dane, why did you send everyone away?”

I glance at her, not wanting to get into that conversation right now, but I know she deserves answers.

Sighing, I finally relent. “Kat, the Abruzzi Crime Family is no more,” I say quietly. “It’s now the Agostino Crime Family, and Salvatore is in charge.”

Her eyes widen in understanding, but she doesn’t say anything for a moment, letting the information sink in. Finally, she speaks up, “So either you or Sal… you took care of Don Abruzzi?”

I don’t want to give her all the gruesome details, but she is smart enough to figure out what has happened without me having to spell it out for her. I nod, keeping my eyes on the road.

“Let’s just say that Don Abruzzi won’t be causing any more trouble for us or anyone else,” I tell her, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“Okay.” Kat rubs my arm. “I don’t need to know everything, Dane. Just promise me we’ll be safe. That our children will be safe.”

“Darlin’, I swear. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you all safe. Always.”

The rest of the drive home is quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I can tell Kat is still processing everything that has happened. It’s a lot to take in, but I hope, with time, things will start to feel normal again. All that matters is we are together and will do whatever it takes to protect our family.

As we pull up to our house, everyone is waiting outside. They have been through hell too, worrying about her. Dave is the first to approach the car, his face a mix of relief and concern.

He flings open the passenger door and holds out his arms. “Princess.” Kat falls into his embrace as fresh tears stream down her cheeks. “Thank God you’re safe.”

“Thanks, Dave,” Kat whispers, clinging to him as the older man has always been a father figure to her.

Truth, the lead singer of The Grinders, gently pries her away from him, and together, they lead Kat into the house.

The second she walks through the door, Jesse spots his mother and runs straight into her arms.

“Mommy!” he cries, tears running down his little face as he hugs her tightly.

Kristen follows suit, wrapping herself around her mother’s waist.

Standing back, I watch my wife hold onto our children, their shared love and relief filling the room. It is a sight I will never forget and one that makes all the chaos and danger worth it in the end.

Emily and Luther enter the room, each carrying Blaze and Gunner.

Emily smiles at Kat, tears welling in her eyes. “Welcome home, Kat.”

“Thank you, Em,” Kat replies, her voice breaking as she looks around the room at all the people who love her.

My family is back together, safe and sound, and though I know there will be more challenges ahead—after all, life with the MC and the Agostino Crime Family will never be without challenges—I am confident we will face them head-on as long as we have each other.

“Welcome home, darlin’,” I whisper to Kat, wrapping my arms around her and our children.

Tears stream down Kat’s cheeks as she looks around at the people gathered in the room—all of them family.

“So, my princess of pop, what the hell happened?” asks Truth as his wife, Rosie, tucks into his side.

Kat shakes her head and looks down at her children. “Later.”

I pull her into my arms, feeling her small frame shake with sobs. My throat tightens as I hold her there, whispering words of love and reassurance into her hair. One by one, the others join us, wrapping their arms around us in a group hug that speaks volumes about the bond we all share.

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