Page 142 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

I look to Nicky, and though it’s killing him to turn the offer down, I know he’s thinking the same thing as me. He’s got a girl to go home to… a wife. And if his big-ass brain thinks this too big a risk, then I sure as shit am not fucking around.

“Nah,” he states, while I shake my head in solidarity with him. “We’re good, Alec. Take him with you. Do what you gotta do. I just never wanna see him again.”

Alec nods, a slight smile gracing his face. “I’m actually going to miss you guys, if you can believe that.”

We smile in return, our bodies relaxing as the tension seems to recede. In one fluid motion, Alec draws his gun and fires a single shot, his gaze never leaving our own. The bullet pierces Lucian’s skull, flinging his head backward as brain matter is sprayed onto the wall behind him.

“Jesus Christ,” I jump as the unexpected bang rings out in the enclosed space just as Nicky simultaneously yells, “Fuck!”

Alec holsters his weapon, his smile still firmly situated on his face. “Consider it a wedding present.” He makes his way past us toward the stairs, clapping us each on the shoulder as he passes. “Stay out of trouble, boys.”

“Easier said than done when you’re leaving a body for us to deal with!” Nicky calls out in frustration.

“I have full faith you’ll figure it out!” Alec’s voice descends from above before the distinct sound of the basement door opening and closing leaves us alone in the silence.

***

Forty-five minutes later, Nicky and I are in the Escalade on our way home to our girls while JP and T are off to the crematorium. One final trip. Nicky and I could have just buried him, but that’s risky. Over the years I know Nicky even exhumed any remains from his parents’ property and had them all burned as well.

Luc’s it, the end of the line, the last dark smear waiting to be wiped from our otherwise freshly cleaned slates.

Pulling into the underground garage of The Rebel Dutchess, I park and kill the engine. After the hospital, Mitch took Shannon home while Jonsie and Daph came back here with Finn and Rico. The guys texted a little while ago to say the girls were passed out.

I glance at the clock on my dash which reads just before 2 AM. “You might as well crash here tonight. We’ve got the bedrooms. There’s no reason for you to wake wifey up just to cart her ass home. Finn’s staying. Rico’s more than welcome to as well.”

Nicky rubs at his eyes before attempting to blink away the obvious fatigue wearing heavy upon his lids. “Yeah, that’s probably for the best. I’m fucking shot.”

Nicky’s cell phone vibrates, the buzzing easily detected in the silence. Withdrawing it from his pocket, he glances down at a text before swiping at the screen several times. “It’s JP. It’s done.”

It’s as though the weight of the world literally lifts from my shoulders, allowing me to now focus on the one thing that truly matters. “Hey, Nick, before we go in... I gotta ask you something.”

“Shoot,” he replies, turning slightly in the passenger seat to face me.

Nicky peers at me curiously as I sit in momentary silence, organizing my thoughts. I never imagined I’d ever be doing this, and if I had, I sure as shit wouldn’t have expected it to be so hard.

“Fuck, okay. You know I’d do anything for Jones, right? I will always provide for her and nurture her dreams and—” I can tell the moment Nicky catches on, his face splitting into a wide grin. “I swear to Christ, Nick, if you torture me with this, I will put another bullet in you.”

“Nah, man. You’re good. You’re doing great. Keep going.” He stifles a snort as he’s overcome with a look of pure elation at the current situation.

I eye him in annoyance, releasing a deep-rooted sigh before continuing. “Nicky, your sister is my person. I will love her unconditionally for all of my days. I will protect her with my life. She will always come first. Do I have your permission to ask her to marry me?”

We stare at one another in the dark while I await his response. My defenses rise as I fear the uncertainty of his reply. I grow nervous—actually fucking nervous—and for a moment I think he’s gonna turn the whole thing into a joke. But when Nicky’s hand extends toward me and I grip hold to shake it, his next words have me releasing a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

“It would be an honor to call you my brother… officially.” He draws me in as we embrace for the second time tonight, and that hole inside me shrinks just a little bit more.

CHAPTER 59

JONSIE

“So, explain to me why I couldn’t drive myself, Logan?”

“I know what he tells me, Jonsie. And all I know is I was to pick you up and bring you to him.”

“And we are going to…” I gesture with my hand for him to elaborate.

Logan’s head glances my way, shooting me a look. “I already told you. Mr. Bishop said I am not allowed to say.”

“Logan, we gotta get you off this Mr. Bishop kick. Maverick, Mav, Bishop, Bish, Fuckface. Any of them are more acceptable than Mr. Bishop. Jesus, you’re like fifteen years older than him.”

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