Page 90 of Darkness

My heart swells. I never thought I could feel this whole. That I could ever know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I could live my life for one person. Yes, obviously, I live for Ivy, too, but Nycto has made a home in my soul.

Something changed that night we first laid eyes on each other. He was cocky, self-assured, and arrogant, yet through the darkness, he shone bright, the light threatening to break through. He’s so much more than he gives himself credit for. I see him, flaws and all.

To me, he may be dark, but that doesn’t define him. It doesn’t make him who he is. Because after darkness, there always comes light, and though he lives his life shrouded in darkness, hounded by the depths of his depraved past, he’s finding his way through.

With me by his side, I know we can accomplish anything.

I am his guiding light.

Just like he is my darkness.

And that is all we will ever need.

Epilogue

NYCTO

One Month Later

Things have progressed in this last month.

Eva has settled into a routine. She has found her stride here at the clubhouse and loves her new life.

Ivy does too. She has taken on the job of caring for our crop, as it’s right next to the Cell, where she spends most of her time. She’s scientifically minded and has used her skill set to get our plants growing rapidly. Ivy seems to enjoy being in charge of something that makes her feel useful like she’s part of the club.

Our prospect, Dash, helped Ivy set it up. With how he grew up, he knew all about how the setup should run, so he’s been downstairs helping Ivy get everything in working order. Needless to say, our budding crop is close to blossoming, and so are our new business ventures. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that Ivy and Dash’s friendship seems to be growing as well, which reminds me Void isn’t downstairs as much as he used to be. I’d like to know why, but I’m not going to interfere.

I stand back, watching Ivy with her clipboard as she jots down notes. She even requested a lab coat, gloves, and goggles so she doesn’t contaminate the plants. She takes her job seriously, like some kind of nerdy scientist. It suits her.

Dash hands her a cutting, and she examines it under a microscope. “Plant thirteen is doing well, Dash. That extra layer of soil did the trick.”

Dash grins. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

Ivy shoves his shoulder as they keep working.

I, however, roll my eyes. “Good work, you two. Keep it up.”

Ivy nods at me without looking my way as she continues her work. So, I turn and head for the stairs. I don’t need to hang around listening to their crappy banter. As I reach the top of the stairs, the clubhouse is a flurry of excitement. It’s nearly the first weekend in September, and Eva is a little too excited about what Monday will bring.

Eva is rushing around giving orders, wearing tight jeans and a Property of Defiance Tampa President T-shirt. I’ll never get sick of seeing that on her body. She suits the position of club First Lady so fucking well. Maybe a little too well, as she plans for a major Labor Day celebration. Apparently, now that Atomic has forged her and Ivy’s American citizenship papers, she’s taking our American holidays very seriously. According to her, the club must celebrate them with gusto and enthusiasm lest ICE come calling.

I find the way she’s taken to becoming an American incredibly cute. She still celebrates her Cuban heritage every chance she gets, but she loves it here. America gave her a new purpose, a new life. So, she’s taking it in both hands and running with it.

As she fusses about getting everything in order, I walk over to her. Trixie writes something down on a notepad as Eva lists what she wants done. “Only American food on the menu. Hotdogs, wings, potato salad, corn on the cob, I want it all. And beer in those red cups. We need it to be a real festivity, Trix.”

Trixie eyes me. I tilt my head, letting Trixie know what my woman wants, she gets. Trix nods, then walks off with Eva’s orders as I pull her to me. “I’ve created a monster.”

Eva turns in my arms, threading her fingers in my hair as her eyes meet mine. “No. I just want it right. I want to have the perfect holiday celebration for you.”

I press my forehead to hers. “While I like this side of you, chiquita, all I want is to spend the day inside you. Labor Day isn’t that important. Save your energy for the Fourth of July if you want to do something extravagant.”

“But that’s too far away.”

“You want a reason to throw a party?”

“I want to show the guys I appreciate them…” She shrugs. “This is my way. To put on something for them. Celebrate their country and have all the food and festivities to go with it.”

I get it. This is as much for her as it is for me. I caress her cheek. “Have your party. We could invite Miami, make it a real celebration?”

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