Page 52 of Leather & Lace

I know now how silly that is. That it was out of all our control. I also know I can’t put blame on Eli and Dane’s past. We all have one. I am just upset I wasn’t the one to end that miserable piece of shits life. I know Eli would never have allowed me to bear that kind of weight on my shoulders though. He would never want to taint my hands in that kind of finality.

Eli and Dane got rid of all the bodies. To this day I still don’t know how they did or where they took them. All I know is they are gone. Eli went into his darkest places that night. I know he allowed something powerful and corrupt to take over his mind and body. He finally allowed his own devil to fully manifest.

It took a lot out of him. That shadow loomed over his head for weeks. Especially in the night when he would wake screaming my name. It's something he and I have bonded over more. Even though I did keep my space from him physically, we both helped each other heal emotionally.

I know he still carries those shadows within himself, and will for life. But I do believe that due to his love for me and the happiness we both bring to the other, it will keep them at bay until we both take our last breaths together.

My mother knew about me in the hospital and came in the same night they had called her. She was my emergency contact. I told her the entire story. I made sure Eli was not there and it was only Jenny who was in the room with me. I did not know how she would react and I just didn’t want any more tension than there already was.

She stayed away for a long time. Unable to bring herself around Eli. Her reaction was anger and pain. She believed it wasall his fault for what he did in the past to the psycho who took me. I know she was livid that I did not inform her of anything going on at the time as well. It took her several months to meet Eli.

I begged and pleaded with her to at least listen to his side. Give him a chance to explain. I told her I loved him. She had severely disagreed with our relationship. But in time, she came around and decided to listen to his story.

When he told her about his broken childhood and the night he met Eve, I swear something inside her shifted. Tears poured out of her eyes as she listened to his painful memories. I remember her running up and hugging him tightly. My mother was not happy with what he did when he was in the gang, but she ended up forgiving him for something he could not control.

She also thanked him for risking his own life to save mine. She witnessed the true love he and I both had together in that meeting. She could see the difference in her daughter created by the extreme love a man had for her baby.

A year later, the FBI and the DEA, still assumed the Heathen brothers were still at large and missing, most likely in Mexico or some other country. We watched the news for any mention of the family, but it was radio silence. That whole next year and a half, I threw myself into my studies.

My racing thoughts had a hard time reaching me if I stayed busy. I would still see Eli every weekend, but it took a while for us to get back to where we left off. He ended up seeing the same therapist I had. She helped him in so many ways with how to control his episodes. How to let go of the past traumas he suffered as a little boy.

I know he had started hypnotherapy to help with healing some of those childhood traumatic events. It was difficult for him for a while, but in time, it did get easier for him. It hadbeen the first time since I had known him, where he looked a bit relieved.

Like there was a faint spark of hope in his eyes that he finally took back which was stripped away from him as a young boy. I still don’t understand how he can process the murder. He does not open up to me about that. That is something I believe he has allowed his demons to bury deep inside himself. Compartmentalize.

Something they guard now until he can finally be at peace. I know there is still much inner work for both him and I to accomplish, but I am extremely hopeful that we will overcome it together.

I graduated this year with my AA degree and have decided to work with Eli and Dane’s company. I will be helping Dane with the social media side of business. I am an excellent photographer and a true professional when it comes to video editing. Jenny loves being at the nursery.

Eli has been teaching her everything he knows about cannabis. I believe she finds the work she does just as therapeutic as Eli. She also does not talk about the events that took place a few years ago. She, like Eli, buries it all down. I believe this is a secret she too will take to her grave.

I moved in with Eli after graduation. He and I were so happy that day. I remember showing up to the mansion and parked outside it, was a hot pink, Ninja H2 bike. I know he had planned on getting me one for Christmas, but I told him that if he wanted to spoil me with such a lavish gift, then it better be for a massive achievement I conquered.

He tried to convince me that just me being born was achievement enough, and he should be able to spend his money however he likes, but my death stare had him throwing hishands up in surrender, mumbling annoyed words under his breath.

Eli and Dane don’t throw any more parties. I believe that since everything that happened with Jasper and his men, they want nothing to do with any more criminal activity. They still are grossly rich and have millions in offshore accounts. But they have decided it was time to move on.

To live a more secure and law abiding life. It’s been really nice having our privacy and time alone in the mansion, being able to truly bond over the years. To grow with one another has been life changing for both Eli and me.

I keep pestering Eli to buy a cat, but he swears they are demons and he says he already lives with too many of those. I told him if he wants children one day, then we will have to have some kind of practice. He says the only animal he will accept in his house is a German Shepherd or rottweiler.

He went on and on about the loyalty and protection the dog will have for our, one day, growing family, and how a cat will just sit there and get fat and will most likely be planning our demise. I like dogs, they are sweet, but I will argue until I am blue in the face that if he gets his dog, Then I will get my cat!

Jenny and Dane have remained completely inseparable. He ended up moving out of the mansion and getting a condo in town by the university. Jenny just recently moved in with him. Dane struggled for a while as well after everything that happened. He talks to Jenny alot about the events of that night. What life he took in order to save another. She has been calm in the storm.

The amount of love those two share could move mountains. I know he has plans on proposing to her tonight! I helped him pick out the perfect, white gold, three carat pear-cut diamond ring that she had been eyeing for the past year. Their love story is one for the ages. I know she also has a littlesurprise for him as well. Jenny found out last night that she was pregnant! I was the first to know!

The tears that poured out of both her and my eyes could have filled an entire bottle of wine. I was so happy for them, for their crazy journey with babies about to start.

Glancing over at Eli, lying next to me in bed, I turned my light off and set down the dark romance book I was reading. Some hot stalker tale. Looking over at him I am hit with overwhelming emotions.

This man is still the most glorious being I have ever laid my eyes upon. He is everything to me. Everything I could have ever dreamt or hoped for. Every trial he and I have experienced on this journey has made us even stronger. If I had to relieve it all again for the mere chance of his gaze meeting mine that one fateful night, I would. In a heartbeat. I study his face in the glowing moonlight.

His dark brows, so relaxed on his pale skin. His lips parted just a hint, showing the white of his perfect teeth. The seductive tattoos that crawl up his fingers to his neck, that make me heat at the thought of them covering my body. He is a true masterpiece. From his chiseled arms and abs, to his perfectly defined legs. Everything about this man screams perfection.

As if he can feel my eyes upon his body, he opens one eye and gives me a roguish smile. “See something you like, baby girl?” He stretches and yawns as he sits up towards me.

“Always,” I say as I lick my tongue along his smooth lips.

---