Page 69 of Make You Mine

“If anyone truly deserved the vengeance, it was you. I'm glad you got to put an end to your nightmare.” Trent says, then squeezes my shoulder lightly. “It's over. It’s all over.”

“Wait… Where’s Luca?”

“Bishop found him after getting several pings on his phone. He’s okay, just banged up.”

“Wha—what do you mean?” I stammer.

“They messed with his car. So, they found it wrecked on the side of the road. Airbags deployed and knocked him out for a while.”

I sigh in relief. Everyone is okay.

Nico leans over, giving me the best hug he can manage since Trent won’t let me go.

“Glad you’re okay. When Micah texted me that Junior returned early, I knew we had to act quickly, and I'm happy we did, considering none of us had a clue he knew about you two yet.” He says to Trent and I. “The confusion from the small storage room explosion gave Micah the opportunity to retrieve the banking statements, along with a number of other things. But most importantly, those documents will ensure there is no heat on us once all this is said and done. Just as you suspected, the embezzled money was being laundered through Sinners and being hidden in numerous accounts around the world.”

More relief floods through me. Junior was a ruthless man but not very smart, or he thought I was too dumb not to pay attention. The first time he laid his hands on me, I decided any opportunity I had to betray the monster, I would.

I look at Trent, slightly worried he won’t understand why I didn’t tell him about me helping Nico. Thankfully, he is smiling proudly in my direction as Nico continues. “I filled the guys in on the chopper ride over. The fact that you took matters into your own hands just shows how strong you are. Thank you for trusting me.”

Seeing Nico at the off-Broadway show was like a sign from above. I contemplated going up to him for the first half of the show, but I knew from the stories I had heard of him leaving the Mafia that he was my only hope at that time. Later, when I found out that Trent’s now a Saint, it felt like cosmic fate intervened yet again.

Nico’s phone rings, and he holds up his finger and steps away.

Immediately, I look into Trent’s eyes again, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I was worried he would try to stop me, but I was determined to see this through and help any way I could.

“At first, I was hurt, but honestly, Ash, in this moment, I’m just thankful as hell and in awe of you and the tenacity you always have. You heard the man, my baby’s a badass.”

I chuckle, leaning up to kiss him until Nico’s voice interrupts.

“Come on, let’s get out of here. I found just the place for Bishop to meet us with the body,” he informs us after placing his phone back into his pocket.

“Are you okay?” Concern laces Trent’s expression as his hands hold on to my shoulders. He gives me a once-over.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” My eyes going wide in question.

His fingers lace through mine, and he walks us a few steps away from the group. “Ashley, I saw the test.”

Tears well in my eyes, and I throw my arms around Trent’s neck. “I love you so much, Trent. I'm so sorry. I pray with everything I am that you're the father.” My body shakes as I sob into his chest.

“Shh. It’s okay. You have nothing to be sorry for. No matter what any test says, that baby is ours. And I will love them just as fiercely as I love their mother.”

“What did I do to deserve someone like you?”

“You deserve the moon, Doll. And I’ll make sure we keep reaching for it every day.

Trent

We watch on as Bishop and Luca unload the body from the back of his SUV into the crematory.

Ashley immediately goes to Luca, giving him a hug. Nico had a contact not far from where we were in Jersey, so he had the guys drive the body here.

“You okay, brother?” I ask Luca as his face searches Ashley’s, making sure she is just as intact as the last time he saw her.

“Yeah, thankfully, it’s only a concussion. I was more worried about her. But from what I hear, she can handle herself.” He gently squeezes Ash’s arm, and she nods toward the body bag. Luca unzips it enough for us to see his ashen face. “I figured you two would want to see him with your own eyes.” It’s a strange feeling looking at a lifeless body with excitement. Not one single part of me feels sorry for him. In my opinion, Junior had it easy; he deserved a slow, agonizing death.

My gaze finds Ashley’s, searching, remembering the feeling I felt the first time I killed someone. But much like my first kill, when the person deserves it, it's a much easier pill to swallow.

“Burn him,” Ashley commands, no hesitation in her voice. Bishop looks to his father from where he stands behind us. With a nod of approval, his son pushes the body farther into the waiting inferno.

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