Page 70 of Scorched King

I pulled her closer again, breathing in the scent of her—that mix of vanilla and something uniquely her. “We’ll get through this together. You and me. Okay?”

I traced my fingers along Sasha’s jawline, memorizing every curve, every detail of her face. The bruises from Cash’s attack would eventually fade, but the memory burned hot in my blood.

“We need to figure out what comes next.” My thumb brushed over her bottom lip.

“What do you mean?” Her eyes met mine, uncertainty dancing in their depths.

“You. Me. The club.” I pressed my forehead against hers. “I want you by my side, Sasha. Not just in my bed, but in my life.”

“As your old lady?” A small smile played at the corners of her mouth.

“As whatever you want to be.” My hands cupped her face. “The club’s changing. After what happened with Cash, we’re tightening ranks, strengthening our bonds. You need to be certain this is what you want.”

“I think I was already pretty clear about how much I want you, JD.” Her fingers wrapped around my wrists. “The club, the life, all of it. I’ve never been more sure of anything. I wasn’t just saying that because I was having multiple orgasms.”

My laugh exploded. Fucking A. I loved her. “It won’t be easy. There’s still cleanup to do, loose ends to tie up. It could be ugly.”

“I know.” She lifted her chin, that familiar fire sparking in her eyes. “But I’m not hiding or waiting anymore. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this is my home now. These people are my family. Have been for a long time. Without you—without them—I wouldn’t know what to do. Like it or not, you let me in and I’d really not like to leave.”

My chest tightened at her words. “You mean that?”

“Every word.” She pressed closer, her body molding to mine. “Besides, someone needs to keep you in line, old man.”

I growled, nipping at her ear. “Watch it, little girl.”

Her laugh, bright and clear, filled the room. It was the sound of healing, of moving forward. Of hope. She’d asked me to trust her, and while I had to admit that trust had not come easy to me since Malia’s death, Sasha had earned mine. Maybe a little too much.

“So what’s our first step?” she asked, her fingers playing with the ends of my hair.

“Getting you back on your feet. Then we rebuild, stronger and better than before.” I kissed her forehead. “Together.”

EPILOGUE

JD

One week later

Sitting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in my hand while Sasha slept, I finally allowed my mind to focus on everything, including the future and where I wanted it to go.

Not with Sasha. With her I no longer had any doubts. This last week could have been challenging as we adjusted to our new roles with each other, but it wasn’t. Everything had clicked into place like fate finally getting its timing right. Of course, in hindsight I could kick myself in the ass for taking so long to see it.

But I was officially done with regrets.

It was time to put the past in the past where it belonged. That included getting this club back on the right track. I refused to give up on the dream of being one hundred percent legit.

Well, as legit as one could be while still hunting monsters. My fingers tightened on the mug as I eyed the folder on the corner of my kitchen counter. A new case was on the agenda and I had to admit I was itching to take it. But first, the club would have to vote.

I paced across the room to the back door, my mind racing with club business even as my body ached to stay close to Sasha. The weight of my phone in my pocket reminded me of the text from Tel I’d gotten earlier.

I had to make the call.

Moving as quietly as I could, I stepped onto the cabin’s porch, the early morning air cool against my skin. The sun had yet to rise enough to burn off the fog and mist. My fingers found Tel’s number.

“Talk to me,” I said when he picked up.

“Chel’s gone.” Tel’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Cleared out her apartment, cleaned her accounts. Bear’s guy lost her trail at the bus station.”

“Fuck.” I ran a hand through my hair. “The serpent?”

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