Page 62 of Still Burning

He made a dramatic show of relief and blew out a breath, then stepped forward and held out his hand. “I think perhaps we should know each other’s name before enjoying a cup together. Eamon Murphy,” he told me.

I glanced down at his hand and then lifted mine to slide it into his grasp. “Salem Gray,” I replied.

“Salem,” he repeated. “That’s unique and beautiful. I like it.”

I hadn’t been given much from the people who had brought me into this world, but my name was the one thing I could possibly give them credit for.

“The only gift my parents gave me worth keeping,” I quipped.

He laughed, and it was a pleasant sound. I guessed his accent had something to do with making it so nice. “I’d say they gifted you with much more than a beautiful name.”

The glint of appreciation in his eyes sent of warning bells in my head. There was attraction in that look, but he was seeing the exterior. He hadn’t glimpsed the brokenness inside me that held flaws.

I’d have coffee with him, then say goodbye. Anything morewould be a waste of time for both of us.

Epilogue

Rome

Present Day–Six Months Later

Paradise Brew wasn’t open to the public tonight. Instead, it was decorated in blue streamers, balloons, and a table in the center, covered in baby gifts. The place was still, however, filled with bikers in their cuts, drinking beer. It was just that they were also eating blue cupcakes and finger foods that Pepper Abe had provided.

The baby shower was a little late, but the original date had been canceled when my little man decided he was entering the world a month early. He had come out fighting mad until he heard his mother’s voice. I still got choked up when I remembered him going quiet, his little eyes looking around for her. She laughed and cried as she held him in her arms. I’d fucking cried, too, because they were mine.

I hadn’t been sure we’d get that moment, and I’d been okay with it. As long as I had Salem, that was all I needed.

Van Cayson Bower let out a wail, and I started to get my son from Nina, who was currently holding him, but Salem was there already. Her long, dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail because our little man loved to get himself a handful and pull it. I’d told her I couldn’t blame him because I liked doing that too. Which had gotten me a scolding look that made me laugh.

She was already back in her pre-pregnancy jeans, but tonight, she wore a soft, strapless blue dress that was fitted at the top, showcasing her tits, which I wasn’t crazy about, but she’d arguedthat the dress made it easier to nurse Van. Thankfully, her tits were all it showed off. It then flowed freely, almost to the floor. She was stunning, and, fuck, she glowed. It was hard to see anyone else in the room. She walked around with her own personal spotlight on her.

Smirking, I figured she’d always done that though. Even as a girl. When she walked into a room, everyone else faded.

Nina gently handed over Van, and Salem talked to him, causing his angry wails to soften. It was time for him to eat, so he’d start up again if she didn’t get him fed, but for a moment, his mother’s face and voice had him transfixed.

Like father, like son.

Brick slapped me on the back as he leaned against the bar beside me. “You did good. Probably gonna be the prettiest boy I’ve ever seen, thanks to his breeding, but we’ll make sure he’s a badass one.”

I grinned and picked up my glass to take a drink.

“Water?” Brick asked as if I had lost my mind.

“I’m driving my woman and kid. Yes, it’s fucking water,” I replied.

He nodded as if he still didn’t understand. Then he sighed and rubbed his neck. He did that when he was uncomfortable. I studied him, and he cleared his throat.

“I, uh, need to admit something to you,” he began.

I waited, curious as to what the hell had him so tensed up.

“That note, uh…the one, you know, that Salem said she left you at the shop…”

Yeah, I knew what fucking note he was talking about.

I nodded.

“I, uh, well, you were young. Your momma had just passed, and you were a wreck. You’d let that tramp suck your cock, and Salem catching you had you so torn up. I just…I hated to see you so wrapped up in a girl at that age. Boys grow up intheir twenties, and they change. Their taste in women changes. Things…” He let out a heavy sigh. “I see now that I was wrong. Salem wasn’t just some girl. She wasn’t a first love. You’d found your one all those years ago, but I didn’t give you the letter because I was trying to help you out. You didn’t have a dad, and I thought if I had a boy, that was what I’d want for him. Freedom to grow up completely before getting all locked down to one female.”

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