Page 167 of At the Edge of Surrender

Alive and thriving.

But it was different.

His crew had every bit as much of it as him, and they used it, fuel for their survival.

Theo, Otto, and Cash had become family. Intrinsic to who he was. A loyalty carved so deep between them there was no longer any question of betrayal.

His trust growing to something he never thought it could be.

It didn’t take long until River and his little sister Raven had become one of them, and the six of them lived in the dilapidated warehouse that had become their home.

Each walking the streets of LA. Doing whatever it took to endure the situation they’d been cast into. Delving into the seedy. Stealing and conniving and manipulating.

Corruption and depravity taking them over.

Their only allegiance was to one another.

It got darker with each month that passed, the things he and his crew devolved into.

And Kane knew they were sliding down a dangerous path when River and Theo started hanging out with Trent who was the vice president of the Iron Owls MC.

Kane knew it the first time he slung his leg over his new bike.

Knew it for sure when he donned his leather cut.

His mother’s voice echoed through his mind as he stood in the back room of the club where they met.

“You’re such a good boy, Kane. Such a good, good boy. My favorite boy. Don’t ever change. Don’t ever let that beautiful light fade. Fight for love and what’s right. I know you will…because it’s who you are. And always, always take care of the ones you love most.”

And he knew he was the same wilted rose. The best parts of him had died when she had.

The light faded.

The darkness the only thing he knew.

THIRTY-EIGHT

EMERY

Daylight pushedin through the bay of windows, a soft warmth that brushed at my cheek and nudged me from sleep. From where I lay on my stomach, I moaned a contented sound, and I stretched a bit to chase off the grogginess that still clung to my body and mind.

I felt as if I’d gotten an actual good night’s rest for the first time in months.

My eyes popped open when I realized the reason for that. When I remembered what had happened last night.

When I realized where I was.

In Kane’s bed after he’d again sent me soaring last night.

Twice.

After I’d…

Heat flushed across my flesh as the memories inundated me.

Me on my knees with him towering over me. How ferociously beautiful he was. His bare skin and the bulging power of his body. The feel of him in my mouth.

How I’d felt both vulnerable and free.

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