Page 86 of Last One Standing
“You too.”
We all watched as their motorcycles thundered down the street, and relief washed over me.
“I don’t get how they were here and not at the diner,” Gabe said as we were all cleaning up the mess. I wasn’t part of the body disposal, thank God.
“If you think Colette wasn’t keeping an eye on the rest of the Kings while she was at the diner with Brick’s brood, you’re an idiot. As for Tank and them not being there, clearly there was a split in the MC, and Tank wanted to distance himself.” Shep nudged Gabe out of the way so he could drag a bag of what looked like guns.
“As soon as it was just Brick left, she grabbed him. Probably had whoever was watching the other MCs bring them here. Wewon’t know for sure, but she thought herself more powerful than she was.” Four hopped into one of the SUVs and drove it onto the property. I didn’t know what they were going to do with the vehicles.
“What’s to say the cartel won’t come after us, or Bratva?” JJ was leaning against the van, not helping at all.
“Uhm…” Noel chuckled. “The cartel will have their hands full since that shipment of drugs and guns will get to them, and they’ll be swarmed by the alphabet authority. If they try to link it back—well, that’s a Dead Kings problem.”
“Clever, except Tank would totally throw us under the bus.” Nick folded his arms over his chest.
Noel booped his nose. “That’s future-us problem. Bratva has no horse in this race. Colette might look like just a casualty. But we’ll keep an eye out.”
“Carmichael is going to lose his shit if he ever finds out we did any of this,” Gabe grumbled.
“Let’s hope he doesn’t ever find out.” Angel patted Gabe’s shoulder, then held out his hand for me to take, which I did. If I had it my way, I’d hold it forever.
One Month Later
“He’s nervous,” I said as I took my seat beside Angel.
“Why? He’s amazing.”
Phoenix was performing for the talent show, and we had put together a phenomenal number that he rocked. But, according to Noel, even though Phoenix was a lot more confident now, every once in a while memories of what that serial killer had tried to slam into his head got the better of him.
We sat and watched every performance, which were all really good but none held a candle to Phoenix’s. Maybe I was biased, but he was incredible.
When he was introduced, all of us stood and cheered so loud there was no doubt they heard us in the next town over.
Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” began, and Phoenix appeared. If he was still feeling nerves, they weren’t showing. He danced with a grace and electricity that had everyone moving in their seats. The song morphed into Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” and cheers rang out as if we were all at a concert.
I could see Phoenix was fueled by the excitement of the crowd. At one point Phoenix gracefully fell into a ball and then, “What a Feeling” by Irene Cara began. This was the ending of his act, and I had tears in my eyes as I watched him not only own the act but every person in the room.
When he took his final bow, I looked at Noel, who was shouting, “That’s my fiancé!” Yeah, they were getting hitched soon.
Of course that had seemed to start something. The last month since everything with Colette and the Kings—perhaps it was the fear of how close everyone had come to being killed—Gabe proposed to Mason, and a week after that Four and Lizzy, Shep and JJ…it was madness.
Angel and I weren’t there yet, but there was no part of my future that didn’t involve him. So maybe someday, once Angel was watching me perform in my newly owned club singing all the original songs I’d written, he’d be shouting, “That’s my fiancé!” too. I’d been surprised when Tank sent me the keys with a letter and a deed. No explanation as to why the MCs didn’t want it anymore, and I didn’t bother inquiring.
Judging by the gleam in Angel’s eye when he heard Noel yell, I had a feeling my hope would become a reality.
I was giddy with the thought. For a little while, I hadn’t been sure it would happen. When the dust had settled and Carmichael had been working on getting us cleared—claiming what had happened at the shop was self-defense—he’d warned us that the FBI were very upset that we’d interfered with their investigation. The brothers had been called in for questioning several times. It wasn’t until Noel and Nick agreed to consult for the FBI in the future should they need help that it stopped. Carmichael vouched that their knowledge and expertise were light-years ahead of anyone they had in the bureau. The twins, having no love for the authorities, weren’t thrilled, but even Noel saw that Carmichael was putting his neck out for us, and he learned to deal.
That night, after we all ate and drank way too much and praised Phoenix for being outstanding, I curled up in bed beside Angel, my head on his chest and a smile on my face. I loved my life now. I’d thought I’d never have a family again besides Pika. But here I was, with more love around me than I’d ever thought possible.
EPILOGUE
ANGEL
Ten Years Later
My cheeks hurt from smiling:five words I’d never thought I’d say or think. But the last ten years had been nothing but smiles, happiness, endless love, and growth.
Kona was currently trying to teach Lizzy and Four’s daughter, Darby, how to do some sort of dance step. He wasn’t having much luck. Phoenix, on the other hand, was in fact succeeding in showing his nephew how to do the same pose; he was a well sought-after dancer, naturally. Hazel’s son, Ryder, was about the same age as Darby, and just like Lizzy and Hazel, the two of them were the best of friends. Watching another generation blooming was a beautiful thing. Those two would be a handful, though. As best friends, when one was in trouble, the other would cover for them. We were all doomed.
