Page 54 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

She looks at Slade hopefully and he shrugs. “It’s up to you, stay here and work in the club; maybe meet someone who treats you right for a change, or leave, the choice is yours.”

She says quickly, “Can’t I…”

“No, darlin’, there will be no more pair up or put out, that shit ends now. It’s about time we gave everyone equal rights in this place and stayed together because we wanted to, not because we had to.”

Marina looks so shocked it makes me laugh. “Relax, Marina, you’re off the hook. Stay or go, either one is fine with us.”

Slade says almost kindly, “It was never right between us, we were put together, we didn’t choose to be together. We both need to discover what that feels like; to find someone you can’t live without, like Sawyer does Millie.”

“But Millie left.”

“And I’m going too. I’m sticking around to help tidy things up here, and then I’m heading back to the military. You won’t get rid of me that easily, I’m still a member of this club, just not a resident one.”

“And Millie?”

“Will be the first person I see when I get my freedom. I’ll find her and marry her and then we will never be apart again.”

To my surprise Marina smiles and says softly, “I’m happy for you, Sawyer, really, I am. You’re very much like Billy was. A kind heart in a warrior’s body. Hard and yet soft where it counts. Millie’s a lucky girl.”

She looks at Axel and her lower lip trembles as she heads across and wraps her arms around his bulky frame. “I love you, baby and it will all work out for the best, just be yourself and don’t let the bastards tell you otherwise.”

He clings onto her and says gruffly, “What will you do?”

She pulls back and grins. “You think I wanna give all this luxury up? I’m not mad. I’m going to make it shine and make it count. Then I’m gonna find me a man who loves me like Sawyer loves Millie and get my happily ever after like I deserve.”

She shrugs and takes another longing look at Slade and shakes her head. “So hot, baby, whoever steals your heart better be ready for a wild ride.”

Slade grins. “I think I know where to start looking.”

He has a self-satisfied grin on his face and I hope to God he’s not talking about anyone I know, or the girl he’s seeing at the Dark Lords because if that’s the case, shit just got real for the Dragon’s Ruin.

Chapter 42

Three months later

Millie

It’s been a long day. I’m not sure I can even remember when it began. Then again, every day seems long because since I left Sawyer, time has dragged interminably. Coming home to the Rubicon was the sweetest pleasure, wrapped up in unimaginable pain. When I left these walls, it was to find myself—I did, but I found something better. He went back to his unit and has called me every day since. It’s not the same as having him by my side, but we make it work.

As I turn the car onto the dusty track that leads to the Rubicon, I can’t wait to get inside. I think I’ve run every errand going today, for Ashton, Lou, Bonnie; you name it, they’ve asked. Collecting the kids from school was the greatest pleasure because I love spending time with them. Then Ashton forgot she had some dry cleaning and would I mind…

They seemed so apologetic, but I know it’s because they’re worried about me. I’m not the same girl who left here a little over three months ago, and I’m no longer available to hook up with any of the Reapers. I stay away from that and just run the bar as my contribution to a life I can’t seem to walk away from.

Just thinking of seeing Sawyer again is making me shiver. Will he still look at me in the same way now there has been distance between us? Where will we go if he does come back to be with me, and what will we do to earn money? We’ve spoken about it, almost non-stop and I know he’s keen on starting a motorcycle repair shop, but how will that happen and where?

As the car bumps along the track, I feel my heart settle. The Rubicon. Home.

The place I have always felt most comfortable and a palace on the inside, but hell on the outside. Only the invited get a pass through the door and the uninvited get a one-way ticket to Hell. Security that’s bang up to date and impenetrable and yet the most amazing family home for the occupants inside.

The darkness claimed the light a few hours ago and only the security lights that trigger as I pass, light my progress.

As I pull into the yard, I see the endless motorbikes lined up ready to ride and think about the scene probably playing out inside. Unlike the Dragons, the Reapers don’t play dirty but they do play—a lot and it’s been hard not being a part of all that because it just reinforces how much I miss my man.

I grind to a halt and park up and prepare to deliver the reason I’m out in the first place. Ashton needed some emergency supplies and wondered if I’d mind heading to the store. As I flip my trunk, I lean over to grab the box and see the faint glow of fire in the distance. Looking up, I see a lone biker watching me from his Harley with only the faint glow of a cigarette hanging from his mouth and my heart starts racing faster than a rocket ship as he stands and walks steadily toward me.

My eyes shine with unshed tears as he stops short and stares at me through those obsidian eyes that burn with lust and emotion.

He says nothing and I face him off and say darkly, “If I were you, I’d turn and walk away.”

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