“He has gone a bit overboard since he tricked T-Rex with that package to get his cut.” Arianne’s smile faded. “I miss T-Rex. The party won’t be the same without him.”
“The MC isn’t the same without him,” Zane said. Once the truce was over, Viper would face Sinner justice. Despite Evie’s plea for mercy, Zane and Jagger would have finished him off if he hadn’t escaped. Viper had been responsible for too many Sinner deaths, and kidnapping Ty wasn’t something he could ever forgive.
Evie joined them, dressed in her favorite skintight jeans, leather boots, and a black leather jacket. She gave him a hug, and Ty ran off to play with Dax’s and Cade’s kids on the play structure Zane had built after he rented the house.
“You look too damn sexy.” He wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to nuzzle her neck. “Might be I’ll have to drag you away from the party for a bit.”
“Beast. This is Shooter’s patch-in party. You’re not supposed to be thinking about sex.”
“I wouldn’t have to think about it if I had you in my bed every night.” He nipped her ear. “Man sees his woman looking so hot, he has needs.”
“And women don’t?”
He cupped her face between his hands. “You asking me for something, sweetheart? Because I am more than happy to blow off the party after Shooter’s got his cut.”
“Maybe I am.” She pressed a key into his hand. “And we have a new house to try it out.”
“What’s this?”
“The start of our new life together, I hope.” Her smile wavered when he scowled.
“You bought a house without me? What happened to the idea of making big purchases together?”
Evie slid her arms around his waist. “You seemed to have trouble with the concept so I just followed your lead.”
How could he complain when he’d just been handed the key to his dream—a life with Evie and Ty, a family and a home, and her acceptance of his brothers and his life with the MC? Only the impending court hearing loomed over his head. But if Evie wasn’t worried, then he’d put his concerns aside and deal with it when the day came.
“Well then…” He brushed a kiss over her forehead. “I guess you won’t have a problem with the gift I got Ty.” He called Ty over and they walked toward the garage, reaching the front door just as Jagger stepped out. He gave Zane a nod to let him know everything was set and made a quick exit.
“Now I’m really worried,” Evie said as she entered the garage. “You and Jagger together equals trouble.”
Zane flicked on the lights, although there was enough light streaming through the open door to illuminate the space. He wanted to be sure Ty got a good view.
“Ready, Ty?” His heart thrummed in anticipation. He couldn’t remember being this excited about giving a gift since he’d given Evie the picture frame so long ago. With one last glance over at Evie, he tugged away the sheet in the corner.
“No way!” Ty’s eyes widened.” You got me a dirt bike? Mom’s going to kill you!”
“Yes she is,” Evie said from the doorway, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Zane bit back a laugh. “I got him a kick-ass helmet and safety suit so damn thick, he’s gonna bounce when he falls.”
“When? Not if he falls?”
“I won’t fall,” Ty said.
“We all fall. The trick is to get back on the bike and keep riding. That lesson took me a lifetime to learn.” He gave Evie a questioning look and she sighed.
“I guess I can’t really say no since I did buy us a house in Oak Village right next door to Ty’s best friend.”
“This is the best day ever.” Ty raced over to hug them both, before returning to inspect his bike.
“I got something for you, too.” Zane reached for the bag Jagger had left on the workbench in the corner, but as he pulled the zipper, memories assailed him: the frame he had worked so hard to perfect, the picture that had been so hard to part with, Evie and Jagger in the kitchen, and the pain that had sent him running into the forest. He pushed back the memories and focused on what came after: Evie’s tears when she saw the picture, their night together, and Ty. They had been through hell, but now they were back together. Loved and forgiven. A family.
With only one thing missing.
He pulled the cut from the bag and handed it to her, his mouth going dry when she opened it and spun it around so she could read the back.
“Property of Zane.” A smile spread across her face. “I’ve waited eighteen years to be yours.”
“You were always mine. Ever since that day on the playground.”
He reached into the bag again and pulled out a second cut, then called Ty over. “We don’t usually give prospect cuts to kids, but what you did at Viper’s place—protecting your mom, and helping out your old man—Ty, you made me damn proud. The executive board agreed that showing courage like that deserves a reward.” He held out the small prospect vest with the Sinner’s Tribe logo emblazoned across the back, and slid it over Ty’s shoulders.
A grin spread across Ty’s face and he posed in front of his new bike. “How do I look, Dad?”
“Like my son.” He put his arm around his Evie and pulled her close. “Our son.”
EPILOGUE
Three Months Later
“Zane. Stop. Please.”
Evie’s voice rang out in the forest, and Zane slowed his pace. He’d never felt such joy as he did today, save for the last time he had been to Stanton Creek.
He stopped under the willow tree and sucked the warm Montana summer air into his lungs. He would do anything for her, even if it meant his heart bursting all over again.
Evie heaved in a breath as she came up behind him, her steps barely audible in the soft grass. “What’s wrong? Why did you leave? Jagger said you bolted out of the courthouse and didn’t even tell him what happened. I was so worried. I didn’t know where you were. And then I figured you might come here. What did the judge say? I won’t lose you, Zane. If we have to, we’ll go on the run.”
For a moment, he couldn’t speak. How could he explain the emotions he’d kept bottled up inside for the last few months, the hopes and dreams that had come true when the judge dismissed the case?
“I’m free.” He braced himself, and turned to face her. “All the charges have been dropped.”
“Oh.” She gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh Zane. I’m so happy.” She threw herself into his arms, her new riding leathers creaking. He’d bought her a full set of leathers for the trip to Stanton. And after she’d tried them on in their bedroom, he stripped them right off her. He had a wild streak when it came to his old lady, and the sight of her in leather had given him all sorts of ideas.
He was having those ideas right now. His Evie was beautiful in the twilight, her hair shining to gold, almost the same color as the late summer leaves of the willow tree.
“Come sit with me.” She pulled away. “Here by the creek like we used to do. Tell me all about it.”
Zane shook his head. “I promised if this day came, I would give you a choice. I need to know, Evie. Do we live or leave the life? It’s up to you.”
Her beautiful face softened. “I made my choice a long time ago. Wherever you go, whatever you do, however you live your life, I want to be with you”
Zane’s heart squeezed in his chest. He was nothing and came from nothing. And yet, he had made something of his life. He had a family now, and enough money that assured they would want for nothing. He had his brothers, a home, a kick-ass bike, and an embarrassing, but safe, Volvo. And he had dared to hope. Twenty-eight years old and he still wanted the girl he’d met when he was ten.
“It’s always been you,” she said. “Ever since the day we first met. I’ve loved you since I was eight years old and I’ll love you always.”