Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
This was what reclaiming my life meant. Not just surviving, but finding joy. Not just protecting Lily, but showing her that happiness existed on the other side of hardship and hard work and, most of all, hope and the love of good people.
When the last notes faded, the bar erupted. Whistles and applause rose around us, punctuated by calls for more. The sound washed over me, both terrifying and exhilarating in its intensity.
I turned to Cash, a laugh bubbling up as relief and exhilaration flooded through me. We’d done it. His answering smile held a pride that made my chest tight with emotion.
As I moved to step away from the microphone, planning to retreat to the relative safety of backstage, Cash’s hand caught mine. His grip was firm but gentle, keeping me at center stage as the applause continued around us.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, confusion replacing my moment of triumph.
Instead of answering, he leaned down to take something from Griffin where the other man stood below the stage. The crowd’s response began to fade as people noticed his movement, conversations pausing as curious eyes focused on stage.
My breath caught as he held up a leather vest. The Kiss of Death MC patch on the back had rockers on the top and bottom reading “Property of” and “Cash.”
Cash urged me to turn my back to him as he helped me into the cut. My heart hammered against my ribs, my mouth suddenly dry as he turned me back to face him.
“I’m hoping,” he said, his voice carrying clearly through the suddenly quiet room, “that making you uncomfortable in front of all these people means you won’t say no.” His eyes never left mine, intense and unwavering. “I can’t imagine my life without you and Lily in it. Be my old lady, lil’ Liza.”
For a breathless moment, I stood frozen, overwhelmed by the significance of what he was offering. Then, with a glad cry that came from somewhere deep inside me, I launched myself into his arms. He caught me, his strong arms lifting me against his chest as the bar erupted around us. His warm, joyful laughter rumbled through me as he swung me around once.
“I love you,” I whispered against his ear, the words meant for him alone despite our audience. “I love you so much, Cash.”
His laugh rumbled through me, joy and relief evident in the sound. “That a yes, then?” he asked, his voice rough with emotion.
“Yes,” I confirmed, my own voice breaking on the word. “Yes, yes, yes.”
The crowd’s response swelled around us, whistles and cheers filling the bar as Cash held me tight. Cash set me down gently, framing my face as he kissed me soundly. The cheers grew louder, someone shouting “Get a room!” through good-natured laughter. But in that moment, with Cash’s hands warm against my skin and his heart beating strongly beneath my palm, I didn’t care who watched. Let them see. Let them know exactly what we meant to each other.
As we finally broke apart, breathless and smiling, I caught sight of Knuckles making his way through the crowd toward the stage. The Kiss of Death president moved with deliberate purpose, his massive frame drawing curious glances as he approached. When he reached the steps, he extended a hand to me.
“Well done, darlin’,” he said as I took it, allowing him to help me down from the stage. “Very well done.”
Cash followed, his arm slipping around my waist as he joined us. Knuckles turned to him, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“You know,” Knuckles said, his voice pitched low enough that only we could hear, “Antonio Miles personally called the state’s attorney about your girl’s case.” He nodded toward me. “Didn’t threaten consequences or anything so crude. Just said what was going to be happening. Man’s got connections in places that would surprise you.”
The name meant little to me, but Cash’s expression shifted to one of surprised understanding. “Tonio did that? For us?”
“For family,” Knuckles confirmed with a nod. “That’s what you are now. All of you.” His gaze encompassed both of us, the meaning clear. “Now, go enjoy your night. You’ve earned it.”
As he moved away, rejoining Pippa near the bar, Cash pulled me closer. “Dance with me?” he asked, nodding toward the small area that had been cleared between tables.
I nodded, unable to form words around the emotion swelling in my chest. He led me to the makeshift dance floor, his hand warm at the small of my back as we began to sway together to the music now playing from speakers. Around us, the fundraiser continued. But in our small corner, nothing existed but the two of us and the future stretching bright before us.
“I meant what I said,” Cash murmured against my hair. “I can’t imagine my life without you and Lily. I don’t want to imagine life without you.”