Chapter Thirty-Five
The following morning the warehouse fire made it on page three of the Alina Post. Photographs of flames licking the brickwork and smoke billowing into the sky were in full color and plastered on the bottom of the page.
“The warehouse burned to the ground,” Fallon said as she stirred hazelnut creamer into her coffee.
“That must’ve been the reason for all that haze last night.” Diablo took a bite out of his buttered toast.
Fallon glanced up and met Diablo’s dark stare, then nodded and continued reading the paper. Of course, they would never speak about what happened at the warehouse to anyone outside of the brotherhood. Fallon knew she couldn’t share what had happened to her with Raven or Breanna, even though they suspected something. The women knew their men’s secrets were theirs as well.
“You doing okay? You went through a lot yesterday.” Diablo reached out for her hand.
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t think it’s all sunk in.”
“Breanna told me that you should see a grief counselor because you’ve had so much shit dumped on you in such a short time. She gave me a couple of names, said they’re very good.”
“I think I’ll give it a try. I have a lot I need to sort out with my past. I know if I act like it’s no big deal, it’ll clobber me over the head. Are you doing okay?” She placed her hand over his.
“Yeah, fine. I’m just worried about you. I’m glad you’re gonna talk to someone. Of course, some things have to be left unspoken.”
“For sure. I know the score. I was just wondering how you’re doing with Taya’s death.”
He shrugged. “The sister I knew when we were young died when our mom quit being a mom. That was a long time ago, and I’ve already mourned.”
“But she was still your sister. I was blown away when I found out.”
“I knew she was up to no good when I bumped into her, but I never figured it involved you. I didn’t fuckin’ see that. The time she split my head open and robbed me was when my trust died, and it never came back. I tried to help her as best I could, but she was lost before our family even broke up. It’s the way it goes sometimes. At least she’s free from her demons. I hope she finally has some peace. She never did in her short life.”
“I wish I could’ve known her under different circumstances. I’d like to think we would’ve really been friends.”
“Not likely. Her only friend was crack. You never mentioned me to her?”
“Not by name. I didn’t tell her I had a biker boyfriend, but that creepy Tae knew because he tailed me. He told me your sister bumped into you in town and made the connection that I was your girlfriend. When she drugged me she knew you were my boyfriend. I can’t believe she did that to me… to you.”
“I can. She stopped being my sister a long time ago. Her heart was ice. When I think of how it was when we were all kids, I never would’ve thought she’d have grown into a woman without a soul. I guess I have my mom to thank for that.”
“Don’t you think she deserves a proper burial?” she whispered.
He nodded, his jaw jutted out. “The brothers took her over to Sagebrush. We know a guy who owns a mortuary there. He’s got her body. I’m gonna ask him to cremate her then I’ll spread her ashes in Chaco Canyon.”
“I’ll be at your side.” Fallon grasped his hand while she shook her head. “What a crazy thing this all was, and just for money.”
“People do a lot of shit for money. And as far as the money goes, sweet pea, it’s all yours. I’m your man and I’ll take care of you, so if you need a car, clothes, whatever, I’ll take care of it. You should think about taking the lawyer’s advice and investing it, but I’m not gonna tell you what to do with it.”
Warmth spread through her as she leaned over and kissed him. “I love you. You’re the sweetest man.”
He tweaked her nose and smiled. “Now I know you love this apartment. It’s cute, and you and Raven did a good job painting the walls and decorating. It pissed Muerto way the fuck off what you did to his walls, and watching all that was funny as hell. But it’s too small for us. We need to find a bigger place. There’re some new developments I’ve been reading about and I think we should take a look this weekend.”
“Isn’t the bike rally this weekend?”
“Yeah, but we don’t have to go both days.”
“I’d love to find a beautiful home with a gourmet kitchen. I love to bake and having a double oven would be like a dream come true.”
“Then I’ll buy you whatever you want. Hell, I’ll buy you a bakery if you want.”
Fallon giggled. “I’ll be happy with the double oven.”
Diablo held her hands, staring intently into her eyes. “All kinds of crazy thoughts went through my mind when I realized you were gone. Just the possibility of losing you twisted me up from the inside out. All I could see was your face, hear your voice, and feel your touch. I never want you out of my life.”
“I was freaking out too. The thought of never seeing you again made my insides freeze. I knew you’d come for me, but I wasn’t sure if it would be in time. I feel so connected to you.”
Diablo came over to her and tugged her up, then swung her into his arms, his lips gently covering hers. A shiver rippled through her as she drew his tongue into her mouth.
“I love you, sweet pea,” he said against her lips, his hands roaming over her body.
“I loved you before I even met you.”
He led her to the couch, his lips fused on hers, and pulled her onto his lap. “I’m crazy about you. Some of the brothers think I’m acting like a love-sick pussy, but I don’t give a shit.”
Fallon laughed and kissed his chin.
“I want you in my life forever, woman. I want you to stand beside me through the good and bad. I want you to ride with me until our last sunset.”
“What’re you saying?” she said in a low voice.
“I want you to be my wife.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I need you.”
Joy glistened in her eyes. “I need you too.”
“Then it’s a yes?”
“A huge yes.” She peppered his face with kisses as tears trickled down her cheeks, happiness flooding her to the core.
“You just made me fuckin’ happy.” His face split into a wide grin.
Sniffling, she wiped her wet cheeks. “I’m ecstatic. I want to always have you by my side.”
He nodded, watching her fixedly. “I want a biker wedding, but we can do some of the stuff you want too.”
“A biker wedding is fine, even though I don’t really know what that means. I can guess Harleys play a role in it.”
He laughed. “Fuck yeah, sweet pea. You’re catching on.”
Placing her hands on each side of his face, she said, “Your world is what saved me, so it’s only fitting that we share our love with your brothers.”
“You’re a kickass old lady.”
“I do have one request. I’ve never been to the ocean. I fell in love with Santa Monica Pier when I first saw the movie The Lost Boys. I want to go there for our honeymoon.”
“That’s a fuckin’ awesome movie. We’ll go to Santa Monica and make love on the beach. Whatever you want, you got.”
She licked his lips, then moved her tongue away when he tried to grab it with his teeth. Running her tongue up his throat to his chin, she kissed him deep and messy. He grasped her hand and placed it on the bulge in his jeans. She sucked in her breath. Dragging his tongue to her ear, he pulled her earlobe between his teeth and whispered, “This is all yours. Always.” His hand glided under her T-shirt.
Taking his hand she moved it over her breast. “And I’m all yours.”
As his heated eyes caught and held hers, she smiled wickedly and slowly unzipped his jeans.