Peyton

 

 

Just as Dom had promised, we went out the next evening and celebrated at Melano’s. We were even able to take the tour Dom had been raving about in the caves surrounding the restaurant. Ruby had been so intrigued, that she told us on the way home that she was going to be an archeologist.

“You are, huh?” Dom said.

“Yes,” she replied. “And I’m going to explore caves like that all over the world and find all kinds of cool stuff.”

Dom and I looked at each other and smiled. There was no doubt in our minds that Ruby was going to do something great when she grew up.

“Right now, you just have to worry about starting second grade,” said Dom.

Ruby’s smile fell. She was starting a new school the following month, and was very nervous.

“You’ll do great. And Kara might be in your class,” I reminded to her.

Kara was the neighbor girl and they were inseparable.

Ruby’s smile returned. “She will be.”

And I believed her. Ruby definitely had Dom’s intuition. It was a little unsettling at first, but I was starting to get used to it.

 

***

 

 

When we got home, I tucked Ruby into bed and Dom told her a story. Afterward, he surprised me with a bottle of champagne.

“We have more to celebrate than you think,” he explained, pouring us each a glass.

“What do you mean?”

He told me about Jet and Cane.

My jaw dropped. “So, they were killed by the Devil’s Rangers?”

“That’s what the police believe.”

I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was holding something back.

“It wasn’t them, was it?” I replied.

“I don’t know who it was, to be honest. I’m just glad things turned out the way they did and nobody went to jail.”

“You and me both.”

We made a toast to all of the great things happening in our lives and afterward, I thought of something Ruby had said to me. I told Dom.

“She said she’s going to have a little brother?” he repeated, staring at me in surprise. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

“I’m not. I just got over my period,” I reminded him.

He grinned. “I guess we should work on that, then.”

“Hold up. I don’t think I’m ready for another child in our lives right now,” I told him. “I already have two. You and Ruby.”

“And don’t forget Chilly,” he reminded me.

“And Lucifurr,” I added.

“How’s Lucifurr doing, by the way?” Dom asked.

“He’s adjusting,” I replied. “But, only because he gets to sleep with Ruby now.”

Chilly slept with us, which was both cute but also sometimes a pain in the butt. She was getting bigger and took up a lot of room on the mattress when she stretched out.

“Going back to making babies,” Dom said, pulling me to him. “We can at least practice.”

“I’m all for that,” I said.

“I love you,” Dom whispered.

“I love you, too,” I replied, staring up into his dark-brown eyes.

He picked me up and carried me to the bed, where we spent the rest of the night making love and talking about our future.

“I’m so glad the business with the Blood Angels is over and we’ve got nothing to worry about now,” I whispered, closing my eyes. I didn’t care who’d killed the two men. I just knew that they were no longer a threat to Dom.

He didn’t say anything.

“It is over, right?” I asked, looking at him again.

“For now,” he said quietly.

I frowned. “What does that mean?” 

“It means that once you have enemies like them, you can’t ever let your guard down. The rest of their club is going to be looking for answers on who exactly killed Cane and Jet. Let’s just hope the Devil’s Rangers won’t set them straight.”

“Does that mean we have to worry about this new club now, too?” I asked, not liking that answer. “The Devil’s Rangers?”

He kissed the top of my head. “Don’t worry your pretty little head. I won’t let anything happen to you or Ruby.”

I’d heard those words before. They were from the heart. I also knew he couldn’t always foresee the future, even with his gifts. Still, I knew what I’d signed up for, by agreeing to marry him. I also knew he’d never walk away from the club. And… I’d never ask him to.

“Or yourself,” I whispered. “Don’t let anything happen to yourself, either.”

Smiling, he pulled me closer. “I’m not planning on it.”

It took me awhile to fall asleep, but when I did, I dreamt of Blade chasing me from his grave. It was so disturbing, I woke up gasping.

“What’s wrong?” Dom asked, touching my arm.

“Just a bad dream,” I replied, my heart still pounding in my chest.

“Did you want to talk about it?” he asked, staring at me with concern.

I adjusted my pillow. “No. Don’t worry about me. Go back to sleep,” I said, closing my eyes.

“You sure?”

I nodded. “Yes. I’m sure.”

After all, it was just a dream…