Late into the night after my uncle’s graveside service, the guys, Brooke, and Raven stick around drinking craft beers by my backyard fireplace, listening to music and reminiscing about the old days. With the pending murder investigation, the funeral was delayed an entire week and a half. For someone who once ruled over the neighborhood, attendance was considerably small, involving a few of his oldest business partners, and my friends. The sheriff and a handful of his deputies stood watch around the perimeter of the cemetery for any sign of Terrance.

It was the worst day of my life, having to bury the last remaining member of my father’s family. The thing that stings the most about this whole cluster-fuck? The last time I saw my uncle, I was so goddamned angry. I didn’t have a chance to talk to him after learning the truth in Guam. Once I convinced myself he had killed Trask, I began to despise him. There’s this darkness associated with having those feelings that may never subside.

But there’s no looking back, no changing the past. It is what it is. Moving forward, I’ll throw everything I’ve got left in me into the band, Bender, Charlize, and Zoe. They’re the only family I have left.

As Rook shares hilarious stories about the older guys he’s been jamming with in Connecticut, he holds his wife’s hand the entire time, occasionally rubbing her belly. It’s a real fuckin’ trip seeing the responsible version of my old friend. And Brooke either grew hotter in the past five years, or motherhood’s exceptionally attractive on her. Regardless, I couldn’t be happier for my old friend. She’s good, and she saved him when his life was at its darkest. I’m even happier for him knowing exactly how he feels, having found a woman I’d walk to the ends of the earth for the way he would for Brooke.

It’s been bothering the hell out of me that Zoe hasn’t been herself since she was released from the hospital. Her sexual appetite hasn’t changed any, but whenever I’m not buried deep inside her, she’s notably quiet. As everyone else laughs and gets involved in the conversations, she sits curled up at my side, playing with the hem of the tasteful little black dress she wore to the funeral. She seemed especially upset a few days back while I was making arrangements for my uncle’s service. Then during the reading of his will, she walked out when the attorney got to the part where his entire estate was left to me.

I’ve asked her to repeat her story several times, making her swear she wasn’t excluding anything Terrance or his thugs did to her. And the one time I asked her if my uncle had done something, or said something upsetting while they were alone, she broke down with uncontrollable sobs, saying again that he was a good man, and he had saved her life. Raven told me to drop it, but I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. I don’t know if it’s some kind of survivor’s guilt thing, or she felt close to Uncle Marty after whatever happened to them in that shelter. But I’m starting to think she’s more shaken by his death than anyone.

Though she’s good at concealing the nasty bruise on her face with makeup, it’s hard to stop myself from becoming unglued whenever I imagine that Walt asshole punching my girl. As soon as we figure out where those cowards are hiding, I plan to make Terrance and every last guy under him pay for hurting three of the people I care about most in this world. I refuse to let Trask and my uncle’s deaths go unpunished.

“I’m going to bed,” Charlize announces, hopping to her feet among a yawn.

“It was so nice to meet you,” Brooke calls out, flashing her a bright smile. “Good luck with school this fall.”

Charlize’s returning smile is a little awkward, but she’s getting there. “Good luck with the baby…and everything.”

She bends to kiss me on the cheek—something she started doing after Zoe told me they’re moving in, and I offered to hire a decorator to makeover Charlize’s room to her liking. She’s been fuckin’ giddy ever since, showing me ideas she found online. I don’t know much about her before they first agreed to stay here, but Zoe has told me several times that her sister’s becoming a different person. One she can tolerate. No better feeling than seeing that kid coming out of her shell.

Zoe stands beside her sister, eyes landing on mine. “I think I’m going in too.” While playing with Charlize’s hair, she flashes me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, babe. I’m still trying to catch up on sleep.”

“Don’t apologize for being tired,” I tell her, trying to keep my voice steady so I don’t sound like a dick. Why the hell does she feel the need to be apologetic with me?

She wishes everyone goodnight, exchanging a lingering hug with both Raven and Brooke as they each whisper something to her. When Brooke and Zoe first met a few days ago, they hit it off like they’ve known each other for years, laughing and carrying on an endless conversation. Rook and I were grinning at each other like a couple of goons. It was a good fucking feeling. Like it confirmed the fact that Zoe belongs with me and my crew.

I walk the sisters to the door leading inside the house, stopping to pull Zoe into my arms. “I fucking love you, gorgeous,” I whisper before burying my face in the crook of her neck. “Don’t know that I could’ve made it through today without you.”

“I love you too, baby. I know this has been hard, but you’ll get through it.” Letting out a breathy sigh, her arms squeeze around my back. “You’re strong like that.”

“Go fill the tub. I’ll wrap things up with the guys, then I’ll come in to wash your hair.”

“It’s okay,” she insists. “Rook’s only in town a few days. You should spend time with them. You don’t have to fuss over me.”

“I do, because I know how much you love it. Besides, I’m tired as shit.” I slide my lips along her neck, hoping she’s in the mood for more than a bath. I could use the release. “The only thing I want to do right now is pamper my girl, and hold her while I fall asleep.”

She gives in with a soft, breathy, “Okay.”

I brush my lips over hers, letting the kiss linger until she releases me to follow her sister through the doors. Once I’m sure they’re safely inside, I double check the security alarm. Knowing they’re out of sight leaves me uneasy as hell. I haven’t slept for shit since I got the call saying Zoe was dumped at the hospital, unconscious. It may only be a matter of time before Terrance comes back for one or both of them. I’ve been packing a pistol on me at all times, and plan to take the girls to the gun range in the next week. They need to be prepared for anything.

“Zoe’s great,” Brooke tells me as I rejoin them. She grins from ear-to-ear, hazel eyes bright. “Charlize too.”

Running my fingers along my beard, I take the open seat beside her. “I think this thing with Terrance really messed Zoe up.”

While adjusting her glasses, Brooke nods knowingly. “I’m sure it did. Learning your uncle died helping her may have created some underlying feelings of guilt, too. It’s going to take time for her to fully recover. You need to find her a good therapist. I can give you the names of some that would be a good fit for her, assuming they’re still practicing in the area. In the meantime, let her know you’re there for her.” She tips her chin at Raven. “All of you. Don’t make her go out if she’s not up for it. Hang out here and watch her favorite movies—anything that doesn’t involve violence.”

Raven stops flirting with Morrison long enough to study Brooke, eyebrows shooting up. “You some kind of therapist or something?”

Brooke lifts one shoulder. “I took some intensive psychology courses in college, and I was a social worker for a few years. Now Rook and I work at a women’s shelter in Stamford. We see a lot of women like Zoe who have been through traumatizing events.”

“Speaking of,” I say, eyeing Rook as I scratch the back of my head. “The last couple days I’ve been trying to come up with the best ways to honor my uncle’s memory. I doubt many people knew he was into charity work, but it was important to him. I’m sure he would’ve been especially pleased if I opened a women’s shelter on the South Side. Sometime I’d like to bounce ideas off you guys, if you’re up for it. I could fly out to see you in a couple weeks so we can hash them out.”

“You serious?” Rook asks with a deep grin. “That’s noble of you, man.”

Brooke nods adamantly, matching her husband's grin. “We’d love to help in any way we can, but you won’t have to get on a plane to see us. We’re moving back.”

“What?” Stone, and I ask.

Rook appears just as baffled when he turns to his wife, eyes wide. “Babe, you said you’d consider it.”

“I did.” She’s beaming as she reaches for his hand. “And I know you have a lot of healing to do with your crew. I also know you’re excited to see where this thing with Roman’s producer goes. We moved to Connecticut primarily so you could go to college. You could put your degree to good use running Ryker’s new shelter. We can find a quiet neighborhood in Chanhassen or Edina to raise the baby.”

Rook kisses her hand, bouncing on the edge of his seat with a smile too big for his face. Have to say it’s the first time I’ve seen him bursting with pure excitement. Admittedly, I’m thrilled as shit too. Guess I’ll actually get a second chance to renew my friendship with Rook.

Then his smile begins to falter. “What about Brylee?”

Brooke rolls her eyes dramatically. “You know how much I love spending time with my daughter, but she’s a teenager now. We hardly see her anymore, and her life is about to get even crazier. We can fly her out for a weekend every month, and arrange holiday visits with the Hillers. Heck, once the band starts touring, we can fly her all over the country to catch your shows. She won’t even care that her ‘other mommy’ moved away. She’ll think it’s wicked cool that her ‘other daddy’ is a rockstar.” Seemingly overjoyed beyond words, Rook leans down to kiss her big stomach. She runs her hands through his hair, bending to whisper, “I don’t want you to give up on your dream.”

Taking a swig of his beer, Stone grunts at them. “You seem convinced we’re gonna get a deal.”

“You totally are,” Brooke responds, narrowing her eyes his way. “So start thinking positive thoughts to make it happen.”

Stone lifts his bottle, saluting her with a straight face. “Yes ma’am.”

“What about Terrance?” I ask.

Using his wife’s belly as a pillow, Rook’s eyes land on mine as his wife continues to play with his hair. “What about ‘im?”

“We’re not gonna have much time to devote to the band if we’re busy tracking him down.”

“What’re you going to do once you find him?” Brooke asks, her beautiful face all at once twisting with a dark scowl. “If you kill him, you’ll wind up in prison, spending the rest of your life locked away from Zoe and her sister. Your uncle wouldn’t want that, Ryker, and I’m confident you don’t either. I know you guys don’t trust the cops, and with good reason, but you need to let them run their investigation on your uncle’s death, and hope they come up with enough to nail him for everything he’s done.”

I huff, even though she’s right. No way I’m doing anything to risk losing Zoe again. But knowing Terrance is responsible for both Trask’s death and my uncle’s makes it hard to sit with my hands tied.

“We could always sit back and watch karma do its thing,” Bender suggests. When the majority of us throw him a confused look, he shrugs. “Angel knows Terrance killed his business partner. The cartel will be out for his blood. Just wait and see.”

“He has a point,” Stone decides. “They’re in the business of getting away with murder. Let them take care of the spineless bastard.”

“I suppose you’re right,” I mumble. Standing, I’m hit with a heavy wave of exhaustion. My parents’ funerals weren’t anywhere near as exhausting as Uncle Marty’s. “I told Zo I’d be in right behind her. Catch you guys in the morning?”

Rook nods, rising to his feet beside me. “We’ll be here for breakfast.” He throws an arm around my back, slapping it several times. “Sorry again, brother. For everything. Wish I wouldn’t have wasted so many years hating your uncle when he turned out to be one of the good guys.”

“You had good reason,” I remind him, backing away to look between him and Bender. “We need to stop beating ourselves up over shit that happened in the past, and focus on what we need to do in order to make the band successful.”

Bender flashes a genuine smile. “Agreed.”

Each of the guys leaves me with a hug and their sympathies. I kiss the two women on their cheeks before heading inside. On the way to our room, I unbutton my dress shirt and let it fall to the floor, glad to shed the last reminder of what I had to do today.

I nearly jump out of my skin when I realize Zoe’s sitting in the dark room on the edge of our bed. Still wearing the black dress, staring straight ahead. Jesus, she really is broken.

“Thought you were going to draw a bath,” I say, sinking onto the mattress beside her. I push her blond hair over her shoulder, kissing her collarbone while massaging her neck. “Tell me what you need, gorgeous. How can I make it better?”

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” she whispers. She turns to me, eyes glistening with tears in the faint moonlight. “Something that’s really going to sting when you hear it.”

Flexing my jaw, I sit taller. “Does it have to do with Terrance?” She nods, and a snarl passes over my lips. “I swear to fuck, if that man touched you—”

“It’s nothing like that.” She swings her leg up between us on the bed, holding my gaze while taking my hand. “Terrance told your uncle some things about your parents, but it could’ve been a lie. Your uncle certainly didn’t want to believe it was true.”

“Babe, my parents weren’t good people. I promise whatever Terrance said about them won’t surprise me one fuckin’ bit.”

“It will…it’ll change everything.” Her eyes close, sending a set of tears streaking down her cheeks. “I really don’t want to hurt you.”

“Listen to me, Zoe. Whatever he said won’t alter anything between you and me.” I nudge her chin up with my finger, waiting for her eyes to open. “If it’s upsetting you this much, you need to tell me before it wrecks you.”

“Terrance thinks he’s your father!” she blurts with an anguished cry.

Suddenly the room feels ten times smaller. My lungs expand with a painful burn. “What?”

“He said when your dad was dying, he admitted that he was sterile! He claims he was in love with your mom, and he gave her drugs so she would stay with him! When she said she was leaving him for another man, he killed her! He gave her a lethal dose so she wouldn’t leave!”

Recoiling with every last lash of her brutal words, I let my finger drop from her chin. “No. No fuckin’ way.”

No goddamn way Terrance Fisher is my father.

“He told your uncle it would only take a blood test to prove he’s telling the truth!” She throws herself into my arms, wet face pressed against my bare chest. “I’m so, so sorry, Ryker! I wish I wasn’t the one who had to tell you!”

My arms remain flat at my sides as the revelation sinks in.

Terrance killed my mother.

If Terrance is my father, that means I wasn’t related by blood to Uncle Marty.

It means I’m not a Blackwood.

I’m offspring to the animal behind Trask’s death.

After a few minutes, Zoe’s cries fade away. Whiskey-colored eyes lock with mine as she leans back and sniffles. “If any of this is true, it doesn’t change who you are, or the fact that King Marty never knew you to be anything else other than his nephew.”

I blindly nod in response, my fucking head still reeling with the revelation.

“Say something, baby,” she pleads. “Tell me I didn’t break you.”

Running a hand through her soft blond hair, I slowly shake my head. “Only way I’d break is if I lost you.”

Taking my face in her hands, she joins our lips together, tangling her tongue with mine until I snap out of it with the realization that things could be a helluva lot worse. I could’ve lost her, or never found her to begin with.

There’s a massive knot of unease churning in my gut as I continue kissing her, nudging her down to her back. Only one thing will quiet the angry voices in my head. I need to bury myself balls-deep in this gorgeous woman.

In no time she’s helping me out of my jeans, and I’m pulling her thong down far enough that I can sink into her warm, welcoming flesh. I enter her hard and fast, wanting to forget everything, and simply be joined with my girl. I’m comforted by the familiar feeling of her warmth clutching me, welcoming me home.

She releases a sharp cry that fades into a sexy moan. “I love you so much, Ryker,” she pants, clutching me to her with all her strength. “We’ll get through this together.”

I undoubtedly love her too, but the words get lost with the intensity of my thrusts as I think about all the ways my life is about to change.