Serafina

I can’t take the waiting anymore. Eagle disappeared behind those meeting doors an hour ago and hasn’t come out yet. If the news was good . . . No, I need to remain hopeful and positive. Focused on a new future, possibly with Eagle. I just don’t know yet—I need to see if he really wants me—loves me. If this club will let me stay.

I know I made a mistake six years ago by not telling Eagle what was going on. I didn’t think the club could protect him enough, and I wasn’t willing to take a chance that he’d get hurt for loving me. I didn’t want Belle, or any other women I loved, to be victimized by my evil brothers. But the Dead Dogs can’t win now, the Iron Norsemen are bigger and stronger, fully aware of the past.

I want to wipe all the filth away that links me to the Dead Dogs. To the legacy of violence and pain my brothers caused. The day I killed off Angel Orani, I shed some of that guilt. But being here now . . . I scan the room. That’s when I notice several photographs of me hanging on the walls.

Sam watches as I walk to the bar area to get a closer look. One of my favorite shots, I can’t believe that’s me. All blond curls, with the warmest smile. That girl seems so far away now. I can’t really explain it, what it feels like to look at my old face knowing I’m not the same. I can’t even begin to imagine how Eagle feels looking at me. Knowing the girl he used to love is hiding behind a stranger’s face.

Voices from the main entryway startle me and I turn to see who’s coming in. It’s Tonsils and Belle. Oh God. I don’t want her to find me here. I don’t want to explain myself again. Especially not to her.

I try to make it back to the far side of the room where Sam is standing guard.

“Angel?”

I stop in my tracks.

“It’s okay, sweetie,” she says. “I know you’re alive.”

I twist around expecting to catch a ration of shit. Belle invested a lot of wasted time on me. I’m sure she’s more than disappointed.

“Look at you,” she coos as she rushes forward. “All grown up.”

She opens up her arms and I run to her. It feels right. Mama Belle, that’s what I always called her. I rest my head against her. Years of pent-up sorrow releases. I’ve missed her so much. She runs her hand soothingly down my hair and back.

“It’s okay,” she says over and over. “The brothers forgive you.”

I lift my head. “Really?”

She grips my arms and gives me a gentle shake. “Did you ever doubt them? We’re your family, Angel. No matter how bad things get, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise.”

“I was ready to leave again, Belle. I was so afraid after Eagle found out it was me.”

“You have no choice, baby girl. I have orders.” She pats the beach bag slung over her shoulder. “Eagle is waiting for you at his house.”

I’m suddenly weary. “Why did he send you here?”

She takes my hand and leads me across the room and to the hallway that opens up into several bedrooms in the clubhouse. “To see you, Angel. I needed to confirm it for myself. You’re really alive.”

“I am.” I’m shaking all over, knowing she has more to say.

“Consider this your homecoming, Angel. If you want to be with Eagle again, let him welcome you back in his own special way. However, if you want to leave, the brothers have been given special permission to help you in any way you need. Eagle won’t force you to live a life you don’t want. The choice is yours.”

I’m not sure how to take it, because I’ve never believed in miracles before. But it seems I’m the fortunate beneficiary of one this moment. A second chance with Eagle, a chance to reclaim my life. I look up at Belle. Running is the coward’s way out. And I’ve done enough running. “I want to stay.”

“Good.”

She opens the door and I step into the bedroom.

“Now strip those clothes off and take a quick shower for me.”

The hot water instantly relaxes me. I wash my hair and lather on thick layers of fragrant body wash. I smell like vanilla caramel candy now. After I rinse off, I grab the towel from the nearby rack and wrap it around my body. There’s a smaller towel for my hair.

Belle is waiting for me in the bedroom. There’s a black lace negligée and leather heels on the bed. “I don’t understand.”

“Sure you do.” She pats the chair in front of the dresser. “Sit. Let me spoil you a little bit.”

I do as she asks. She frees my hair first; my wet curls tumble loosely over my shoulders. She combs it out gently, then scrunches hair gel into my hair.

“Always loved your curls, Angel.”

“Aren’t you angry at me, Belle? Don’t you want to know where I’ve been all this time?” I’d feel better if she did.

“I accepted whatever explanation Tonsils and Eagle were willing to give. I know enough to realize how special you truly are. Eagle loves you, Angel. I love you. So now let me help make you beautiful for the man you want.”

Is this Eagle’s way of saying he’s sorry for ever doubting me? Are we really back on equal ground?

Belle has a real talent with makeup, and after she finishes applying some eyeliner, mascara, blush, and whatever else, she grins at me. “Look in the mirror.”

Satisfaction spreads through me as I admire my reflection. She remembered the black cat-eyes I always loved to wear. The soft pink blush and lipstick, too. There’s a hint of the original Angel staring back at me. “You’re amazing,” I say. “Thank you.”

“Now I’ll step out while you finish dressing.”

The expensive nightgown fits perfectly and so do the shoes. I’ve never worn anything so sexy and revealing before. I feel like a birthday present for Eagle. I smile at the thought, definitely ready to be unwrapped. I crack the door open and find Belle in the hallway. She’s holding a shawl.

“Wrap this around your shoulders and Tonsils and I will walk you over.”

As I step into the cool night air, I don’t miss the members standing guard. There’s one at the shop, a couple outside the clubhouse, and three stationed at Eagle’s house. Whatever decision they made tonight in that meeting room, I know it involves keeping me and the club safe. It’s like stepping back in time. But as I climb the stairs to reach Eagle’s front door, I realize this is the first time I’m coming to him as Angel—the grown-up version.

I knock on the front door. When no one answers, I go in.

Candles are burning everywhere. Even the fireplace is lit. I explore the space, admiring the orderliness of Eagle’s world. The Italian leather furniture, the artwork on the walls, the dozens of framed pictures of us hanging in the hallway. I swear, if I start crying again . . .

“Angel?”

I look up and find Eagle standing in the hallway wearing boxer shorts. He’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his muscular chest.

“What are you wearing?” he asks, making a funny face.

I shed the colorful shawl, letting it drop to the floor. Captivated by the nearly naked man standing in front of me, I fully comprehend what Belle meant now. This is how a man and a woman heal. How they say things without ever having to speak. How they prove how much they really love one another. By offering the one thing we truly own in this world—our bodies.

“Eagle, I . . .”

He takes a couple steps and then stops, his heated gaze drifting up and down my body. “I claimed you tonight, Angel. I’ll never let you go again. I’ve always loved you. And in case there’s any doubt—I love the woman you’ve become.”

The possessiveness in those words draws me in. Claimed. Wanted. Protected by the only man I’ll ever love.

“This is home now. Wherever I’m at.” He rests his hand over his heart. “Wherever we’re at. Holly Beach. Shreveport. Even in that fucking cemetery.” The last words are choked out and I see the single tear slide down his cheek.

I’ve never seen Eagle cry. I sink to my knees, overwhelmed by everything, completely lost in the moment.

Eagle kneels in front of me and takes my hands in his. “Angel Orani, I love you. I want to marry you tomorrow night.”

Eagle

“I’m so sorry,” she whispers. “Sorry for causing all this pain and sorrow.”

I stroke her cheek, loving the feel of her silky skin. “You never have to apologize to me again, Angel. Promise to stay here. To marry me. To trust me to protect you.”

I have to touch her. Feel her all over. I rest my forehead against hers, watching her eyes, trying to read her mind. She’s incredible, so beautiful to me. The perfect mix of fearlessness and vulnerability, innocence and curiosity, and she’s mine forever.

Scooping her into my arms, I carry her into the living room and spread her out on the fur rug in front of the fireplace. I sit back on my heels, admiring the way the flames cast dancing shadows across her body. I can see her nipples through the lace. The thin strip of dark curls between her legs.

She rests her palm on my cheek. “Do you still watch James Cagney movies?”

Unsure where that came from, I chuckle. “Of course. Why?”

“In my heart I feel like we know each other so well. But people change. There’s so many things I want to rediscover about you. So many questions I’d like to ask.”

“The only thing you need to worry about right now is answering my question, beautiful.” Somehow, she’s already breathed life back into my grandfather’s old house. Made it feel like a real home. This is what I want every day. Angel waiting for me with a smile and a kiss.

Her head tilts back and she licks her lips so seductively my cock jumps. “Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I’ll marry you.”

I run my fingertips teasingly over her lips. “Do you still like pizza?”

She rolls her eyes. “Almost as much as I love you.”

“Still an Eagles fan, too?”

She nods enthusiastically. The only reason she likes the Philadelphia Eagles is because we share the same name. I remember the first time we watched a football game together, when the wide receiver ran in for a touchdown she called it a home run.

She pulls me down on top of her and I can’t resist kissing her. I wanted to hold off for a while, until I was sure she was ready to make love. A mischievous grin lights up her face.

“What are you thinking about, naughty girl?”

“You.”

I cinch the hem of the nightgown up slowly, revealing her pussy. Slipping two fingers between her legs, I see the early growth of some light-colored hair. Angel is a natural blond—something I hope to convince her return to. For now, to the outside world, she’ll remain Serafina Scala, but to me she’s all Angel. My Angel.

The deeper I sink my fingers, the harder she rides my hand. She’s so slick and tight. Angel moans and throws her head back, spreading her legs wider.

“Lick me, Eagle. Please.”

Not needing to ask twice, I dip down and take a quick taste of heaven as I smile at her. “I want you to come all over my face.”

When we were younger, I set boundaries. Though sixteen is the age of consent in Louisiana, I respected her too much to take advantage of her youth. We got crazy, but I never crossed the sex line. I wanted her to wait and make sure I was the one. I’m five years older than her. It was hard as fuck to keep my hands to myself sometimes, especially at nighttime when we were curled around each other in bed. Those memories are precious to me, but this . . . I bury my face. She thrusts her hips forward and I graze her clit, watching her body light up.

I spread her folds with both hands, marveling at her perfection. “You have a beautiful pussy.”

She chuckles and lets out a long exhale and then twirls my hair around her fingers. “Do I need to hold you in place, Caleb?”

Is she complaining?

I run my tongue up her length and then down again, rough and hard. I circle my thumb inside her and her legs jerk. I do it again. Shit. I can’t wait to be inside her. But I’m a man of my word. I nip her clit and then suck it into my mouth. She falls apart, writhing and crying out. I don’t let up until an orgasm rips through her.

As I sit back on my heels, she raises her head, a lazy smile on her face. “I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to love you, Eagle. I just can’t.”

I slide my boxers off and she stares at my cock. She crooks her finger at me. “Lie beside me, Eagle. I want to touch you.”

I do as she asks, propping my head on my hand. I could stare at her all night. “Where’d you leave your wings?” Something I always used to tease her about.

She leans in and kisses my lips tenderly. “I lost those the day we met.”

Then much to my surprise, she moves downward, her soft hands following the contours of my body, until she reaches my cock. The minute her fingertips make contact, I groan. I’m wound tighter than I’ve ever been, tired of having a constant erection. It’s been that way since the night at the cabin.

Though her touches are shy and inexperienced, the joy she brings me, the sheer pleasure of knowing we have a second chance to live—to be together—is everything I’ve ever hoped for. There’s no other woman in the world for me.

I stretch out, making it easier for her to explore my body. She licks the head of my cock, swallowing my precum with the same enthusiasm as she would a sip of Dom Pérignon. It still blows my mind that I’m the only man she’s ever touched this way. The only one who’s ever made love to her—been inside that sweet pussy. A desperate sense of protectiveness spirals through me. She’s mine.

I climb to my knees and encourage her to do the same. With us kneeling in front of each other this way, naked and equally vulnerable, I gaze into her brown eyes. Drunk on love, I caress her cheek. She shivers in response.

“I’ve waited six years for this,” I say. “Prayed and begged God every night to end my miserable existence. I don’t know why you returned to Holly Beach, Angel. I’m not even sure who to thank.” I stare heavenward for a second. “But whatever the reason, know I will never let you go again. I can’t.”

She rests a tiny hand on my chest. “Living alone all these years has taught me one thing,” she starts, tears welling in her eyes. “You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted—ever believed in. My past is just a jumbled mix of bad memories and a broken heart. But you, Caleb, . . . I love you. Always.”

Handling her like the most precious possession, I ease her back on the fur, spreading her legs with my knee, covering her mouth with mine. Tonight, I’ll make love to my future wife for the first time. Tomorrow, we’ll be married in front of my brothers, making it official. I slide inside her, my emotions running wild. By the fourth stroke I want to explode.

“You’re a fucking miracle, Angel.” I cup her face between my hands as I thrust deeper, not wanting to look away from her beautiful face. “I love you.”

She sighs and clings to me, giving me all the power I need to regain control and make this moment last.