Page 16 of Cuckoo (Devil’s Murder MC #7)
M emories of the past would always haunt me. The nights I hid in Rain’s closet. When he would take beatings to keep me safe. The extra food he gave me, sometimes going hungry, so I didn’t. That horrible night when the Sect found me at the carnival.
But I wasn’t alone.
I had Rain. My Cuckoo. The fierce biker and protector who would never let me falter or suffer alone.
With his help, support, and love, I felt I could overcome anything. I told him that in bed, which only led to additional hours between the sheets. We finally got up around noon, only to discover that Crow had the entire club preparing a BBQ, and he’d declared today was a holiday.
We’d won a battle but not the war. The Sect was still out there. They would investigate what happened to the men the crows had mobbed. But nothing would lead back to us.
We crippled them, but they weren’t destroyed. The club vowed to do whatever was necessary to end the cult. And we had help. The Reapers had already begun the hunt. I learned that one of their own, Spook, had experienced something similar to what Rain and I had.
But that wasn’t what I wanted to focus on.
I decided I wanted a name change. I was no longer a girl without a family. I’d gained more than I ever could have hoped. My adopted parents, Trent and Sabrina. Cuckoo and his club. But the best part? Lucky Lou and the Rossi name. I was found, no longer lost.
I’d never truly been abandoned. Cuckoo made sure of that.
Lou parked his scooter beside me, offering me a cold glass of iced tea. “You looked thirsty.”
I accepted it and took a sip. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
“Get used to this. I’m an old man with nothing better to do than spoil my family. I’m so proud that includes you, Rina.”
Touched, I reached for his hand and squeezed it. “You know, there’s something I’d like to do.”
“Oh? Name it.”
“I’d like to return to my real name.”
“You want to be a Rossi again?” He blinked back tears, revealing the emotional reaction he couldn’t hide.
“I do.”
“But it might make you a target,” he warned.
“It’s my birthright. I want to do this.”
He nodded. “It’s brave.” He smiled. “And it feels right.”
It did to me, too.
“Cuckoo won’t like it,” he observed as my man joined us. He’d chosen a shirt printed with giant palm trees, his cut, and bright orange velvet pants with silver zippers. He wore a pirate hat with a white skull and crossbones. Somehow, it all worked.
“I won’t like what?” he asked, picking me up, sitting in my spot, and depositing my bottom on his lap.
“Changing my name,” I answered, “to Rossi.”
He seemed to think it over. “I like it. It’s good for you.”
Lou snorted like he knew that wasn’t all Cuckoo would say. He was right.
“But since I plan to give you mine soon, you won’t have it long.”
Wait. Was he saying . . .marriage?
“Yeah, angel. I’m talking about putting my ring on your finger, my son in your belly, and living happily ever after.”
Wow.
“You think you can handle that?”
Lou appeared amused.
“I guess so, but only if you admit this is true love,” I teased.
True love. Just like The Princess Bride .
He didn’t hesitate to reply. “Baby, I fucking love you to the moon and back, to the depths of my soul, and I’d pirate any ship that kept you safe and by my side. So, hell yeah, I believe this is true love. Not even twelve years apart could change or fade what we feel.”
Okay, he was perfect. “Then I just have one thing to say about your proposal.”
He grinned. “Tell me.”
“As you wish.”
Lou whooped and pumped his fist in the air. People around us began to cheer as Cuckoo kissed me.
“She said yes!” he shouted as more congratulations were shouted around us. Whistles followed.
I never expected him to already have a ring. He slid the rose gold band over my finger, decorated with a delicate rose and an obscene amount of diamonds. “Rain,” I gasped.
“It’s a ring fit for a princess. My angel.”
“I love it.”
“I knew you would.”
The kiss we shared nearly curled my toes.
As I scanned the crowd of people, I recognized friends, family, and the people I had come to trust. The ol’ ladies. The club. And at the gate, waving, I saw Trent and Sabrina.
“You invited my parents?”
“Sure did, baby. They need to see how happy you are and how much we all adore you.”
“Thank you.”
He really did know how to make me deliriously happy.
“I’m gonna say hi,” Lou declared. “What’s their names?”
“Trent and Sabrina.”
“They kept you safe and adopted you. Without them, we wouldn’t have found one another.” Lou patted my leg. “I think I should let them know how much I appreciate all they’ve done.”
Wasn’t he a sweetheart?
“You’re amazing, Uncle Lou.”
He winked. “I think you are, too.”
I watched him ride to the gate as Cuckoo tilted my chin up. “You need something?” I teased.
“Just that sexy little mouth.”
“What about my heart, devotion, and promise to never leave you?”
“Baby, I already have all that. Besides, I’d only stalk you until you gave in.”
“Haven’t we played that game before?”
“Oh, yeah, but now, I’m raising the stakes.”
“How?”
“I want to chase you through a cemetery.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know what I’ll do once I catch you?”
“Cuckoo, if you’re not wearing a costume and planning to give me your cock, I’ll be severely disappointed.”
A wicked chuckle was his only answer.
I guess we’d be finding out tonight. “Meet me at midnight, Rain.”
“As you wish.”