Page 41

Six Months Later

“Rayne Mackenzie Clark! Come inside, it's time to blow out the candles!”

The summer sun shines high in the sky, providing the perfect weather for a grand birthday celebration.

Rayne flies through the air as she jumps off the swing and runs full speed towards me. Her purple tulle dress flowing in the wind and I can’t help but laugh as I catch sight of her bedazzled purple Chucks, covered in mud.

As she reaches me, she jumps into my arms and places a kiss against my cheek. “Happy Birthday to you too, Tay! Where’s Daddy?”

Shifting her to my other hip to prevent her from hitting my fresh ink, we make our way towards the common room.

I was woken up first thing this morning with a note from Ari that included a drawing and handmade gift certificate for an all expenses paid visit to Zoro.

There was zero hesitation when I walked into his studio. Scattered across my collar bone are various butterflies that Rayne has drawn over the time she has been at Braveheart.

I’d be lying if I said the transition has been easy. As the weeks and months progressed, we learned how big of an impact Tana and Clay truly had on Rayne.

They never bothered to place her in school, nor did they care about her health. She had countless wounds at various stages of healing, and that was just on the outside. Her innocent little mind was much darker than we could have imagined.

Countless nights, Ari and I stayed up holding her as she cried, fought us, and just stared into the void as if she was stuck in some messed up daydream.

Thankfully, Ari once called me his dreamcatcher and as a united, loving front, we worked hard to show Rayne that the life that was once full of heartache was now one full of love, fun, and allowing her imagination to take her to places that weren’t possible before.

Some days, I locked myself in the bathroom and broke down. I felt as if I failed her somehow or doubted my ability to be the person she needed when my scars were just as fresh. Lucky for me, I had a man that could see the mask slipping back into place and was there to rip it to shreds and, in turn, I could do the same for him.

To no surprise of my own, Braveheart is full of helping hands and slowly but surely we were able to get Rayne on a path that would give her a clear road to healing and finally living life as any kid should.

And to my ultimate surprise, it turned out that Raynie and I are only born a day apart, so when she suggested that we have a conjoined party, it took me by surprise.

Of course, she is her father’s daughter and couldn’t do anything without some bit of flare. Which is how I find myself and Rayne walking into the common room decorated from head to toe in pink, purple, blue, and gold. Her favorite colors—at the moment.

As soon as she catches sight of Aries, she jumps off my back like a damn monkey and sprints toward him. Effortlessly, he drops down, beer in hand, and catches her, all while explaining something to Zoro.

How the hell is that so damn hot? I have no idea.

Rayne whispers something in her father’s ear and Ari spins around, finding me amongst the crowd.

Setting Rayne down, he waves me over. Pulling me to his side as soon as I’m within reach.

Tilting my head back, he presses a lingering kiss to my lips. “Happy Birthday, Butterfly.”

Licking my lips, savoring the taste of Ari’s beer, I watch as his eyes darken. I rise to my tiptoes, my lips feathering against his ear, and whisper, “Fucking fiend.”

Angling his body so he can press his cock into my hip, he nips at my ear. “Mine.”

My cheeks heat and I bury my face in his neck.

You would think after waking me up with his head between my legs and him fucking me boneless, I would be satisfied. Not a damn chance when you have a Greek god for a boyfriend.

Rayne suddenly appears at our side and hides behind Ari.

I try to peek around his shoulder to see what’s wrong with my little girl, but Ari is one step ahead.

Aries being the perfect dad was not a surprise in the slightest, but I am so happy that he wakes up every day giving me the privilege of watching it happen.

His large hand pats her shoulder, and he leans down, whispering something in her ear before standing.

I’m about to ask what’s wrong when he takes a step back. “If I can get everyone’s attention, please.”

The crowd slowly starts to quiet down, but a low murmur still fills the room.

“Hey! He said shut the heck up!”

Aries rolls his eyes. “Thanks Tuck.”

Tucker smiles and gives him a thumbs up. “You got it, Prez!”

A tap on my leg steals my attention and I turn to see Ari down on one knee.

“What the—”

“Tay! Shh. Daddy is talking!” Rayne exclaims.

Throwing my hands up in surrender, I motion zipping my lips shut and smile down at Aries.

With a black leather box in hand, Ari clears his throat. “Taylor Sloane Morgan, you once told me your definition of love and now I want to share mine. Much like yours, it's simple. Love is knowing that you can lay your heart on the ground and trust the other person will care for it until their last dying breath. And that’s exactly what I am doing today. Laying my heart on the ground hoping that someone as strong and brave as you will find a place within your beautiful soul to keep it safe.”

Tears flow freely down my face, and I let them.

Flipping the lock on the leather box, Aries’ glassy eyes stare up at me. “Hellhound, will you do me the honor—”

Rayne jumps out from behind Ari, steals the box, and holds the open box up to me. “Will you please be my mommy?”

The floodgates open, and I drop to my knees, wrapping my arms around Rayne. “Of course! I love you so much, Raynie.”

“I love you too, Mama.”

My tears fall so hard I can’t see.

What is up with people with the last name Clark always making me cry happy tears?

Ari’s hand moves to my face and brushes tears away. “She stole my thunder.”

A tear filled laugh escapes me and I reach for Ari, threading my fingers through his hair to rest his head against mine. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Me either.” Leaning back, he presses a kiss against my lips, my hold on Rayne still strong.

Reaching around us, Ari plucks the box from Rayne’s hands and slips the ring onto my finger. A light blue oval stone sits in the center with small black diamonds wrapping around the entire band, staring back at me.

“Heck ya!!” Rayne exclaims, jumping in my arms.

She’s been hanging out with Tucker too much.

Rayne squirms in my arms, and I let her go. The second I do, I am being lifted off the ground and wrapped in Aries’ warm embrace.

The crowd erupts in applause and I hide my face in Aries’ shoulder.

“Mama! Daddy! Cake time please. I’m starvinggggg!!” Rayne begs.

Ari and I both laugh and he sets me down on my feet. Together we make our way to the bar where Boone is lighting a big purple, pink, blue, and gold sheet cake littered with every color sprinkle.

Rayne hops up on a stool and holds her hand out towards me as the crowd sings “Happy Birthday.” And together, with my favorite girl in the world, we blow out the candles. Saying hello to what I know will be the best year of my life.

Sitting on the porch, the sun sets in the distance and I wait for Ari to finish putting the birthday girl to bed.

Today has been incredible.

I place my cool drink down on the concrete and stare at my ring. I have a fiancé and a daughter. Aries Clark, the man I once thought hated me, is the man I get to spend the rest of my life with.

What a twisted turn of events.

“Tay?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I see Boone in the doorway. “Come with me please, birthday girl.” He doesn’t wait for me to respond before turning around and making his way back inside.

What the hell?

Quickly, I grab my drink and scramble to my feet and go in search of Boone. He stops outside the door to The Bastille and holds his hand out.

Hesitantly, I place my drink in his hand and make my way down the dark stairway.

Just as I reach the last step, I call out, “If this is some birthday scare prank, know I am not responsible if you end up in Doc’s office.”

Just as my foot hits the concrete leading to the door of the main torture chamber, Ari steps out of the shadows.

Jumping backwards, I flip him off. “What the hell, Ace?!!”

A devious grin spreads across his face, and he holds out his hand. My knife sits in the center of his palm. “Ready for your last birthday present?”

Taking the knife, I stare at him, confused. Ari unlocks the door and gestures for me to head inside.

The air is cooler and the moment I see who is strapped to a chair in the center of the room; I glance back at Aries.

Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, he nods towards the soon to be dead man. “Figured you might want a little taste of revenge? Why not do it with the man who started it all?”

My fingers spin the knife in my hand and I turn back to face the man, who looks like he is about to piss himself.

Taking a step closer to him, I kick him in the balls, eliciting a groan from him. “Fancy meeting you here.”

He bucks against the chair, and I punch him in the face. “No need to protest. I do have one simple question for you, though.”

Spinning my knife in my hand once more, I grip the handle and glance back at Ari, who is staring at me with a heated gaze.

My eyes make an obvious track down his body and when my gaze locks with his, I wink at him, my hand swiping behind me.

Glancing down at the man who sold me for the sake of making a dime, I shrug at his lifeless body, blood flowing from his neck.

Turning back to Ari, I skip towards him, dropping the knife somewhere along the way, and jump into his outstretched arms.

Hugging me tightly to his chest, I wrap my arms around his neck and stare down at him. “Oops. I forgot to ask him the question.”

THE END