Page 111 of The Bonds We Break

“You had me atboo.”

“Those where not my first words to you.”

“First, it’s only one word. And yes. It was.”

“Jesus. I’m so predictable.”

“But utterly loveable.”

I press my lips to hers. “Can we go to my room, right now?”

She shakes her head. “This is my first birthday party ever. Are you kidding me?”

As much as I want to fuck her while she’s wearing nothing but that cut, I drop her to the ground and help her thread her hands through the armholes. It’s a perfect fit. She looks hot as fuck.

I’m totally done for.

I glance at the clock on the wall. It’s four in the afternoon, and I remember how anticipation always turns her on. “Fine. Enjoy your party. But at eight o’clock, I’ll meet you in my room here, and you better be naked except for this.” I run my fingers down the edge of the leather.

Rae’s cheeks turn pink. “Okay.”

“Good girl.”

As my brothers step in to congratulate me and us, I realize she did the unthinkable. She fixed me. She fixed my club. And in doing both, she fixed herself.

And when I return to my room at eight o’clock precisely to find her sitting on my bed in just her cut, I know I’m the luckiest fucker on this whole goddamn earth.

EPILOGUE TWO

NIRO

The party is bullshit.

The whole thing is bullshit.

When everyone crowds King, I mask enthusiasm. I’m fucking tired, yet revved. I’m all out of patience for other people.

I claim a spot at the bar and order a beer. I chug it down, listening to snippets of conversations.

I hear Vex tell Clutch how he just hacked a Righteous Brotherhood member’s social media profile for intel.

Switch advises Bates on a shoulder injury he picked up working out the previous weekend.

Iris confides to Briar that the party is overwhelming her, that there are too many people.

Briar tells her she should go grab Spark and tell him she needs five minutes with him in his room.

My room is a mess. I should tidy it.

My room was always a mess as a kid.

I remember when my sister used to—

I cut that thought off.

Thinking of her never leads to anything good.

I drink my beer.