Page 125 of The Murder Club

Thorpe grunted, his eyes rolling back in his head as he toppled backward, landing on the ground with a dull thud. Lorene continued to scream, but Bailey ignored her as she rounded the chair and kicked the unconscious man with enough force to send a sharp pain up her leg.

“Rot in hell, you bastard,” she hissed.

Then, with a sob of sheer relief, she walked into Dom’s waiting arms.

“It’s over,” he murmured, holding her close as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

“Take me away from here,” she whispered.

He tightened his hold on her. “Your wish is my command.”

Epilogue

It wasn’t as simple as Dom had hoped to whisk Bailey away from Pike and the terrible memories that lingered even after Thorpe was arrested. First they’d been delayed by Zac, who’d insisted they stay around and give their statements to his office as well as the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations, who were examining the death of Thorpe’s grandmother as well as Pauline Hartford. There was no doubt that Thorpe Curry was going to spend the rest of his life in jail. He’d proudly admitted to traveling to Pike to destroy his family. Still, they needed to tie up all the loose ends.

Then Bailey had insisted on attending Logan’s funeral. Even though the Donaldsons had been prepared to destroy her reputation, she’d pointed out that they’d been her employers for years. And that no one else would bother to show up once the rumors circulated through town that Logan had been stealing from the residents, not to mention the fact that he was brother to the psycho killer stalking the streets of Pike. And she’d been right. There had been less than a dozen people surrounding the graveside, where Lorene had stood in silent grief, her icy arrogance shattered beyond repair.

Dom had groused at Bailey’s refusal to turn her back on the people who’d betrayed her, even as he’d admired her unwavering loyalty. She would never turn her back on anyone. Let alone her family.

She was special.

And he intended to love and adore her every day for the rest of their lives.

Turning his head, Dom allowed his gaze to skim over Bailey’s profile as she soaked in the afternoon sunlight.

They’d arrived in Vegas three days earlier and they were currently seated next to the pool. It was the end of October and the weather had cooled, but it still felt like midsummer compared to the chilled autumn that was coating Wisconsin in layers of frost. It was a delicious indulgence to spend a few hours absorbing the heat and sipping lemonade.

Not that it was all sun and fun. He was in the process of hiring a full-time manager for the pawnshop, while Bailey was busy setting up the new charity she wanted to create. Her work in the nursing home had revealed the need to offer basic legal advice to the elderly, as well as assistance in filing complaints against people and businesses who tried to take advantage of their age. As Bailey said, the more vulnerable a person became, the more they needed a voice to protect their rights.

Lia had already helped Bailey fill out all the necessary paperwork, and between Kaden and Dom, they’d lined up the sort of donors who could get the project off the ground.

For today, however, Dom had insisted they simply relax and enjoy their time together.

Reaching out, he trailed his fingers down her bare arm. “Happy?”

“Hmm. Let me think. I’m drenched in sunshine, lying next to a gorgeous millionaire who spoils me as if I’m a princess.” She released a soft sigh, opening her eyes to meet his searching gaze. “It’s every woman’s dream.”

He grasped her hand, lifting it to press against his lips. The movement allowed the sunlight to glitter off the large diamond ring he’d placed on her finger the night before. They hadn’t discussed wedding plans yet, but Dom was content with her promise to become his wife. The details didn’t matter.

“You’re not most women,” he assured her. “You don’t care about money or finding someone to pamper you.”

“True.” Her smile softened. “I would love you, Dom Lucier, no matter where you lived, or where you worked, or what money you might have in your bank account.” She rolled to the side, her expression somber. “Being with you makes me happy. Waking up next to you makes me happy. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will always be there for me. No matter what.”

“Always,” he swore, pressing her hand against his cheek as a warmth that had nothing to do with the sunlight poured through him. He didn’t know what he’d done to earn the love of such a rare woman, but he was smart enough to treasure what he’d been given. “I’ve waited my entire life for you, Bailey Evans.”

Her eyes darkened with an unspoken invitation. “And now you have me. For better or worse.”

“Forever and ever . . .” he swore in soft tones. “And it still won’t be long enough.”