Jake grimaces and reaches an arm up to rub the back of his neck. "Right. Well, Victor Mason may think he owns this town, but that's not exactly true. Those guys work for me, yes, but they are also members of the Devil's Demons, a motorcycle club. It seems they've been wanting a piece of Victor for some time. When I asked them to help me tonight, they were very enthusiastic, as was the head of their club. That's where they took your dad. They won't kill him, but I get the feeling he might wish for it before they're done with him. He won't be a problem for anyone again." He tells Byron.
Byron blows out a breath. "Good. I really wanted to release that article to the newspaper though, detailing all his dirty secrets and the names of everyone he's shafted. I feel a bit cheated."
"Who says you still can't do it? Just because he's getting his physical ass handed to him tonight doesn't mean you can't crush him in every other sense, right?" I ask him.
"True. I like the way you think, sister." His teasing tone turns solemn when he raises sad eyes to Jake. "What happens to me now? I assume you'll take Jo to live with you?"
I'm shaking my head before he even finishes. "No. I'm not going anywhere. I promised I'd stay with you and that's what I'm doing."
He blinks a few times and reaches his uninjured hand out to me, and I move away from Jake to take it. "You're the best sister, you know that? You're the best part of this house." He tells me gently.
Cue some more tears. I'll have nothing left when tonight is over.
Jake steps forward and places his hands on the table: "I'm not going to push the issue, but I ask that you allow me to make some calls to ensure you're both safe here and that the authorities don't get involved. You only have a few months left and then you're both eighteen and can do what you want without child services getting their noses in the middle of it. Agreed?"
We both nod our heads. It sounds perfect.
Cruz stands from the table and tells the room, "I'd like some time alone with Jo. Dad, can you wait for me in the truck?"
Jake nods his head and places a hand on Cruz's shoulder as he walks past and pulls me into his side for a hug. "Don't leave me out there too long. This old man isn't used to so much exercise and excitement." He chuckles as he moves away and out of the kitchen.
Byron groans as he stands from his chair. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, children. Oh wait, you already did," he snickers and wags his eyebrows in our direction.
I guess Steph had time to throw me under the bus while she was planning with Byron. I'll have a few words for her about that.
Cruz rolls his eyes at him but accepts the fist bump from Byron as he limps past.
I raise an eyebrow at Cruz and say, "Really?"
He laughs. "It's a guy thing."
I shake my head but allow him to pull me into the comfort of his arms. He strokes my back and says, "Quite a night, huh?"
I shudder as I think about how my night could have ended. "A night of horrors."
He stiffens against me, then tightens his arms around my back. "When I saw that bastard on top of you… let's just say I'm glad my dad got here first."
Our dad, I think to myself. It still sends my head spinning. I snuggle deeper into Cruz's chest and tell him, "It's over and that's all that matters."
I can feel the hesitation in the tense lines of Cruz's body, then he whispers, "Are you okay? Did he hurt you before we got here?"
"No," I tell him. He doesn't need to know about the violence before he got here. It would only hurt him, and Victor has hurt us all enough.
"I'm glad. Um, are you okay with the whole, my dad is your dad, thing? I'm still a bit shaken up by it, so I can only imagine how you must feel."
I sigh against his chest. "Honestly? Yeah, I'm still trying to digest it, but promise me something?"
"Anything," he says immediately.
"Promise me that it won't ever change anything between us. As much as I love knowing I have a father I can finally know, I love you more," I tell him with a slight catch in my voice.
He loosens his arms around me and bends down so we are looking into each other's eyes. "Nothing in this world is going to change the way I feel about you. I loved you when we were kids, I love you now, and I'll love you tomorrow. You're my happily ever after and my fairy tale. We both get the honor of calling the best man I know, Dad. It's pretty epic, you know. It makes us a family even more than we already are. If anything, it will bring us closer. You may have lost your mom, but you've gained a dad. He's the best dad you could ask for and being one of his kids doesn't change the love we share. We decide our destiny, you and me, Jo. No one else gets a say. Your love is all I need."
Through my tears, I tell him, "You have it. You've always had it, and always will. I need your kisses to breathe."
"Always together, my Jo."
"Forever, my Cruz."
As I kiss his lips, I can finally breathe again.
My dream come true.
Victor was never a problem again.
Byron leaked his article to the paper, and oh how the mighty did fall. Victor Mason was not a man of the town after that. He still managed to finesse some of his followers back into his fold, but his reign was pretty much over.
Jake had managed to arrange that our housekeeper and cook stayed with us full time and we had to be told when Victor was going to be in the house. During those times, Byron and I stayed away. On the outside, our life went on unchanged, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
I shared so many more firsts with Cruz. We had our first Christmas together and a New Year's kiss filled with a promise of all the hopes and dreams to come. We celebrated Cruz and Byron's birthdays together - which ironically were just a few days apart. Then there was Valentine's Day and my birthday. I received a promise ring for my birthday, with heartfelt words about all the promises Cruz wanted to make and see fulfilled. I cried. The ring rests on my hand beside Grammy's ring.
Jake and I have become close, but he will always be Jake to me. He said he doesn't need a title to know he's my dad and calling me his daughter wouldn't make him love me anymore than he already does. Cruz was right. He really is the best man I know, and I'm honored he's my family.
Byron surprised us all by wanting to be included in our little family as much as possible. Jake has taken him under his wing and is teaching him how to fix cars. I think he idolizes Jake, and it warms my heart. He's Cruz's best friend now since they've bonded and become close after all that went down that fateful night. For the first time, I feel like I have a real family. I know my mom is with us in spirit and is happy we all have each other. She loved us all.
It's my graduation day.
I look out across the grass, to the bodies of students filled with excitement and energy, dreaming of a future filled with possibilities. I smile, thinking about my own future and all it holds.
Both Cruz and I have been accepted to the college of his choice, and it seems our little band of friends will be following us there. Steph, Carla, and Byron will be chasing their dreams right alongside of us.
Jake was a smart man with his money and saved enough to cover all of Cruz's educational costs, in addition to paying for his dorm fees. Victor dared not renege on his contract with my mother and has paid for all my own expenses and dorm costs as well.
A hand on my shoulder startles me and I turn to find velvet blue eyes smiling down at me. "Nervous?" He asks.
"Anxious. Your dad promised us that hunting cabin for the weekend." I lean and whisper for his ears only, "And I packed a bikini for the hot tub."
I watch as his eyes darken, and he licks his lips. "Thank god we have our own room. I'll want to peel that off you in privacy."
I purr my approval and am just about to lean in for a kiss when I hear, "Please tell me I won't be subject to this all weekend?"
I glare at Steph but have to stifle a giggle when Byron comes up and smacks her ass. "We can always put on our own show."
"In your dreams," she replies, but I see the twinkle in her
eyes as she does.
These two have been circling around each other all year and still haven't taken a bite. I bet when that day finally comes, neither of them will survive it.
I can't wait.
Carla and Dean approach from the other side. Dean will be going on a tour with a very promising hockey team for a year before joining us at college. I don't know how Carla can be so calm about it, but they appear to be very confident in their relationship, so I'm rooting for them.
I smile at all my friends, who I'll be celebrating our graduation with over the weekend, and can't believe how lucky I am. For a girl who started her life on the wrong side of the tracks, I wouldn't have believed how much my life could change.
And I wouldn't change a thing.
My younger memories of us may have faded, leaving only echoes behind, but I'm looking to a future with clarity and so much more to come.
The End
Did you enjoy this book? Would you like another? Possibly following the gang into college, but the focus being on Steph and Byron's explosive romance? Less sweet, more heat?
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Afterword
Abuse against women and children is an offensive crime. The subject matter in this book only lightly touched on this topic. It is a horrifying truth that these crimes are not a matter of fiction, like in this story. If you, or anyone you know, are suffering from abuse, you/they are not alone and can reach for help.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
(link is external)
1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
The National Centers for Victims of Crime
(link is external)
(NCVC) 1-800-FYI-CALL
Acknowledgments
This is always the hardest part of the book to write. There are so many people who helped me along the way, and a few special people that held my hand, kicked my butt, and basically kept me sane. Carly, you’ve always been one of these people and I hope you always will be. You were my eyes long before anyone else. Thank you for your encouragement and feedback, but mostly for your friendship.
I want to thank my two partners in crime, Kitt, and Laura; Without the encouragement, support, critiques, and endless hours of listening to me second guess this story and basically question my ability to write it, I would never have found the courage and fortitude to finish. You ladies are the dynamic duo that every author dreams of having in their corner. May our posse remain united and strong. Wild Women Write!
To my friend, sister of my heart, and champion of all my doubts, Terri; I never would have found the determination and motivation to see my words for the potential they are. Your guidance and tender support helped me see the road ahead. You shaped a lump of coal into a diamond and showed me the brilliance in its shine. This book is better for you having read it. Thank you, sweet friend.
For my family; You are the glue that held me together when I felt like coming apart. You reminded me what it is to have a dream and helped me reach for it. I’m all that I am because of your love. My dreams will always include you.
Most importantly, to you, the reader; Without you, dreams would remain wishes and words would have no life. You are the reason we love what we do and are able to do so. Thank you for taking a chance on my stories and making them come alive.
I couldn’t have done this without any of you.
About the Author
S.H. Timmins lives in Ontario, Canada. She is a mother and wife (which deserves a super cape), survives on coffee, and is obsessed with The Nightmare Before Christmas. Making the jump to writing took a leap of faith; a giant leap with lots of false starts. Honestly, she wouldn't be here now without the incredible readers, support from her family, and a strong, independent book community.
You can find her at these links:
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