“Then since both Mel and your wife are dead, the feud is finished and you have no reason to use Gracie anymore,” Hunter said.
“Besides, she’s chosen a life without the Ravagers, anyway,” Xander said.
“Guess we’ll just be going then,” Colton said. “Nice to meet y’all.”
Colton held out his hand to Gracie and although the tension in the air had her frozen in place, Colton’s infectious grin reassured her enough to take his hand. But when she reached for it, Prez shoved her away. He pushed her hard enough she fell on her ass, knocking a grunt out with the air from her lungs.
“Hey,” Colton said, surprised.
An explosion of voices and fists followed.
Prez threw the first punch, catching Xander square in the face. Gracie ducked and scrambled on hands and knees out of the middle of the fray. Prez had lost the battle of reason, and still high on adrenaline from the earlier brawl, probably resorted to violence again because it was what he knew best. Gracie was really damn sick of it.
Xander and his brothers held their own for a while—Colton knew how to put a man down—but there were a lot more Ravagers. The tide turned and Gracie was on her feet ready to grab a baseball bat and start swinging when an ear-splitting report filled the air and brought everyone to a halt.
They all swung around to find the source of the gunshot—there was no doubt that’s what they’d heard—to find Lily standing in the middle of the room with a handgun pointed straight up. The hole in the ceiling proved she’d shot the thing.
“Just. Stop,” she said. Tears streamed down her face. She was clearly distraught and in no condition to be in charge of a gun.
“Lily,” Gracie said. “Put the gun down.”
Lily turned as if seeing Gracie for the first time and swung the gun in her direction, pulling Gracie up short. Nobody had ever pointed a gun at her, and it scared the living shit out of her. She swallowed hard and tried not to faint.
“You slept with the enemy,” Lily said.
Gracie held her hands up in front of her, hoping to stop Lily. “Whoa, Lily, he wasn’t my enemy. He’s nobody’s enemy. He’s just a man. A good man who tried to help you. I tried to help you. I couldn’t just leave you alone. Who else ever tried to help you?”
Lily ignored her and pointed the gun at Xander. “And you. You killed Hank. You took the only thing that was ever mine.”
“Lily, sweetie,” Gracie said, taking a step closer. “Put the gun down. It won’t fix anything.”
“Leave her alone. She knows her own mind,” Prez said.
Lily’s face twisted into an ugly sneer, and she pointed the gun at Prez. “You’ve done nothing but hate. Violence is the only answer for you. When things don’t go the way you want, you start hitting. You excuse it in others and you encourage it.”
“You liked it,” Prez said, looking down the barrel of his own gun with more courage—or bravado—than Gracie would have expected.
“You mean Hank?” Lily made a slobbery, tear-filled raspberry sound. “I loved the Hank I met at the beginning. The sweet man who made me laugh. You made him hateful. He worshipped you and you infected him with hate. That’s when he started hitting me, just like you used to hit mom. I thought it was normal, and I loved him so much I couldn’t leave. Besides, where would I go? I’ve been a Ravager all my life. I don’t know how to be anything else.”
“Why would you want to?” Prez asked. “Once a Ravager, always a Ravager.”
His proud smile was his last act as an animal howl tore from Lily and she pulled the trigger.
The next day Gracie and Xander visited Lily at the jail while she awaited arraignment.
“Allison hired the best defense attorney in Houston for both of us,” Xander said. “You won’t be in here long.”
Lily patted his hand. “Thank you, but it’s okay. I’m fine with whatever happens.”
Her eyes had the glazed expression of a PTSD survivor on the edge, and Gracie didn’t like it. The best thing that could happen for Lily was psychological help, and lots of it.
“We’ll take care of you no matter what, Lily,” Gracie said, holding her sister’s other hand in a fierce grip. She didn’t like seeing Lily in an orange jumpsuit. When it came down to it, plenty of the Ravagers should be wearing prison issue, and since Xander had killed Hank, he should be too. It hurt that Lily was the only one. But the attorney had said Lily’s circumstance was different. Her crime had been one of passion, but not self-defense. The attorney could probably get her a reduced sentence given everything she’d suffered, and if all went well, maybe time served plus therapy. In the meantime, it had only been overnight.
“I know you will. I want the two of you to make me a promise and do me a favor,” Lily said.
Gracie scrunched her brows together, not liking the sound of Lily’s voice. It had too much finality in it; resignation. “What?”
“First, promise you’ll always love each other, but more importantly, promise you’ll always respect each other. Don’t let anything or anyone come between you. Your love is yours. Gracie,” Lily turned her attention to Gracie. “I can see Xander’s a good man. He loves you, and risked his own life to save you. He killed Hank, but Hank was out to kill him and his friend.”
“I didn’t mean to kill him. I don’t even remember doing it. I’m sorry it hurt you,” Xander said.
“I expect you to protect my sister and love her. Treat her like a precious gift, not like a possession,” Lily said.
Xander glanced at Gracie and the adoration she saw in his eyes made her insides melt.
“No problem there,” Xander said.
Lily smiled. “Good. Now the favor I want from you is for the two of you to raise my baby as your own.”
“What?” Gracie said. “No, Lily, you’ll do that yourself. You’ll be out in no time, and you’ll be a great mom.”
“No, I won’t. I know I’m messed up and I’m in no shape to be a mother. I don’t think I can handle the responsibility. I don’t even know who I am. I need to figure that out and heal. You’re stronger than I am, and you’ll be wonderful parents for this baby.”
Tears pooled in Gracie’s eyes. She didn’t like the idea of Lily giving up her baby, but she admired the strength it took for her to do it and maybe that strength was evidence that Lily would find courage to come back from her trauma. Certainly, a baby would be an added challenge for Lily, and the baby didn’t deserve to experience whatever struggles Lily faced.
“Yes, of course,” Gracie said. The tears slipped down her cheeks. “We’d be honored.”
She’d spoken for Xander without even thinking, but when she looked at him, he smiled his encouragement. Relief flooded through her. He was even better than she could have hoped, falling for her, looking forward to a future together, and accepting the responsibility of raising her sister’s child. She could never have asked for a better man.
THREE MONTHS LATER
Xander leaned his elbows back against the bar in the Outpost and watched Pixie mingle with their wedding guests.
Pixie wore the sexiest fucking wedding dress he’d ever seen—a white V-neck lace mini-dress thing with thigh-high white tights and gray boots. He got rock hard just looking at her.
“So, Xander’s married,” Colton said. “Another Caine bites the dust.”
“We’re dropping like flies,” Xander said. He couldn’t have been happier if he tried. Neither he nor Gracie had wanted a traditional wedding, so they’d been married at the Outpost with the Huntsmen and family in attendance. Except Damian who was deployed somewhere top secret, and Lily. She’d been admitted to a private psychiatric facility for treatment pending trial.
“You better do something about that boner before you do permanent damage,” Dude said joining him and his brothers at the bar.
“Bite me,” Xander said, grinning. Having his best friend back made his wedding day even better. Dude had required surgery and recovery time, but like Wrench had said, it took more than a coup
le stab wounds to kill that fucker.
“How’s it feel to be president of the Huntsmen?” Dude asked.
Following Mel’s and Chico’s memorial service, the club had voted unanimously to usher Xander into the vacant presidency.
“Like a lot of responsibility, but pretty damn good,” Xander said.
“Welcome to upper management,” Hunter said, offering his beer for a toast. “Let me know if you need any advice. I’ve got your back.”
“Gee, thanks, bro,” Xander said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“So which brother do you think will fall next?” Colton asked, the glitter of challenge in his eyes as he surveyed his siblings at the bar.
“It sure as hell won’t be me,” Jaxon said. “I like my life just the way it is.”
“Filled with screaming groupies fighting for their turn in your bed?” Colton asked.
“Hell yeah,” Jaxon said.
“It’s not going to be me, either,” Colton offered.
All eyes turned to Bishop, sitting quietly at the end of the bar, taking it all in. “Don’t look at me,” he said. “I don’t get out enough to meet women.”
“I vote Damian,” Jaxon said. “Because that’s going to be epic.”
Xander let his brothers’ banter wash over him, but his eyes found his wife out in the crowd and he watched her, his craving for her growing every time she laughed, smiled, spoke—basically with every movement she made.
“Excuse me gentlemen,” Xander said, draining his drink and pushing off the bar. “I’m going to go fuck my wife.”
A chorus of catcalls and various lewd, raunchy comments followed in his wake as he stalked across the room, his attention never wavering from Pixie.
He stopped in front of her, and he knew the moment she sensed his presence because she cocked her head in his direction. She’d been talking to Allison and Mrs. Riley, but when he touched her waist she turned her attention to him and suddenly all the breath left his lungs. God, she was gorgeous—that sexy short hair, her rosy cheeks, pink lips—and she was his.
Most of his blood rushed to his cock, reminding him of his purpose.
“Mrs. Caine, I need to see you in private.”
“Oh?”
Her brows came together in worry. He reached down and twined his fingers with hers, then headed toward the back of the bar, pulling her along with him.
He stopped at the office door, where everything had started for them. “After you,” he said, gesturing her inside.
Her face broke out into a huge smile. “Why Mr. Caine, you dirty dog, you.”
“You have no idea.”
He shut the door behind them, and reached for her, burying his fingers in the hair at her nape and kissing her properly for the first time that day. She tasted like lime rickey and vanilla bean wedding cupcakes. He couldn’t think of a better flavor.
She clung to him, slipping her arms under his vest and up his back. Her nails bit into his skin with a sweet sting.
“You smell amazing,” she said. “I could eat you whole.”
His cock jumped in agreement.
He turned her around and shoved her up against the door. “You’d better not be wearing anything under this dress. I need to be inside you now.”
Her devilish grin told him all he needed to know. While she held fast, worshipping his mouth to distraction, he fumbled with his belt and pants until his cock sprang out, ready to roll.
“Now, Xander,” she whispered, her voice hoarse with need.
“Condom,” he managed to choke out.
“No need, Killer,” she said, looking him in the eye. The mischievous sparkle in her eyes jacked his desire to the edge. “I’m the owner of a shiny new IUD, so no more condoms for us.”
“Best wedding gift ever,” he said.
He slid his hands up the outsides of her soft thighs and around the smooth globes of her ass. Indeed, she wore nothing under her wedding dress. Very naughty. Very nice. She hitched a knee up and hooked her foot around the back of his leg, pulling his hips in to meet hers. The tip of his cock slid into her warm folds, and they both groaned at how wonderful it felt.
He adjusted and slipped inside her, a long, glorious slide to the hilt, then stopped, holding them both there. She lifted her other leg and wrapped it around him, hooking her feet together behind him so they were as connected as two people could be.
“God, I love you, Pixie,” he said, staring into her eyes. “You’re my everything.”
“And you’re all mine.”
THE END
To Wren, Charlotte, and Anne: Thank you for your sharp eyes and spot-on suggestions and attention to detail. You helped polish the story and whip it into shape!
To the Badass Book Bitches: Thank you for all your helpful advice, your tips, your resources, and your continuing generosity of spirit.
To the Relentless Writers: Thank you for helping me with beer and bikes, and for always being there to listen to my whining and still offering your help anyway! You guys are my homies.
To Wren: Thank you for commiserating, for making me laugh, for tolerating me, and for sparking the idea that has grown into the Caine Brothers.
To Merissa: Thank you for beer and motorcycle advice.
To my family: As always, thank you for being there for me. I love you.
To my readers: Thank you for your support and for your enthusiasm for my books. I’d be nowhere without you!
Watch for DAMIAN, book three of the CAINE BROTHERS, coming in April 2016.
Watch for DEPENDING ON THE DOCTOR, book two of the NEVADA BOUNTY series, coming in February 2016.
HUNTER
By Margaret Madigan
He had a billion reasons to be happy…until he met her. Then only one reason mattered.
When Hunter Caine takes over the CEO position at his father’s multi-billion dollar real estate development company, he also inherits his father’s sexy blonde personal assistant, Allison McDowell.
Allison doesn’t appreciate being passed around like property, but when she meets Hunter, sparks fly. Sure, he’s gorgeous, but if Hunter’s anything like his misogynistic father, Allison’s ready to resign.
Hunter’s considering the purchase of a resort in Costa Rica. It’s currently a couples-only resort, so he asks Allison to go undercover with him, posing as newlyweds. Allison’s skeptical, but it’s a free trip to Costa Rica, and Hunter’s easy on the eyes, so why not?
Those sparks turn into raging hot flames as Hunter and Allison explore the resort—and each other—and discover that what happens in Costa Rica may or may not actually stay in Costa Rica.
Making it Right
By Margaret Madigan and Merissa McCain
Adrenaline junkie Nina Osborne never misses a hockey game or an MMA fight on TV. After the storage facility she owns is burglarized, one of her favorite MMA fighters, Drew “Juggernaut” Warner, shows up furious and blames her for his stuff getting stolen. When Drew returns to apologize and clean up his storage unit, Nina parlays it into a first date and burgeoning relationship, which comes with an introduction to the exhilarating world of live MMA.
Drew has no idea when he brings smart, sassy, and super-sexy Nina into his life that she’ll rock the foundations of his carefully planned-out career. But when she decides that law enforcement isn’t doing enough to solve the burglary and takes the investigation into her own hands, protecting her jeopardizes his career. The smart thing to do would be to leave her be. Problem is, while he wasn’t looking Nina took a firm grip on his heart.
Nina’s determined to make things right; however, her investigating leads to big trouble, forcing Drew to fight both inside the cage and out if he and Nina are to have any hope of a future together.
Faerie Fate
By Margaret Madigan
Holly Spencer is a 22-year-old IT major who’s ready to graduate and find her place in the world. What she really wants is a good job and a condo with a view.
But when she’s rescued twice in on
e day by a mysterious man who claims to be a fae warrior, she’s plunged into a world she grew up believing existed only in fairy tales, and is forced to run for her life from warring factions who all want her dead.
Shadow’s on a routine mission when he runs headlong into Holly—the soul mate he’d given up on ever finding. Even when she refuses to believe they’re meant for each other, he fights to protect her from the very thing that brought them together, even when it means making a dangerous deal with Fate to save her life.
Gambling on the Outlaw
By Margaret Madigan
He’s gambled everything…except his heart.
Beth Caldwell is no man’s property. A gambler’s widow with a willful, independent streak, she’s already courting trouble after rejecting an offer of marriage from a foul-tempered and land-hungry cattle baron. But when Beth discovers a handsome outlaw hiding in her barn, she lands in a whole new heap of trouble…
Isaac Collins survived the Civil War only to find himself scapegoated for stagecoach robbery and murder. With nothing left to lose, he gambled everything on revenge and barely escaped with his life. Now he’s relying on the kindness of a fierce, strong-willed woman…and God help him if there isn’t something both sweet and forbidden simmering between them.
But Beth’s rejected suitor is no gentleman. He’ll do whatever it takes to get her land. And in Nevada, sometimes everything can ride on one high-stakes game of chance.
I write historical romance for Entangled Publishing and paranormal romance for Evernight Publishing. I write contemporary romance and science fiction through M&M Publishing.
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