The baby starts fussing in my arms and immediately I glance down at him. As I rock him against my chest, I think about that conversation Lee and I had about children. He had asked me if I found a man who loved my children but wanted one of his own, if I’d be willing to have another baby. At the time the idea seemed ridiculous, but now not so much.
For Lee, I would.
For Lee, I’d learn to take risks again.
For Lee, I’d give this old lady thing a shot.
For Lee, I will do whatever it takes to make us work because life is so much better with him. It’s richer, fuller. Complete is what it is.
I think my kids would agree seeing as Tommy is playing poker with Linc, Stryker and Jenna. Oh my sweet little girl, Lacey gave her access to her make-up bag and now she looks twenty-one instead of thirteen. She seems to have caught the eye of Wolf’s youngest son too. Then there is my Lexi who I’m pretty sure has a crush on Deuce considering she won’t leave his side. I should mention she also is now a self-proclaimed expert in all things Bonnie and Clyde. I guess I know what we’re dressing up as this Halloween.
My kids are happy, for the first time in a long time, they’re happy. They’re safe and they’re comfortable around these people.
Another truth, so am I.
Turning back to Reina, I hand her back her son.
“Can I ask you something?” I say as she takes Daniel from me.
“Anything.”
“This property of Parrish thing…”
She laughs.
“You mean you haven’t figured it out yet?” She shakes her head. “Don’t tell Jack, he’ll be devastated.”
“It’s you. It’s everyone here,” I reply. “It’s the way you all come together in times like this.”
“We don’t only come together in times like this,” she asserts. “We celebrate too, Layla. On Sunday’s Wolf and I alternate cooking for everyone. Our kids have the best birthday parties too. Property of Parrish means you’re loved. It means you’re respected. Being in Jack’s circle means you will never go without. If there is something you need, they’ll find a way to make it happen. No one here is perfect. We’ve all had our share of misfortune, but even the misfits need a place to go.”
“Misfits,” I repeat.
“Come on,” she says, lifting her head. “Have you looked around? We’re a bunch of broken toys.”
It’s my turn to laugh. She’s right, even the broken need a home.
“Thank you,” I murmur once the laughter settles.
“No thanks needed. You’re family now,” she says, lifting her son onto her hip. “It’s time for the little guy’s nap.”
“Reina?” I call as she starts to walk away. Pausing, she glances over her shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re a fantastic first lady. Is that right? Is that what they call you?”
“They call me Sunshine.”
It’s not hard to understand why.
She’s the light in the dark.
“You hear that?” Stryker calls, lowering the television. The house goes still, everything stops and for a minute I forget to breathe.
Then I hear it too.
Pipes.
My throat closes as they draw closer and that fear I forgot returns. What if they don’t have him? What if he didn’t make it? Without realizing what I’m doing, I stand and start for the door. No one tries to stop me and I tell myself that’s a good sign. Pulling open the door, Tommy comes to my side and takes my hand. Tears fill my eyes as I squeeze him and together we step onto Wolf’s porch.
Jack, Riggs and Wolf are all I see.
I turn my head from left to right, expecting to see Lee riding down the block on his chopper but it doesn’t happen.
“Where is he?” I cry frantically.
Jack turns his back to me and that’s when I notice the van pulling up the block. It stops in front of the house and Cobra jumps out of the driver’s seat. Next, his girl, the nurse, gets out. Jack walks to the side and I watch him slide open the door.
That’s when I see him.
My hand lifts to my mouth as Jack helps him out of the van. I can tell by the way his face is distorted that he’s in pain. With Jack’s aide, he stands on his feet and lifts his head. Those light eyes meet mine and I swear his lips quirk.
This man.
God, this man.
Hurrying down the steps with Tommy following close behind me, I make my way for him. I ignore the bloodstained clothes and look past the bruises, finding the man I belong to under all the debris.
“Oh good, you’re alive,” I croak, forcing a smile. “Now I can kill you myself for scaring the shit out of me.” My words don’t pack much of a punch as tears fall from my eyes.
“That mouth,” he grunts. “You’re lucky I love you.”
The world stops turning in an instant.
They are three words.
Three words I’ve heard before, but hearing them from Lee is different. In my heart, I knew he loved me. I felt it, but now he’s confirmed it.
I’ve got a memory.
A beautiful memory.
“Give me a minute with my woman,” he tells Jack.
“Watch your back,” Jack mutters before he steps away.
“You love me,” I whisper.
“Yeah, and you love me too.”
I do.
I love him more than I ever imagined I could love someone again.
More than I ever wanted to.
“That doesn’t mean I won’t whip out my brass knuckles if you get out of line,” I tease. Lifting the back of my hand to his face, I gently caress his bruised cheek. “I’m crazy in love with you, Lee Jameson.”
The lines around his eyes pinch together as he smiles and my heart swells.
Lines that once symbolized the wear and tear of a hard life now stand for more.
They represent a man who is loved.
A man who has a full life.
A man who is determined to find the balance between his life and his club.
Those lines symbolize a man who rose from the ruins and found his way in this crazy world.
Those lines, like everything else that makes up both Pipe and Lee, are mine.
Wrapping his arm around my waist, he brings me closer. Bending his head, he presses his lips to mine gently before he turns his attention to Tommy.
“Come here, you,” he urges, extending his hand.
Tommy’s cheeks redden slightly as he inches closer. In reach, Lee grabs him and pulls him to his other side.
“You did good, kid” he whispers. “I’m proud of you.”
“I had a good teacher,” Tommy mutters as Lee presses a kiss to his head.
That will never get old for me.
“Where are my girls?”
“Lee,” Lexi squeals behind me. Turning around, I spot her perched high on Wolf’s shoulders. “Put me down, Uncle Wolf.”
“Uncle Wolf?” I ask, raising an eyebrow as I wipe away my tears.
“Yeah,” Wolf mutters. “That okay with you?”
“It’s more than okay with me,” I assure him as he sets Lexi down. “Careful,” I warn, grabbing her arms as she lunges for Lee. “He’s got a booboo.”
“C’mere half-pint,” he encourages, holding out his hand.
“Guess what I’m going to be for Halloween?”
“A unicorn.”
“No, that’s lame. I’m going to be Bonnie!”
“As in Bonnie and Clyde?”
“Yep, and when we go home can we redo my room?”
I laugh as Lee looks up at me. Shrugging my shoulders, I smile and watch him divert his eyes behind me. They go wide in an instant and I cringe.
“What the fuck is all over her face?”
“Don’t make a big deal of it,” I tell him. “It’s just make-up.”
“Wipe it off,” he growls as Jenna runs down the walkway with a smile. Keeping my eyes on Lee, I watch his features soften as she goes to hug him. Surrounded by my children
, he looks complete.
He looks like a man who loves and is loved.
Truth, your story isn’t over because one chapter ended.
Turn the page, take the risk and remember Lee when you find your will.
Remember me.
Remember our story.
The End…for now.
About the Author
Janine Infante Bosco lives in New York, she has always loved reading and writing. When she was thirteen, she began to write her own stories and her passion for writing took off as the years went on. At eighteen, she even wrote a full screenplay with dreams of one day becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Janine writes emotionally charged novels with an emphasis on family bonds, strong willed female characters, and alpha male men who will do anything for the women they love. She loves to interact with fans and fellow avid romance readers like herself.
Janine loves interacting with fans feel free to contact her on any of her social media sites.
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janine-Infante-Bosco-Author/491551810973318?fref=ts
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Website: http://www.janineinfantebosco.com/
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Other Books by Janine Infante Bosco
The Tempted Series: *all can be read as standalone*
Illicit Temptations (Book One) – Michael & Nikki
Forbidden Temptations (Book Two) – Anthony & Adrianna
Uncontrollable Temptations (Book Three) – Jack & Reina
Reckless Temptations (Book Four) – Riggs & Lauren
Lethal Temptations (Book Five) – Blackie & Lacey
The Nomad Series: *all can be read as standalone*
Drifter (Book One) – Stryker & Gina
Wanderer (Book Two) – Cobra & Celeste
Roamer (Book Three) – Deuce & Ally
Loner (Book Four) – Linc (coming in 2018)
Satan’s Knights novel: can be read as standalone
From the Ruins – Pipe & Layla
The Riverdale Series: *should be read in series order*
Pieces – Book One
Broken Pieces – Book Two
Fitting the Pieces – Book Three
Jake’s Journal (Book 3.5) novella – companion to the series.
From the Ruins Page 32