Epilogue
Jade
I never thought I’d be able to come back here. That I’d be allowed back home. Yet here I am. When I got the call, I hopped on the first plane I could find, using my real last name for the ticket. I know Ainsley will find me, but I needed a little bit of a head start. This is hard enough as it is without everyone I know getting involved. I’m going to need help at some point, but I have to be alone for tonight’s reunion, even if I’m battling emotions that I didn’t even know were there. Pulling into the parking lot, I wasn’t even sure I could get out of the rental car.
I’ve dreamed of coming back here from the time I was forced to leave. I know even though it’s safer for me now that the man who wanted me dead is gone, I’m still not completely free. There’s always someone who wants to make a name for themselves, and I’m the perfect person to help them do that. They won’t get my help, though. I may be feeling nervous, and even a little scared, but no one’s taking me down—or out—without a fight.
I take a deep breath and walk inside the gym, ignoring the peeling paint from the sign above the door that reads “Garrett’s”. That will be one of the first things I take care of. I have both the means and the motive for wanting to make this place sparkle. Well, as much as a fighting gym can sparkle, yet still be manly enough for the guys to want to come here to train. It was once a boxing gym, but since I’ve been gone they’ve expanded into MMA, and everything else.
I look around as I enter, and see all the additional work that needs to be done. I can get it done. I have to, there’s really not another option after all of the trouble I caused. A big bear of a man stops me before I get too far inside the first room.
“This isn’t a place for a girl like you.”
I smile at him. “This is the place that created me, so I think I belong here more than anyone else.”
“Jade. Oh my God. It really is you.”
I turn and run into the arms of the gray haired man who is looking like he’s seen a ghost. “I’m home, Daddy. Sullivan’s dead, and now, I’m home.”
Acknowledgements
Dominique and Gabi, I’m thanking you first again, as always!
Helen Williams, Jesse Gordon, and Ally Murphy- Thank you again for all the hard work you put in for me!
I dedicated this book to the Friends of the Society, and here are the wonderful ladies (and gentleman) who comprise my group. They listen to my ideas, give me advice, and accuse me of torturing them with sneak peeks on a daily basis!
Adylenne Ascencio, Alex Lozada, Aqeelah Ayoub, Courtney Axelrod, Cyndy DeLeon, Erin Truax, Heather McCalmont, Helen Williams, Jeanne Baldi, Jenn Valencia, Jessica Hinners, Jill Chatterton, Laura Deketelaere, Lisa Dess, Liz Tidwell, Lula Andres, Mallory Daybell, Matt Dellisola, Melissa Shank, Michelle Malone, Cel Legaspi-Mesina (aka Nickyrian), Nikki Bylina-Streets, Christina Perron, Renee Jones, Renee Kennedy, Rose Oderon, Sabrina Garrett, Samantha Boydman, Sarah Vela, Sierra Johnson, Tami Rhea, Tera Childs, Terri Lynn Jeavons, Tracy Wolff, Velvet Wehrman, and Vicki Plant.
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About the Author
Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she did. She lives in Las Vegas, where you can find her running author events and selling books at conventions when she isn’t reading, buying too many Sherlock t-shirts online or finding a place to put all of her Pop! figurines. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the country looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. The Griffin Brothers series and the Corrigan & Co. series are international best sellers, and she’s thankful to the readers who made those things happen!
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