When we step outside, we can hear the sirens of the squad cars roll up. We stand at the edge of the building, out of sight, watching as it all goes down. Jax is screaming, cussing out everyone, but he’s got cuffs on his wrists and fear in his eyes. The rest of the club scatters like cockroaches.
“What the hell just happened?”
Dean turns to me, his eyes wild and terrified. “Don’t matter. It’s over now. Fuck, this is too much. I shouldn’t have let you go in there like that. You could’ve been killed.”
I laugh, tears burning, high on pride and relief. “So could you. But we weren’t. We did it, Dean. We fucking did it. I love you, Dean Michaels.”
He pulls me into his arms, holding me close, and I let him. Breathing him in like I can’t get enough. “I love you more, Aubrey Ryan.”
And for the first time, I let myself believe we might actually be okay.
That we both could have our happily ever after.
Chapter 10
Dean
I never imagined walking backinto the Mountain View Inn would feel like coming home. Hell, I never imagined I’d feel anything but anxiousness, wondering where I was going to end up next. But with Aubrey’s hand in mine, her blonde hair a mess from running all the way back here, and for loving me like I’m worth a damn, makes everything real.
We walk through the front door, trying to look casual, knowing we look anything but.
Savannah is posted in her position behind the desk, feet up, scrolling her phone. She glances up, narrowing her eyes at us, and I see the hint of a smirk.
She pops that stupid gum she’s always chewing and grins. “Well, if it isn’t Bonnie and Clyde. You two look like you stole something.”
Aubrey snorts. “Just our dignity, but don’t worry, we left a tip.”
I manage a laugh. “Is everything good here, Savannah? No trouble?”
She shrugs, putting her feet down. “Depends, ‘Clyde.’ Are you planning on dragging any more bikers into town, or can I finally get a peaceful night’s sleep?”
There’s a hint of something in her eyes that makes me pause. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
She leans in, resting her elbows on the counter, unbothered and confident. “Let’s just say I notice things. The new faces hanging around, asking weird questions, you and Bonnie over here sneaking around like you’re in some trashy soap opera.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down. “So, I may have done a little digging. Made a couple calls. Next thing you know, Sheriff Williams comes asking if I’ve seen anything suspicious.” She grins. “And I might have pointed him in the right direction.”
Aubrey lets out an exaggerated gasp. “You’re a sneaky little shit, Savannah Foster,” she says, laughing.
“Damn right, I am.” She winks. “You can pay me in cinnamon rolls.”
I shake my head, feeling something soften in my chest. “You saved our asses, you know?”
Savannah acts nonchalant, waving it off like it’s nothing, but I see the pride. “Just don’t make me regret it.”
I look at Aubrey, and for the first time since all this mess started, I feel like I can breathe. My heart starts pounding as I just stare at her, everything hitting me all at once, the fear and moments I thought I was going to lose her.
She reaches for my hand. “Dean, are you okay?”
I let out a breath. “I will be. I mean… I think I am. Hell, I can’t believe I’m free. No more running.”
She smiles. “Well, believe it, tough guy. You’re too stubborn to give up.”
I laugh, then go quiet. “I almost lost you, Aubrey. I almost fucked everything up for good. I’ve been running so long that I forgot what it actually felt like to have something to lose.”
She wraps her arms tightly around my middle, burying her face in my chest. “You didn’t lose me. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere, Dean.”
I lean my face in her neck, breathing her in. For the first time, I let myself believe it. “I’m done running, baby. I want to be here. With you. I want to have a boring life, where we drink coffee together every morning, fight over bills, and you yelling at me for leaving my socks everywhere. I want to wake up knowing you’re next to me. I want all of it. You’re it, Aubrey. You’re home.”
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes, smiling through them. “You’re going soft on me, Dean Michaels.”
