Sitting there with Zane behind the wheel is his 1967 jet black Mustang Shelby, in working condition. Ryder and Zane pulled all the parts they could from Ryder’s original Mustang that was destroyed in the house and rebuilt the one we had in lockup from Xander together. The last part was on backorder and would have taken months to get here. I called every place I could find, paid the money to have it overnighted, and Zane put the finishing touches on it this morning.
“Holy shit,” Ryder whispers, emotion thick in his voice.
Zane steps out, walking around to lean casually against the passenger side door. “Surprise, Love,” Zane says gruffly. Ryder, Zane, and Holden are still going strong, even stronger now that nothing is standing in our way. Ryder rushes over and jerks Zane into a bear hug. “You need to thank the missus,” Zane says but hugs Ryder back just as tight. Zane worked tirelessly every chance he got to rebuild this car with Ryder; it was their alone time together.
Ryder whirls around. “You did this?”
I shrug. “I just made some calls.”
“That’s my car,” Ryder says in awe, pulling me into his chest. “I love you so fucking much,Il mio sole.”
“I love you too.”
I pull back when I hear Gage’s new Range Rover pull up, parking beside the car. Gage gets out with a grin. “That car is fucking sick.”
“Come on,” Ryder says, pulling my hand toward the car.
I shake my head and stop when we’re at the door. “Go withZane,” I say, making him frown. “This is your thing with him, and I have something else to do.” I kiss his cheek. “Now. Go. Shoo.”
Ryder’s smile lights up his face. “I love you,” he says, walking backward toward the driver’s side.
“I love you too.”
Ryder slides into the driver’s seat, looking hot as hell. Zane kisses me. “Did you see how happy he is?” he whispers.
“You did that,Tesoro.” I kiss him. “Now go play.”
Zane grins and slides into the passenger seat. Ryder smoothly backs out and, with a rev of the engine, peels out, leaving a trail of rubber on the road. With a shake of my head, I listen to the roar of the engine fade away.
Nerves are settling in again for the next surprise. This one could go one of two ways.
“Hey, Pretty girl,” Gage greets, kissing me slowly. “Everything ready for part two?” he whispers in my ear.
I nod. “I just got confirmation from Ghost.”
“Let’s go to the house, then.”
I jump in my new BMW and follow behind them to the house. Most of the cars have been replaced by now except Gage’s Bugatti. I guess he didn’t want to pay that for a car twice.
Pulling up to the gate, the guard hits the button to let us in. Zane interrogated every guard after everything settled after Jay. And anyone they thought was guilty, he and Ryder took care of them.
Gage swings around the loop in the driveway while I pull into the garage. Holden walks in with furrowed brows when I’m stepping out. “He kicked me out and then drove off.”
I laugh. “He could have done it nicer, but your surprise is next.” I take a deep breath and take his hands. “At any point, you don’t want to do this, you tell me. Okay?”
“Okay,” he says slowly. “What’s this about?”
“Do you trust me?”
“With my life, Bright eyes,” he answers automatically.
Taking one of his hands. “Follow me,” I say.
I slide the metal cabinet out of the way, scanning my way into the hidden chamber I made sure we had built again. I lead Holdendown the hallway, my hands a sweaty mess. I have no idea how he’s going to take this. I scan into the last door. “Remember what I said. You don’t like this, tell me,” I remind him before shoving the door open.
Hanging in the middle of the room is Holden’s piece of shit uncle, Winston, the one I vowed to take care of. Ghost flew to Texas yesterday and returned to California with him this morning.
“Is that…” Holden trails off when we step in front of an unconscious Winston.
