Trenton grins, so much like his father it’s startling.“Figured you guys could use some professional help for once.”
Matthew nods, more serious than his friend.“Glad we could assist.Daphne going to be okay?”
“She will be,” Xavier answers, guiding her toward my father’s truck.“Physically, at least.The rest will take time.”
I watch as he helps her into the back seat, his movements gentle but efficient.This is the man I love, capable of tenderness even in the aftermath of violence, of healing what others have broken.
“We’ll follow you to the clubhouse,” I tell my father, already moving toward my bike.“Xavier rides with me.”
He nods, closing the truck door before turning to me.“This isn’t over, son.Riggs had cousins, uncles.Word will spread.”
“Let it,” I say, the cold certainty of what must come settling in my bones.“Let them all know what happens when they target what’s mine.”
His expression shifts, approval and concern mingling in equal measure.“We’ll be ready.”
Xavier joins me at the bike, exhaustion evident in the slump of his shoulders despite his attempts to hide it.I hand him the spare helmet, watching as he secures it.Another change, the doctor who once avoided anything remotely connected to biker life now moving through our world with growing confidence.
“Ready?”I ask, swinging my leg over the seat.
He climbs on behind me, arms wrapping securely around my waist.“Take me home,” he says simply, his chest pressing against my back as he leans close.“Wherever that is, as long as you’re there.”
I start the engine, the familiar rumble vibrating through us both.Home.Once, that meant the clubhouse, the garage, wherever the Devil Souls gathered.Now it means wherever Xavier is: the apartment above the garage, the clinic, even this bike with his arms around me.
As we pull away from the shelter, the convoy of Devil Souls surrounding us like a protective shield, I make a silent vow.
No matter what comes next, no matter who targets us, I will keep him safe.This doctor who heals with the same dedication I destroy, who loves despite knowing exactly what I’m capable of.
My doctor.My Xavier.My home.
EPILOGUE
A coupleof months later
Xavier
The morning light streams through the blinds, casting stripes across the kitchen table where I’m nursing my second cup of coffee.Zach leans against the counter, scrolling through his phone with one hand while the other absently rubs circles on my shoulder.We’ve settled into a new normal with Daphne safe at a Devil Souls safehouse two counties over, the clinic reopened with enhanced security, and me…
Well, I’m about to find out what’s next for me.
My phone vibrates on the table, Janice Fletcher’s name lighting up the screen.My attorney.I take a deep breath, meeting Zach’s eyes briefly before answering.
“Hello?”
“Dr.Blane,” Janice’s crisp voice comes through.“I have excellent news.The hospital has agreed to settle.”
My heart stutters in my chest.“They have?”
“Full wrongful termination package, as we discussed.Two years’ salary, benefits continuation, and this is the good part, a formal retraction of all allegations against your professional conduct to be sent to the medical board.”
I grip the phone tighter, hardly daring to believe what I’m hearing.“They’re clearing my record?”
“Completely.”I can hear the satisfaction in her voice.“The board will receive formal notification that the hospital’s claims were without merit, and all references to the incident will be expunged from your file.”
“What changed their minds?”I ask, still stunned.The hospital had been adamant about fighting the case, insisting my treatment of Devil Souls members constituted a breach of protocol.
“Let’s just say certain members of the hospital board received some compelling evidence regarding discriminatory practices,” Janice replies carefully.“Evidence they very much didn’t want made public.”
I glance at Zach, whose expression remains carefully neutral despite the intensity in his eyes.I have a feeling I know exactly where that “compelling evidence” came from, but decide not to ask for details.
