Page 117 of At The End Of The Day

Slowly releasing him, my brows arched, I held up the envelope, speaking calmly. “Now, I’m gonna open this—”

He choked on an inhale, his chest puffing out, eyes bulging again.

“And everything is gonna be okay because Jack ain’t the daddy. That’s your acorn, Dash. Yours.”

Tucking my thumb under the flap, I ripped through the paper, only breaking our stare when I pulled the letter out. Unfolding it, my lips drew taut as I skimmed over the results. Bit by bit, I brought my focus back to his.

Dash was shuddering, his teeth clattering. “What?” he wheezed. “What does it say?”

Gradually curling my lips into a smile, the paper tucked between my index and middle finger, I flipped it around to show. “You’re the daddy.”

His eyes rolled and he exhaled the sigh that was so severe, he crumbled against the side of the table, knocking a chair away and making its legs grate the floor. His entire frame shrinking inwardly, he bowed his head and covered his face, taking long, deep breaths.

“Jesus fuck,” he whispered, rubbing a few times before raking his fingers through his hair. Locking them together at his nape, his face upturned to the ceiling, his eyelids closing, his throat constricting.

I refolded the paper and tucked it back into the envelope. Closing the distance between us, I tossed it to the table, bent over, and scattered kisses along his Adam’s apple to his ear. “That’s your acorn, baby.”

He shuddered again and moaned, embracing me tightly. “Fuck, Vin, I don’t think I’ve taken a full breath since last week. Oh, shit.”

I stood upright, petting his jawline. Grinning, I jutted my chin and motioned to the door with my head. “How about we go pick up our daughter from school early and go get some ice cream.”

He smiled and chuckled softly. “With caramel?”

“Of course.”

I winked and started to leave, but he fisted my shirt, tugging me back. His irises glossing a bit, he stretched his neck and planted a soft, lingering kiss to my mouth without closing his eyes. My heart swelled and I grew dizzy, cupping the side of his neck.

Breaking away, he whispered, “Thank you.”

My brows dipped before smoothing out with a small snicker. “For what?”

“Keeping me sane. I almost lost it so many times this last week, but you were my anchor, and…thank you.”

I dropped another quick kiss. “Ride or die, right?”

“Every day.”

One more peck and I was stepping away, going to the kitchen to retrieve his cane. “Lemme put some shoes on,” I said, handing it to him. “And we’ll head out.”

He stood by the table, tapping the stick to the floor, and watched me with an odd, hazy stare that made every nerve in my body prickle with energy.

Hurrying to the bedroom, I sat on the edge of the bed, grunting at the stab of pain for moving too fast. Carefully bending over to slip on my sneakers, I couldn’t stop grinning. Jackyl was done. There was nothing left on earth for him to control us. His reign of terror was, at last, over. Time to move forward, let him go, and heal. Piera was ours and he was dead.

Edoardo Jackson “Jackyl” Bianchi was over.

Chapter 48

Vincent da Silva

Friday 10.18.2019

It took a few days of awkwardness, but by the time the next weekend was rolling around, things were getting back to normal. Dash and I were almost moving properly without pain, the wounds were scarring over, and the gang was no longer giving us the side eye whenever we were around. They may still have issues and feel uncomfortable, but everyone was pretty much getting over it.

Sitting at my dining room table, Dash next to me, we were surrounded by Wads, Einstein, Bishop, Tinkerbell, and Johnny. My elbow on the table, I was massaging my temple, trying to fight off another headache. They seemed to be hitting every day lately. Ever since getting out the hospital, I could count on one hand where I went an entire day without the burden.

Tapping my pencil to the notepad, I was zoning out while everyone went through the little baggies, making piles. My mind kept wandering, however, and I found it very difficult to concentrate. Not exactly a stellar start to being the new leader of the Serpents.

“So, when’s Tiny coming back?” Wads asked.