Page 98 of Kane

Once everyone had a drink, Kane caught them up on what happened with the club. Robby made a noise of disgust and wrinkled his brow at her. “Your dad gets off scot-free? It doesn’t feel right.”

Kane shrugged. “No, it doesn’t. But if it helps to know, Nathan Shaw’s death at his house has ruined him politically. He’ll never be governor of this state, and I doubt he stands a chance at re-election for mayor since David Bennett talked to the media.” The new president of the Christian Soldiers gave a tell-all interview about his ties to the mayor, obviously worried keeping it a secret could provide a healthy motivation for making him disappear. He conveniently left out any details that could incriminate himself. “Beau will be lucky if he doesn’t go to jail.”

“And your club?” Robby pressed. “They’ve all turned their back on you?”

“Frank has called me a couple of times. I think he’s willing to buck the rules, but otherwise, yeah. They’re gone.” It had been two weeks since he patched out, and from everyone else, it had been radio silence.

“I’m sorry.” Robby tapped Kane’s beer bottle with his own. “I know it’s not the same, but you know you’ve got me. We’re family, remember?”

“Yeah, man, I remember.” Kane nodded gratefully, then turned to Brick. “Speaking of family, when are you two going to make it official?”

Liv snuggled in Brick’s side. “Valentine’s Day. It’s going to be a small wedding, but it would mean the world to us if you were both there.”

“What about you two?” Robby elbowed Kane in the arm.

Amanda grinned. “Kane’s moving in this weekend. We could really use a few extra pairs of strong arms to help with the boxes.”

“Count us in.” Brick smiled.

Kane leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Not a bad little family we have here, huh, babe?”

She brushed her lips over his smooth cheek. “Not bad,” she whispered. “Not bad at all.”

EPILOGUE

Kane

Sliding into Gerry’s chair at the Slipknot felt as familiar as breathing. The old tattoo artist had given Kane every piece of ink he’d ever gotten, including the bold letters of Mandy’s name he wore on his back.

Other than his first tat, this would be the only art he wore that actually meant something.

The vinyl seat was cool against his bare back, as Gerry disinfected the skin of his left pectoral where Mandy had shaved him last night. At first, he’d considered putting the new tat on his hand, but in the end, it felt better to wear it over his heart.

They’d gone over the design last week, and the stencil was already done. The only thing left was making it a permanent part of his skin.

Mandy laced her fingers with his while Gerry worked, although the sting of the needle was barely a blip on his radar. She knew, of course. She was there for emotional support. Without her, it would be far too easy to fall back into memories that might break his heart.

Thank God for his wife. They’d quietly made it official after Brick—who went by Jonathan these days—and Olivia said theirI Do’s. There was no ceremony, just an exchange of gold bands and a justice of the peace to make it legal. Mike and Cindy grumbled about it, but in the end, they understood. Kane couldn’t live another moment without tying her to him forever. He was blessed beyond measure she felt the same way.

Still no word from anyone but Frank in the club. It was better than he’d hoped, honestly. At least he kept one of his old friends, even if he missed Cue Ball every day.

The design on his chest was simple, but Gerry was a pro and took his time. It was a couple of hours before he held up the mirror and surveyed the scorpion so like the one Scott had drawn for them months ago.

“You happy with it?” the old guy asked gruffly.

He nodded, rather than dump his emotions all over the sterile field.

Gerry bandaged him up and carried off his credit card to settle the bill.

Mandy helped him button his shirt, then fidgeted with her own small bandage fitted over the inside of her wrist. When she told him she wanted her own tattoo, she could’ve knocked him over with a feather. Once he saw the design, though, he understood.

Just like the pendant he gave her for Christmas, it was two hearts woven together with the wordsI Love YouandForeverin script underneath. It was her way of marking him on her body as he’d done for her.

It was dark outside by the time they were finished, and they were only a few feet away from her car when she grabbed his wrist. Her head was tilted back, a smile curving across her beautiful face. “Kane, look. A shooting star. Make a wish.”

He closed his eyes, but he was only playing along. There was nothing else he wanted.

All his wishes had already come true.