Page 117 of Property of Bones

“You sure?” Spike asks, voice low and deadly calm.

I finally turn, a grin spreading across my face. One that feels more like a snarl.

“Without a single fucking doubt.”

“Is he still alive?” Tank growls, his rage barely contained.

When we need answers, I’m the first one to step in. Once I’ve carved out what we need, the others get their turn. Tank’s usually last because he never holds back. But after everything, I think he’s earned the right to finish this. Hell, I think he needs it.

He may not have claimed Abby yet, but we all know where his heart lies.

“He’s all yours, brother,” I say, jerking my chin toward the door. “Skip is in there demonstrating how to use a bone saw, but he knows to keep him alive. There’s also a shot of adrenaline prepped and ready.”

Without a word, Tank strides into the room to finish what I started.

“Damián Cortez, huh?” Spike mutters. “I’ll have Foster dig into him. Learn everything there is to know.”

“Already ahead of you,” I say. “But from what I gathered, Max was right. Cortez deals in skin and he wants to run his operation from our desert.”

“That’s not fucking happening,” Maverick growls from the top of the steps. “I’ll have my people dig into him.”

“You have people?” Skip asks as he walks into the room covered in blood. Stepping aside, I let him have the sink. “I thought we were your people.”

“There are many things I have,” Maverick replies, smiling like the damn mystery he is. “How did you get blood on your ass?”

“Talent, my mysterious friend.”

I shift gears. “Sunny and I are getting married,” I say. “As soon as she’s healed.”

“Fuck yeah,” Skip cheers.

“Congrats, brother,” Spike adds.

“Cough it up,” Knuckles says, holding out a hand to Crusher. The big man scowls and slaps a twenty into it.

“You couldn’t wait one more month?” Crusher mutters.

“I’d marry her today if I could,” I admit. “But I’m not ready to let her outside the compound just yet.”

“I can marry you,” Maverick offers casually.

“Sorry, brother,” Skip grins, drying his hands and face. “He’s taken.”

“Fucker,” Maverick laughs. “No, really. I got ordained three years ago to officiate my sister’s wedding. We could have it here, inside the compound. That way, Sunny doesn’t have to go anywhere.”

I blink. “You can actually do that?”

Maverick nods. “Absolutely. We’ll invite her family, her friends…make it special. We can even go to her right now and do it.”

“As much as I’d love that,” I say, shaking my head, “I’ll wait until she can move without pain. She deserves the wedding she’s always wanted.”

“She’ll get it,” Spike says with a smile. “Riley and Abby will want to help her plan it, no doubt.”

“Club-wide celebration,” Knuckles adds. “Bring some light back into this place.”

And not for the first time since meeting her, I let myself imagine what forever looks like…with Sunny by my side.

***Sunny***

---