Page 102 of Duke

“SHANNA WE GOTTA GO GIRL. Get a move on!”

“Okay! Wait one minute. I would’ve been ready if you didn’t go all caveman carrying me back to bed!”

“It’s your fault for wearing those daisy dukes. I haven’t seen you in those since that night we fucked while the band played.”

Laughing, I come down the stairs with my overnight bag. It’s Meat’s sixtieth birthday. Duke and the boys planned a surprise party for him in Springdale. They even hired a private van to transport Pops, and I can’t wait to see him.

Duke sold his shop shortly after I came to stay with him forever. We moved to Malibu permanently but fly up to Oregon to see Pops at least once a month. I kept the house in Springdale but have been so busy starting my new life I’ve haven’t gone home much.

It’s been a year of new adventures better than any dream I ever had.

Duke is still Prez of the MC for now, but wants Will to take over. I got a job in Santa Monica at a marketing agency for hotels and restaurants. I don’t need to work, but it’s a part of who I am. I need it.

Duke opened another chop shop in Venice Beach. We both keep our lives full not depending on one another for everything. It keeps us strong.

Duke takes my bag, loading it in the back of his truck.

“We’re not taking the new Hesketh?”

My man just dropped sixty thousand on his new ride.

“Nah. It might get cold tonight.”

“Yeah. I forget how chilly early spring can be in Springdale.”

“Didn’t take you long to become a California Girl.”

“No, it didn’t.”

We spent the past few days in San Francisco. Duke had to wrap up some club stuff. He took me to wine country, bought himself a new toy, and made love to me every night. The fire still burns hotter than before. The more sex we have, the more we need.

My head falls on his shoulder as he drives north. One arm comes around me and I feel his lips in my hair. “My angel. I love you so much. Forever.”

“Love you too,” I murmur falling asleep.

“Shanna. Wake up baby girl we’re here.”

Confused I think I’m still lost in the fog of sleep.

He parked in a lot I’ve walked through a million times. The building looks the same but newer. But the sign doesn’t say Stan’s.

Above the log cabin styled bar glowing in red are the wordsThe Sassy Wench Tavern & Grill.

My hands jerk the handle of the door open. I jump down from the cab with my mouth hanging open. String lights hang from eave to eave. Twinkle lights wink at me from four cherry trees in bloom, lining the cobblestone path to the front door.

It’s beautiful, too beautiful for words.

“Duke? What did you do?”

“Come on.” He takes my hand leading me inside.

“Surprise!”

My feet stick in shock as I see the beloved faces crowding the room. Tina, Federico, Pops, Meat, and all my regulars.

Tears stream down my face when I look up seeing the two huge pictures hanging on the wall. It’s the ones he saved from the fire, blown up and framed.

Welcome home Shanna! Happy Birthday, Meat!Reads two banners hanging above the bar.

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