Page 105 of Rampage

Her breathing deepens, her body relaxing completely against mine as she drifts off to sleep. I lie awake longer, watching the moonlight paint silver patterns across her skin, memorizing every detail of this moment.

My fiancée. My future wife. The thought fills me with a fierce, protective joy that burns away the last shadows of the day's violence. Whatever darkness I carried out of that basement, Lily's light has transformed it into something else—something like peace.

Tomorrow, we'll face the world again. We'll plan a wedding, prepare for Eleanor's second visit, continue building the life we both deserve. But tonight, in this quiet sanctuary, holding the woman who fought her way back to me, I allow myself to be grateful.

For second chances. For new beginnings. For the love that saved us both.

I press one final kiss to her forehead before closing my eyes, following her into dreams where no shadows can reach us.

"I love you, Lily," I whisper into the darkness. "More than my life."

eighteen

One Month Later

Lily

"A little higher on the left," I direct, watching as Reid adjusts the Grand Opening banner above Sweet Beginnings's front door. The cheerful blue lettering matches the fresh paint on the bakery's trim, making the entire storefront look bright and inviting.

"Is that better?" Reid asks, securing the corner with one final tack.

"Perfect." I beam up at him as he descends the ladder. His strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, and he rests his chin on my shoulder, both of us admiring our handiwork.

"I can't believe today's finally here," I say, leaning back into his solid warmth. "Part of me still expects to wake up and find out this was all a dream."

"Not a dream," Reid murmurs, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot below my ear. "You earned this, every bit of it."

The bakery is unrecognizable from the crime scene it had been just weeks ago. Fresh paint, new display cases, and the gleaming equipment Mrs. Winters helped me select have transformed the space into something uniquely mine. The walls are a soft butter yellow, the trim crisp white with accents in that signature blue that's become my brand. Photos of my creations—cupcakes, pastries, artisan breads—line the walls, professionally shot by Meadow's photographer friend.

"Come on," Reid says, taking my hand. "Let's make sure everything's ready inside before the horde descends."

The interior smells of vanilla and cinnamon. I've been baking since four this morning, determined that everything be perfect for the grand opening. Display cases gleam with colorful macarons, delicate pastries, and my signature "Sweet Beginnings" cupcakes, vanilla bean cake with lavender honey frosting.

"It's beautiful, Lily," Reid says, his voice soft with pride as he takes in the fruits of my labor. "You've created something special here."

The bell above the door chimes, and Eleanor enters, her elegant figure silhouetted against the morning light. She arrived three days ago from Seattle, staying in a suite at the town's nicest hotel despite my insistence she could stay with us.

"Darling, it's magnificent," she exclaims, crossing the room to embrace me. She smells of expensive perfume and that indefinable quality I've come to associate with her—safety, perhaps. Family. "I knew you could do it."

Behind her, Mason and Meadow enter, carrying elaborate flower arrangements. "Delivery for the bakery queen," Mason announces with a theatrical bow.

"These are gorgeous," I gasp, admiring the blue hydrangeas and white roses. "You shouldn't have."

"Club contribution," Meadow explains with a wink. "Everyone wanted to do something."

More footsteps sound on the sidewalk, and suddenly the small bakery is filled with people—Lane and his wife, Christopher and his girlfriend, Reid's father and siblings, Greyson and his father from the Devil Souls, and a dozen other club members, all arriving with gifts and hugs and proud smiles.

I remember my old friend, Jeremy. He has tried to text and apologize. I accepted his apology, but I don’t have any room in my life for anything but peace. I want to leave all of that behind me.

Mrs. Winters makes her way through the crowd, her plump face beaming as she takes in every detail of the transformed bakery. She clutches my hands in hers, eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Oh, Lily," she exclaims, squeezing my fingers. "I always knew you had the talent, but this—" She gestures around the bustling space. "—this exceeds even my highest hopes."

She steps back, studying me with a knowing smile. Her gaze drops to the simple diamond ring on my left hand, then back to my face, which is fuller and more vibrant than it's been in months.

"Marriage certainly suits you, my dear," she says, her voice warm with approval. "There's a glow about you I've never seen before. Happiness becomes you."

Heat rises to my cheeks as Reid appears at my side, his arm slipping naturally around my waist. "It's all her," he tells Mrs. Winters, pride evident in his voice. "I just carried boxes and hammered nails where she pointed."

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