Page 126 of Born into Mayhem
My little viper might be dangerous and unpredictable, but she’s also the bravest, most determined person I’ve ever met. She’s loyal to her core, and when she gives her heart to someone, it’s for life.
I’ll never cease to be grateful and amazed that I’m the man she chose to give it to. I don’t deserve her. I never will. But I’m hers. Every single part of me, for the rest of my life, will only ever be hers.
Epilogue
Mia
“Try and keep up,amore.”
Dario tosses me the keys to the beautiful Ducati that’s parked in the garage next to his. When we’d gotten back to America, he’d surprised me with it. He’d bought it as a wedding gift, but I know the Scrambler Sixty2 is more than just a gift—it’s a symbol of the freedom that I still have. I didn’t lose it when I saidI do,just like he’d promised me I wouldn’t. That doesn’t mean I can just leave and do whatever the hell I want. Marriage is about compromise, after all, and if that means I need to text him a quick message to let him know where I’ll be or where I’m at, then it’s a small price to pay if it means I get to be with him.
Putting my helmet on, I get on the black bike and start it up, smiling at the throaty purr of the engine. I hear Dario’s bike roar to life beside me, and when I look over, his face is concealed behind the dark helmet, but I know he’s grinning at me. There’s no use denying this bike gets me off in the best way possible, and he knows it. It’s not myfault, though. The piercing between my legs makes it impossible not to sometimes.
When he backs out of the garage, I follow him. We’ve been living at his house since coming back, and I love being so close to Nat and the kids. We get together for supper at least once a week, and my parents are thrilled to have us so close again. Now that I’m officially a part of the Bratva with the Grim Reaper tattoo to prove it, I’m going to start working with Sasha in a few weeks. Dario’s back to training me, and even though he’s as much of a hard ass as ever, I’m sticking with it and slowly getting my strength back. My wound is fully healed, and I feel stronger than ever.
I nod to the guards on duty as we pass through the iron gate, and as soon as we hit the street, I rev the engine and follow my husband into the busy traffic. Dario looks sexy as hell handling his Ducati, so I’m never without a good view when I ride behind him, but the sexiest thing about it is the way he always turns his head to look back and make sure I’m okay.
As soon as there’s room, I speed up and ride beside him, giving him a cutesy wave when he looks over. I see his helmet bob, and I know he’s laughing as we race through the next light. I’m not sure where he’s taking me, but when we get to a familiar part of town, I look back over at him, wondering if he’s taking me where I think he is. Sure enough, after a few more turns and weaving around cars, he pulls in front of Benny’s with me right behind him.
Cutting the engine and pulling my helmet off, I look over and say, “Seriously?”
He puts his helmet on his seat and walks over to me. “You didn’t really think I was going to let this go, did you?” Leaning closer, he cups my face and kisses me. “That man saw your pussy before I did, and I’ll never forgive him for it.”
“Be nice,” I warn him. “He and his wife are really sweet, and they’ve always been good to me.”
Dario gives me his sexy smile. “And that’s the only reason he’s still breathing.”
I can’t be mad at him when he’s being all possessive, because I think it’s adorable, and when I give him a big smile, he laughs and kisses me again.
“Come on,amore.Introduce me to your friends.”
As soon as we walk into the shop, Benny gives us a wave and hollers for his wife. Molly comes running out from the back, a flash of cherry-red hair before she’s giving me a big hug and squealing my name.
“It’s so good to see you again.” She keeps hugging me, and I can feel the curiosity bubbling off her.
I hug her back and then wrap my arm around Dario. “I wanted to introduce you both to my husband. This is Dario,” I say, skipping over every other detail about our marriage.
Her eyes widen when she takes in the sight of my gorgeous husband, and Benny makes a show of loudly clearing his throat.
“Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?” he asks, making her laugh.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Dario says, and I swear his Italian accent makes her swoon a bit.
She looks down at me and nudges my arm. “You are one lucky girl,” she whispers.
“I heard that,” Benny mutters, but he’s smiling while he says it. Coming out from behind the counter, he gives me a hug and then offers his hand to Dario. When Dario hesitates, Benny holds up his hands and says, “I know that look. I’m sorry, man. I swear it was professional.”
Dario studies him for a second longer while Molly lets out a laugh and Benny gives him aplease don’t beat the shit out of me because I saw your wife’s vaginalook. After a few seconds, Dario shakes his hand and Benny lets out a relieved sigh.
“You did a good job,” Dario admits. “The piercings are beautiful.”
Benny smiles, because the man takes a lot of pride in his work, and then asks, “So is this a friendly visit or are you wanting some work done?”
“I’d like a tattoo,” Dario says, surprising me.
While Benny has him sign some paperwork and they discuss a fewthings, Molly stays next to me. “I bet you’re really enjoying the hell out of that VCH piercing now.”
I laugh and feel my cheeks heat up, but she stops teasing, and when Dario takes off his shirt and gets in the chair, all my attention goes to him.
