Page 161 of Rose
“I was a horrible father to him,” Saint continued, “but I know he’ll be anamazinghusband to you. After everything you’ve been through, you’re strong... resilient. Beautiful, too. I hope next time we meet, it’s under better circumstances, maybe even get a chance to really connect.”
Ahzii smiled warmly. “Thank you, Mr. Carter. And I am serious about your son. Your wife wasn’t completely wrong—hedidsave me... but not out of pity. He saved methrough love.”
Saint’s eyes glimmered with a mixture of pride and guilt.
“Call me Saint,” he said. “I’m gonna let y’all go—Marley’s probably in there chewing your mama out right now.”
They all chuckled lightly.
“You two have a good night.”
Savior opened the car door for Ahzii, helping her in before circling around to the driver’s side. He sat for a moment, engine off, staring out the windshield.
“Sav,” Ahzii said gently, watching him. “Talk to me. How are you feeling?”
He finally looked at her, a slow exhale escaping his chest. “Relieved.”
She smiled, reaching for his hand.
“Your mom’s gonna come around,” she said softly. “Just like your pops.”
Savior let out a small laugh. “That shit still shocks the hell outta me.”
He paused, then added, “But even if she doesn’t? That don’t change shit.”
He leaned over and kissed her, slow and sure.
“I’ll kill to see this allure.”
Her smile widened against his lips. “You better.”
And with that, they pulled off into the night—heading back to Savior’s place.
The place that had slowly, and quietly, becomehome.For both of them.
And Ace too.
Chapter 16
The Miami night buzzed with life, but it was the crowd outside the building on the corner that pulled him in like gravity.
William had just left the bar, planning to head home, lay low, disappear back into the shadows like he always did. But the music—deep, pulsing, alive—spilled into the street, and the energy vibrated through him.
He told himself to keep moving. He had to keep a low profile. It had been a year since the Evermore incident, and while the world thought he was dead, he was very much alive, and very wanted. But nobody could find him in Miami. Not after he’d erased his past. New name. New face. New history, courtesy of his tech genius. He’d forged every document down to the barcode. He was a ghost.
And for the first time in a long time, his past wasn’t chasing him.
Still, something about the place tugged at him. A need he couldn’t name.
He followed the sound to a shop called The Escape Room. The name alone felt like a message from the universe. People danced outside, laughed, flirted, admired canvases propped against the walls. It wasn’t just a tattoo shop—it was a vibe. Art. Ink. Escape. All of it bleeding into the night air.
William nodded at the security posted at the entrance. The man gave a subtle nod back and let him through.
Inside, the energy wrapped around him like smoke—heavy with music, creativity, and something else… freedom.
“Welcome to The Escape Room,” a caramel-toned woman greeted him from behind the front desk, her tone professional but warm. “Enjoy the art, maybe buy a piece. If you’re here to get tatted, just sign this form, and I’ll get you to the next available artist. Tattoos and piercings are half-off if you put in an offer for any art you see. If not, no pressure—just vibe, eat, and let us help be your escape.”
Your escape.
