Page 108 of Hart of Vengeance
“Jade, do me a favor?” His tone was a plea, or maybe I was imagining things. The Duke I knew would never plead with anyone. “Take care of Denim.” He sounded like he wouldn’t see Denim again.
My heart splintered. “Without a doubt.” I hooked my arm in his. “Shall we?”
He stiffened as though he didn’t want to go in.
“I got you,” I said. “So do your brothers.” Tears began to flow down my cheeks.
Duke sighed then closed his hand over the one I had on his arm.
As we walked to our seats, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Duke. He was in too deep with the cartel, and according to Denim, there were only two ways out—prison or a body bag.
More tears began to spill as I eyed the coffin. Soft music floated from the overhead speakers, and heads turned.
I nodded at Kelton and at the others who were there to pay their respects.
Once we were seated in the front row, and I was sandwiched in between Duke and Denim, I slumped my shoulders, exhaling.
Denim entwined his fingers with mine. “You okay?”
I squeezed his hand. “I love you,” I whispered. I couldn’t begin to describe how I was feeling except protected and loved.
He leaned closer to my ear. “Ditto, angel.”
We were starting anew, and after the funeral, I had to focus on Denim and me. We had no one and nothing standing in our way.
Tito was in prison and, according to Kelton, would be for quite some time. We had a nice place to live, and I had the one man I’d never stopped loving back in my arms. I hoped that man would one day be my husband, partner, lover, best friend, and the father of our children.
Epilogue
Denim
The holidays were never a great time of year for me. Growing up, my siblings and I didn’t get much under the Christmas tree. I’d always told myself that when I had a family one day, I would shower them with gifts galore. I wanted my kids to believe in Santa Claus. I wanted to see the excitement on their faces when they ran into the living room on Christmas morning and saw the presents under the tree. I wanted to see them tear the wrapping paper to shreds and their eyes pop wide when they finally saw what Santa had brought them.
The sun was barely up as dawn began to bleed through the dark sky. I set the shoebox I’d just wrapped under the tree. I’d gotten up early to wrap Jade’s gift. It was the first chance I had since I’d only picked it up the day before.
I was hoping she would like it. I wanted Christmas to be special for her. Since her parents had died in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, she wasn’t thrilled about celebrating, and with Savannah recently buried, it was even harder for her to get into the spirit.
I wandered into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. I still couldn’t believe Duke had given me the penthouse. Jade had put her own spin on the decor. Vases of flowers and plants were scattered about. A blanket her mom had crocheted was draped over the leather couch, and decorative square pillows were dispersed on the couch and chairs. The Christmas tree was tucked into the corner near the fireplace.
With Christmas ready to go, I snuck back into bed, careful not to wake Jade. But as soon as I slid into our king-size bed, she rolled over and immediately seated her hand on my groin.
“Merry Christmas, big guy.” Her voice was sultry and sleepy. “Where did you go?”
I turned onto my side, found her foot with mine, and rubbed. “I was playing Santa Claus.”
She slid closer to me. “The only present I want is you inside me. Or…” She licked her lips. “How about a little oral sex?”
I swallowed, and my cock instantly got hard. “How about both?”
She purred, and that was my cue.
I shed my sweatpants and was on top of her naked body in two seconds flat.
She giggled.
I shoved my cock into her in one fast thrust.
She purred again like a sweet kitten, arching her back. Her nipples were hard and ready.
