Page 69 of Property of Raider
To my complete surprise, Anastasia looks calm as ever.She looks at me before turning her head to look at Auntie Lynn.“Auntie Lynn, do you remember the last game Colton pitched?How he curved the ball just before it hit the plate, scaring the batter and causing him to hit the deck.”
Auntie Lynn laughs, clapping her hands.“Oh, that was such a great pitch.I’ve always wondered if it was something he would be able to do again.”
Her eyes come back to me, and I finally get it.I turn to find Remedy smirking, rolling a small rock in his hand.Shea’s eyes are flipping between us and the group standing with Auntie Lynn.They shift around to keep Shea’s attention, allowing Remedy to do exactly what he needs.He throws the rock with precision, catching Shea right in the temple.She drops to the ground, taking Anastasia down with her just as a gunshot goes off.My heart stops as I bolt across the gravel towards them.I fall to my knees as I make it to their side, pulling Anastasia into my lap, searching her body for a gunshot wound.When I don’t find one, I cup her cheek as she grins at me.
“I knew you would make it,” she whispers, lifting her hand up to cup my cheek.
“You will pay for scaring the ever-loving shit out of me,” I growl low before slamming my mouth down on hers.
“If I had known that my dying would be what it took for you to finally get together, I might have pulled this trick a lot sooner,” Auntie Lynn giggles from above us.
Anastasia pulls away from me, bolting to her feet, and pulling Auntie Lynn into a hug as sobs rack her body.I stand as Giaco, and his men close in around us.I stick my hand out, shaking his.
“Terro said you would be making a visit.If I recall, you said you would let us know when,” I say.
Giaco lifts a shoulder.“Take this as me telling you when.What this means for you and yours is nothing changes, and business keeps going as usual.”
Anastasia pulls back from Auntie Lynn.“Why did you do it?I don’t understand.”
“I know I hurt you, my sweet girl.I had known for a while your sister was spiraling and was going to come for me.When I brought you and Rusher home, I’d hoped she would back off.When she didn’t and actually seemed to escalate, I knew I had to do something.Shea setting the fire just gave me the opportunity I needed,” Auntie Lynn tells her.“Now she is handled, and everything's going to work out exactly like it was supposed to.”
She turns, looking back at me, smiling.“Yeah, Auntie Lynn, I think you're right.”
Giaco’s men restrain Shea, getting ready to take her with them.
Blender steps forward.“She's mine.”
The men, all large and deadly in their own right, eye the man.They look to Giaco and back to Blender, waiting for someone to tell them what to do.
“We need answers,” Giaco says flatly.
“I promised he could have his way with her.She is the reason his sister is dead,” I tell him low.
“Are you telling me he cares for someone?”Giaco whistle low.
“I’m saying he cares for two people—one being Mercy and the other their baby sister.Well, the baby sister was murdered, and Shea was responsible.”
Giaco gives me a knowing smile before turning back to Blender.“I have some questions for her, and once I’ve got the answers, then I will hand-deliver the bitch to you.”
Blender stands there blinking, not saying a word, then gives a slight lift of his head before turning to go back to stand next to Mercy.
“Does that mean yes?”Giaco rumbles.
Auntie Lynn pats his arm.“For Blender, that’s as close to an agreement as you will get.”
“Now instead of us all standing around in the dark, why don’t we go back to the clubhouse and have some dinner?I’m starved, and that Charlie makes the best dinner.”Auntie Lynn loops her arm in Giaco’s arm, guiding him away from everyone.
Reaching out, I grip Anastasia's hand, guiding her to my bike.I turn her fisting my hand in her hair tilting her head back to look at me, “I got your message.You will never pull a fucking stunt like this again or I will chain you to my bed.Am I clear?”
She nods, not speaking, a fire lighting her eyes.I lean into her, nipping her ear.“When I get you alone, I’m going to enjoy strapping your ass, Tasia.You know I require the words.”
The sweetest smile spreads across her lips.“I love you, Raider.”
“I love you too, Anastasia Austin.”I kiss her hard, and we mount up, heading to the clubhouse and our son.
Epilogue
Anastasia
