Ash smiles a beautiful smile. “Thank you is the only thing we can give you, but you deserve so much more.”

My lip quivers, but I nod.

“How’re you doin’, sweetheart?” Krypt asks.

“I killed someone. It’s not easy.”

He nods. “Know the feelin’. This advice, it might not help you, but it might make it clearer in your head. Do you think, even for a second, that he wouldn’t have taken your life if given the chance?”

I shake my head. “No, but it doesn’t make it better.”

“Bad people are bad people, Jay. If he didn’t do it to you, he would have found another way. Maybe through Mack, maybe through Diesel. You saved more than yourself by killin’ that man. Feel it, mourn it—move on from it. Life is hard, shit goes down, and you can either let it defeat you or you can stand and fuckin’ fight. You, sweetheart—you’ve got somethin’ worth fighting for.”

I smile at him, my lip still trembling. I reach out and take his hand; he lets me. I squeeze it and then turn to Mack, who’s holding Diesel. His eyes are soft and on mine, and I know in that moment that Krypt is right. I have so much to fight for.

And I’m going to make sure I keep fighting for it.

No matter what.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

TWO MONTHS LATER

“Mack is going to go bananas, knowing we’re here and he doesn’t know about it,” Santana squeals happily as we approach the massive, and I mean massive home.

“I owe it to Marcus to say thanks. It’s been a crazy few months, but now it’s time,” I say, slipping out of the car.

“Do you think we’ll get to meet his wife?” Ash asks rubbing her rounding belly as she climbs out, too.

“Oh, I hope so,” I say, tying my hair up and walking towards the gates.

“This place is huge!” Santana gasps, gazing at the massive home.

“Marcus must be loaded.”

I press the intercom, leaning in.

“Hello?” a feminine voice says.

“Hi, we’re here to see Marcus.”

Silence.

“And you are?”

“Friends of his. I’m Mack’s, um, girlfriend.”

“Oh,” she squeals happily, making me leap backwards. “Buzzing you in.”

Suddenly the big gate slides open. Santana shoots me a look, and I shrug. We all walk in, up the large driveway that circles a huge water fountain, and up to the front door. We don’t even get the chance to knock before one of the most stunning women I’ve ever seen appears. Her eyes are bright, she’s got a massive smile on her face, and I can’t help but feel that she’s friendly.

She’s got the most dazzling green eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re as deep and beautiful as emeralds. Her skin is a gorgeous olive, and her hair is silky, blond and thick, flowing around her waist. She’s tiny, though, like a little fairy. She bounces up and down as she takes us in, her face happy. “I’m Katia, Marcus’s wife.”

Damn, Marcus picked a gorgeous woman. Not that that surprises me, considering he’s a freaking stunner himself.

“Hey Katia,” I say first. “I’m Jaylah. This is Santana and Ash.”

She waves, flashing that beautiful smile again.

“Come in. Marcus is on the phone, but I’ll get him for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Can I get you a drink?”

“I’d love one,” Santana says.

“Me too, please. Being pregnant is a bitch,” Ash adds.

Katia laughs. “Well, you’re beautiful pregnant women.”

We all grin and follow her through the house. It’s a big, beautiful house. Damn, she has it good. She steps into a large kitchen and works the coffee machine like a pro. She gives us all cold water while the coffee brews. Then she turns and says in a soft, friendly voice, “I’ll get Marcus.”

“Thank you.”

She disappears, and I turn to the girls. “She’s so pretty!”

“Oh my God, right?” Ash grumbles. “Damn, she’s making me feel like a budda.”

We all laugh.

“You’re gorgeous,” I say.

“Like you can talk,” Santana says to Ash, rubbing her belly. “If you’re a budda, what am I?”

We’re all giggling when Katia enters the room again. “He won’t be long.”

I smile at her, and she continues with her coffee.

“So,” she says. “Tell me what it’s like being a biker babe?”

Santana giggles. “Biker babe?”

“Yeah, I’ve seen those guys. You girls get to ride around on their bikes and give them the nasty, too. Right?”

The nasty. At that I burst out laughing. I like Katia. She’s my kind of girl.

“The nasty?” Ash giggles.

“You know.” Katia leans in close. “Spank the bacon.”

Now we all laugh so hard we double over.

“Not sure I’d call it spanking the bacon, but it is great.” I giggle hysterically.

“Katia.”

We hear Marcus’s voice, and all of us straighten and turn. Holy mother of hotness, I swear that man gets better each time I see him. His eyes flick to his wife, and there’s something in them, something I can’t quite read. He steps closer, and I watch as she stares up at him, love and admiration in her face. She adores him. I turn my gaze back to him, and his face is dark, closed off and so very . . . dangerous.