Page 79 of Dancin' with Demons

Renegade looks at me like I’m stupid. “I never used protection with you, little love. I was kinda hopin’ this would be the outcome of that.”

My mouth drops open. “Seriously? We’re not even marri—“

Renegade slides off the couch to one knee in front of me and pulls a something from his back pocket as another round of cheers goes off around us. Holding up the box, he opens it, revealing a large, sparkling, princess-cut engagement ring. “Will you marry me?”

“Shit,” I mumble, and he laughs.

“Is that a yes, woman?”

“Uh-huh,” I say, still staring at the damn ring.

Renegade takes it out of the box and slides it onto my ring finger, and the next thing I know, something wet is splashing down on me. Renegade bursts out laughing, and we realize his brothers have shaken and popped champagne bottles, letting them spray in every damn direction.

Getting off the couch, Renegade pulls me against him and kisses me. It’s cut off when someone clears their throat, though.

Catacomb playfully pushes Renegade away and pulls me into a hug. “Congratulations, sweetheart. Sandra would be so happy for you right now.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I hug him tightly. “Thank you.”

Standing straight again, Renegade kisses the side of my head a second before Archangel brings Savior over to him.

“Hey!” Trickster’s voice rings out, and I look up to find him standing on top of the bar. Holding his beer up, his eyes land on me. “To Raylynn and Savior, two amazin’ ladies, to the couple’s engagement, and announcement of the next generation of badasses. Congrats, guys.”

The roar from the brothers is deafening and makes me laugh.

I guess Renegade was right all along. I ran because I didn’t want him to carry my pain, my demons. It turns out his demons dance perfectly with mine.

We have a long way to go together, but I can’t think of a better man to be at my side, and I know damn well there isn’t a better club to have at our backs, either.

Epilogue

Catacomb

I can’t express how fuckin’ happy I am for Renegade and Raylynn. They both deserve all the fuckin’ happiness in the world. I ain’t gonna lie, though; my fuckin’ heart hurts. Hell, my whole fuckin’ body hurts. I don’t know how many women one man can lose before he losses himself, too, and I think I’m at my fuckin’ quota.

Right after I claimed Sandra, we talked about this scenario. Not just what she should do if somethin’ happened to me, but what I should do if somethin’ happened to her. I swore nothin’ ever would, but she knew the risk of bein’ my woman. She always knew she’d be a target others might use against me, against the club. Fuck, she was stronger than I think I’ve ever been.

Now, I gotta try and hold that promise I made her— always protect the club, protect the women, do what’s right even if no one else agrees, and love again. It’s that last part that I ain’t real sure about. Not now, not ever. I made her promise the same fuckin’ thing, though.

Sighin’, I get up and head to the bar and grab a beer from Velvet before turnin’ around and scannin’ the common room as everyone enjoys their night. Despite our loss, I’m glad they’re smilin’, celebratin’ with our brother. It’s what Sandra would’ve wanted. Grinnin’ just a little, I take a swig. As I’m brinin’ my bottle down, though, I notice Pint’s short ass haulin’ it through the common room toward the front door with a huge bag over her shoulder.

She stops by Raylynn and leans down, whisperin’ in her ear. The moment Raylynn’s eyes go wide, and she shoves off the couch, I know somethin’s up. Takin’ quick steps, I close the distance across the common room in no time and step up next to Pint.

“What’s goin’ on?”

Pint glances at me, a sheen of sweat beaded across her face. “Nothin’, I just have to dip for a while. I know it’s shit timing, Cat, and I’m so sorry, but I gotta go.”

“Whoa,” I say, puttin’ my hand on her shoulder and turnin’ her toward me. “Slow down and start talkin’.”

She shakes her head, avoidin’ lookin’ directly at me. “I can’t, Cat. This is personal.”

“Pint,” I say sternly, and she shrugs my hand off.

“I can’t,” she snaps, finally bringin’ her vibrant, pale green eyes up to meet mine. “Please, Cat. I have to go.”

Sighin’, I nod as I reach into my back pocket, pullin’ my keyring out. Detachin’ the keys to my second car, I grab Pint’s hand and set them in her palm. “Take my car. I know you ain’t got one.”

Pint glances from the keys to my face, shakin’ her head as she tries to give ‘em back. “I can’t, Cat. I don’t know when I’m coming back.”

Closin’ my hand around hers with the keys still in her palm, I level her with a soft look. “Adeline, take the damn car and text me directly when you’re ready to talk about whatever the hell you’re dealin’ with. Be careful.”

She swallows hard, and I’m stunned a little when she throws her arms around my neck and hugs me. “Thank you.” Lettin’ go, she turns to Raylynn and hugs her, then Savior, before damn near joggin’ to the front door.

As soon as it closes behind her, I whistle loudly. “Geek Squad!” A second later, Hardwire and Circuit stop next to me. “Turn on the tracker in that car and tell me when she stops. I don’t know what the fuck she’s in, but I ain’t got a good feelin’, and I want to know everywhere she goes.”

“You got it, Prez,” Hardwire says before they walk away and head toward their office.

Renegade steps up next to me and sips his beer. “You think she’ll be aight?”

Takin’ a deep breath, I take a swig of my beer. “I dunno, brother. Guess we’ll find out sooner or later.”