“What were you thinking about?” Iron asked.
She made room for him in bed. Her chest ached a little, but she so happy, the pain didn’t matter. He lay on the bed next to her and reached for her hand.
“About the day I met you and how things worked out in the end.”
“It did, didn’t it? I can’t wait to officially introduce you to the club as my old lady.”
“And I can’t wait to leave the hospital.”
“Rest. Heal.” Iron kissed her cheek. Amber soon drifted off to sleep, still fingering the diamond on her engagement ring.
****
“How’s our prisoner?” Iron asked Bear, who kept watch outside the place the MC members called the “the shed.”
“Quiet after I taped his mouth,” Bear said with a chuckle.
It was an old cabin situated in the back of the clubhouse. The walls were soundproof, and it was where they took enemies and tried to get them to talk. Some of his MC brothers enjoyed the interrogation part far too much, but Iron? He liked to do things efficiently and quickly.
He was, however, particularly looking forward to this moment. Iron just left Amber half an hour ago. Two of his MC brothers were in the waiting room and they promised him no harm would come to her. In a day or two, Amber would be released. He wanted this ugly business with David over and done with.
“Before I did that, you wouldn’t believe the number of threats this bastard spewed at me,” Bear said. His friend cracked his knuckles. “You need help getting him to talk?”
“We won’t be doing a lot of talking,” Iron said. “And I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Have fun,” Bear said, opening the door for him.
Iron stepped inside the dimly lit room. There was no furniture inside. Only a hook affixed to the low ceiling. David now hung on that hook. Amber’s ex glared daggers at him. Despite his misgivings, he ripped the tape off David’s mouth.
“Who the hell are you?” David asked with a sneer. “I already told your ugly friend that once I get out of here, I’ll sue the fuck out of you guys. Every single one of you bikers won’t ever see the light of day again.”
Iron said nothing, and his silence began to unnerve David. Sweat trickled down David’s face. His MC brother left David untouched, as per his request, but Iron heard David put up quite a struggle.
“Wait. You look familiar,” David said, frowning. “You were the biker who visited Amber. How is she, by the way?”
“Alive and kicking. That’s all you need to know.” David blanched when Iron pulled out his revolver. David failed. That was the last thing Iron wanted to tell this piece of shit before wasting him.
“Wait. Let’s talk about this more. I have more money than you can ever dream of. Just let me go. Please. I don’t want to die,” David begged.
“Too late for that. If you left Amber alone and stayed where you were, none of this would have happened.”
“This was all about that bitch?” David said, panting, eyes wild. “Do you have any idea how much embarrassment and shame I endured when she left me? I had to teach her a lesson. No one messes with me and gets away with it.”
This fucker beat Amber black and blue, and his reputation was all he cared about? Iron took off the gun’s safety before he was tempted to prolong David’s suffering.
“No, wait—”
Iron aimed between his eyes and fired. David died with a plea on his lips. Amber wouldn’t need to worry about this scum ever again. He kept his gun and knocked on the door. Bear opened it, peered over his shoulder, and nodded to him in satisfaction.
“Come on,” Bear said. “I’ll help you clean up.”
“You don’t need to do that,” he said.
“I insist. Can’t keep your old lady waiting.”
“You heard about that?” Iron asked.
Bear rolled his eyes. “Everyone knew you were going to propose to her eventually. So, when’s the wedding?”
“We haven’t decided on a date yet. When Amber’s out of the hospital, then we’ll discuss our future,” Iron said.
They definitely needed a new space. Iron would move out of the clubhouse. Maybe he’d stay with Amber in her apartment for a little while, but eventually?
They’d have to get a bigger house, especially if they were planning to have little ones in the future. Amber would always look distracted and sad when she spoke about Michael, but when he asked her if she considered having more kids in the future, she seemed on board with the plan.
Bear and he got to work disposing of the body. Suffice to say, it was an unglamorous job. They wrapped the body in a sheet and put it in the back of a truck owned by the club. He didn’t make the same error Devil did. They drove the body right to the crematorium. The caretaker there was always willing to look the other way for some extra cash.
“Who was he?” the old man asked after they put the body on the table.
“Someone who liked beating women. He’s nobody,” Iron said.
The old man nodded. “You did the world a favor then.”
Was he? Maybe. Maybe not. The line between right and wrong had blurred a long time for him. David was simply collateral damage. He’d shot his old lady. There had to be consequences for that action.
Bear and he said their goodbyes outside the crematorium.
“I owe you a beer,” he told his friend.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Bear said with a nod.
Iron returned to the hospital. Chains and Tank were on guard duty. “You fellas can head on home,” Iron told them. “How’s Amber?”
“Spirited,” Chains said with a chuckle. “She even gave me her Jell-O when I asked for it.”
Iron gave him a warning look.
“Hey, I have Tanya. I’m not interested in any other woman,” Chains said with a shrug. Once the pair left, Iron returned to his spot by Amber’s bed. She opened her eyes to slits when he sat by her side.
“Hey,” she said softly. “Everything go okay?”
“Yeah.” She didn’t need to hear the details about David’s execution. All she needed to know was the fact her man got the job done. He kissed her on the cheek and gently caressed her hair. “Go back to sleep, baby. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
Epilogue
Three Months Later
“Do you take Amber to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for the rest of your lives?” the priest asked.
“I do,” Iron said without hesitation.
Amber’s heart sped up as he lifted her veil, then pressed his mouth over hers. The kiss went on forever, and she didn’t want it to end. Someone, probably Bear, let out a hoot in the background when Iron deepened the kiss. Amber clutched his wide shoulders. Her man looked good to eat in a traditional tux.
Iron had combed his hair and even had his beard trimmed. She couldn’t believe this day had finally arrived. Had it only been twelve weeks since she’d been released from her hospital? Amber never asked Iron about what happened to David. All she knew was the fact that Iron got the job done. End of story. The priest cleared his throat.
“Let’s take pictures,” Olivia insisted.
Iron and Amber parted from each other. She couldn’t wait for the wedding reception to be over so she could have him all to herself. Who was she kidding? She looked forward to the reception at the MC clubhouse. Everyone had worked tirelessly day and night in preparation for today. Olivia tugged at her arm.
“Stay over here. Perfect. Iron stand next to her,” Olivia ordered.
“Are we done? My bride and I are getting hungry,” Iron complained half an hour later.
“I think we have all the shots we need,” Olivia said. “Amber, I’ll send you a copy.”
“Thanks, Olivia.”
Amber grasped Iron’s hand as they walked down the aisle. They exited the church, and his motorcycle waited for them. It had a sign hanging on the back, painted with the words Just Married. Amber
hitched up her dress, got behind her man, and wrapped her arms around him.
The ride to the clubhouse was a short one. Amber dismounted. Iron took her hand and led her up the steps to the clubhouse. He flung the doors open.
“Congratulation on tying the knot, old man!” Chains said, punching Iron the shoulder. “Amber, you take good care of him.”
“I will,” she promised. Amber made a vow to love and cherish her husband, after all. They endured several more rounds of congratulations.
Saint closed most of the businesses the club owned for today. Even the prospects were present. Everyone who couldn’t attend the actual wedding were invited to the reception. Amber couldn’t remember the last time she laughed so hard and danced so much. Afternoon turned to night. Iron had to drag Amber away from her conversation with Olivia, Destiny, Bonnie, and Tanya, the other married old ladies in attendance.
“Where are you taking me?” she teased her new husband.
Amber very well knew he booked the finest room at the Maple Barry Inn, a charming four-star establishment located next town over. He winked at her and led her outside the clubhouse. It was easier getting on his bike this time around. Amber had changed into a comfortable pair of jeans and shirt midway through the festivities.
She hugged Iron’s waist. He started the engine and drove them to the main town area. Amber expected him to exit Redemption, but he surprised her when he entered a residential neighborhood. It was quiet here. Private. The charming houses were spread wide apart, giving the homeowners plenty of privacy.
Iron killed the engine in front of a two-story newly renovated farmhouse-style house with a wrap-around porch. This was exactly the kind of house she told him she envisioned living in. He got off the motorcycle and so did she.
“Why are we here?” she asked him, confused.
“Welcome to our new home, baby,” he said.
For a second, she couldn’t quite believe his words. Her throat felt dry. “What? You bought me a house?”
Iron told her he couldn’t afford to bring her overseas for their honeymoon, even though she told him plenty of times she didn’t need a fancy honeymoon. Amber was content right here with him. In Redemption. Home.
“I figured the apartment’s too small for you, me, and our future kids,” Iron said. He tugged her close to him. Amber rose on tiptoe and gave her new husband a kiss.
“You’re too good for me,” she whispered.
He rested his hand on her waist. “I could say the same.”
“I love you so much,” she said.
“Love you, too,” he murmured.
No matter how many times they uttered those three special words to each, she never got sick of hearing them from his lips.
“Come on, I want to see the inside of the house,” she said, tugging at his arm.
“Whoa. Hold your horses.”
Amber felt like an excited child as Iron led her to the house. He opened the front door and turned the lights on.
“So, all those nights you said you were on club business, you were actually looking for a house?” she asked him.
“That’s right,” he said. “But I swear, from here onward, I won’t be keeping any secrets from you.”
“Good.”
Iron showed her the empty rooms. The entire place was a blank canvas, one she couldn’t wait to make her own. Their last stop was the master bedroom on the second floor. It was the only room in the house with furniture. A spacious king-sized bed with fresh sheets waited for them.
Amber turned to her husband, then mounted him like a tree. Iron pressed his mouth against hers. He fumbled for the hem of her shirt then carried her to the bed. He set her down. Amber lay on her back while Iron unzipped her pants then hooked his fingers into her belt loops.
“I made a reservation at the Maple Berry Inn,” he said, tugging her jeans down slowly, leisurely.
“I know. We can head there later. I need you now.”
Iron chuckled. “Demanding wife.”
“Sweet, thoughtful husband,” she said.
Iron crawled on top of her and planted a deep kiss on her mouth. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she’d ever be this happy. Months ago, she was buried in grief. Every day had been a fight for survival. Her life went on a complete 360-degree turn the moment she met Iron. She was whole and happy, and she couldn’t wait to write the next chapter of her life with Iron.
The End
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Other Books by Winter Sloane:
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BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER
BRATVA BOSS’ BABY
Kotov Bratva, 1
Winter Sloane
Copyright © 2021
Sample Chapter
“Ava, sorry to disturb you, but Charles Green and Amanda Hill want to see you in the conference room,” Gina said.
Ava Madison looked up from her computer screen. She had to get this particular report done by noon. Oh, she knew the deadline was still in three days, but she liked being ahead of the game. She studied Gina for a few seconds.
Gina could barely contain the excitement on her face. Her eyes shone, and she wore a big smile. Both Gina and she had been hired by Green and Hill Accounting at the same time. The brunette had soon moved from co-worker to best friend.
“What do the senior partners want with me?” Ava asked.
“They didn’t say, but don’t you think it’s obvious, Ava? Today’s the day they finally promote you to Senior Accountant!” Gina beamed at her.
Ava grinned. She couldn’t help but share Gina’s enthusiasm. Ava had been working her ass off for nearly five years. Gina had been content to do the bare minimum, but Ava had always been a perfectionist. She constantly strove to push herself. All those late nights spent at the office when she could have a social life weren’t for naught.
Ava straightened the creases over her sky-blue dress. She knew she wore her lucky dress for a reason today. It was her favorite because this particular shade of blue was the same color as her eyes. It didn’t hurt the fabric hugged her curves perfectly. She slowly rose to her feet, heart thumping.
“How do I look?” Ava asked her best friend.
Gina looked at her critically, then reached out to smooth the blonde hairs sticking out of her head.
“Perfect,” Gina said. “You’ve earned this, Ava.”
Ava noticed her other work colleagues giving them curious glances. It was hard to keep a secret in the office. The cubicles in the office were small and the dividers were thin.
A senior accountant, however, had his or her own office, one surrounded by glass walls. They had their own assistants, too. The day Ava had been dreaming of had finally arrived.
“Tell me everything after,” Gina said. “We can go to Rum and Monkey tonight to celebrate.”
“Sure. My treat,” Ava said. She’d be getting a bigger salary soon after all.
Head held high and shoulders straight, she marched toward the conference room. Before entering, she looked at her feet. Ava wished she wore heels instead of the black flats she usually wore.
Then again, she never got the hang of heels. She’d probably topple over while walking. Plus, they hurt. Gina never had a problem with them. Whatever. Her physical appearance didn’t matter. Her efforts were finally being recognized. She knocked on the door.
“Come in,” came Charles’s voice.
She opened the door.
“Ava, please have a seat,” Amanda said, nodding to the empty chairs around the long conference table.
Amanda sat at the end of the table. Charles took the seat to her right. Ava pulled out a chair and sat left of Amanda. Both senior part
ners were in their early fifties but kept in shape. To Ava, the ex-husband and wife team always looked so put-together, so polished. The smile Amanda flashed her looked a little strained, fake almost. Charles kept looking at the opened file in front of him. Should that be a cause for alarm?
“Before the two of you say anything,” she began. She took a deep breath. “I accept.”
The firm always valued employees who took initiative. Ava prided herself on being a strong and confident woman. She came from nowhere, a dirt-poor mountain town, with no penny to her name. Ava was the first member of her family to go to college and get a degree. She’d gotten a practical one, because, hey. The world always needed accountants.
“Excuse me?” Charles asked. The two partners looked at each other, puzzled.
“This is a promotion, yes?” Ava’s confidence took a deep dive as the two partners offered her looks of sympathy.
Oh, no. Had Ava misread the situation? Maybe the position wasn’t hers yet. Perhaps Charles and Amanda had a few candidates in mind and were about to tell Ava she had to compete for the job.
Well, she was ready to tackle any challenge they threw at her.
“At the Christmas party, we announced the firm had to cut costs this year,” Charles said, clearing his voice.
“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.
“Ava, there’s no easy way to say this,” Amanda said. The older woman put her hand on hers. She tentatively withdrew from her touch, not liking this at all. The office called Amanda a shark behind her back. She didn’t offer anyone sympathy unless it was false. “We have to let you go.”
Those six words felt like lethal blows to her gut. Ava could hardly believe her ears.
Bending Iron (Fallen Saints MC Book 5) Page 8
