I laugh again, and even though it’s been a while since I’ve hung out here, at the Devil’s Creed compound, one thing hasn’t changed. I still feel instantly comfortable in this man’s company.
“Thank you, Angel. For everything. You put a lot on the line to help me and Lucca, and we’ll never forget that.”
He finishes his beer and throws the empty bottle into the recycling can by the door. “Keep giving us those discounts at the casino and the bars and we’re all yours, kiddo.” His eyes lock on mine. “Whenever you need us.”
~~~
Lucca’s hand slides into mine as we walk into the huge function room filled with business associates, friends, and those staff members who are able to make it tonight to help us celebrate the opening of The Orchid Resort.
“The casino’s doing great business,” Lucca says as we head to the free bar. “And according to the front desk we’re already at full room capacity for the summer and well into fall.”
“It’s a beautiful hotel. I’m not in the least bit surprised.”
He looks at me, and he smiles. A beautiful smile that reaches his ice-blue eyes, and I feel my stomach dip and dive for all the right reasons, I love this man so much.
“We wanted a normal, ordinary life, Lucca. Do you think that’s what we have? Here?”
He frowns as he reaches for a shot of tequila. “I think we’ve made sure that that’s what we have. Don’t you…? Are you having second thoughts, about us coming back here? Because if you are…”
“I’m not. Lucca, I’m not.”
“You sure?”
I squeeze his hand and kiss his mouth and I know that coming back here, it was the right thing to do. This is our empire now. Mine, and his. Javier’s legacy is no more, all of the Delgado cartel’s clients and associates have defected back to the Pino family, who are trying to rise from the ashes of Javier’s death; capitalize on anything they can in order to rebuild their business, and they’re welcome to it. I don’t want to go back there, I’m happy now. I’m not sure I ever really was before.
“I’m sure.” I smile and he snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me against him, and as his body touches mine I hear all those clichéd violins playing; feel my heart dance around in my chest, I’m ridiculously, stupidly happy. Crazy in love with a man I thought could never be mine.
“Will you do something for me, Olivia?”
I look into his eyes as my fingers gently trace the edge of his jawline, his beard rough to the touch and I love that. I love him.
“Marry you?” I arch a brow, and he laughs, and it’s the most beautiful sound.
“Marry me,” he whispers, his mouth almost touching mine, and I close my eyes as he kisses me, and now I’m adding birds singing and fireworks flying off in a million different directions to that list of clichés. “Mi reina.”
My old life feels a million miles away despite being back in the same town. It doesn’t matter. It isn’t where you are that changes everything, it’s who you’re with. And I’m now with a man who loves me for everything I am, not everything he wants me to be. A beautiful, dangerous man…
The End
About the Author
Michelle Betham is an ex-media technician turned author of sexy, edgy, gritty romance, usually involving rock stars, DJs, sports stars, hot businessmen, and bikers. But not usually all in the same book. Yet. She is both self-published and published through One More Chapter, a digital division of HarperCollins UK.
Addicted to binge-watching TV shows she struggles to think of a life before Netflix or Amazon Prime, loves music, tattoos – of which she has many – spicy food, superheroes (she’s a slightly obsessed Avengers fan-girl who harbors a particularly unhealthy obsession with Captain America), and Keanu Reeves – a crush that’s lasted well over twenty years, and one she blames entirely on ‘Point Break’. The original. She refuses to acknowledge any remake exists.
Her dream is to ride a Harley, visit Las Vegas, and be able to eat any amount of chocolate without putting on weight.
She lives in County Durham, north-east England, with her husband and adorable West Highland Terrier, where she can be found most days drinking tea and making up stories.
Michelle has also written a psychological thriller – ‘The Wife’ – under the name ML Roberts, published by One More Chapter.
Also by Michelle Betham
Titles published through One More Chapter (A division of HarperCollins UK)
Striker – The Striker Trilogy Book #1
Extra Time – The Striker Trilogy Book #2
Final Score – The Striker Trilogy Book #3
The First Christmas Without You
Shirley Valentine Goes to Vegas
Writing as ML Roberts for One More Chapter
To Have and to Hold (The Wife – Part One)
For Better, For Worse (The Wife – Part Two)
In Sickness and in Health (The Wife – Part Three)
Till Death Do Us Part (The Wife – Part Four)
The Wife – The complete ebook and paperback.
Self-Published titles
No Matter What (All that Glitters… Book #1)
Illusions of Love (All that Glitters… Book #2)
Too Much Trouble In Paradise
Bon Voyage
See You At The Show (A rock star romance)
Unbreakable
Revolution – The Lone Riders M/C Series Book #1
Retribution – The Lone Riders M/C Series Book #2
Resurrection – The Lone Riders M/C Series Book #3
Allure – The Forbidden Series Book #1
Obsession – The Forbidden Series Book #2
Surrender – The Forbidden Series Book #3
Broken – Soldiers of Darkness M/C Series Book #1
Betrayed – Soldiers of Darkness M/C Series Book #2
Bound – Soldiers of Darkness M/C Book #3
Lawfully His – The Dirty Business Series #1
Willfully Hers – The Dirty Business Series #2
Breathe Into Me (An emotional, sexy Hollywood Romance)
Protection (A Death Knights MC Novel)
Tainted Love
Wicked Game
Second Chance Summer
Reckless (A Red Hot Rockstar Romance)
This Christmas, In Stockholm (A Christmas Novella)
Before Today (Superstar DJ Series Book #1)
Are You With Me (Superstar DJ Series Book #2)
Contact Michelle
Keep up-to-date with what Michelle’s up to over on her blog: bit.ly/1Gz1d5w
Or check out her website: michellebetham.co.uk
You can also keep up-to-date with all the news on her books over on her
Facebook author page - on.fb.me/1M5w76G
Or connect with her on on.fb.me/1wunXmC
Follow her on Twitter at bit.ly/185oeRk @michellebetham
Find her on Instagram - michellebethamauthor
And over on Pinterest at https://uk.pinterest.com/writerchelle/
And all of Michelle’s books can be found over on Amazon - amzn.to/1DcmEqt
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