It Ends Tonight (Bayou Devils MC Book 4)

by A. M. Myers

  “Rough day?” I know she’s been stressed with this gala coming up but I wish there was something I could do to help.

  She nods. “Yeah. I didn’t have very long to plan this thing so I’m being run a little ragged this week. I just need some sleep though.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes,” she answers, offering me a reassuring smile. “I’m sure.”

  “Here, let me help with that,” I say, taking the spoon from her hand and start feeding Brooklyn as Quinn digs into her food. She asks about my day as we eat and I tell her about Kayla’s case, specifically leaving out the part where she hit on me and afterward when Tate told me I was already in deep and “totally screwed”. Not like she’s one to talk. She was all about avoiding relationships when she met Kodiak and that changed pretty quickly. Besides, I still don’t know what is so bad about what they all have now.

  I used to think that there wasn’t room in my life for a relationship but meeting Quinn showed me differently and when she asked me about what I wanted in my life and I couldn’t think of anything, I was floored. Somewhere along the way I had stopped being my own person and just became my brother’s keeper - a title neither one of us wants me to have. Hell, I’m almost thirty and before she pushed me to search for answers, I had no idea what I wanted out of my life and no hope of ever discovering those answers.

  “You want to watch a movie?” Quinn asks as we clean up dinner and I nod. I’ll do just about anything to spend more time with her.

  “Yeah, that sounds good. Should we put her down first?” I ask, motioning to a very sleepy Brooklyn and Quinn shakes her head.

  “Naw, let her cuddle up with us on the couch. Besides, she can pass out anywhere.”

  Once we get dinner cleaned up, I unbuckle Brooklyn from her high chair and join Quinn in the living room as she picks out a movie. The opening credits roll and Quinn cuddles into my side as Brooklyn lays her head down on my chest and plops her thumb into her mouth as I hold her steady with my free hand. Within minutes, she’s snoring quietly on me and I nudge Quinn to show her. She doesn’t answer and when I glance down and find her sleeping against my side, a feeling of contentment and peace washes over me. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before and I realize that this right here is exactly what I want out of my life. When I’m ninety years old on my death bed, if all I ever accomplished was loving these two with all my heart, I’ll be able to smile and say I lived a damn good life.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Quinn

  “How are things looking, Ronald?” I ask as I step into the ballroom with a giant cup of coffee in my hand. People are working all around us and I survey what they’ve been able to get done since I left late last night.

  “Good. I think we’re about ready.”

  I scan the room again, nodding. “Looks really good. Thank you so much for all your hard work.”

  “No need to thank me, Quinn. Besides, I heard a little rumor that you were here until three in the morning working on all this.”

  I shrug as a traitorous yawn slips out of my mouth. “That’s just part of the job. Now, what do we still have to do?”

  “This way, please,” he says, gesturing for me to follow him as he turns to one side of the room and points out some of the bigger decorations that are still in the final stages of being assembled before we turn toward the dining area.

  “Chef Thomas has been hard at work all day and the waiters are getting the tables set up now.”

  I nod. “What about the art?”

  “Once everything else is set up, we’ll bring the auction pieces in and set them up along the outside of the room but we didn’t want to risk bringing them in with some many people still working in here.”

  “Good. Have we heard anything from the band?”

  “They should be here within the hour,” he assures me and I nod, glancing around the room one more time.

  “Okay, Ronald. I’ve got to go get ready but if there are any issues, I’m just upstairs in room two eighteen.”

  He nods. “We’ve got things under control down here.”

  “I’ll be back before everything starts to check things over one last time. Thank you again for all your hard work.”

  “Of course, Quinn. It’s been my pleasure to assist you.”

  I flash him a smile before turning toward the elevators as another yawn ambushes me. Once the elevator doors open and I step inside, I pull my phone out and send a text to Lucas.

  Me:

  The Plantation.

  Room 208.

  Meet me there in two hours.

  Butterflies flap around in my belly after I press send and I bite back a smile. After the most amazing week with Lucas, I’ve decided that tonight is the night. I’m finally going to sleep with him and while I’m nervous, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe it’s because everything Lucas does makes me feel safe or because he has systematically claimed pieces of my heart since the moment we met. Whatever it is, I know this is the right decision and I’m excited for this next step.

  My phone buzzes as I unlock the door to my room and the butterflies only get stronger so I take a deep breath as I dump my bag on the bed and run my hand over the plastic covering my dress before glancing down at my phone.

  Lucas:

  Can’t wait to see you, baby.

  Last night was the first night in the past ten days that Lucas didn’t have dinner over at the house with Brooklyn and me since I was busy setting up for the event and I’m surprised how much I missed seeing him. I didn’t expect that. Then again, I also didn’t expect to meet someone and so quickly allow them to become an integral part of my day or so easily. Everything about this has been unexpected but kind of everything I needed, at the same time and now that I’ve decided to make things official with him, I can’t help but imagine a future for us. I just hope he’s feeling the same.

  My phone buzzes again, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  Holly:

  Be there in twenty.

  “Shit,” I hiss, tossing my phone down on the bed. Holly is my hair stylist and I got so caught up thinking about Lucas that I forgot she was meeting me here to do my hair and makeup. Rushing into the bathroom, I quickly strip and turn on the shower before rushing through washing my hair and face. When I step out, I glance up at the clock and whisper another curse as I grab the silk robe off the hook in the bathroom and slip it on. My dress has a keyhole back so I’m not able to wear a bra but I slip a sexy pair of panties on underneath my robe just as someone knocks on the door. “Shit.”

  I check my reflection in the mirror, just to make sure I’m decent before running to the door and throwing it open. “Hey.”

  “Um… hi, crazy eyes.” Holly laughs, arching a brow as she looks me over. “What the hell are you doing? Running a marathon?”

  I nod. “Feels like it. I lost track of time and had to rush to shower before you got here.”

  “Ah, the things we do for beauty,” she muses as I stand back and hold the door open for her. As I close the door, she pulls the chair away from the desk in the corner of the room and gets her bags set up on the bed. “So, what are we thinking for your hair today?”

  “I’m not sure. I was kind of thinking something half up but maybe you should look at my dress and tell me what you think.”

  She nods, pointing to the garment bag on the bed. “Let’s see it.”

  Nodding, I cross the room and grab the hanger before hanging it on a hook by the closet and slowly pulling the plastic up to reveal the gorgeous midnight blue hand-beaded tulle trumpet gown I found in a little shop downtown. It feels very vintage with its illusion cap sleeves and neckline over a sweetheart bodice and the keyhole back. Holly gasps and I smile.

  “Oh…my…god… that dress is stunning and I’m totally getting a vintage vibe from it. Like a nineteen twenties, Great Gatsby thing.”

  I nod. “That was exactly what I was thinking.”

  “Okay, so we’ll do a low bun with curl
s and I’ve got the perfect band to put in your hair,” she says, pulling out a headband with blue and white stones that complements the dress perfectly.

  “That’s gorgeous,” I tell her and she nods as she gestures for me to sit in the chair before pulling a blow dryer and extension cord out of her bag.

  “Come sit down and let me work my magic.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I answer, crossing the room and plopping down in the chair, eager to see how I look when she’s finished with me.

  “So,” she says as she pulls my hair out of the towel and starts running a comb through it. “How’s life?”

  I can’t hold back my smile as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. “Really good, actually.”

  “Well, look at you! You’re glowing!”

  “Am I?”

  She slaps my shoulder playfully. “Yes, you are. What is putting this smile on your face?”

  “Life is just good, you know.”

  My phone buzzes on the bed and I grab it, my heart skipping a beat at Lucas’s name on the screen. I open the text and laugh.

  Lucas:

  Do I get a sneak peek of the dress?

  Me:

  Nope. You’re just going to have to wait.

  “Lucas, huh?” Holly asks and when I meet her gaze in the mirror, she wiggles her eyebrows. “Does he have anything to do with why your life is so good lately?”

  A blush creeps up my cheeks. “Maybe.”

  “Well, in that case, let’s make sure you knock him off his feet tonight,” she answers with a determined look in her eyes and butterflies dance around in my belly as I think about seeing Lucas tonight and my plans for after the gala. The nerves are still there but so is this deep, steadfast feeling that tonight is going to be nothing short of perfection.

  * * * *

  “Wow,” I whisper, inspecting myself in the mirror as Holly stands back with a proud smirk on her face.

  “You look incredible. I’m going to be pissed if your man is able to form words after seeing you.”

  I laugh as I gently run my hands over the beadwork on the front of the dress. “You know, I think I will be, too.”

  “When is he supposed to be here?” She fusses with my hair, making sure each piece is perfectly in place as I turn to look at the clock.

  “Uh, five minutes.”

  “Shit,” she whispers. “Well, let me get packed up and I’ll get out of here.”

  I turn away from the mirror as she starts throwing blow dryers, flat irons, bobby pins, hairspray, and combs back into her bag and when she’s finished, she scans the room one last time.

  “Okay, I think that’s everything.”

  I nod. “Thank you so much for this. I feel like a movie star.”

  “Girl, you look like one. Text me tomorrow and let me know how long it takes the mister to pick his jaw up off of the floor,” she teases as we move toward the door and I laugh.

  “Oh, I definitely will.”

  She opens the door and turns back to me. “I would give you a hug but I don’t want to smudge my masterpiece so we’re just going to pretend.”

  We both go in for an air hug before giggling as we pull away and she shakes her head and steps out into the hallway.

  “Have fun tonight!”

  “You have anything planned for the evening?”

  She nods, backing down the hallway slowly. “Yeah, big date tonight. Netflix and Chill with Jordy, my cat.”

  “Ooh, girl!”

  “I know,” she calls as she stops by the elevator and takes a bow. “Be jealous.”

  The elevator door opens and I wave as she steps inside. “Bye.”

  Once she’s out of sight, I step back into my room and close my door behind me. The butterflies start up again as I check my watch and realize that Lucas will be here any second. Sucking in a breath, I walk over to the mirror and take one last look at the makeup Holly did for me. She kept it classic with thick liner and red lips and that combined with my side swept hair and the gorgeous dress I’m wearing, I look like I would seamlessly blend at a roaring twenties party.

  Someone knocks on the door and my head whips toward it as I press a hand to my belly and fight back a smile.

  “Here we go,” I whisper before turning toward the door and walking confidently across the room. Lucas is just about to knock again when I open the door and as soon as he sees me, his jaw goes slack and he presses his hand to his chest.

  “Holy fuck,” he mutters, his blue gaze slowly sinking down my body and following every curve on the way back up. “Jesus Christ.”

  “Can you say anything else?” I ask, biting back a giggle and he shakes his head, still unable to meet my gaze.

  “Uh… no, I don’t think I can.”

  I plant my hands on my hips and slowly turn in front of him, savoring the whispered curses when he sees the back of my dress. “You like?”

  “Baby…” he utters, taking a step toward me as I face him again. “I fucking love. You look…”

  “Good?” I ask and he shakes his head as he grabs my waist and pulls me into his body.

  “No, better than that.”

  “Beautiful?”

  “Always but that’s not the word I was looking for.”

  I nod, laying my arms on his shoulders. “Well, maybe you could just show me.”

  “Fantastic idea,” he murmurs, leaning in and sealing his lips over mine in a kiss that’s far more aggressive than he’s ever been before. I come alive in his hands and arch into his body, every cell pumping through my bloodstream screaming for me.

  “Fuck, I want this dress off you,” he growls and thrusts his hips forward, his erection digging into my hip. I gasp, clinging to the lapels of his tux and he pulls back as he shakes his head.

  “Shit. I’m sorry, baby.”

  I shake my head and pull him closer. “No, please don’t stop.”

  “Darlin’,” he rasps, flashing me a grin as he swipes his thumb below my bottom lip. “You’re running this show and now you’ve got to fix your makeup.”

  “Oh, shit.” I glance at the clock behind me and I sigh as I slip out of his arms. “We’re picking this up later.”

  He holds his hands up in surrender as he steps into the room and the door closes behind him. “You won’t hear any complaints from me.”

  I finish fixing my makeup, aware of his intense stare the entire time and when I turn to face him again, I smile. His brow arches as I slowly walk toward him, putting a little extra swing in my hips and hoping I look as sexy as I feel. When I reach him, he pulls me into his arms again and molds my body to his.

  “I have a surprise for you after the gala,” I tease and he grins.

  “Yeah? What is it?”

  Shaking my head, I push away from him. “You’re just going to have to wait and see.”

  “Oh, you’re mean.”

  “Trust me, it’ll be worth it,” I call over my shoulder as I stop at the door and hold out my hand. “Now, are you coming?”

  “Absolutely. I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight.”

  I laugh as we step out into the hallway and I tuck the hotel key into my clutch. “Why not?”

  “Because this place is going to be crawling with men and you are a goddamn goddess. All these bastards need to know that you’re mine.”

  “I like the sound of that,” I whisper. It’s the first time he’s ever laid down a claim like that and I love the way it feels knowing that I belong to him. And there’s not a single part of it that’s demeaning or rude. I belong to him in the way he feels like home and the way he makes me feel like the only girl in the entire world.

  We step into the elevator and he stands next to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close until I can feel his warmth seeping into me.

  “You know what I like?” he asks and I glance back at him.

  “No. What?”

  As the elevator doors close, he turns me to face him and slowly backs me up until my back presses against the wa
ll of the car. His hand cups my face and he leans in, hovering his lips over mine and stealing the air from my lungs as our eyes meet.

  “I love that you’re all in now.”

  I smile. “I love that you made me feel safe enough to take that chance with you.”

  “Do you remember what I told you the night we went over to Iris’s for dinner?” he asks and I think back to that night.

  “That I’m in control?”

  He nods. “That’s right, baby. I’m not holding back anymore but I want you to always remember that, okay? You’re the boss and if you’re uncomfortable with anything, you just say the word and it stops.”

  “I trust you, Lucas,” I whisper, gripping his wrist as he brushes his thumb over my face. He smiles.

  “You have no idea how much I love hearing that.”

  Before I can say anything else, my phone buzzes and I scrunch up my nose. “Hold on one second.”

  “Time to work, huh?” he asks with a laugh as he pulls away and positions me back at his side. I nod, digging my phone out of my bag.

  “I guess so.”

  Willa:

  T-Minus thirty minutes, boss lady.

  Where are you?

  “Everything okay?” Lucas asks, peeking over my shoulder as I read Willa’s text and I nod.

  “Yeah. My assistant is down there now getting things set up and I need to look things over one last time before guests start showing up.”

  He grabs my hand and laces his fingers with mine as the elevator doors slide open. “You just do what you need to do, babe, and I’ll follow along.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to sit and get a drink?” I ask as we approach the ballroom. “I think the bar is probably already open.”

  “Nope. Told you, I’m not letting any of these fuckers near you.”