Epilogue Delphine

The guys have been gone for five days, but are returning today. When Dixie told me he had to return to Ireland to face the Sigil and confess that he staged the death of Vladimir, I was terrified. However, I never had the sense that his confession would have dire consequences. But I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't relieved to know Hex and the others had his back. Hex called the President of the club in San Diego, Dante, and explained what Dixie was up against. Dante not only offered to accompany Dixie along with the NOLA club, but he offered them the use of a private jet that belongs to Dante's mother.

When Hex started this club, I didn't grasp the vastness of the Demon Dawgs MC or their resources. Not until Dice and his woman, Avery, fell into our laps several weeks ago. I knew Dante had just returned from his honeymoon, so seeing him drop everything to help a brother that he's only met once or twice made me appreciate why Hex worked so hard to align with the Demon Dawgs.

Dixie has contacted me only twice while they were away. Once to tell me that the meeting with Sigil went better than he expected and the second time to tell me they were returning and bringing a surprise. He didn't go into detail on either announcement, making the wait that much harder. I need a distraction. Luckily, Cleo provides one.

"Okay, thank you, detective. I appreciate your keeping me updated on the situation. No, I have no problem with the building remaining a crime scene for however long you feel necessary."

She ends the call and turns to me. "They've identified all the women from the office building and notified their families." I grasp her hand and squeeze it. She's been handling the aftermath of the failed attempt to rescue the women. The guys thought they were rescuing dozens of women, but found only corpses when they entered the building. Whoever was running the whorehouse panicked and abandoned the place before the rescue attempt. We've all speculated about who could have warned them. Us women think Irish did it. Mikel had been unconscious in a jail cell at the Farm. The guys wanted to torch the place, but Cleo knew the women deserved better.

"I take it the detective believed your story about finding the women when you were doing a spot check on the buildings your company owns?"

"So, far. He could tell how upset I was about what I found inside. Not that I had to fake it. I can still see those poor women tied to the beds, their throats slit. I can't imagine the horror they must have gone through, only to end up dead. It isn't hard to imagine how satisfying it would be to find those men and give them the same treatment."

"Did Mikel give the guys any names before they killed him? Did they figure out who warned them that the guys were coming?" I knew Hex had told Cleo about Mikel's death. Mikel had been someone who tormented Cleo when he worked for her father.

"Hex didn't say, but I think it's because Mikel didn't give up the information. He was a real bastard and trained by the best to withstand all forms of torture. Besides, it doesn't matter. Irish's betrayal proves they need to do a better job at screening future prospects."

"They will. We can help. I never warmed up to Irish. I probably should have said something sooner. It wasn't like he did anything to make me suspect him of treachery, but I didn't like him as much as I do Jack and Levi."

"You're right. I felt the same way. The prospects are always on their best behavior around the men, but let down their guard around us. We can use that to our advantage. We should tell the other women to pay more attention as well, and to let us know if they have any concerns. Especially Nora. She sees them at their most unguarded."

Nora has been in the kitchen all morning preparing a feast to celebrate the men's return. Jack and Levi have been making themselves useful around the clubhouse, but the place seems empty without Hex and his men. I know Cleo misses my son and I miss Dixie. The guys can drive us crazy, but they're worth it. I can't wait to get Dixie alone and naked. After Maxim and the girl's father, I never saw myself committing to another man. I certainly didn't see myself with someone several years my junior. But I can't deny how much I want and need Dixie in my life.

We hear the rumble of motorcycles and rush outside to greet them. Cleo and I beat Sasha and Shayna out the door. Olivia was hoping to be here as well, but she had to work a shift at the hospital and won't be back until later tonight. She was excited about their return, not only because she's grown closer to Lake, but because Pirate promised he'd focus on finding her friends once they returned from Ireland.

Hex barely has time to back into his spot before Cleo jumps on him. He laughs as she wraps her body around his. Not being as young and agile, I wait for Dixie to make his way to me. I wrap my arms around his neck as he buries his face in my hair.

"I missed you," we both say together and laugh.

I move in for another kiss, but he stuns me by dropping to one knee and holding out a ring. "This was my mother's ring. I know she would have loved you almost as much as I do. You're the only woman I'll ever want. Please say you'll marry me?"

I stare at the beautiful ring he's holding. A large emerald as green as Ireland surrounded by diamonds that remind me of the lights of New Orleans. A perfect pairing. Just like us. "Yes, I'll marry you," I tell him. He slides the ring on my finger and leaps up to wrap me in his arms again. I hear faint sounds of clapping around us as he kisses me. He lifts me off my feet and swings me around in celebration.

"I want you to meet someone, well, two someones, and I want them to meet you," Dixie says, lowering me to the ground. "Danny and Conor, this is my woman, Delphine. Delphine, these two men are the ones I told you about. Danny Flynn and Conor Byrne."

"You're here?" I announce unnecessarily. "I'm so glad. Are you visiting or staying?" I ignore their outstretched hands and give them each a hug.

"They're staying. They had to get out of Ireland and I thought, what better place to go than here? Hex and I have talked them into prospecting for the club."

"That's great news!" I tell them. "Welcome. Let's get you set up. Do you have any luggage?"

"Just this. Thanks," Danny says, shouldering the duffel bag Jack handed him. Conor takes his with a nod at Jack.

"You should have warned me, but luckily we have two rooms ready," I chide Dixie before leading the boys inside and up the stairs. "This will be your room. You'll share while you're prospects," I explain. "Jack and Levi are next door."

Conor and Danny enter the room and each selects a bed.

"Thank you," Danny says. "Dixie said you'd welcome us here. I guess he told you who were are?"

"He did," I say and glance at both boys. Conor doesn't meet my eyes, and I notice the concerned look Danny's giving his brother. "He told me everything, including how much he wished you two lived closer. I'm glad you took him up on his offer to come here. You'll love New Orleans. I've lived here all my life, so if you have questions, please ask."

Danny thanks me while Conor stares at me, his mouth open. "What?" I ask.

"When did Dixie mention wanting us nearby?" Conor asks.

"Several days ago. Before he went to Ireland. When he told me your stories. We talked about going for a visit. I wanted to see the farm where he grew up and he wanted me to meet you both and see if you wanted to come visit us. Why?"

"No reason," Conor says, turning and walking toward the window. He's staring outside, but I'm not sure he's seeing the view.

"Is he okay?" I ask Danny.

Danny nods. "He is. He's overwhelmed right now. We had to leave Ireland because some guys he was in prison with are after him. When Dixie learned about it, he insisted we come back with him. Even got Pirate to create fake identities for us. I think Danny thought we were a burden. So, hearing that Dixie wanted us here before he heard about the trouble is a relief."

"I want you here," Dixie says from the doorway. "Both of you. I wouldn't have invited you if I didn't. Okay?"

Conor and Danny both nod and follow us back downstairs. Jack meets us and takes the other two to introduce them to the Levi and the other women.

"Is Conor safe here?" I ask Dixie, who nods.

"Should be. Pirate got him a new identity with some help from Sigil. The assholes after him won't think of looking here."

"Sigil helped? I take you worked things out with them?"

Dixie nods before taking a swig of beer from the bottle Levi handed him. "I got lucky with them. They weren't happy with what I did and I'll have to regain their trust, but they didn't kill me. Obviously. Once I explained that the person who ordered the hit won't be complaining, they showed me leniency. I still have my position with them, but I need to complete the next three jobs pro bono."

I wrap my arms around his waist and lay my head against his chest as I look up into his pretty hazel eyes. "I'm glad you're home and safe."

"Me, too," he says before giving me a soft kiss. "Let's say we go upstairs and I can show you how happy I am to be back home."

As we head toward the stairs, Lake's shouts draw us back downstairs and into the common room. When we arrive, Lake is standing with Levi, who is making a call. The fear on Levi and Lake's face hits me just as I sense Olivia's fear.

"Olivia," I whisper as both Levi and Lake turn toward me. "She's in danger."

The End