Epilogue

Six Months Later

Sinners Night Club, Chicago

Rogue

Sinners was exceptionally busy tonight. It was the grand reopening since the night Petros had tampered with the fire alarms, setting off the sprinkler system which had caused a great deal of water damage. And while we could have opened three months earlier, Alessio had suggested shutting down for longer. He thought it would build anticipation and allow us to make a few changes. One of which was the exclusivity of the club. While the main floor and upstairs rooms were open to the public, we added an exclusive section. The benefits of membership included a secluded private entrance that protected members from being identified giving them a certain anonymity. Once inside the members-only section of the club, they could immerse themselves in the most sinful and pleasurable acts money could buy. The finest liquor, the most beautiful women eager to disappear into the shadows with a patron, smuggled Cuban cigars, as well as other delicacies not readily available to others. It was a high-class, glitzy, palace of immorality. But membership was exclusive, and the annual fee was $150,000. It kept the clientele list small.

The public side of Sinners also had a few changes and with the number of people clamoring to get inside tonight, it seemed as if Alessio’s business sense had been correct again. Blaze had complained about waiting so long to reopen, but now that he had at least three women demanding his attention, he seemed rather pleased.

I sat alone in my private booth, wishing I was back at the penthouse with Bri. I had wanted to bring her with me for the reopening tonight, but she had not felt well all day and had elected to stay behind. The noise and lights would not have helped her headache, but I missed her.

We had stayed at the estate for about three weeks after the incident with Tony, but when I mentioned needing to return to the city to take care of business, she was more than happy to come along with me. As if I would have ever left her behind.

The pleasure-seeking life of debauchery I had always craved didn’t have the same appeal as it had before she walked into my life. The bourbon in my glass didn’t ease the burning desire I had raging through me every single day. I couldn’t be without her if I tried. She was an addiction and even now, I just wanted her.

I drank the rest of my bourbon, fully intending on speeding up the evening and returning to the penthouse. That is until I saw someone unexpected walking toward me.

Michael moved through the crowd, his height making him easy to see as he pushed through the people on the dance floor.

“I was not expecting to see you here tonight. Taking the evening off from saving souls?”

He sat in the booth beside me. “I came to talk to you about something.”

His tone instantly concerned me. “Certainly. Whatever you need, I am here for you.”

Michael smiled at the waitress who brought over two glasses of bourbon. “I am leaving the priesthood. My replacement arrives tomorrow.”

My eyes narrowed as I watched him sip the liquor. “Leaving? As in taking a sabbatical?”

“No, I am leaving for good. It isn’t for me anymore.”

I shook my head, confused as to what had changed for him. “Is this about what happened at the mansion? You were acting in self-defense, Michael. I shudder to think what would have happened to Bri and Eden if you had not been there.”

He nodded. “I realize that, but it doesn’t change the fact that I killed two men that day. How can I stand in front of a congregation of people and preach redemption, forgiveness, and honesty when I am guilty of the things I have done?”

“None of this makes sense. Those were not the first men you have killed, Michael.”

He sipped the bourbon. “I know that, but they are the first ones that I didn’t feel guilty about.”

“You shouldn’t feel guilty. They were evil men that were about to hurt an innocent woman.” I watched as his eyes scanned the room and I knew he was resigned to his decision. “What are you going to do? You know there is always a place in my organization for you.”

He grinned. “I appreciate that, but I have other ideas. I would like to start a few money-making enterprises of my own. Alessio has offered me a chance to invest with him, and since you decided to split up the Armenian spoils you took from Petros, I thought I might give a try at being more hands-on. I am leaving for New York this afternoon.” He drank the remainder of the bourbon in his glass. “Besides, a change of pace will be good for me.”

“If this is what you want, you know I support you, but I will miss the monthly spaghetti dinners.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure you will. Give Bri my best and tell Blaze that I’ll see him around. Take care, Rogue.”

I shook his hand. “I’m sorry that I pulled you back into this world, Michael.”

“No worries. Everything is as it should be. I have come to accept that for what it is.”

I watched as he turned and walked away, pushing through the crowd. When Michael had set a course, very little could deter him. I just hoped he wouldn’t live to regret this decision.

“What was the priest doing here?”

Blaze had managed to shed himself from the eager ladies from earlier and was standing before me looking annoyed.

“He came to tell me that he is leaving the priesthood and going to New York. Alessio has an opportunity for him, and he wants a change of pace.”

Blaze scooted into the booth. “Fuck, I would have never thought he would have done something that drastic. Guilt can make you do crazy things, I guess.”

I stood from the booth. “It’s the absence of guilt that is driving him.” I grabbed my suit coat. “I am going to visit our mutual friend. Would you like to join me, or do you have a woman waiting for you?”

He grinned. “Can you give me an hour?”

“No, I want to get this over with and go home. Bri and I have an early flight tomorrow.”

He stood from the booth. “Fine, give me twenty. The little blonde by the bar is more than eager and it won’t take much to get her to lift her skirt, and I would bet everything in my wallet that she isn’t wearing panties.”

I rolled my eyes as he walked away to defile another unsuspecting woman who thought she would be the one to tame him. I would wait twenty minutes and that was it. I was anxious to get this evening over with and get back to the angel who was waiting for me.

The Chambers

The chambers were an underground bunker I acquired some years ago. It was just outside the city in a remote area, undetectable, and its existence was known to only two people, Blaze and me. It had at one time been a bomb shelter, but I had remodeled it to be more of a dungeon, a place to take those that most offended me. Blaze used it more than me, but recently it had been extremely useful.

The cold dampness sank into my bones as Blaze and I descended the steps into the chambers. The smell of blood, anguish, and despair was overpowering. Those who managed to find themselves here knew there was no escape. When we stepped farther into the room, the sounds of rattling chains drew my attention away from the water dripping overhead and down the walls.

“Good evening, Tony.”

It took all his strength to raise his head. “Just kill me, Delaney, and get it over with. I’m tired of seeing your face.”

I walked closer to him. I had kept him imprisoned here in the chambers since the day he tried to take Bri from the estate. Alessio had encouraged me to kill him then, but when I thought of the many days and nights my angel had lived in fear and the nightmares where she had to relive what this man had done to her, I couldn’t see giving him an easy death.

“I wouldn’t be in such a rush if I were you.”

Blaze stepped closer and released him from his bonds. He collapsed onto the concrete floor.

“You are letting me go?”

I knelt before him. “Do you really believe that I would allow you to walk out of here alive after what you did to my wife? No, I am here to grant your request. I am going to kill you. My wife and I will be leaving for Europe in the morning, and I want to tidy up any loose ends before our flight, but in the spirit of fair play, I am going to give you a fighting chance.”

His glossed over gaze moved from me to where Blaze stood on the other side of the room. “Nothing about this is fair.”

“Take it for what it is. It is the only chance you will have and more than you deserve.”

Blaze stepped forward and set a pistol and a knife within arm’s reach.

“You even have your choice of weapons, choose wisely and do be quick about it. As I said, I have an early flight tomorrow.”

I stepped back and waited for him to make a move. His eyes flicked between the knife and the pistol. At first, I didn’t think he would reach for either one, but eventually, he summoned what little courage he had left and lunged for the pistol. But I was prepared. I moved forward quickly knocking it in the air just as it fired before I snapped his neck. His lifeless body fell to the floor at my feet. The nightmare for my angel was finally over.

My head snapped around to see Blaze smirking. “Seriously! You gave him a loaded pistol?”

“I thought you wanted to give him a fair chance. Besides, I only put one bullet in it. Don’t be a baby.” Blaze heaved a heavy sigh. “I still don’t believe he got what he truly deserved.”

“No, maybe not but it’s finally over. Bri is free from him. She will never have to look over her shoulder wondering if this piece of shit is waiting to torment her again, and I got some retribution.”

Blaze took a cigarette out of his jacket pocket and lit it. “Retribution is magical, but so is something else I would rather be doing right now. Let’s get this mess cleaned up so we both can enjoy the remainder of the evening.”

My phone rang. I took it from my pocket and silenced it. The same number had been calling a few times a day for the past month.

“When were you planning on telling me that your uncle was the leader of the Irish mafia?”

I should have been surprised that Blaze knew of my connections, but he always managed to be a step ahead of everyone. “How long have you known?”

He rolled his eyes. “Since the day you gave me inside information about Sevan. Did you think I wouldn’t research to find out who your sources were?”

“I never wanted to acknowledge it, not after what my father did.”

“I can understand that, but the old man isn’t going to give up.”

I walked a few steps away. “I have had my uncle’s number for years, but never called it until I wanted information about Sevan. That information came with a price. My uncle wants to meet with me. He seems determined that I take my rightful place among the family.”

“You don’t want it, don’t take it.”

“It’s not that simple.”

The phone rang again.

Blaze’s eyes narrowed. “For fuck’s sake, just answer the damn thing and get it over with.”

I took my phone out of my pocket and answered the call. “I’m a little busy at the moment.”

“Aye, but ye will make time for me tonight. I am waiting outside the building that houses your penthouse. There are things we must settle before I fly back to Boston.”

The phone went silent.

“Go, I’ll finish up here.”

I nodded toward Blaze, thankful he didn’t ask for an explanation.

Driving from the chambers back into the city seemed to take twice as long as usual. I was angry. Angry that my uncle refused to take no for an answer and even angrier at myself for considering the offer he had made.

When I pulled up in front of the penthouse, I tossed my keys to the valet and strode toward my uncle who was standing beside a man who looked to be about my age and height, wearing a near identical menacing expression on his face.

“Do you wish to conduct business on the street, or do you prefer to follow me to my office?”

“Yer office will do.”

My uncle and the man escorting him followed me inside the building to the elevator. Once inside my office, I walked over to the bar and poured myself a drink. “Would either of you like something? I don’t have Irish whiskey, but I’m sure I have something that meets your tastes.”

My uncle used his cane to walk forward and take a seat. The man with him stayed beside the door.

“No, we don’ have long, and I want to get business over with. Perhaps we can toast to the future another day.”

I took another sip of bourbon. “Why are you here?”

He sighed heavily. “I know that ye are not eager to embrace yer family. After what your da did to ye I can’t blame ye for the hard feelings ye harbor, but regardless of the past, ye are indeed a Delaney.”

I had heard this speech before and was not impressed.

“Before we talk business or family, or whatever reason has brought here, shouldn’t we have some sort of introduction?”

The man standing by the door stepped forward, but his expression didn’t change, and I got the impression that he was sizing me up as much as I was him.

“This is Colin Quinn. Colin is my sister’s only child and therefore yer cousin.”

“Cousin?” My entire life I had never had family, now suddenly, they were coming out of the woodwork, and I wasn’t sure I liked it.

I glanced from my uncle to the man he claimed was my cousin. He had an arrogant grin on his face that I didn’t like.

My uncle coughed into a handkerchief and took a few deep breaths before continuing. “The doctors are not giving me more than a year left to live and I will not stand by and see ev’rythin’ that I worked for lost or torn apart by greed. Havin’ no sons of my own, I will be leavin’ ev’rythin’ to the two of ye.” His eyes squinted as if he expected me to argue. “Colin will assume all the responsibilities that come with the business interests in Boston and the East Coast. Ye will take over the few business interests that I have in Chicago as well as all international affairs. The funds in my accounts will be split between the two of ye. It is the fairest way I can see things done, and the only way I can make things right.”

He stood slowly from his seat. “My lawyers will be in contact with ye soon. Accept what I am offerin’. There is no reason to refuse.”

I watched as he walked toward the door. Each step seemed harder than the last. The other man came forward and offered his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Cousin.”

I shook his hand. “I’ll reserve judgment for the time being.”

He nodded. “As will I.”

I escorted them down to the lobby but went no farther. I wasn’t sure what to make of my uncle’s request. I had never wanted anything that belonged to my family, nor did I need them. And then there was the cousin. There was something about him that made me uneasy. Hopefully, it was just my suspicious nature, but time would tell.

The stress of it all was beginning to give me a headache and I knew of only one thing that would relieve that stress. After the day I had, all I wanted was Bri.

It was late, and I expected to find Bri already in bed, especially since we were flying out for Europe in the morning. But my angel was not asleep, she was curled up on the sofa reading over another travel book she had purchased for our trip.

I stepped forward and took the book from her hands, causing her to finally notice my arrival.

“Why are you still up, Angel?”

She smiled and I felt my chest tighten.

“I was too excited to sleep.” She stood from the sofa and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Besides, you know I don’t like going to bed without you.”

I lifted her so she could wrap her legs around me as I kissed her lips. “I’m glad you are awake.”

My fingers slipped over the short lacy silk gown she was wearing. After the day’s events, I needed her. She was the one constant in my life. I set her on her feet and stripped the silk gown over her head, smiling because she was still following my no panties rule.

I took a moment to admire her beauty and knew I would never grow tired of it, and just like always, the overpowering need to be inside her took over. I should try to make love to her slowly, but it was never that way between us. There was always an urgency, a burning need to be close, to bring her pleasure. It was intense and something I was unable to suppress. Tonight would be no different. I carried her to the bedroom, knowing she was as eager as I was, knowing she would be accepting of anything I wanted from her. She was mine, all mine, and it would be a cold day in hell before I ever gave up my angel.

.

Three Days Later

Mykonos, Greece

Bri

I had never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life. When Rogue had told me that we would be traveling through Europe for the next month or two, I had not imagined how wonderful it would be. I had never even had a passport before now and certainly never imagined that I would be flying in a private jet or staying in luxury suites at five-star hotels. It was like a dream.

Rogue was so attentive and treated me like a princess. He still stepped away to take calls in private and every once in a while, I would catch a slight nod of his head toward one of the men that worked for him, or he would speak softly so I wouldn’t hear what he was directing them to do, but I tried not to think of it.

Eden and I talked a few times, and she convinced me that while our husbands may be monsters to some, they were the men we loved and that was all she needed to know. At first, I couldn’t imagine turning a blind eye to the things Rogue was involved in, but he assured me that he did not traffic women or children, nor did he make money from drugs. The men that he killed were all deserving of their fate, and he would never do anything to hurt me. I never asked any more questions after that conversation. It wouldn’t matter anyway. Rogue would never allow me to leave him, thankfully I didn’t want to.

As I stood on the balcony of the house Rogue had rented on the island of Mykonos off the coast of Greece, I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.

I heard footsteps behind me and closed my eyes as his strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me into his chest. His lips pressed against the sensitive skin right behind my ear.

“Standing here, with the ocean breeze whipping your hair behind you, and the way the sun shines on your face, you look very much like an angel.”

I smiled as I turned around in his arms. “An angel would not have done the things we did last night in our bed.”

He chuckled as his hands moved up along my sides, barely grazing the sides of my breasts. “Hmm, if she was in the arms of a devil, she would.” He kissed my lips and my whole body warmed. “The yacht has been made ready for us to sail tonight, but I will inform them that we will be late.”

I grabbed his hands before they found their way up my skirt. “There is something I want to talk to you about first.”

He stepped back and concern washed over his facial features. “Is something wrong? Are you unhappy here in Greece?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “No, I love Greece. It has been a magical place, and I am having a great time.”

“Then what do you want to talk about, sweetheart?”

I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, hoping what I was about to say didn’t make him upset. It was something we had never discussed and I had no idea how receptive he would be to the news I was about to share with him.

His hands moved up my arms. “You’re nervous, Angel. Tell me what has happened to make you look as if you are afraid of me.”

I tried to smile. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m just afraid that you are about to be unhappy with me.”

He grinned. “Darling, what could you do to make me angry with you?”

“I have been keeping something from you.”

His expression changed instantly, and I felt a chill move up my spine.

“I know every move you make, Bri. What could you be hiding that I don’t know?”

I took a deep breath. “I was going to tell you before, I swear. But every time I worked up the courage, something would happen to make me chicken out. And then you planned this trip and I so wanted to go, and I was afraid you wouldn’t let me go if you knew.”

His grip tightened and I could see the frustration on his face. “Bri, what the fuck is going on?”

“I’m pregnant.”

I watched his face, waiting for his response. At first, there was no reaction, and I thought I had made a mistake by telling him, but suddenly he pulled me closer.

“My child is growing inside you?”

I nodded, trying to hold back tears. “Yes. Are you upset?”

He gently wrapped his arms around me. “Darling, why would I be upset?”

“We never talked about it, and I wasn’t sure it was something you would want.”

He grinned. “We never talked about birth control either. And I certainly never did anything to prevent it.”

“So, you are happy?”

He picked me up and cradled me in his arms. “Very much so, but we will have to be careful now.”

My eyes narrowed. “Don’t you dare try to cut this trip short. If you do, I will handcuff you to the bed while I traipse across Europe on my own. Women do all sorts of things while pregnant, and I will not have you put me in a protective bubble.”

“I don’t give a damn what other women do. I only care about you. Protecting you has become a habit, darling. I’m not sure I can break it.”

“I love you, Rogue.”

He bent his forehead to mine. “It’s a good thing, Angel, because I am irrevocably, irreverently, and unpardonably in love with you.”

I felt tears glistening in my eyes, then his lips covered mine in a kiss that stole my breath and claimed my soul. And I knew I would forever be his angel and he would eternally be the devil that claimed me.