Aggie

T hey had spent two months in the safe house, and she had to admit, she didn’t really want to ever go back home. Well, except for the fact that she missed her family. Phoenix was seven months pregnant, and wanted to be with her for this baby’s birth since she had missed Lydia’s.

Riggs had taken his family home and Savage posted a few guys to watch their house and ’s house. Nothing had happened in weeks, and a part of her wondered if she couldn’t go home, just to visit her family, but every time she brought it up, Vin flat-out told her, “No”. He told her that it wasn’t safe and that the Ghosts meant business. She knew that, but also hated being apart from Phoenix for so long. They had already lost so much time.

The one good thing about the two of them spending so much time alone was they got to map out their future together after they got married. Vin promised to move into his place if she agreed to marry him the day after they got back home. She didn’t think that was much of a compromise since she won both ways. would be able to stay in her house, and she’d get to marry Vin.

At least they were safe up at the house that Savage had found them. They were laying low but were also able to sneak into town for food and sometimes, even dinner. Vin had to run into town to get a few groceries and she decided to use her free time to read a book she had picked up at the local library in a bubble bath. She was looking forward to relaxing and of course, her cell phone rang as soon as she was about to step into the hot water.

“Great,” she mumbled, pulling her robe back on. “Vin probably forgot his list.” She found her cell on the bed and noticed that it wasn’t Vin’s number. She quickly answered the phone, worried that something was wrong back home.

“Hello,” she breathed.

“, it’s Savage. I have Banshee here with me, and we have some news.”

“Oh, God, is it Phoenix or Lydia?” she asked.

“Um, no,” Banshee said. “It’s Vindicator.”

“Oh, he’s fine. He ran into town to get some groceries,” insisted.

“, he’s not fine,” Savage said. “I got a call from someone in the Ghosts, claiming to have Vindicator. They said that they’d trade him for a file for an old case that he worked on about ten years ago.”

“Naturally, we had no idea what he was talking about, but Vin told us to call his partner, Wolf. He said that he’d know where to find the file,” Banshee said.

“How the hell has all of this happened in just an hour?” asked. “He just left here and you’re telling me that he’s been taken by the Ghosts?”

“Yes, and I’m sorry to spring all of this on you, but I need you to stay in the house and lock yourself in,” Savage ordered.

“We’re worried that the Ghosts will come for you next,” Banshee warned.

“Let them try,” said, “I can take care of myself.” Why didn’t anyone believe her when she said that? She wasn’t a helpless old woman. She could handle herself in most situations.

“We believe that they are holding Vin at a local warehouse, and they have given us three hours to exchange him for the file,” Banshee said. “Savage is heading in to meet Wolf at the precinct and then, he’s going to grab a few of the guys and meet the Ghosts.”

“I’d like to go to,” insisted.

“No,” Savage and Banshee said in unison.

“It’s not safe,” Banshee insisted. “If this works out, , you and Vin will be able to come home.” She knew that it was true, but she wanted to be the one that Vin saw first when he walked out of that warehouse. He had to walk out of there because nothing else would do.

“Fine, just bring him home to me,” insisted.

Three hours felt like an eternity and felt as though she was going to lose her mind. When she finally heard a pickup truck pull into the driveway, she practically ran to the front door. As soon as she saw Vin get out of the truck, she ran out to him and jumped into his arms.

“Easy, honey,” he said. She looked him over and realized that he was black and blue again, and she quickly let him go.

“They did this to you?” she asked.

“It’s okay, honey,” he insisted. “They could have done so much worse. All that matters is that they didn’t and that we’re both safe now.” He pulled her to his side, and she helped him into the house.

“I think he might have a sprained ankle, but we should get an x-ray, just in case it’s more than that,” Savage said. He and his husband, Bowie, were right behind them, and she was sure that she saw two more of the Royal Bastards in the back seat.

“I take it you were able to get a hold of Vin’s old partner to get the file?” she asked.

“I was,” Savage said.

“And they got to me just in time,” Vin said, “ten minutes later and the Ghosts threatened to come after you. I don’t know how they found us, but they knew exactly where to find me.”

“What was in the file?” she asked. “You worked homicide, not drug trafficking.”

“Yeah, but the Ghosts were after a dead man, so I guess my file came in handy. All I overheard was them saying that they wanted to know who killed their old boss, Hangman,” he said. “But that case was never solved. Wolf and I never found the guy who shot him. I’m not sure what they want the old case file for, but they have it now. I’m sure that we’ll find out what they were after at some point.” She didn’t want to know what the Ghosts were after. In fact, if she never heard the name, Ghosts, again, that would suit her just fine.

“Are we safe to go home?” she asked.

“Yes,” Savage answered, “but until we figure out what they are doing, I think you guys should continue to lay low.”

“Well, that works for us. We can take an extended honeymoon then,” Vin said.

“You guys are getting married?” Bowie asked.

Vin wrapped his arm around and smiled at them both as though he was the proudest man on the face of the earth. “We are,” he admitted. “Hopefully, tomorrow.”

“Wow, tomorrow?” Savage asked.

“If we can find someone to marry us by then, yes,” Vin said.

“I think that we can have our chaplain marry you at Savage Hell if that works for you,” Savage said.

She and Vin smiled at each other and nodded their agreement. “I think that works for us,” said. “I’ll call the Royal Harlots to see if they can help get the bar ready.” She couldn’t believe that she was going to marry the man she never thought would even notice her, and she was going to do it at Savage Hell surrounded by the Harlots and her family. She really couldn’t ask for anything more.

“So, I guess we’re getting married tomorrow, honey,” Vin said.

“Well, it’s about time,” she teased. “I’ve waited a long time for you to get around to asking me, Vin.” He pulled her in for a kiss and when he released her, she was sure that he’d always be able to take her breath away with just one look in her direction.

“Me too, honey, me too,” Vin said. “But you were well worth the wait, my Harlot.”

The End

I hope that you loved Phoenix and Riggs’ story and Vin and ’s Novella! Here is a sneak peek at book five of K.L. Ramsey’s Royal Harlots Series—Vixen is coming in January 2025!