Chapter 44

Forty-Four

Regan

4 Months Later

Every moment I thought life couldn't get better, Rook proved me wrong. Now, he walked me in the doors of my favorite art gallery, and my eyebrows jumped up when I saw the rest of the pack standing around, Harper there with them.

"What are they doing here?"

"They wanted to see what I was doing, and Evie had to help me," he said, leading me deeper into the gallery. "I assumed you would want Harper here, too."

"Evie helped you with what?"

"Turn around and see," he said, helping me spin to face the farthest wall.

The back wall was lit up with digital screens, ten of them hanging on the worn brick. My breath hitched as I looked them over. Each screen displayed my artwork—all of them recent paintings I had poured my heart into.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned to face him. "Rook, this is… amazing. You did this for me?"

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I wanted you to see how incredible your work is, and I wanted everyone else to see it, too."

I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. "I can't believe you did all this. Thank you."

He held me close, his breath warm against my ear. "Anything for you, Rebel."

Rook turned, leaning down until his lips found mine. The weight of everything we had been through seemed to lift, replaced by overwhelming love and happiness.

There was still darkness, plenty of chaos, and it's not like he had changed the way they handled business, but he never hid it from me, and I was always free to speak my mind about what he was doing.

I'd even been comfortable telling him off once or twice when I really didn't agree with something he did.

It was a mess, but I had control over it. I was no longer a passenger in my own life. I rested my forehead against his. "This is perfect, but there is one more thing I would love to have tonight."

"Anything," he breathed, capturing my lips again.

I pulled him over towards the front, finding the painting that still hung in the same place it had been months ago.

"I want to take this one home," I said, showing him the painting swirled with black and the icy blue center.

"Okay?" he asked, looking it over. "Why?"

"I saw it the first night we met, right before we met, actually. It reminds me of you, all the dark clothes and blue eyes. I want to get it."

"Then get it. Anything you want."

I laughed, leaning into him. "I know this is going to shock to you, but I'm actually broke. Someone made all of my inheritance disappear."

He wrapped an arm around me with a grin. "Sorry. Collateral damage. You have no shortage of money, though. You've done nothing but help us since we moved in and you helped us get moved to the new shop. Our money is also yours, you work for it. And, after tonight, you will be selling your art for a fortune."

I lightly smacked his stomach. "I will not. These aren't for sale."

"No, but this one you want is, so please get it."

The rest of the pack circled around us, everyone talking about different paintings.

"Damn," Mason said, sidling up to us. "These girls really love a guy tattooed with the art hanging in front of them. They won't stop asking to see my arms. I'm going to need a few more of them."

"Count me in, too," Hero added, scowling as Harper grabbed onto his arm, steading herself as she adjusted her heels. "Are you done?" he snapped.

She stumbled, the heel of her shoe landing on the toes of his.

"What the fuck?" he groaned. "Can you watch what you're doing?"

Harper's eyebrows furrowed as she glared at him. "You'll be fine. I barely stomped down. I can do it again to show you the difference."

"Do it and I'll cut off your toes."

"Oh, did you finally get over your eyeball fetish and move onto feet?" Harper snapped.

"Yes, exactly, so let me cut off your toes," he grinned. She smacked his arm, moving to stand between Zack and Mason.

"Come on," Rook whispered. "I want to get you home."

I didn't fight him on it, already too excited to get back to bed with him. He led me out to the bike before helping me on, and speeding towards home.

The door slammed behind us as I raced towards the steps, taking them two at a time. Rook was already running up behind me after I spent the last twenty minutes of our ride feeling him up.

"You know I love chasing you. Run, run, Rebel. I will chase after you for the rest of my life."

I groaned, pushing open the door to our room as he grabbed me, continuing on until we fell back on the bed.

"Caught you."

"Would you stop before you did?"

"Never."

His lips found mine, and like every time before, it didn't take long before I was drowning in him. Loving him was chaos and darkness and warmth, and it was a thrilling mix I wanted for the rest of my life.

"I love you, Rook. Forever."

"Forever, Rebel."