32. Frey

THIRTY-TWO

FREY

Isn't it funny how your life can turn out differently than you imagined? As a young girl, I believed that a knight in shining armor would win my heart, like in my favorite fairy tales. Thinking back on it now is like observing the fantasy of a complete stranger. Particularly since my reality turned out to be totally different.

In society's eyes, Daze Keaton, a biker with an extensive record, isn't the ideal hero. This is a savior no woman should idolize, let alone a preacher's daughter.

But he is all I want—a perfect, wild devil.

I go over to him and set Sammy down. Giggling, he races inside to get a toy, and I take advantage of the brief moment of quiet to slip my hands around Daze's shoulders.

He watches me, a blond eyebrow raised, his gray eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

This moment feels so surreal. Not too long ago, I would cringe from this man if I saw him walking down the street.

And now?

I can't imagine life without him.

"What are you thinking?" he wonders as his mouth forms a dangerous half-smile.

I dwell on the answer in silence. Then I stand on tiptoe and press my lips against the hard line of his jaw. "You," I say. "How perfect you are."

He laughs, and my entire body feels warmer than the sunlight alone could ever achieve. "Liar. You're thinking about how you're going to dump me for a prince or some shit now that you're a millionaire."

I wince even though I know he's joking. The irony is, at least part of that statement was the cold, hard truth—as it turns out, my father put all his illegal dealings in my mother's name. Beneath the swagger and bravado, he was broke, on the edge of a financial cliff. Marrying me off to Colton was more than a chauvinistic show of pride.

He was counting on access to the Abernathy fortune before he could secure his right to my mother's estate.

And now…

Somehow, everything he wanted is now mine. Every dime he'd stolen from my mother's estate. All her inheritance, including stocks and property.

Not that I want it. The thought makes me sick. All of it is tainted with blood. Daze's warm smile reveals that he knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"You aren't them, Frey," he says, reaching up to brush his thumb along my cheek. I lean into the caress, and he indulges me, keeping his hand there, imparting a steady warmth. "You're going to use this money in a way Hale and your mother can be proud of."

"And Catherine," I add, recalling her final words to me. "I owe them that much."

Daze nods. "You're right," he murmurs. "But, in between all that do-gooding, I have some ideas as to what we can do when you aren't trying to save the world."

"Is that so?" I counter, raising an eyebrow. A flicker of movement draws my attention as, behind him, Sammy races into view, brandishing a toy firetruck. "I think I may have some compelling competition for your time."

As if on cue, Sammy pipes up, "Daddy, look! I got this! See?"

Daze isn't even fazed as he flashes Sam a warm smile while tilting his body into me. "You should know by now that I'm man enough to go around."

"So what did you have in mind?" I ask.

Daze steps back from me, flashing a mocking wink. "Something too X-rated to say in current company."

He turns to Sammy and lifts him into the air, spinning him around while he laughs.

And I couldn't imagine a better moment than this. We're in this together for better or worse, but I know it won't be all smooth roads up ahead. Rather than hide from my father's legacy, we'll rebuild Salvation from the ground up and make it something worthy of the reputation it unfairly garnered.

And if kindness alone isn't enough, I know a sinner who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty.