Antichrist

“Fucking hell,” Smoke says absently. “Does Meraki know that it was her?”

I shake my head. “No, and she won’t know. It will only make her second-guess her decision to let her mother walk.”

They all fall silent, and I slowly bring the cigarette to my lips as my eyes find Lester at the opposite side of the table.

His lip kicks up in a grin. “You didn’t let that bitch walk.”

I smirk around the smoke. “Fuck no.” They all break out into a cheer and Goat pushes up from the table.

“Now can I go get pussy and fed?”

I roll my eyes. “All of you fuck off.”

They run out of the room like a bunch of horny teens, and my eyes rest on Lester once they’re all gone.

He makes his way to the end of the table, a smile on his face. “Gotta say, you staying on as prez has made us all mighty happy.”

I chuckle, leaning back in my chair. “Well, now that everyone knows who Ghost is, I don’t see why not.”

He slaps my back as I head out of Temple and through the bar to the front where the party is. “You gonna marry that girl?”

I choke on my cigarette smoke, just as she smiles brightly up at me from a chair around the small firepit. “Fuck no. Have you seen what she does to her husbands?”

We both burst out laughing, and I shove him away as I make my way to her and Ares. Jer and Cece are fighting opposite us, with Ari beside Ma. My old man is playing with Ares on his lap, and right here in this moment I know. I know that every single fucking thing that I went through to get this woman with me was worth it. She was worth it. I’d kill one hundred times before I’d let her know what really happened to her mother. She can go on believing that she did the right thing, because she did. I’m just not a good man, and I’ll always do what I need to do for her.

I pat my jeans pocket, my palm hitting the swell of the diamond ring sitting inside.

Loving Meraki has been the easiest kill of all.

Twenty Years Later

I knew this day was coming. He held on for as long as he could, and I’m grateful for that. I think there was a time where I didn’t think I’d ever be ready to take over and lead after Papa, and I was right. Unfortunately, I didn’t expect the turn of events to happen the way they did.

Niko takes my hand in his, bringing it up to his lips. “Baby, he’s going to be fine.” How could he say that? How could he know? Don’t make promises you can’t keep—especially when it comes to a mother and her son.

I rest into his grip, closing my eyes. “Papa went as long as he did, right, and—”

Niko’s finger and thumb come to my chin, forcing my eyes up to his. “Hey, and Ares is a goddamn weapon, baby.”

I scowl at him. “Nik, that’s not reassuring.” Even though it is true.

Slowly, my eyes come to the doors in front of me, knowing what lies behind them. My beautiful boy who grew to be a respected young man while leaving a trail of fear right behind him. I am proud of all that he has accomplished, and I don’t think I had much choice truly, especially with a pa like his and a dad like Niko. Ares was bound to become what he is, and I am thankful because I know as the new Don of les beaux voyous, he is sure to be taken care of, but at what point do we as parents let go?

“Mer.” Niko tucks my hair behind my ear and I lean into his warmth.

He refuses to find his new Ghost, even though Cece, Jer, and Ari have found theirs. I assume he wants to stay on, I know he loves it too much, but it’s time for us to hang up our badges and sail off somewhere warm where there are cocktails on tap. I want to enjoy my husband the way I haven’t been able to over the years.

The door opens and Ares steps out, buttoning up his suit jacket. God, he looks like Niko so much, especially right now. As soon as he sees me, his mouth curves into a smile, flashing his straight teeth.

“Mama, what are you doing here?”

I don’t miss the way he and Nik share a quick glance at each other. I’ve become well acquainted with the bond he and his father share, and although I loved it as they both grew, I’ve come to realize how much it bites me in my ass as he’s an adult.

“I came to say bye since I’m leaving for the Bahamas with the girls.”