Deceptive (Diamondback MC Second Generation 5)
EPILOGUE
COLLINS
ONE YEAR LATER
“Well, fuck, it’s packed more than usual.” I walk inside the clubhouse with Pax after a long day at work, you know, at the salon I now own. When I mentioned I was running late and would just meet him at the clubhouse, Paxton wasn’t having it. He waited until I got home, changed, and then rode back here. A much better idea than us driving separately, that’s for sure. The wind in my hair, hips cocooned around his, Pax’s hand dropping to my leg, holding it, I had no idea how much I needed this tonight, even if it did mean I’d have to share him with the club.
Owning a salon makes for long workdays and even longer weekends at times. In the earlier days, I thought Paxton was going to dive in and put a stop to it. He didn’t, though. Nope, instead, he came in to fix the hot water heater that quit working suddenly when I had a mile-long list of things to do and clients that day. Another day, when the computer system crashed, he left the club and was there in ten minutes to get it fixed. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t pull enough weight around the house. It’ll be dirty after a week of work, only taking a day off here and there. Pax wasn’t hearing any of that, though, just hired a cleaning service to come in once a week, giving us even more time when I wasn’t working and he was out on a run to be together.
“Babe, you act like you didn’t know that was gonna be the case. Finally gettin’ new recruits in, and thank fuck for that. Shit keeps happenin’, and we’re all older; it’s needed.” His hand is wrapped around my lower waist as we walk through the doors of the club. Apparently, there’s more than just the club, and it’s recruits, though, clearly there’s some entertainment for the prospects as well Brody, who isn’t called Brody anymore, because shortly after everything went down, he was patched in, making him a brother in every sense of the word. He’s also staring up at a girl on the bar top, shaking everything her momma gave her and letting it all hang out. I’m not slut shaming or anything; I just think he could do way better than someone who’s only after the club name or a one-night stand.
“That’s true. I guess that means I’m drinking tonight. It’s not that I mind all the people, including the girls, but having to watch them, well, I’d rather go to the club in Texas. Aunt Raven and Uncle Razor have pure talent on their stage, not these club chasers.” Pax chuckles, kisses my head, then guides us towards the bar. It’s a good thing, too. Nothing like seeing the live porno happen with your family around.
“I take it you want tequila tonight.” The man knows the way to my heart—home-cooked food and tequila, two of my favorite things. I’ve been rock steady on my medicine for a year now. It took me a long time to get the hang of things, eating in general because it doesn’t help that you’re so slammed at a salon that you work through lunches and sometimes dinner. It’s another thing Paxton makes sure is taken care of—plenty of drinks, fruits, and protein-packed snacks are readily available.
“Hell, yes.” It’s then I see Gigi and Sedona at the bar, Crush next to Gigi, Sedona by herself. She’s yet to find a man. Sedona swears she’s fine with that, and I get that because I was in her shoes before. Add in the fact Sedona is a doctor, and it tends to deter men. It’s dumb, I know, but that’s how her last few dates have gone. She’s completely over it, and I don’t blame her.
“Grab a seat. I’ll grab the bottle and beer to go around. It looks like we’ll all need it.” That causes me to giggle. He’s not wrong; the only ones enjoying tonight are Brody and the newer recruits, some of which Paxton was in the Marines with.
“Oh God, I’m so glad you’re here. I swear there are more swinging dicks here tonight than females,” Sedona says over the noise carrying through the room. While the real party is by the bar, they’ve secured a spot near the pool tables where there’s less action.
“I thought you’d at least enjoy the scenery of the male variety. No luck?” I ask Sedona. She shakes her head before tipping it back to take the shot of Fireball, her go-to choice.
“Apparently, Sedona is going to be a reborn virgin,” Gigi tells us. Crush shakes his head, covering his mouth because he knows that’s not the case when it comes to his sister, no matter how much she tries to portray that.
“Yeah, right.” Pax comes up behind me, placing a bucket of ice with beer inside it in the middle and holding the bottle of tequila out for me, along with a shot glass.
“What? I could be. Shit, I’m as dry as the Sahara Desert these days.”
“Jesus, sis, there are some things a brother does not need to know.” Paxton takes that time to pour me a shot of the clear liquid—it’s not the cheap tequila either—then grabs himself a beer.
“Cheers, babe.” We clink our glasses, me taking the shot in one sip, and Pax taking a long pull from the glass bottle. My eyes are on him, and I know tonight is going to be a whole lot of fun in more ways than one.