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Two Months Later
“Those assholes are fools for not taking a plea bargain.” Benji bit back a groan as he, Alan, and Mason headed through the courtyard between the glass-and-steel courthouse and sheriff’s department. The jagged scar slicing across his calf itched as his leg muscles ached from overuse. He tightened his grip on his cane. How he hated the damn thing, but at least the stick was only temporary.
“They got what they deserved.” Alan stuffed his hands in his blazer pockets. “Drug running, possession of illegal arms, kidnapping—hell, I’m surprised they didn’t get off on some bullshit technicality. Anyone who messes with my family needs to sleep six feet under.”
Benji grinned. There was no better man than Alan to have at his side.
“That’s what would’ve happened if they’d snitched on their bosses. Onyx has people everywhere, so they wouldn’t have lasted a week in prison.” Mason cut his gaze to the police station and back to Benji. He lowered his voice. “After the shit Iversen pulled, a turf war should’ve broken out between Dowitcha and Capularia. Whoever has taken Iversen’s place as captain must be kissing Thorn’s ass to keep the peace.”
“Hey, guys! Wait.”
Mia’s voice rang from behind him. Thank goodness. He breathed a sigh of relief as they stopped beneath a shade tree, and he rested heavily on the cane.
She hurried over as Shea, Chanel, and Ryan headed across the lot.
“Is Belle stuck in the crowd?” Benji nodded toward the strangers swarming outside the main doors of the courthouse.
“Yep. She’s signing autographs. I can’t believe so many people showed up.” Mia grasped Mason’s hand.
Since their kidnapping and the gangbangers’ arrests had made the local and state-wide news, the interactions on Belle’s social media pages doubled. Fans rallied in support, and some even sent her flowers at the hospital. After the thugs had waived their right to a trial and the police released the call girls, the media lost interest, so only one news crew covered the sentencing.
He breathed deep and choked. Ugh. The cloying scent of perfume and something acidic—paint, maybe?—clung to his nostrils. He rubbed his nose, clearing his sinuses, and the rough scar on his palm chafed his skin. The battle scars didn’t bother him. In fact, he prided himself on them. The marks and even his limp proved how far he would go to survive and save the woman he loved. With his family now safe, he had better focus on rebuilding his business after its prolonged closure.
“What are you doing about Lando’s will?”
Alan’s abrupt question snapped Benji back to the conversation. “It’s still tied up in probate. After the horrible way he died, I don’t deserve his kindness, but I won’t deny him his last wish. I’ve already talked to his lawyer and accepted the inheritance.” His throat tightened. Would he ever stop missing his friend?
Lando had bequeathed his money and personal possessions to his children, but he gave Benji the duplex.
The warm spring breeze swept his hair across his face. “Belle and I would love to renovate it back into one large house—we need a music room and bedrooms for our future kids—but it’s too much work. For now, we’ll rent out the other side.”
Mia laughed. “Good luck. Belle hasn’t even popped the first one from the oven, and you’re planning another? Do you want her to slice off your man-junk and write a ballad?”
Mason burst out laughing. Alan chuckled too.
“Nah. I’m never gonna give her fuel for man-hating songs.” Benji winked at the sassy brunette. “Besides, she likes my junk too much to hurt it. What else would she lick?”
“Ew, gross.” Mia blushed and fanned her face.
Laughter bounded from the men. A few pedestrians hurried by, casting furtive glances, so Benji bit his tongue to silence his next joke.
“I’m keeping that tasty treat exactly as it is,” Belle piped, snaking her arm around him.
He jumped, startled, and pulled her close. “You heard all that?”
“Most of it.” She pecked his cheek and grinned at the others. “More kids might be in the cards, but for now, Lindy’s enough.”
“Lindy? You’ve come up with a name?” Mia asked.
“Meghan Lindy, after his sister and Lando.” Belle patted Benji’s chest. “We wouldn’t be alive if not for Meghan, and Lando did his best to save us. We’ve decided to call her Lindy.”
Alan’s eyebrow shot to his hairline.
“You gonna give me hell over this?” Benji scowled at the other man as the women hugged.
He shook his head. “No, but I’m surprised. Let’s hope Junior will make better choices than her aunt.”
“Don’t worry. I’m gonna watch my girl like there’s no tomorrow.”
“Poor Lindy. She’ll have to rebel in order to breathe.” Belle smoothed her hands down her dress. “I bet she’ll drive us crazy when she’s a teenager.”
Alan smirked. “You’ll get a test run with Danny. When he gets older and I can’t handle him anymore, I’m shipping him to his uncles.”
Mason snorted. “If he turns out like you, Mr. Square, he won’t be a problem.”
Benji forced a grin as the Harding brothers bantered. If only Meghan had lived and gotten her life straight. Maybe she could’ve found a place in this hodgepodge family.
He’d spread her ashes in the mountains. His heartbroken nephew had cried his eyes out—as had Benji—and neither of them would’ve made it through the little ceremony without Alan and Belle consoling them.
“Speaking of Danny, I need to call the sitter. Excuse me.” Alan grabbed his cell from his pants pocket and strode away.
Benji hugged the woman who owned his heart. What would he do without her?
Luckily, the district attorney believed Benji had shot Iversen in self-defense. Otherwise, he would face a murder trial.
The DA had posthumously charged Iversen with Meghan’s and Stokes’s death, but he acquitted Lando of killing the guard. He’d also filed charges against Mayer for murdering Lando, so the judge added another ten years to the man’s already lengthy prison sentence.
Didn’t that rankle? Mayer, Shaw, and the other gang members got more time for dealing drugs and arms than Mayer did for killing Lando.
Benji kissed Belle’s forehead and rubbed her stomach just as the baby kicked. His gut clenched. If Iversen had won, Benji would’ve lost everything—his woman, his baby, his life. He’d kill the man again if he had to.
“Those wrinkles will stick if you keep frowning like that.” Belle brushed her fingers across his brow. “Should I buy you a jar of anti-wrinkle cream, old man?”
She’d been teasing him about their age difference since his birthday as though seven years was a big deal. It’s not like he was twenty-plus years older than her.
“Ha ha.” He swatted her ass. Damn, he’d miss the extra cushion after she lost the baby weight. “Where did Mason and Mia go?” He glanced around. There! They chatted a few yards away under a tree with colorful flowers. How had he not seen them move? He smiled back at Belle. “Your feet okay?”
“Eh. Probably the same as your leg.” She turned toward their friends. “Don’t leave for lunch without us, Mia.”
The other woman waved them off.
“Only seven months along and I already have a beach ball.” Belle rubbed her lower back as she strode toward a bench near a cluster of bushes. “Ah, it’s about time.” She plopped down and sighed. “You all right, love? About Alan not liking our name choice, I mean?”
“Yeah. I didn’t expect him to be happy with it, but hell, she’s not his kid.” Benji sat, groaning. The pain shooting through his leg quickened his heartbeat. He stretched the limb and rubbed the scarred flesh through his pants. “That’s better.” He leaned back and stared at Alan.
The man stood at the intersection, facing away. He stuffed the cell into his pocket and waved at someone.
A dark-red sports car bolted from the curb and disappeared down the block.
Did Alan wave at the person in the flashy car? What the hell was going on with him?
Benji shrugged off his suit jacket and loosened his tie as the blazing sun slicked sweat on his nape. “I’m worried about Al. He’s acted weird ever since Meghan showed up.”
“Secrets don’t stay buried forever, but I hope it’s nothing too big. We’ve had enough problems with Arnett and Iversen. And then everything went down with Trista last week. Is the universe out to get us?”
He chuckled. “Trista hitting on me isn’t in the same ballpark compared to what Arnett and Iversen did.”
The woman had cornered him during Belle’s final pre-labor gig, so he flipped out on her.
“Any skanky bitch who sticks her tongue down your throat has one foot in the grave.”
Oh, baby. The fiery heat in Belle’s eyes thickened the shaft pressing against his zipper. “Perhaps, but she probably hates me now more than she does you.”
“Calling her a dirty slut in front of a few dozen gawking bystanders would do that.”
She had a point. He twisted his gold wedding band.
They’d tied the knot in a small ceremony and honeymooned in Vail. Though they couldn’t ski, the picturesque city and snowy mountains had been worth the drive.
He smiled at each person in his new family.
Ryan, Chanel, and Shea handed coffee cups to Mason, Mia, and Alan. Jim and Calista had shown up as well, but they left early to open their bakery.
The smile on Shea’s face barely lit her eyes. Her break-up with Trevor had sent her confidence plummeting, and Belle was no longer speaking to her musician friend.
He sighed and hugged Belle close. Too bad all men couldn’t see the perfect woman when she stood right in front of them. “Remember when I said I would spank your cute little ass if you ended up in the hospital? Well, I owe you a spanking.”
Her eyebrows winged up. “Right, at the pub on my birthday. Why haven’t you bent me over your knee?”
“I’ll collect in a few months.” The scent of flowers wafted from one of his best girls. He patted her middle. Before long, he’d hold his other lady in his arms. He could hardly wait.
“After dinner with my parents, let’s have a private little party.”
“As long as Pepperoni doesn’t attend, I’m down.”
She playfully tapped his cheek. “It’s invitation only. Chocolate syrup, birthday suits, and one heavy meat required. You better bring your A-game.”
“Damn right. I love your dirty mind, babe.”
“You’re the love of my life, Benjamin Starwell. Never forget it.”
“I won’t. You’re perfect for me, and I couldn’t be happier.”
****
Author’s Note
Of all the heroines in my Arresting Onyx series, Belle is my favorite. She’s so snarky and a little crude (sometimes, a lot crude), but she’s full of heart and love for those she’s cares about. She’s the type of best friend I wish I had, and I’ll be the first to admit I’m a little jealous of hers and Mia’s friendship.
Fun fact—Belle’s cat, Pepperoni, is based off of my own cat, Pepper, who’s also a plump tortoiseshell with attitude. Or should I say cattitude?
Anyway, I have an exciting opportunity to share. You can sign up for my bi-monthly newsletter absolutely free. You’ll be the first to see photos of my cats (because who doesn’t love pets?!), have the chance to win awesome prizes and vote in contests or polls, and hear about my cover reveals, new releases, sales, and exclusive excerpts.
As my thank you gift for you hanging out with me, you have the chance to download a FREE short story that you can’t buy anywhere. It’s so much fun!
Ready for more cool stuff? I’m dying to introduce you to the next book in my bad boy romantic suspense series, Arresting Onyx, which is packed with unconventional heroes and the women they love. In Trevor’s Redemption, Shea is done dealing with sexy men and all their baggage, especially when they have more secrets than she can stomach. So what happens when she sees her ex, Trevor, singing in a bar to his adoring female fans? Keep reading to find out...