Epilogue
Two months later . . .
Madison fidgeted with the strap on her purse. Aiden pulled down the street, muttering numbers to himself. He stopped in front of a green bungalow, but it was the next-door house that had her attention.
105 Pickett Street.
Madison blew out a breath and turned toward Aiden.
“Is this a good idea?” she asked.
He shifted into park and faced her. “Did you change your mind?”
Aiden took her hand and lifted it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles and her heart melted. For all that she’d lost since meeting him, she’d gained even more.
“What if they’re still mad at me?” she asked.
“Madison, it’s your mom. She said she wanted to see you and that your sisters would be here.”
“I know, but—what should we talk about?” Her life had changed in the last two months. She no longer lived on the boat or worked at the airport. Her relationship with Lily was broken. It would take a long time to fix. She’d left the airport and started working at Classic Rides, under the watchful eye of the FBI. So really, her life had played right into Aiden’s plans, not that she minded much.
“Roller derby and school are safe topics. Work—maybe mention you’re taking over the books, but leave the Hoovers out of it. They’re hard to explain.”
“I wouldn’t tell them that.”
“Just—talk to them. Ask them what they’ve been doing.”
“What are you going to do?” She squeezed his hands.
“I’ll hang around.”
“I know—say as little as possible, don’t mention you, less I say the safer it is. Right?”
“You got it, babe.” He leaned across and kissed her.
“Okay. I’m doing this.” She looped her purse over her shoulder and pushed the door open.
“They’re going to love you. Just like I do.”
She paused, glancing over her shoulder, smiling at Aiden.
“I love you,” she said, relishing the rush she got every time she said it.
“I love you, too. Now, get out of my car.” He swatted her bottom as she got out.
Madison pushed her shoulders back and strode down the walk, turning through the gate. The house was cute, with flower beds and toys strewn in the yard. Did one of her sisters have children? She’d missed so much, but she wouldn’t change anything. Without Dustin and their divorce, she’d never have met Aiden. Their lives would never be normal, but they wouldn’t lack for excitement.
The front door opened before she’d made it halfway to the door. Her mother had aged, there was silver in her shoulder-length brown hair, and she’d lost some weight. Her mother paused, mouth open, eyes wide. Tears sprang to Madison’s eyes and all she wanted was to hug her mother.
“Madison?”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Oh, Madison!” Her mother rushed down the stairs. Madison met her at the bottom, wrapping her in a tight hug.
“Is she here?” someone said from inside.
“Come here, girls,” her mother yelled.
Madison’s sisters and two toddlers spilled out of the house, enveloping her in hugs and tears. The only thing missing from the perfect picture was Aiden. But there was a price to pay for their love. Someday, she’d be able to bring him home, but today was her homecoming.
* * *
Aiden watched Madison’s joyful reunion with one eye, and his rearview mirror with the other. There wasn’t a threat—yet. Between his crew’s vigilance and the good will of the police department, they’d been looked after, but that would change someday. The Haughtons slowly wandered inside, Madison weighted down with two kids before she’d hit the front door. She had a good family, and someday, he hoped to make amends with his the way she was, but for now, he’d live vicariously through her.
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the one number he only called once a month. It rang several times before an older woman said, “Hello?”
“Hey, Grandma.” Aiden smiled.
“Hey, I haven’t heard from you in awhile. Missed you the last few months.”
“I know, things have been busy.”
“You mean dangerous.” His grandmother didn’t know the scope of what he did, but she knew enough, and she knew him.
“A little.”
“You doing okay?”
“Yeah. I was wondering what you were doing next weekend.”
“Fishing, probably.”
“Think you could do with some company? There’s someone I’d like for you to meet.” Madison was his future. She’d filled a hole inside of him.
“I could be talked into that. Do I need to make up a bed?”
“No, ma’am. We’ll be fine in the guest room.”
“It’s that kind of someone, now is it? Shoot. Must be someone special.”
“She is, Grandma.”
“Oh hell, the plumber is here. I’ve got to go. Bring another fishing pole.”
He didn’t think Madison would catch much. She talked too loud, but he wouldn’t have her any other way.
Aiden hung up the phone and laced his hands together behind his head, settling in for a long wait. But it wasn’t anything compared to how long he’d waited to have her in his life. What was an hour or so to forever with her?