“Mm-hm. I like you jealous.”
“Get used to it, baby.” He groans when I pull his earlobe between my teeth. “You know you’re mine now? To have and to hold ’til death do us part.”
“I do.”
Epilogue
Two months, five days, and twenty-two hours later . . .
Jonah
“Forty-two million dollars?” Owen’s palm slams on the bar, his jaw slack, eyes wide.
I pop the bottle cap and place the fresh beer in front of him. “Projected. It’ll take awhile to liquidate all of Dominick’s properties.” We knew Dominick was loaded with dirty money, but finding out about his multiple luxury high-rise condos and commercial properties was a surprise.
Rex leans in, his pierced eyebrow raised high. “No shit? What’re you guys going to do with all that money?”
“Y’all should buy one of them private islands. Like Oprah.” Caleb motions one of the caterers over and pops a bacon-wrapped shrimp in his mouth.
“Forty-two million dollars.” Owen repeats himself, sounding no less shocked. “Fuck the island. Kick some cash to your boys, man.”
“Dominick Morretti dies and you guys get all his money? Fuck . . .” Rex shakes his head. “I wish my dad was a dead-piece-of-shit pimp.” He throws back the dregs of his beer.
“Raven was his next of kin. It’s her money. She’s got plans for it.”
Caleb stands from his barstool. “Between her money and your money, y’all could buy up half of Vegas.”
“Nah. My title-fight winnings look like pennies in comparison.” I flex against the stifling confinement of my jacket. I can’t wait to get this tux off. Raven is excellent with formal-wear removal. My blood heats and has me searching her out.
She’s on the dance floor that the party planners put in my backyard. Blake spins her around, her white wedding gown swirling at her feet. The strapless top pushes her breasts up in an enticing way. I absently tug at the collar of my tuxedo. It’s loose, reminding me that I took off my tie and unbuttoned the top button while ravishing my wife in the limo on the way home. I can’t wait to peel that dress off her.
“So what’s she going to do with all that money?” Owen pulls me from my fantasy.
I take a swig of beer. “She bought her mom a house. And she started Raven’s Nest.”
“Yeah, I know that, but what about the other thirty-something million?”
“She plans to funnel it all into the foundation as it comes in.”
I look for Milena in the crowd. Since that night at the cabin, she’s been the kind of mom Raven’s always wanted: attentive, loving, hands on. The other day, I walked in to find them flopped on the couch watching Overhaulin’. Their eyes were riveted to the screen while Milena twirled a strand of her daughter’s hair.
Between Milena, my mom, and Eve, Raven has been able to get Raven’s Nest open and running. The foundation provides rehabilitation, job training, housing, and counseling for prostitutes getting out of the business. The place is already packed with the girls from Dominick’s stable.
“That’s some cool shit, man.” Rex toys with his lip ring.
“What’s cool shit?” Her voice draws my attention. No longer the girl who can’t curse, Raven can drop bombs with the best of them. She strolls up with Blake at her side.
“I believe they were talking about me, baby girl.” Blake grabs a beer. “Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m cool as shit.”
Caleb stands from his barstool and pushes it toward her, offering her a seat. “We’re talking about Raven’s Nest.”
Blake plops down on the barstool, earning a glare of Caleb. “Thanks, dude.”
She steps in beside me, champagne in hand. A slight blush colors her cheeks. “Oh.”
I wrap my arm around her tiny waist and hug her to me.
“You’re in the running for sainthood with that move, princess.” Owen shakes his head. “Don’t know if I’d be able to give away that kind of money.”
Eve slides in between Blake and Rex at the bar. “Raven’s not about money. Hell, she’d give away every last cent if it meant taking care of someone else.” She grabs the open beer I just set down in front of Caleb and takes a swig. “Thanks, Caleb.”
“Shit, man,” Caleb mumbles in frustration.
Raven sips her champagne and shrugs. “That money isn’t mine. It belongs to those women. They sold their bodies and he reaped the benefit.” She checks the clock and turns back to the guys at the bar. “I’m just giving it back to them.”
The guys all grumble to themselves, probably still shocked that Raven didn’t keep even a few million for herself.
Eve shakes her head, a knowing smile on her face. “Anyone up for a twirl on the dance floor?” Her eyes rake across the available dance partners. “Come on, Blake.”