Lake had taken Lucca’s advice of Googling mob rules and found out that only a few times in history had a famous family made a man with no Italian roots. When she had asked him if this could be one of the exceptions, Lucca had told her he would get it done. She had sealed her fate forever the moment she had asked for her father to be made. There was no running from the mafia when your father was made. It didn’t matter, though. She planned to stay with Vincent until the end of time.
He will always find me. He will always save me. He’s my family now. I am his. Forever.
When he kissed her roughly and she saw the passion in his eyes, a wave of pleasure rushed through her that she had pleased him.
Vincent’s hand went under the back of her dress, finding out she wasn’t wearing any panties. He squeezed her naked ass. “Good girl.”
The Sun Will Rise Tomorrow
Everyone suffers from one bad day.
Others suffer for months on end.
Just know that the sun will rise tomorrow,
And then the wind can blow in your hair again.
Giving up is easy,
But living life is well worth the reward.
So wake up tomorrow.
It’s another day closer, another step forward to feel the wind.
It’s worth waking up tomorrow to see your suffering end.
-Sarah Brianne
Please, if you or someone you know ever needs help, follow this link to get more information and help.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
http://www.victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/national-hotlines-and-helpful-links
Enjoy an excerpt from Jamie Begley’s book
Shade (The Last Riders, #6)
Prologue
Shade watched from a seat in the darkened corner of Evie’s living room, as she came through the front door, her startled eyes meeting his as she stepped into the room.
“Shade?”
Shade stared back at the woman who had been his friend since high school. Evie, her boyfriend at the time, Levi, and he had been an unbreakable trio that had gone on to join the military together. He and Evie had remained close friends throughout the years, even after Levi’s death. When she had made it known that she intended to join The Last Riders, he had tried to dissuade her, knowing it was a emotional reaction to losing Levi. Meeting her now husband King, Lily’s father, had been good for her. Every day, he saw a little more of the woman she used to be, before she had been raped and lost Levi.
“We need to talk.” Shade kept his face impassive. It was because of their friendship that he was there in her home.
Shade watched as Evie carefully placed her purse down on the coffee table. “I guess I don’t need to ask what about. How’s Mag?”
Shade’s expression didn’t alter at her question. Mag was Cash’s grandmother, who was recovering in the hospital after unknowingly eating poisoned beans intended for Lily, at the yearly town festival.
“Better. She’ll be at the hospital for a couple more days,” he said grimly.
“I’m surprised Cash didn’t come with you.”
“I told him it was my problem to deal with. He doesn’t agree. He wants to take Brooke out himself, but I told him no.” Shade got up from the chair and walked to the window, staring out at the small town. “He doesn’t need the death of a woman with a small child on his conscience.”
“You’re not worried about your own?” Evie asked.
“I don’t have one.” Shade shrugged.
“Shade, you have feelings. I don’t know why you think you don’t. Lily shows you’re capable of loving someone.”
“She’s the exception.”
“I don’t believe so, or you wouldn’t be here,” Evie said softly.
Shade turned to face her. “I’m here because you’re a Last Rider, and we’ve always been honest with each other, Evie. Brooke’s not going to stop until she hurts Lily, or I stop her.” He stared into her eyes, seeing the flash of pain she couldn’t hide.
“She’s my fraternal twin; I grew up with her and know her better than anyone else…” As Evie paused, taking a deep breath, Shade braced himself for her to ask for mercy on her sister’s behalf. “There is nothing redeemable inside of her. You think you have no conscience and can’t feel for anyone?” Her lips gave a mocking twist. “I begged my father for a cat when I was younger, and he finally allowed me to pick one out from the shelter. I was surprised when Brooke actually seemed to like it. She played with it all the time and even let it sleep curled up against her. We had that cat for six years, and it ended up being more hers than mine.
“One night, a boy she had been dating for a couple of weeks came over and had an allergic reaction to the cat. He wouldn’t come inside after that. A month later, the cat disappeared. I searched all over the neighborhood for it, kept going into the backyard thinking it would come back. I finally noticed a mound of dirt had been dug next to our garage. I dug it up and found my cat. Its throat had been slit, and it was wrapped in the blanket it always slept on. When I told Brooke, she never shed a tear and never admitted she had done it, but I knew she was the one who had killed it.
“Believe me, she’s the true psychopath. Do what you have to do.”
Shade gave a brief nod before asking, “What about your nephew?”