Ink (The Skulls Book 17) Read online

  “Hold on tight.” He made a turn, and she did as he asked, going with the flow of his body as he took the corner. He was in total control, and she trusted him. Where he moved, she followed him, and it was amazing.

  By the time they arrived at the clubhouse, she didn’t want it to end. Ink pulled into the parking lot and she climbed off, nearly falling on her ass because her legs were like Jell-O. Ink caught her, and she held onto him, smiling up into his face.

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he said.

  “Wow, you have a way with words, Ink.”

  He helped her to stand up, and she frowned as he suddenly went down on one knee, startling her.

  “Ink, what are you doing?” she asked.

  “I was going to wait until later to do this. I had a whole romantic setting planned, but I’ve waited a long time already to do this and I don’t want to wait anymore.” He took hold of her hand, and she watched him pull something out of his pocket.

  Past his shoulders, she saw members of The Skulls coming out of the clubhouse, watching them.

  “Ink, they can all see this. Are you crazy right now?”

  “I’m not crazy. I’m in love with you. I want only you. When I think about my future, the only person I want is you. You’re the love of my life. The only person I want to be with. I don’t care if they watch this or not, of if Tabitha and the others have a bet. I know what Anthony said about me. I can see the fear in your eyes, and you’re worried I’m going to do the same thing again. I promise you, I won’t. You’re the only person I want, and we’ve already wasted a year. Life is too fucking short for this.”

  “But what if—”

  “No, I’ll be there. In sickness and in health, I’ll be there.”

  “I can’t have kids.” She didn’t know why she was constantly saying these things as if to talk him out of it.

  “I’ve already spoken to Whizz and Lacey. We can adopt if it’s kids we want.” He got to his feet, still holding the ring as he held her, cupping her face. “I love you. All of you. Every single part of you. You’re the love of my life, and there’s no one I’d ever want to be with but you. Stop keep trying to make excuses and just know that you’re loved more than anything else in the world.” He pressed his lips to hers.

  “Yes.” She looked up at him. “Yes.”

  Up until this moment, she’d had her doubts about him, about what they meant to each other but no more. She was going to give this a chance, and to hell with worrying about the future. The future wasn’t yet written, and she was going to enjoy her time now, with him.

  Ink slid the ring onto her finger, and she threw her arms around his neck, holding him close.

  “I love you, baby.”

  “I love you too.”

  ****

  Ink was pouring Darcy some soda when Anthony stepped into the kitchen. He didn’t even bother looking over at the younger kid. Out of all of the Skulls children, Anthony was the biggest enigma. He never begged for attention or tried to draw anyone close to him. For the most part he was cold, collected, refusing to give anyone a chance to get to know him. Apart from Daisy.

  He’d seen Anthony with Lacey and Whizz’s young daughter, and knew there was something going on there, but he didn’t exactly know himself.

  With a glass in his hand, and a bottle of beer in the other, he looked at Anthony. There was no cockiness about the kid. No blatant lack of respect.

  He just stood there, waiting.

  “You think I’ve got a problem with you?” Ink asked.

  “I only got a problem with you if you hurt Darcy.”

  “You think I’m going to leave like last time.”

  “No. I don’t blame you for leaving. Darcy was too young, and what she did was wrong. I respect you for leaving, but Darcy is still one of us. You hurt her, step out on her, you won’t just deal with me, you’ll deal with all of us.”

  He nodded. “Fair enough.”

  “You’re not going to beat the shit out of me? Threaten to get my ass thrown out of the club?”

  “Nope,” Ink said. “I respect you for sticking up for Darcy. She’s one of you, and I know she’s always got friends and people to protect her in you. I’d never do anything to hurt her. I love her with all of my heart. I left once to stop from hurting her, but I’m not going to leave now. I won’t ever hurt her.” He stared Anthony up and down. “I was a lot like you growing up. Tough, didn’t give a shit about the world, not really. The difference between us, Anthony, is I didn’t have a family who gave a fuck. They didn’t care, and because they didn’t give a shit, I lost my sister. They wasted too much time spending money on themselves to pay to take my sister to the doctor. I lost her because of their negligence. That shit with Darcy, it opened it all back up again. I’m not going to prove just you wrong. I’m going to prove you all wrong. I’ll stick around.”

  “Make sure you do, Ink. Darcy’s one of us, and well, we have a habit of taking care of our own.” Anthony turned and left, and Ink watched him go.

  Ink stood at the door as Anthony climbed onto a bench. Tabitha and Daisy were listening to music. Miles sat between them, his arms resting over both of their legs, and Anthony was at the back, looking over their shoulder.

  Seeing them now, teenagers, the strength and unity within them, he felt so fucking proud to know them. They all came from The Skulls, and each of them were a family. Anthony pushed some of Daisy’s hair off her shoulder, and the girl didn’t even react.

  Now he had to wonder if Anthony’s lack of response was because of Daisy. The girl he’d been wanting for a long time didn’t even show any affection toward him, at least not in front of them.

  “What are you staring at?” Darcy asked, coming into the doorway.

  “Just looking at the kids.” He frowned. “Gross, that sounds wrong, doesn’t it?”

  “Totally wrong.” She laughed. “I got thirsty.”

  He handed her the glass of soda he made for her.

  “Are you having second thoughts already?” she asked.

  “About marrying you? Not even a slither of a doubt.” He banded his arm around her, holding her close.

  Blaine was keeping a close eye on him, so he knew he had to be careful or risk his future father-in-law’s wrath.

  “What is it?” Darcy asked.

  “I just realized Blaine’s going to be my father-in-law, and that shit is weird.”

  “I love you,” she said.

  “I love you too.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and headed out into the back yard. Lash was manning the grill as he always did.

  There were tables laden with lots of food that he knew Angel had been preparing since yesterday.

  The young single mom and boy they’d rescued the other day sat in the corner. There was bruising on the woman’s face, but she didn’t look terrified of them. They were waiting for Michael Granito to come through with a conviction before the other woman moved on.

  Sipping at his drink, he wrapped his arm around Darcy’s waist, her leather cut still firmly in place.

  This was his dream. He didn’t even realize this was what he wanted but now knew he would give anything and everything to keep it.

  ****

  “You shouldn’t be here, Daisy.” Tabitha stopped and turned to face her best friend.

  “What, and you should?” Daisy had her arms folded and her brow raised. It was the face Daisy gave everyone who was being naughty.

  “Yeah, I should.”

  “No, you shouldn’t. You snuck out, and not that quietly either. There’s no way I’m letting you go alone.”

  “What are you going to do? Glare at everyone?”

  “Stop it, Tab. I know you’re just trying to piss me off so I’ll leave you alone to go and fight your bullshit, but I’m not buying it. I’m not buying this.”

  “Okay, fine. What is it you want?” Tabitha asked, frustrated.

  “For one, you’re not going alone,” Miles said, joining them, along wi
th Anthony. Simon wasn’t too far behind. This wasn’t her Simon though. This was Tate and Murphy’s son, her nephew.

  “You think we’re going to let you go into this fight without back up. Not happening. We do everything as a team, you know that.”

  “This is bullshit,” she said.

  “And what if that bitch is there with all her crew? You know what they’re like,” Anthony said. “We all go together, or you don’t go, simple as.”

  “You think you can stop me?” Tabitha asked.

  Anthony lifted up his cell phone. “One call to the cops, and you’re not going.”

  “What, are you going to get them to arrest me? Please, don’t fucking bullshit me.”

  “No, but I can have them arrest the others. How about that? You want to be a snitch, Tabitha? You’re the only one else who knows where to meet them. They’ll know you called.”

  “You bastard.”

  “We’re your friends, Tabitha. You can bitch and moan about it all you want, but we’re not backing down, nor are we stopping. We’re coming with you, even if I do glare my way through it.”

  Tabitha looked at her family, at her friends, and she felt tears come to her eyes, watching them. This was why they would always be the best. They were more than just a club, they were each other’s family, no matter what.

  “Then I guess we all better get over there before they think I’ve chickened out.”

  Daisy smiled and rushed forward, pulling her into a hug. “I love you, Tabitha.”

  She held her friend, knowing she did, because she also loved Daisy so much. Holding her hand, they all walked together, united, and ready for whatever was about to be thrown their way.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Three months later

  “Darcy, there is no one else I would want in the world but you. You’re beautiful, scary, amazing.”

  “Scary? When did scary get into the wedding vows?” Lash asked, moving toward him.

  “Shit. I had these all memorized yesterday. and now I can’t fucking remember them. I’m going to ruin this day. I know it.”

  “You’re not going to ruin anything. I promise. I won’t let you. That’s not what this is about. Take a breath.”

  “This is the one day that Darcy will remember all of her life. and what is she going to remember? Me, screwing everything up and fucking her over.”

  Lash laughed. “Now you’re talking crazy. Here, drink this.”

  “What’s this?”

  “This is a shot of the finest scotch, and you’re going to sit down, take a breath, and be calm. Do you want to run away, is that it?”

  “What? You think these are nerves because I don’t want to be here?” Ink asked, looking toward his club Prez.

  “I have to wonder.”

  “No, I’m not nervous about this. I’m nervous about messing this up. It’s Darcy’s day. I want her to remember this for all the right reasons,” he said. “I love her, and she has a right to love this day.”

  Lash smiled. “You are worrying unnecessarily. For all you know Darcy is right now freaking out and wanting to run out on you.”

  “What?” Ink asked.

  “You think it’s just the guys that have wedding jitters? Nope. The women do as well. Thankfully, Angel was never like that. She knew she was getting an awesome package.”

  Ink ran a hand down his face. The scotch hadn’t done anything for him.

  “The vows are the most important part,” Ink said.

  “Since when?”

  “It’s what we say to each other. It’s what matters,” Ink said. “Since the moment I’ve asked her to marry me, I’ve been thinking how best to say all the things I want to say.”

  Lash sighed, taking a seat opposite him.

  “Then you’ve been doing it wrong,” Lash said. “The vows aren’t the most important. I can’t even remember the shit I said to Angel. You know what counts?”

  “What?” He looked toward his Prez and waited for whatever advice he could give.

  “It’s a mixture of everything,” Lash said. “You think when Angel and I are having a hard time, she thinks about her vows, and it’s all going to be magically okay?”

  “No.”

  “No, exactly. Vows are just a bunch of words you say to each other. They have no real value. What does have real value? Action. You always being there. When Darcy’s got to go to the hospital, you’re there. When she calls you, you don’t put that shit off. You go to her. When she’s afraid in the middle of the night and scared you’re doing the wrong thing, you hold her, and you’re patient with her, because it’s the little things that matter the most. The things that no one else can take away from you. I’m Angel’s everything because she is my life.”

  Ink sat up.

  “And if Darcy’s yours, then it doesn’t matter what you say today. It matters what you do a year from now, two years, ten, fifteen, twenty. That is what matters,” Lash said.

  “Holy shit, bro, you should have totally been a poet,” Nash said.

  “Fuck off. What are you doing here?” Lash asked, getting to his feet.

  “The time for running away has gone. Everyone is ready.”

  Ink got to his feet. He was ready, more than ready. He made his way out of the room, going to the altar. Their family and friends were all in the church. Darcy had wanted a church wedding, and as the music started, he watched his wife appear. The bridesmaids were already in their places, and he couldn’t take his eyes off the woman that was going to be his.

  Blaine escorted her down the aisle, and as always Blaine last night had given him a warning that if he couldn’t commit to Darcy, he had to leave her be.

  No one seemed to realize that he was in love with this woman. She was a fighter, beautiful, strong, and everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. All he had to do was wait for her, and he had.

  Every second they were together, it was worth it.

  Blaine gave her over to him, lifting up her white lace veil.

  “Hey,” she said, whispering to him.

  “You look beautiful.”

  The priest cleared his throat and began the ceremony. Ink didn’t hear a word of it. He didn’t care for what the priest had to say.

  When it came to his vows, he was ready.

  “Darcy, someone wise told me that having a successful marriage is not about the words I say today but about the actions for the rest of my life.”

  “That’s me,” Lash said, calling out.

  Laughter filled the church, and Darcy chuckled.

  “So, I promise you, I’ll always be here for you. You don’t have to look to anyone else. I will love you for the rest of my life. If you’re sad, I’ll be there to make you happy. If I made you happy, I’ll give you a bat to punish me with.”

  She laughed.

  “Above all, you have me. Heart, body, mind, and soul. Every day is going to be amazing because we’re together.”

  He saw the tears in her eyes. It was her turn.

  “Ink, I have had a crush on you for years.” She chuckled, as did the crowd. “I would spend my time pretending not to watch you, doing my homework, but I watched you. I thought of this day a million times, and it doesn’t even come close to how perfect this is. I will be there for you, Ink. Every day. I will never let a moment go where I can be with you. Life is too short, and I know from now until the rest of my life, the only person I can ever want is you. You are my everything, and I give you my all.”

  The moment the priest allowed him to kiss the bride, Ink didn’t waste a moment. They were now man and wife, and he was in fucking heaven.

  Their family and friends went wild, clapping and cheering. Breaking from the kiss, he stared into her eyes, wiping away the tears.

  “Did I mess it up?” he asked.

  “No. It was perfect. This is all perfect.”

  “It’s not over yet, lovebirds,” Lash said.

  “Now is the time for the photographs. Don’t think for a second you can get away with not g
etting your photo.” He snapped his fingers, and Ink took hold of Darcy’s hand, walking her down the aisle, as their family cheered for them.

  When they came out of the church, the photographers were already there, waiting for them.

  “Are you ready for the rest of our life?” Ink asked.

  “With you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”

  Epilogue

  Ten years later

  Darcy stood in the waiting room. She had never been so nervous in all of her life. Ink sat on the hospital bed.

  “What do you think is taking them so long?” she asked.

  “Calm down. It’s all fine.” Ink grabbed her hand, pulling her in close. She stepped between his spread legs, resting her head against his.

  Her heart was racing, and she was so nervous.

  Ten years, she’d been cancer free. She still got tested regularly as there was always the risk it would come back, but for ten years she’d been happily married with Ink, her husband.

  “What if she changes her mind?” Darcy asked.

  “We know she’s not going to. She asked us to take her, remember.” Ink tucked some hair behind her ear, and Darcy felt tears spring to her eyes. “Please, don’t cry. You know I can’t handle it when you cry.”

  She had tried not to cry, but she had so much to be happy about over the past ten years. Her marriage was even better than she thought it would be. Ink was the love of her life, and they had moved out of their apartments and found a small house with a garden. Ink attended all of her doctor appointments without fail. He had never run away again, and now as they stood in the hospital again, they were waiting for something else, or at least someone else.

  Just as she was about to lose her mind, the curtain was pulled back, and she stared down at the young woman who had been rescued by The Skulls. She’d been forced into prostitution and had ended up pregnant. The woman was only seventeen, and she wanted a chance at a life for herself.

  “Here they are,” she said. “Here are your parents and they are going to love you, and take care of you, and be everything you need.”

  Ink stood behind her, and Darcy took a step closer to the woman. Abby. The woman who had offered her the baby she was carrying.