Domino by Ivy Black

Epilogue

Domino

Ashley and I both got looked at when we got to the hospital. Thankfully, the bullet only grazed me rather than going through my leg. A few stitches and I’m right as rain again. Ashley escaped serious wounds, and for that, I’m thankful. I’m glad I got to her in time because I really can’t imagine my life or my future without having her in it.

Both of us are sitting in one of the bays in the emergency room. Derek’s out in the waiting room with Cole, who had started to come out of his shell with Derek now that the danger had passed. The catatonia or whatever it was had worn off, and he was starting to laugh and giggle again, which I’m glad for. I know it’s a massive weight off Ash’s shoulders. I think it says a lot about the resiliency of children. Also, having somebody who’s as mentally on par with a four-year old, as Derek is, certainly helps.

I’m itching to get up to Prophet’s room. I’m eager to see him and verify that he’s actually all right. But Singer’s been in our emergency room bay for the last half hour, questioning us about Ryan. He’d already gotten most of the story from Missy and Mark, and we’re just putting the final touches on the story of how a dead body ended up inside town limits.

“Okay, I think that’s it for now. Seems pretty cut and dry,” Singer says.

“Thank you, Sheriff,” I say, to which Ashley nods in agreement.

“No need to thank me.”

I frown, knowing what I want to ask him, but not wanting to reopen any hard feelings. Though, to be fair, I’m not sure that can was ever closed. He’s more in control of himself now, but I have a feeling that Singer is still stewing on what we said to him back at the clubhouse earlier. But I have to know.

“Any idea who shot Prophet, Sheriff?”

He arches an eyebrow at me. “Oh, I think we know who shot him. Or at least, whose proxy shot him.”

“Do we have proof of that?”

“None. Nor do we have proof that it was Zavala or one of his men who murdered Costco, and yet we’re sure of it all the same.”

A rueful smile stretches my lips. “Touché.”

“I hear he’s going to pull through all right, though. That’s a good thing. Believe it or not, I like Prophet a lot. I think he’s a good man. I just think he opened a door he shouldn’t have with this cartel business.”

I bite my tongue, not wanting to remind the sheriff that this cartel business only started when we saved his daughter from them. If not for that, there wouldn’t have been a shootout at the lodge, Zavala’s men wouldn’t have died, and there wouldn’t be a blood feud in progress. But Singer apparently can’t see past the bodies dropping inside town limits.

“Anyway, I should let you get up there to see him. I’m sure you’re anxious.”

“Thank you, Sheriff Singer. And I appreciate your help earlier with locating Ryan’s car.”

He cuts a glance at Ashley and nods. “I get it. I’d be willin’ to risk everything for the woman I love, too.”

Without another word, he turns and pushes he way through the curtains. Ashley, who’s sitting beside me on the exam table turns to me and presses a gentle kiss to my lips then slowly draws back.

“You came for me,” she says. “I can’t believe you came for me. I mean, I had literally just prayed about it right before I saw you… and then you were there.”

Leaning forward, I kiss her forehead and then look her in the eye. “Not that I ever want you to be in a position like that again, but I’ll always come for you, Ash. No matter the odds or the cost, I’ll always come for you. I truly do love you with everything in me.”

“And I love you, Max. With my entire heart, I love you.”

She lays her head down on my shoulder and takes my hand. We sit in a companionable silence for a minute before she looks up at me.

“We should go see your friend,” she says.

I nod, feeling a jagged spike of fear pierce my heart. I’ve heard Prophet’s all right, but I won’t believe it until I see him with my own eyes. We walk out of the emergency room hand in hand and find the elevator, taking it up to the ICU floor. We step off the elevator and find the waiting room that’s filled with Pharaohs. I can see it’s making some of the other people nervous to be around so many bikers. Right. Like we’re going to take over the fucking hospital.

Derek and Cole are tucked away in a corner playing a game, and though she wants to go over to him, I can see Ash doesn’t want to interrupt. Not while Cole is still in the process of putting the day behind him. The door to the waiting room opens and Doc steps in. He looks at me and nods.

“He’s askin’ for you,” he says.

The fact that he’s awake and alert sends a wave of relief sweeping through me. Still holding onto Ash’s hand, I lead her out of the room and down the corridor to where they’ve got Prophet stashed. We walk in and find him propped up in the bed already. His face is drawn and pale, and he looks like he’s aged ten years since I last saw him. Looking closely at him, I can see him grimacing when he moves, telling me that he’s in a lot more pain than he’s letting on. But he’s a tough man. He’s alert and gives us a smile as we step in.

“Prophet, this is Ashley. And Ash, this is Prophet, our club president,” I introduce them.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” she says.

“Likewise,” he croaks, his voice still hoarse. “I’d heard that Domino was dating above his station. I just never knew how much above his station.”

Ashley’s cheeks flare with color and she looks away, hiding her smile. I give her hand a squeeze.

“I don’t deny that at all. In fact, I was hoping she wouldn’t figure it out, so thanks for blowing that for me, Prez.”

“Please. Like she wouldn’t have figured it out sooner or later.”

We all share a laugh, but agony is written into Prophet’s features. He draws in a breath and lets it out slowly. It wavers, but he manages to stuff it all down and keep pretending that he’s the perfect picture of health.

“Cosmo says everything went well today?” he asks.

I nod. “Textbook. Shockingly enough.”

“I’ll take it. About time something went our way.”

“I had the same thought, actually,” I tell him.

His smile is small and weak. “Well, good work. Cosmo says it was one hell of a shot. A shot none of us would have made.”

I shrug. “We don’t know that.”

“Stop being modest. It doesn’t suit you.”

We laugh and Ashley leans her head against my shoulder.

“How many times did they tag you, Prez? And how did they get the drop on you?”

“I was at a light, and this minivan pulls up next to me. Next thing I know, the door flies open, and some dude jumps out and opens fire. He’s back in the van and it’s peeling away before the fuckin’ light even turns green. Fuckin’ cowards. I took four bullets. Only one of them was considered serious, but even that wasn’t all that bad. It’s all good,” he says.

“I’d say it’s pretty far from good.”

“No, you’re right. It’s pretty far from good,” he agrees.

“The question is what are we going to do about it?” I ask.

He looks at Ashley meaningfully, then back to me, the question in his eyes unspoken. I look at Ashley, offering her a small smile.

“I don’t keep anything from her. She knows everything, Prez.”

Prophet nods as if he expected nothing less. And when he looks at Ashley again, I see something like respect for her in his eyes. Like Cosmo said, it takes a certain kind of woman to know what we do and either not run away screaming or call the police on us. But then, Ashley is a rare kind of woman indeed.

“Was it Zavala’s men? Do we know it for sure?” I ask.

He nods. “Yeah, it was them. The shooter told me it was compliments of Zavala himself before he pulled the trigger.”

“Fuckers. What now?” I growl.

Prophet looks at me, pinning me to my spot with just his eyes. I have a feeling I know what the next words out of his mouth will be, and I get the idea Ash does, too, because her grip on my hand tightens. An expression of worry crosses her face, but Prophet remains unflappable. And beyond that, he looks righteously pissed off.

“We’re going to war,” he says.

Damn. I hate being right all the time.

* * *

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