Fate’s Unseen Shadow (Cager #1)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

FIVE MONTHS LATER

“ S he wants to meet.” Ryker sat down hard at the bar at Cager, eyes wide and a little in shock. “She just texted my phone. My phone .”

Ella passed him the beer she’d poured when she heard his motorcycle pull into the parking lot. “Ooh. Swapped phone numbers? That’s a big step for you, isn’t it?”

“We didn’t swap numbers.” He drank half the beer. “She found mine. And the number she’s texting from is fake.”

“Can you find hers?”

“No, she’s hiding.”

“But you can find anyone.”

He shook his head. “Not her. She’s good.”

“Better than you?” She’d meant it as a joke, but his frown was immediate.

“Yes.”

She lightly laughed and patted his shoulder. “It’ll be okay. I’m sure you’re better at something. I bet she can’t drive a motorcycle like you do.”

“Thanks,” he muttered, drinking another long drink.

“When is the big day?” Ella leaned on the bar top. “Can I meet her?”

“I’d hoped to have her come here and meet everyone at once. No use trying to ease her into this crowd.” He finished the beer and waved off the next one as she turned to pour another. “No. I’m going for a long ride and need a clear head.” He looked at his phone and then outside. “And it’s time for you to come with me.”

“On your bike?” She was already shaking her head and backing away. “No, thank you.”

He motioned toward the door. “No, I came in here to wait for the signal and take you outside when I’m told. I wasn’t expecting Shadow Flower to text.”

Ella covered her mouth as a snort escaped. She didn’t mean to laugh at the screen name of Ryker’s crush, but it was so cute. “Shadow Flower. Oh my god, I love that. Are you, um, ready for whatever she may look like?”

“I honestly don’t care. If I’m not attracted to her, it doesn’t change the fact I’d like to be friends. I think I’ve built her up in my head to be this hot woman, but I won’t be disappointed if she’s not. I haven’t promised her anything romantic. As far as she’s aware, I’m a simple, friendly kind of guy.” He walked beside Ella to Cager’s front porch. “And who knows, she could think the same about me. She might take one look at me and want to be friends. I’m not as confident in my sex appeal as your husband.”

Ella rolled her eyes. “Pu-lease. Jeez. All four of you are some of the hottest guys I’ve ever met. And after working here for the past six months and flying all over the world before that, I’ve met a lot of people. She won’t be disappointed.” She bumped her shoulder into his. “You’re a great guy, too.”

“Thanks.”

“Why did I need to come out here?”

Ryker pointed his chin. “For that.”

She turned as the engine purr grew louder. “He didn’t! He’s mentioned buying me a car only a dozen times. Sneaky.”

“It’s next year’s model of the safest SUV possible. He’s been on a waitlist to get it customized. That’s what’s taken so long.” Ryker stepped down the stairs.

She followed, still in shock. The SUV was matte black with tinted windows.

It rolled to a stop before her, and Damon climbed out.

“I have a surprise for you.” He met her at the top of the stairs, giving her quick kiss.

“I can see.” She grinned, peering around him. “And it’s an SUV.”

He looked back at his gift. “Thought I’d get a head start on expanding the family.”

“Does this mean you’re ready to start trying?”

Damon narrowed his eyes. “Not yet. I want more time to have you all to myself.”

“Sounds good to me.” She leaned to the side. “Can I look inside?”

“Of course.” He led her to the driver’s side door. “It’s armored.”

Ella slowed and looked back over her shoulder. “Armored?”

“Armored.”

She touched the outside of the car. “Like bulletproof?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a little overboard, Damon.” A lot overboard. She didn’t have any need for a bulletproof car.

“Says the woman who bought us a house.” He shrugged, resting his forearm on the side and caging her between him and the car. “Don’t you want to look at it? It has the highest trim package.”

She twisted around, surveying the glossy dashboard and soft, black leather interior. “It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it.” She hugged him, resting her head on his chest. “And I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He kissed the top of her head. “Climb inside. You can drive the first leg of our trip.”

“Trip?” She kept her excitement in check. “But I’m supposed to work this shift.”

“Ryker is working your shift tonight. We’ll be back by next Thursday.”

Ella glanced back at Ryker.

He lifted his hand, smiling.

“Shadow Flower found his phone number and started texting. Wants to meet him.”

“Shadow Flower?” Damon chuckled. “Sounds like a comic book character. I hope she makes it happen so he can continue his life. He’s been stuck on this person for nearly a year.” He scratched his cheek. “I’m not sure he’s gone out with another woman since he began talking to her.”

“That’s sweet.”

Damon shrugged. “Not if you knew Ryker before then. He, um, was more like Slater and Xavier with women. And for some reason, women fall for that nerdy look. The other guys used to hate going out with him. He always pulled a woman within the first fifteen minutes.” He snorted. “Showing up on his bike always helped.”

“I bet.” Her quick response earned her a frown. She laid a hand on Damon’s chest. “I know how sexy you look whenever you take it for a ride. So, where are we going?”

“I rented a house on Amelia Island.”

She rose on her toes, clasping her hands with his. “We’re doing this?”

“We’re looking at the venue. I told the wedding planner that you wanted a Christmas wedding at that location, and she said we had to book it before next Saturday. She’s meeting with us tomorrow.”

“Most men don’t want any part in planning the wedding.” She lifted her face, waiting for his anticipated response.

“And you already know I’m not like most men. Besides, I wanted to marry you five months ago. If I need to take on part of the planning to make this happen this year and not next, I’m up for it.”

Ella wiggled her eyebrows. “Up for anything else?”

He dipped his head, kissing her. “I will be as soon as we make it to the house.”

She grinned. “Can I drive fast?”

“Absolutely.” He swatted her bottom. “Get in.”

With a squeal, Ella jumped into the driver’s seat. When Damon climbed inside, she started the engine. “I’m going to get us there in record time.”

He relaxed back. “I’m only in a hurry to make you my wife.”

“Then why don’t we take a day trip to Georgia?” She ignored his glance and drove out of Cager’s parking. “South Carolina makes you wait twenty-four hours. We can get married tomorrow in Georgia since I’m technically still a resident. But”—she held up her finger—“I’m not giving up the wedding.”

“Deal.” He snatched her hand from where it hovered and kissed the back of it. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, you’ll be mine.” Forever.

The End

Keep reading for the first two chapters of the second book from the Cager Series.