Ruthless Regret (Ruthless Games Duology #2)

Epilogue

ASHLEY

Fourteen months.

It hits me while I'm sitting in my mom's living room, flipping through a magazine while she makes lunch. It's been fourteen months to the day since McFadden's death. Since everything changed.

A lot can happen in fourteen months.

McFadden still hasn’t been found. Rook and Bishop Chambers made sure of that. The case is still open, but there are no leads to follow, and the police have told us that unless someone sees the ex-sheriff, it’s unlikely that they’ll ever be able to find him and bring him to justice.

Zain's parents have become like second parents to me—his mom especially has gone out of her way to make up for those first awkward weeks. His dad treats me like the daughter he never had, always ready with a hug or a dad joke that makes Zain roll his eyes.

Jason's mom stops by for coffee every Sunday. We talk about him now, sharing stories and memories without the weight of guilt crushing my chest. She hugs me tight each time she leaves, and tells me she's glad I found happiness again. That Jason would want that for me. I think he would want it for her as well.

My relationship with my mom is much better. We talked about what I overheard the night Jason died, about how her and Dad got together, and how hard it was for her to watch what I went through after his death, and the pressure it put on her marriage for a long time.

Louisa’s parents sent a letter to Zain, apologizing for believing he’d been the one to take their daughter’s life. We drove out of town to meet them. There were tears, and memories shared, and I think it was cathartic for both them and Zain.

Karla and Jessa-Mae have finally stopped walking on eggshells around Zain. Now they just roll their eyes when he gets possessive and growly, and tease him about being a caveman.

Scott moved to Chicago six months ago. Last I heard, he's dating someone new. It's better this way—some wounds need distance to heal.

Sondra still hates me, but I stopped caring about that months ago. Her snide comments and cold looks bounce right off me now. I think it's jealousy, if I'm honest.

Me and Zain are together. Properly together . It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been moments where we questioned whether it was going to work out. But we pushed through the tough days, knowing that what we have is worth fighting for, and now I couldn’t ask for a more perfect relationship.

The knock on the door is unexpected, but it draws me out of my thoughts.

“I’ll get it.”

Mom responds with something I don’t catch.

When I open the door, there's a man in a dark suit standing on the porch. My heart skips a beat—he reminds me of Bishop, of Rook. Of that day in the kitchen.

"Mrs. Ryder." He holds out a cream-colored envelope.

I take it, frowning. Inside is an invitation, and I recognize the heavy paper and handwriting. It’s identical to the one Zain sent all those months ago, when this all began. It’s an invitation to dinner.

Same restaurant. Same demanding tone.

I stare at it, confusion crawling through me. We had breakfast together this morning. He kissed me goodbye before I headed over to my mom’s. Why would he...?

"I'm to drive you," the man says, gesturing to a black car idling in the driveway.

“Mom …” I turn and find her standing behind me, a smile curving her lips up.

“Finally. I was running out of ways to stall lunch.”

I blink. She flaps her hands at me.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Get going.”

Something about this feels surreal, like déjà vu twisted inside out. Last time, fear and anger drove me to that restaurant. This time, it's curiosity that makes me grab my purse and follow the man out of the house.

The drive is made in silence … Well, the driver is silent. I keep asking him questions.

“What’s going on?”

“Why didn’t Zain call me?”

“What’s he doing?”

When we arrive at the restaurant, he opens my door and leads me inside. It’s empty, except for one table. Zain sits there, his expression unreadable.

"Sit down." His voice is flat, controlled.

My heart rate picks up speed as I slide into the chair across from him. "What's wrong?"

He doesn't answer. Instead, he slides another envelope across the table. This one is worn at the edges, like it's been handled many times. When I open it, my breath catches.

The contract.

The paper that started everything. That bound us together for fourteen months of revenge that turned into something else entirely.

"Fourteen months," he says quietly. "That was the deal."

I look up at him, my fingers curling around the edge of the paper. "Zain?—"

"The terms are complete." He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a lighter. Taking the paper back from my unresisting fingers, he touches the flame to the corner.

I watch it burn.

“Fourteen months in return for complete control of your life.” His head tilts. “Those were the terms.”

“Yes, but?—”

He holds up another envelope.

“What’s that?”

“A new contract.”

“A … what? Why?”

I reach for the envelope. He places a hand over it, stopping me.

“I spent fourteen years plotting my revenge. I had a plan. There were three simple steps. Get out of prison. Find the girl who put me there. Make her pay.” His fingers drum a beat on top of the envelope. “I had it all worked out, except for one important thing.”

I’m holding my breath, listening to that soft voice, heart hammering.

“I didn’t account for meeting a woman who wasn’t prepared to lie down and accept her punishment. She drove me crazy, challenged everything I thought I knew, turned my entire world upside down.”

He sets a small velvet box on the table between us. I stare at it.

“Open it.” His voice is soft.

My hand shakes as I reach for it. Inside is a ring that catches the light, sending sparkles across the envelope.

"For fourteen years, in that prison cell while I plotted my revenge, you gave my life purpose. For the past fourteen months, you've given my life meaning." A smile finally cracks his stern expression. "The problem is, I need a more permanent arrangement.”

He pauses, smile softening.

"I love you, Ashley."

Three words. That's all. But they steal my breath away.

"Zain—"

"I think I've loved you since that night at dinner with my parents when you told Sondra to go fuck herself." His voice is rough. "I just wasn't ready to admit it."

Tears blur my vision. "I love you too."

His eyes darken, and his hand finds mine across the table. "What do you say, Firecracker? Want to sign your life away for eternity? Marry me. For real this time."

I don't hesitate. "Yes.”

THE END

Thank you for reading Ruthless Regret.