Thunder (Hell's Handlers MC #10) - Lilly Atlas Page 0,142

was losing control of her emotions. “I l-love you too,” she said as the battle to remain tearless became a futile one.

“Shhh, it’s okay.” He rubbed her back. “Let it out, babe, and know it’s the last time you’ll ever have to cry like this.”

Everything came pouring out of her at that moment. All the fear, stress, anxiety, struggling, and now elation. The emotions jumbled together in an overwhelming attack on her system. The intense feelings had nowhere to go but streaming from her eyes in a torrent of hard-earned tears.

Thunder held her through it, rocking side to side and whispering sweet nonsense in her ear. After long minutes, she began to settle, with only the occasional hiccup or choked breath.

The distant whir of sirens had her stiffening in his arms. She lifted her head. Her face had to be an absolute disaster. “T-They’re going to link me to them.” Panic gripped her throat. “Oh my God, what do I do?”

“Shh, babe, leave it to Copper. He’s got it under control. Your identity should hold up, and you’ve said no one ever reported you or the kids missing, right?”

Oh, yes, he was right. The community refused to involve outside law enforcement or authorities in their governing process. Even if the cops investigated her father, husband, or the men they’d brought with them, they’d never hear about a woman and five children disappearing in the dead of night two years ago. And she’d paid a pretty penny for their identities. They were the real deal and should hold up to an investigation by a small-town police department.

“Right. You’re right.” She pressed a hand to her head. “I’m panicking.”

“You just tell the cops they came here looking for club members. Okay? We’re gonna spin it to relate it to the CDMC massacre.”

“But, won’t this bring trouble or your club?”

He shook his head.

The shrill wail of sirens reached a level so piercing, she was tempted to slap her hands over her ears. The kids had to be miserable, though the thrill of seeing an ambulance up close might be enough to distract the younger ones.

“No,” he shouted to be heard over the din. “My kill was justified. He was about to shoot you.” His eyes flared with renewed rage.

All of a sudden, the noise cut off, plunging them into silence. All she could hear was the beating of her own heart, which seemed even louder than the ambulance.

“You ready?” he asked, extending a hand.

She grasped it tight. Thank God for his strength and support. “Ready to speak to the cops? No. Not ready at all.”

His famous smile, the one that charmed everyone in a mile radius, broke out across his handsome face, warming her soul, and heating her blood. “No, baby, ready to walk out that door and start the rest of our lives? Together.”

“Oh, yes. I’m ready for that.” She returned his smile then planted a quick but hard kiss right on those upturned lips.

She was so ready for that.

EPILOGUE

ONE MONTH LATER

“I THINK THAT’S the last of it,” Thunder said as he set the final box from the moving van on top of some others.

Mak moved to him with a soft smile on her face. She wrapped her arms around his waist and tipped her lips up for a kiss. “Finally,” she whispered.

“You’re a brave woman.”

Her nose wrinkled, and she shook her head at him. “Why?”

“Because I’m sweaty as fuck and probably smell damn rank right about now.” He brushed his lips over hers. Once, then again. He could do this all day, planned to sometime soon, now that they were officially living together. No amount of touching, kissing, fucking was ever enough when it came to his woman. “But you came on to me, so you’re stuck with it now.”

“I like you sweaty,” she said against his mouth. “Reminds me of when we’re naked.”

He groaned and kissed her with intent this time.

Another groan hit her ears, this one full of annoyance and disgust.

“Is this my life now? Every time I walk in a room where the two of you are, I’m gonna have to see this?” Amy asked in a voice conveying her revulsion.

“Sorry,” Mak said, wiping her mouth as she drew away at the same time, Thunder said, “Yep. This is it, kiddo.”

Hell yeah, he planned to be kissing on his woman every chance he got.

“They sucking face again?” Kara asked. She walked in the room lugging her pillow and favorite blanket. The helmet she hated with a passion sat