Free Chantal Fernando by Last Ride Page A

revenge. I’m safe, none of our men were killed or hurt, and no one will be doing time for these crimes. Even if anyone tried to pin Slice’s death on any of the men, or if charges are brought against me for Eric, I’ll simply claim self-defense. They did kidnap me, after all. My new connections with the feds are unsure at best, but I’m hoping that, in the future, no one will be able to touch us. I will make sure we win. Right now I get to go home to my kids, to my family, and that’s all that matters.
    â€œI’m fine,” I tell Dex, licking my lips. “A little hungry though.”
    Dex purses his lips but says nothing.
    The men all hug me tightly, especially Arrow, before making their exit. It’s just me and Dex in his car right now. He told me that they have the Kings’ president away in one of their warehouses, at gunpoint, just waiting for the Kings to give them a reason to shoot him. I suggested that, instead, they make the Kings leave town once and for all. We don’t want them here. They can go somewhere else and start over, or they can end up like Slice. At this point, I don’t care. I just want to go back to the clubhouse and see Clover and Asher.
    I take a deep breath, reach over, and put my hand on Dex’s denim-clad thigh.
    I’m alive.
    And it’s never felt so good.

    â€œWhere were you, Mama?” Clover asks, her strawberry-scented hair filling my nostrils. I kiss the top of her head, patting her gently on the back. “I had to go away for work, sweetie. I’m so sorry I didn’t call you, but it was very important, okay? I don’t want you to worry. I’m here now.”
    I look to my left, where Asher is asleep on my arm.
    This.
    This is all I wanted to be able to do again. When people say it’s the small things in life, they mean this. Lying here in bed, my children with me, my husband cooking me something to eat—nothing can be better. Nothing. Being kidnapped really puts things into perspective.
    â€œHow could I not worry when I didn’t know where you were?” My daughter huffs, laying her cheek on my stomach.
    â€œI’m here now, Clover,” I say softly, kissing Asher’s downy cheek.
    â€œI’m glad,” she continues. “Everyone was worried, even though they tried to hide it. They were scared, and it made me be scared.”
    My breath hitches.
    Children miss nothing. It’s a little frightening at times, and very hard when all you want to do is protect them.
    â€œYou have no reason to be scared,” I assure her. “Everyone here would do anything to protect you and your brother. And Cara and Rhett. You’re so loved, Clover.”
    â€œI know,” she says, sounding like her usual happy self. “I feel loved, and I feel safe. I was just missing you.”
    I smile.
    I win at this whole parenting thing.

    â€œI almost lost you,” Dex says, closing our bedroom door. “Do you know what that feels like? The possibility of having to live without someone you love more than yourself?”
    â€œDex,” I say gently, sitting up onto the edge of the bed and opening my arms to him. After some food, a shower, time with my kids, and antiseptic lotion on my raw wrists, I’m feeling human again.
    After being fussed over by the women, some of them even breaking down in tears, it feels good to just be at home with Dex and the kids. They’re now fast asleep, leaving Dex and me to talk about everything that happened. We try not to go to bed angry, or when there are unresolved feelings between us. And after what just happened? Yeah—we need to have a long chat. He drops to his knees and rests his head on my chest, his arms wrapped around me tightly like he never wants to let go, and I never want him to. We stay like that for a few moments in peaceful silence, until he finally speaks.
    â€œWhy did you shoot him?” he asks.
    â€œI didn’t want you to