Tazzy had just finished a quick shower and was putting the finishing touches on some new lipstick when she saw Breezy come in behind her.
It was evident that Breezy was there to freshen up, but seeing her reminded Tazzy of something. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Breezy?”
Breezy smiled. “Sure, but I think I know what you’re going to say.”
Tazzy nodded and continued. “Are you okay? The General… he was your father.”
A sad laugh escaped Breezy. “He stopped being my father years ago. I’m not going to pretend he was a decent person. It’s weird to think about him being gone, but I’m not mourning his loss. Not even a little.”
Tazzy hugged her tight. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
Breezy hugged her back. “I’m sorry you did, too. But we’re both free now.”
They rejoined the others. Breezy cranked up the music and the girls danced wildly, chasing bubbles and laughing until they were breathless. Tazzy looked across the room and saw Jaxon sitting with the Daddies, a beer in his hand, watching her with that soft, possessive look she loved so much.
In that moment, it hit her.
If someone had asked her eight years ago to create the perfect life, this was exactly what it would look like. She and Jaxon were able to be themselves, not the “perfect” versions they thought the other one wanted. She could be bratty and needy and emotionally vulnerable. He could be dark and protective and steady. They may not be perfect, but they fit together perfectly.
She walked over to him, climbed into his lap, and tucked her head under his chin.
“I’m looking forward to forever with you, Daddy,” she whispered.
Jaxon wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “Me too, Darkling. Me too.”
The music played on. Bubbles floated through the air. The Musketiaras laughed and danced. And Tazzy stayed right where she belonged… safe in her Daddy’s arms.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Jaxon sat on the back deck of the Sabre warehouse with a cold beer in his hand, the night air cool against his still smoke-scented skin. The massive celebration inside had finally started to wind down. Laughter and music still spilled through the open doors, but out here it was quieter. Just the low murmur of the Daddies who had gathered with him — Reid, Hutch, Gage, Deke, Connor, Sawyer, Law, and Ravage.
They had all done what they needed to do. The General was gone. Tazzy was safe. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Jaxon could breathe without the constant weight of dread sitting on his chest.
Reid lifted his bottle in a quiet toast. “To the man who didn’t wait for backup. You did what you had to do, brother.”
The word hit Jaxon square in the chest. Brother. He had earned that tonight.
Hutch nodded, clinking his bottle against Jaxon’s. “We’d have done the same damn thing. Any one of us. You protected your girl. That’s what matters.”
Gage leaned back in his chair, a rare grin tugging at his mouth. “You went through fire for her. Literally. No one is surprised, but damn, Jaxon. You set the bar high tonight.”
Deke chuckled. “The rest of us are gonna have to step up our game now. Can’t let you show us all up.”
Not to be left out, Connor raised his beer. “Welcome to the family, brother. Officially.”
Jaxon swallowed hard. Family, the simple word meant more than he could say. These men had stood with him when it counted. They had his back, and they had Tazzy’s. That kind of loyalty wasn’t something you found every day.
Jaxon looked over at Ravage. He stood up and jerked his head toward the edge of the deck. “Walk with me for a minute.”
Ravage followed him a few steps away from the group. They stopped near the railing and, for a moment, neither spoke. They just stood there looking out over the dark fields and sipping their beer.
“I owe you thanks,” Jaxon said quietly. “For everything you did tonight. For protecting Tazzy. For standing with us. You’ve proven yourself more than once, but tonight… you showed exactly what kind of man you are.”
He clapped a heavy hand on Jaxon’s shoulder. “You’re deep in the inner circle of the Ruthless Saints now. You ever need anything — anything at all — you call me. You’re family.”
Jaxon nodded, the weight of the words settling warm in his chest. “Appreciate that. Means a lot coming from you.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, talked about bikes, the Society, and the long road still ahead with the remnants of the General’s network. Tension crept back in. There were still things to do.