Savior, p.16
Savior, page 16
She huffed, but I saw her cheeks turn a bit pink. I gave Prophet a nod of thanks before sitting next to Dessa. Wire made his way over and handed me a piece of paper.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Show your wife,” he said.
I held the paper where both Dessa and I could read it. What the… “Wire? What the hell?”
“One of the club whores involved in our recent troubles had a kid. She’s five and has Down Syndrome.” Wire handed us more papers. “Since we made sure that bitch wouldn’t cause trouble for anyone ever again, it’s left that little girl without a mother. Not that she was much of one, anyway. These are your official adoption records for Marnie. I know the two of you took it hard when Dessa lost the baby. This won’t make up for your loss, but that little girl needs a home. I couldn’t think of two better parents for her.”
I noticed Dessa had tears in her eyes. She gave Wire a smile. “Thank you.”
He nodded and backed away. “I will text the directions to you within the hour. You can enjoy the picnic a little while longer. As for where she’ll sleep, I’ll ask the old ladies to figure something out while you’re gone.”
“When will the new house be finished?” Ares asked.
“Not for a few months. Why?” I asked.
She shrugged a shoulder. “Take the queen bed out of my room and put in two twins. I don’t mind sharing. It’s only temporary, right? We’ll all have our own rooms at the new place?”
“Right,” I said. “You really amaze me sometimes, Ares. Thank you.”
Dessa took my hand. “We have another daughter.”
“They outnumber poor Judd.” I kissed Dessa’s cheek. “Guess he better become a tough guy to protect all his sisters.”
Someone cried, and I looked over to see Judd standing above Cole, who was bawling his eyes out. What the hell happened?
“Um, Dad. I don’t think he’ll have any problems. Cole tossed sand onto Junie, and Judd just knocked him down.” Ares snickered. “Give him a few more years and he’ll be like all the other guys around here.”
It had taken me forever, but I had what I always wanted. A family. I adored my wife, and our family kept expanding. It didn’t matter if I’d donated the DNA for the kids or not. They were all mine, just like they were Dessa’s. Sometimes family went beyond blood. “Love you, Dessa.” I kissed her cheek. “I have something for you.”
“It better not be a puppy. I’m not cleaning up puddles,” she said.
I shook my head. “Nope. Not a puppy. Wait here for just a minute.” I went out to the truck and got the box out of the back seat. I’d had to swear the kids to secrecy so they wouldn’t blab before we got here. I carried it back to the picnic area and placed it in Dessa’s lap.
Before she had a chance to open it, Tempest joined us. He cleared his throat to get her attention. When Dessa looked up at him, she gave him a fond smile.
“If it isn’t my hero…” Ever since she found out he was the one who took her from the clubhouse and drove her to the hospital, she’d started calling him that. I got a laugh out of it since it usually made him blush like a damn schoolgirl.
“When Savior first brought you here, I gave you a shitty apology for the way I acted the night we came to get Junie and Judd. I didn’t give you a chance to prove yourself, and I’m sorry. You’re a perfect match for Savior, and a welcome addition to the Dixie Reapers. I hope you’ll accept my sincere apology.”
“You’re forgiven. However, in the future, you should try not to judge someone without knowing all the facts.”
He gave her a nod, then waited while she opened her gift. He knew what was inside, since he’d helped me plan part of it.
“It’s not my birthday,” she said.
“It’s not that sort of present. This is more of a thanks for loving me gift.” She slowly opened the box and I saw her lip tremble as she lifted out her property cut. “You were supposed to get it the night Bridget caused all that trouble. Then I had to wait until you came home from the hospital. The timing always felt off. Until now.”
“Help me put it on?” she asked.
I took it from her, then slipped it over her shoulders as she leaned forward. I smoothed it down and adjusted it for her. “There’s something else in there.”
She pulled out a car key and stared at it. When she didn’t say anything, I started to think I’d fucked up.
“Dessa, are you all right?”
“You got me a car?” she asked.
“And a hand brake. I know transferring isn’t the easiest thing for you, but when we discussed cars two weeks ago, you said you didn’t want the kind you had to roll up into. It’s a small SUV that sits low to the ground. You should be able to get into it without much trouble. You can break down your chair and still have room for the kids.”
She reached for me, and I leaned down. Dessa put her arms around my neck, then kissed the hell out of me. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you.” They weren’t just empty words. I couldn’t think of a single thing I wouldn’t do for her -- except let her go. She was mine. Would always be mine. After nearly losing her, I knew I’d die without her.
Our lives weren’t perfect. They were messy. Dramatic. Sometimes painful. But they were also full of love and family, and I couldn’t ask for more than that.
Author Notes and Acknowledgments
Dear Reader,
I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed writing the Dixie Reapers again. I’ve had so many people over the years ask if there would be more books. I never knew quite who I would pair with Savior. He’s different from the others. His edges aren’t quite as rough, and he’s always had a gentle touch when it came to the ladies and kids.
Dessa may seem weak at first, but she has an inner strength. Her past didn’t allow her to gain much confidence in herself, so she struggled even before her accident. I hope I did her character justice. I wanted to show her growth once she realized all she was capable of doing.
For those who are wondering about Jeremy, he’s going to have his own novella. It’s not a romance. I’d classify it more as a thriller/horror story if anything. But it will give you insight into who he’s been all along, even if he seemed like a good guy in Preacher’s book when he helped out Kayla. The book is called Wicked and will release shortly (under a different pen name). Thank you so much for your support! I hope you enjoyed the book! If you have a moment, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave a rating or review at the retailer of your choice, or over at Goodreads or BookBub.
Until next time…
Harley
* * *
For those who are newsletter subscribers or part of the Wyldlings, you know about the tiny kitten I rescued last year. Pepper Potts. She would often cuddle while I worked. Sadly, little Pepper passed away while I was working on Savior’s story. This one is for Pepper… We’ll meet again at the rainbow bridge someday.
Thank you to my beta readers: Dawn, Andrea, Shelby, and Carolina! I appreciate all the feedback (and the typos you caught along the way). Special thanks to Tanieka! Without you, I’d have a hot mess on my hands. I appreciate the information about wheelchairs and thank you for sharing your experience as a paraplegic. It helped me so much.
Thank you to retired ER nurse Ilse, for answering my questions regarding the medical aspects in the story. You’re probably tired of hearing “I have a question…” but I really do appreciate your assistance!
Thanks to my Support Team, ARC readers, and the Wyldlings! All the shares and kind words mean so much. You guys are amazing.
Shout out to Crystal, the editor with the patience of a saint. Not sure anyone else could put up with me as well as you do.
Thank you to Bryan Keller for yet another amazing cover. I love it!
And to the rest of the folks at Changeling -- from the owners, Margaret & Bill, to formatters, line editors, proofreaders… you guys are all awesome!
Harley Wylde
Playlist
Instead of a music list, this time I played movies in the background while I worked. And none really go with the themes in Savior’s story. It’s more a list of movies I’ve enjoyed over the years (ones I’ve watched enough times they didn’t distract me while I was working).
Rose Red
Ghostbusters Afterlife
Point Break
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
The Frighteners
The Ugly Truth
Scream
Scream 2
The Lost Boys
Love and Monsters
Oz the Great and Powerful
Zeus and Roxanne
Blended
Harley Wylde
Harley Wylde is the International Bestselling Author of the Dixie Reapers MC, Devil’s Boneyard MC, and Hades Abyss MC series. When Harley’s writing, her motto is the hotter the better -- off-the-charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place. She doesn’t shy away from the dangers and nastiness in the world, bringing those realities to the pages of her books, but always gives her characters a happily-ever-after and makes sure the bad guys get what they deserve.
The times Harley isn’t writing, she’s thinking up naughty things to do to her husband, drinking copious amounts of Starbucks, and reading. She loves to read and devours a book a day, sometimes more. She’s also fond of TV shows and movies from the 1980s, as well as paranormal shows from the 1990s to today, even though she’d much rather be reading or writing. You can find out more about Harley or enter her monthly giveaway on her website. Be sure to join her newsletter while you’re there to learn more about discounts, signing events, and other goodies!
Dixie Reapers Reading Order
Dixie Reapers MC Series is part of the Bad Boys Multiverse
A Bad Boy Romance
Dixie Reapers MC
Devil’s Boneyard MC
Hades Abyss MC
Devil’s Fury MC
Bryson Corners
Owned by the Mob
Dixie Reapers MC Print Duets
More books by Harley Wylde
Harley Wylde, Savior
