“You really mean that?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

Time ticked agonizingly by as she seemed to weigh her words. “I have one condition.”

“Name it. Anything.” When she nibbled on her lip, signaling her nervousness, I took her hands in mine. “What is it?”

“I want you to make the Raiders legitimate. If I’m going to be your wife, then I want to be married to David Malloy, not Jesse James.”

Her demand was something I hadn’t anticipated. While I knew she had every reason to request it, I wasn’t sure I could make it happen—or if I truly wanted it to happen. “I’m not the president, babe. I can’t make that decision.”

“No, but I know it would be something Rev would support.”

“We’d still have to have a majority vote in church.”

“Then make it happen. Convince your brothers that too much blood has been spilled and too many lives lost to continue on the way you are.”

“Being an outlaw is all I’ve known since I was thirteen years old.” Feeling like a pussy, I tried not to let Alex see the fear that ran through me. It unfortunately didn’t escape her notice, because she brought her arms around my neck.

“You can do this. I believe in you.”

For reasons I didn’t begin to understand, I started to believe that we could turn the Raiders around. It wouldn’t be easy. It would take time, and there would probably be repercussions for our actions. But for her and for Willow, I was willing to try.

Smiling down at her, I said, “You’re my angel—my dark-haired angel.” The moment the words came out of my lips, I staggered back.

“Deacon, what’s wrong?” Alex asked with alarm.

But I was no longer with her. Instead, I was holding Preacher Man’s body. His words echoed through my mind. “Two dark-haired angels are coming for you. They will be your salvation.”

Alex stared up at me in confusion. “What?”

I realized then that I had said the words aloud. “Preacher Man told me that right before he died. At the time, I couldn’t imagine what he meant. But now …” I stared down at her beautiful face filled with love and concern for me. “Now I understand. You and Willow—you’re the dark-haired angels. You’re my salvation.” I pulled her closer to me, needing to feel her against me. “You’re my salvation,” I repeated.

“And you’re mine,” Alex answered.

I would take her home to my compound, where once again I would look after her as she healed. Tomorrow I would get to see my other angel, my daughter. As a unified family, we would work to make the Raiders legitimate. I knew that there were still threats looming over us, including the Knights, now floundering without their leader and sergeant at arms, who would retaliate against us.

In the end, I hoped to never again have to lose another person I loved to the violence I’d bred.

For the first time I could remember, I sat at Mama Beth’s table with a plateful of delicious food in front of me, but I couldn’t eat. I didn’t have an appetite to save my life. My stomach felt like it had been hog-tied.

It seemed that neither Rev nor Bishop, sitting across from me, could eat either. Mama Beth cleared her throat, causing us all to glance up from staring at our plates. “Boys, you really need to eat. You’re going to need your strength today.”

It didn’t matter that her “boys” were grown men. She was still looking after us just like we were kids. And just like she said, I knew I needed my physical strength to try to get through the emotional hell that was going to be Case’s funeral.

To appease Mama Beth, I picked up a biscuit, sopped up some gravy, and then took a bite. She gave me an appreciative smile before turning her attention back to Rev. I knew he felt the burden extra hard today. After all, he was the new president. He had to somehow manage to lead the Raiders through the shitstorm of grief.

Since we hadn’t patched in another officer yet, Bishop would be keeping his role as road captain. That job became even more difficult today, as he had to coordinate the route from the funeral home to the cemetery with out-of-town charters as well as other clubs paying their respects. It was an awfully big job, but I knew he could do it.

After glancing at her watch, Mama Beth said, “You best go get the girls. They need to get ready.”

I nodded and rose from my chair. Alex and Willow’s ballet lessons had become almost therapeutic for them both, so I hadn’t been too surprised when they escaped down to the studio as soon as breakfast was over.

As I opened the basement door, classical music floated up to me. My boots pounded down the stairs, but when I got to the bottom, I paused. No matter how many times I saw Alexandra dancing, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d been kicked in the gut and in the balls. She had that much effect on me. Maybe it was the skimpy leotard she wore, or the way her body stretched into positions that made my dick pound against my zipper. Most of all, I couldn’t help feeling completely dumbstruck that this talented, courageous, and sexy-as-hell woman wanted to be my wife.

I wasn’t the only one mesmerized by Alex’s performance. In her pink leotard and pink tights, Willow stood stock-still with wide eyes as Alexandra danced on those shoes with the pointy toes. I knew in her mind she was dreaming of the day she could wear them, too. A smile tugged on my lips as I thought about the day I’d finally let her into the studio. She’d taken the basement stairs so fast I thought she was going to end up in a heap at the bottom. She had then proceeded to squeal so loud I thought the mirrors would shatter. After inspecting the barre and dancing around for a minute, she raced to my side, threw her arms around my waist, and squeezed me tight. “Thank you, Daddy,” she had said, sufficiently melting my heart.

After doing a final leap thing, Alex met my gaze in the mirror. Her cheeks warmed, and she ducked her head. “I didn’t realize you were there.”

Crossing the room to meet her, I reached out to grab her chin and tip her head to meet my eyes. “Don’t be embarrassed. I love watching you dance.”

She gave me a shy smile. “And I think I know the real reason why.”

While I laughed heartily, Willow’s brows furrowed. “Why?” she asked.

As Alexandra’s blush grew, I merely ruffled Willow’s hair. “Because I like to see her looking pretty.”

Willow seemed to buy my answer. “I look pretty when I dance, too. Don’t I, Daddy?” She twirled around for emphasis, causing me to smile.