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Epilogue (Alyssa)
4 months later...
I can't help but smile as I tilt my head and watch Jackson fiddle around in the kitchen.
He's only been home for a few days since the courts declared his i
Jackson keeps teasing me and blaming it on all the pregnancy hormones...but when my eyes drop down and I take in every single inch of his body and I feel my pulse race—I know it's something much, much more.
He walks toward me and my nipples pucker and that delightful stirring starts down below. I can't help but blush when he appraises me up and down and his own gray eyes begin to heat with lust. "You want to go again, Damsel?" he questions as he plops down beside me on the couch.
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and flutter my eyelashes at him. "Yup." I run my nails up and down his broad chest. "That last round was out of this world...and I'm ready to try that other thing now."
He mutters a curse under his breath and looks up at the ceiling. "Dammit, I'm going to be a horrible father."
I rattle my head, beyond confused with his train of thought. "Um...what?"
He gestures to the plate of food on the coffee table. "I made you food because you said you were hungry." His finger runs along my i
"Hey, y'all," a southern voice drawls, interrupting us.
"Tyrone," I growl surprising everyone. "You moved out, remember? You can't just come barging in here anymore."
He pops a wheelie in his wheelchair and winks at me. "Consider this training for motherhood. You'll never have a second to yourself again."
Jackson laughs before his lips graze my ear and he whispers "Later, Damsel." He hands me my plate of food. "Now eat."
Tyrone makes a face when he looks at my plate. "That's disgusting. Why the hell would you eat that? Jackson groans and I'm about to open my mouth and yell at him but then a deep voice booms, "She's pregnant, you idiot. Leave her alone."
I look up as Ricardo walks into the apartment with Momma in toe.
I try to hide my surprise because with the exception of Jackson's trial...Ricardo hasn't been around much lately at all. Especially now that he’s moved out of the apartment complex.
There's definitely something going on with him, although he refuses to talk about it.
Well, something besides the obvious thing that we all know but are pretty much forbidden to ever talk about in his presence.
He misses Lou-Lou.
I give him a small smile before looking at Tyrone and slathering more mustard and ice cream on my pickle and taking a big ol' bite. "Where's Shelby?" I ask between mouthfuls. "She's usually around to keep you in line."
He shoots me a look as he flicks on the television. "Very fu
I clap my hands and bounce around in my seat. "I can't wait. It's going to be so fun. Did she tell you I found the perfect tablecloth pattern and the—"
"Thanks a lot, Tyrone. See what you started?" Jackson mumbles and I lean over and pinch him.
"I think it's wonderful him and Shelby are tying the knot. Question is...when are you two lovebirds getting married?" Momma chimes in and Jackson shoots Tyrone a death glare.
Jackson rubs my tummy and the baby kicks, just like he always does when Jackson puts his hand over my belly. "I figure we'd focus on one thing at a time, Momma," he says. "You know, get out of jail first, have the baby—and then get married."
Tyrone raises his beer. "The American dream!"
Momma rolls her eyes and Ricardo and Jackson laugh.
"Alright, enough of this girly wedding talk," Tyrone says while glancing at Ricardo and Jackson. "Let's watch the sports cha
Momma and I groan in unison...until I hear A
Beside me, Jackson tenses. "Why the fuck are they interviewing him?"
"Shit," Tyrone mutters trying to change the cha
"Leave it on," I snap. "I-I want to hear this. Maybe he'll mention something about my mom."
Jackson pulls me to his side as A
"Good evening, Mr.Travine, " A
"Oh, no," I say as my chest fills with dread. "What if he runs again?"
"He won't," Ricardo says while typing something on his phone. "I'll make sure of it."
My anxiety begins to fade...until I hear John Travine speak. "I do, " he starts. "Although I'm a little late with my a
"What?" Momma shrieks as Jackson utters a curse.
"Wow," A
"Well, to be perfectly honest," he begins. "I've decided to run because I'm tired of the corruption that's plaguing this great city of ours. The people of New York are being controlled and used as puppets by a particular organization. A savage and dangerous organization...and it's time to put an end to it." He turns to look at the camera. "I want to run and make New York safe again. I want to protect the great people of New York and the city that I love."
"Oh, Please!" Momma yells at the television. "What a bunch of manure."
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ricardo stand up.
"My," A
His eyes become glassy and I swear I feel my mouth hit the floor.
"John," A
"Yes," he says, his voice sounding strained. "And I can't keep quiet about it any longer." He clears his throat and sits up straight. "Although, he's no longer alive...Bruno DeLuca once took something very important from me."
A
"What?" A
"Something that can never be replaced," John Travine says as a single tear falls down his face. "My daughter."
Confusion spreads across her face and I wince because I know what she's about to ask. Jackson does too, because he grips my hand. "Are you referring to Alyssa Tan—"
"No," he says curtly, cutting her off. "That is my step-daughter. I'm talking about my daughter. My blood, my pride and joy, my little girl. He took her in the middle of the night when she was only 15 years old. He took her in order to get back at me. He didn't want me going public about all of his illegal dealings...so he threatened me and then he took her from me. It's been almost 10 long years since I've seen her." His voice breaks and he exhales sharply. "I have no idea if she's still alive...if she's okay."