Unmask (Adrenaline Series (Stand Alone) Book 4) (23 page)

“Promise.”

Mel smiles softly.

Backing away from her just as the others join her side, I walk across to my bike and put on my helmet. Once it's on, I climb on mine as Destin does his. The two of us rev them up and pull onto the empty road that rarely sees people other than us. With focus filled with dedication, we peel off down the road in opposite directions. A good distance from each other, we spin ourselves around in burnouts, leaving identical marks on the road, and head back toward each other, popping wheelies along the way. When we're close to passing one another we each let go of our bars and briefly fist bump, our final salute to our brother, a silent solid statement said with the language he understood the best. Adrenaline.

Epilogue

Melody

“I can't believe it's Christmas,” I coo from beside Drew who is still half asleep.

“It happens every year,” he playfully replies. Pulling me on top of him, he lifts his eyebrows, “You know what happens every morning?”

Giggling I lightly hit his chest. “It can
not
happen every morning...”

He frowns. “We don't talk like that on Christmas.”

He's such a mess. A beautiful tattooed motorcycle racing mess.

I laugh again and he leans up planting a warm kiss on my lips. His hands drift down my back softly before wandering around to my boob that he lightly touches. A shudder escapes me. He growls. The kiss deepens when it should've been lightening. I let myself get lost in him for just a moment longer.

Finally I pull away and sigh, “Merry Christmas, Drew McCoy.”

He rocks his hard on against my body that's aching for it to be inside. “It could be an even merrier Christmas.”

I shake my head slowly. “I'm trying to have a real moment here.”

“So am I...” When I give him a stern look he folds his hands behind his head. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

“It's Christmas,” I start again. “I haven't been able to celebrate in...well since...” Memories of my mother flash in my mind. Suddenly Drew's hand strokes my cheek. “But I get to spend Christmas with you. And the rest of the family. I'm just...I'm just really grateful is all.”

“Me too baby,” he lightly strokes my face again. “I'd be even more grateful if we didn't have to have dinner with The Commissioner tonight.”

“That is a little weird.”

“Tell me about it,” he grumbles. “But...he did help keep the love of my life alive, so if that's the one favor he wants from us then so be it.”

He kept his word. I stayed off The Devil's radar. We met in secret with Drew escorting me of course where I recorded my testimony. Signed statements. Drew also made as many as he could. Both of us failed to mention anything about Omar. We knew if The Devil didn't kill him, he had a chance to disappear without being found on criminal charges. Somehow he managed to slip away unlike Nina who ended up dead shortly after I was supposed to. I hope Omar's safe on an island somewhere sipping mojitos with a topless blonde. Omar saved me. He saved Drew. He tried to save Daniel...he deserves that. However, with The Devil dead now, I can return to a more normal lifestyle whatever that may be. For the last couple of months, I've spent a lot of times shut in the McCoy's apartment, which wasn't terrible at all. Hanging out with Knox and Madden, Destin and Azura has been more life than I've had in years. At night, so I won't go stir crazy, Drew takes me for a bike ride. More often than not we have to stop to have sex somewhere. I can't help it! There's something so sexy about being on the bike with him! Does this make me a biker babe now?

“Speaking of the love of my life.” Drew pushes my hair behind my ear. “I can't wait to put your Christmas present outside.”

“It is pretty amazing...” I compliment.

We agreed a good way for him to start coping with the deaths of his brothers outside of helping to take down of The Devil, was for him to keep sculpting. We also agreed, I needed a new Eden, not just because I destroyed the last one with the fail safe I had installed, but because I really enjoyed gardening. So we created a garden around the back where I grow veggies, herbs, and flowers. Nothing that can kill and just a few things that can heal. For Christmas, Drew made a sculpture of both of our hands folded together to go in the middle of it. He spends a lot of time out there with me, just watching, I assume trying to calm his racing mind when all else fails. It's our own little sanctuary.

“That's because
I'm
pretty amazing,” he says in such a cocky way I can't help but smile. “In fact...why don't I show you how amazing I am and give you another reason to enjoy Christmas morning?”

Before I can argue his cock nestles it's way inside, a warm moan falling from my lips.

You know, I may not know what the future holds for me as a whole, but I know the most important part. I got what I've always wanted. I've finally got what I wished for for Christmas all those years ago. I have a family now. A big one. One I've risked my life to protect and one that anytime it's necessary I'll risk it again. Because life's about the choices you chose for the people you love. Not the mistakes you make. Not the masks you wear. Not the broken promises. At the end of it all, it's about the family you choose to protect and the family that chooses to protect you.  Choose wisely. I did.

THANK YOUS

Crazy Lady- I love you, lol that's all this time.

Her Husband- Thank you for caring for me in your own special way.

The Law Student- You're my sister. I love you lots.

The Lumberjack- It's hard to say thank you the way I want to so just know, you really do have a place nestled in my heart no matter what the future brings.

Nanny Job- Some day when the kids are old enough they'll love these books, lol

Sissy B- Glad you're in our family. Most def.

Katniss- I love that we never have to apologize for our schedules. I do hope they start to sync up again. Fo' real! lol

The Real Life Erin- Ride or Die. Enough said.

Throwback- Love all you do for me, the team, my career and life. You are an amazing woman.

The PAs- Left and Right brain, thanks for watching out over me when I can't even do it for myself. Love you.

The Editor- I love hugging you! You are more amazing in person, which I didn't think would be possible, but it is. Hopefully you stay addicted to my books and wanna keep working with me for um....forever? Lol

Boss Lady- I just wanna keep you! Like move to the south so I can, please. Pretty please? Lol fine, fine, but you have such a magical energy around you, I just wanna be around it all the time. Thank you for giving me the chances you have to be in your life and your company.

Genie-  The world is finally seeing your magic. Keep sparkling.

To the writer's I admire- The list changes and grows every day, but here is my special thank you to all of you. You are wonderful.

Dream Team- You Rock! Thanks for being there. Being understanding. For being family...

Sophie L- You are such a doll. You are a major supporter and I know it and can't thank you enough for it. You are on the list for reasons to go to Florida...

Tara M- You're practically family. You have been since day one. I know we're far but like I said, I'm always here for you just like you are for me. Tell book club 'hey hey hey' from me!

Bloggers- Every time you answer a message or a request for me or for others you give this industry hope for indies. Thank you!

Readers- Last, but never least. You are the reason the voices have an audience. I thank you for that. I thank you for the years of dreaming come true. Thank you for staying with me and riding the waves. (Thanks for the reviews too!)

Until next time....

Curious about what happens to the Merrick McCoy?

Make sure you check out his books:

Classic

Vintage

Masterpiece

Wondering about The Devil's death?

Curious if Knox and Madden end up together?

Make sure you keep an eye out for The Adrenaline Series Standalones!

Up next is Destin McCoy in “Error”.

COMING SOON!

More books by Xavier Neal

Senses Series:

Vital (Prequel) Found in Interwoven

Blind (Book 1)

Deaf (Book 2

Numb (Book 3)

Hush (Book 4)

Savor (Book 5)

Callous (Book 6)

Agonize (Book 7)

Suffocate (Book 8)

Mollify (Book 9)

Senses Series Box Set (Books 1-5)

Havoc Series

Havoc (Book 1)

Chaos (Book 2)

Insantity (Book 3)

Collapse (Book 4)

Devastate (Book 5)

Havoc Series Box Set (Books 1-3)

Never Say Neverland

Get Lost

Lost in Lies

Lies Mistrust and Fairy Dust (Coming Soon)

Adrenaline Series

Classic

Vintage

Masterpiece (Coming Soon)

Connect with Xavier Neal

Links:
www.xavierneal.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/XavierNealAuthorPage

Twitter: @XavierNeal87

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4990135.Xavier_Neal

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Love bad boys and motorcycles? Try Destruction, book 1 in the Masters of Destruction Series by Salice Rodgers.

Destruction Excerpt

© Salice Rodgers

All Rights Reserved

Prologue

I didn’t have a bad life. My mom is a college professor and my dad is a cop. In high school, I was the head cheerleader and in love with the football star who later became my best friend. Unfortunately, we just didn’t work as girlfriend/boyfriend. He had dreams of moving away and making a name for himself as a professional football player. I didn’t want to leave home. This was my home. This was what I have known my whole life. Starting over with new friends and a new life didn’t fit into my plans. . It didn’t make sense to him, which is why we broke up and he moved away. I still talk to him. Once in a while he calls to tell me how training is going and how life as the star football player is going.

I work at our famously awesome police station with my dad. No, I am not a cop. I wasn’t cut out for that. I do paperwork and take 911 calls. We live in a small town of about three hundred people in the middle of bum fucked nowhere Alabama. The most exciting thing to happen in our town is a parade each Fourth of July. Everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everyone’s business.

We have a motorcycle club that has been in our town since I was a child. I can remember my parents taking me to the parade and scrunching their noses as each biker rode past us. My dad would make comments about how they were trouble.

“Those men ruin this town,” he would say.

He would catch me staring and cover my eyes like you would if you were watching a horror movie and something gory happened and you didn’t want to watch it. The image was there but the sound stayed forever. That was what stuck with me – the sound of the motorcycles and the bikers with one hand hanging down as they drove by and waved at us.

I wanted the thrill of sitting on a motorcycle and feeling it purr. Having my arms wrapped around the man I love in front of me, smelling the leather of his cut and knowing that when I go into town I was his. Nobody or nothing could touch me.