Chapter 35

JUSTIN

He looked back at her and just jumped in with both feet. “Avery, why didn’t you tell me about the baby?”

“Because you moved on with that woman and I was so pissed and hurt that I thought you didn’t deserve to know. You cheated on me,” Avery explained, and tears spilled from her eyes.

“Avery, baby, I never cheated on you. What you walked in on wasn’t what you thought it was,” Justin replied.

“Justin, you were half naked and she walked out of your bathroom in just a towel!” Avery scoffed.

“I know that, but I wasn’t there with Gabi. I showered in Mikey’s room. I forgot my shirt and went back to get it. I knocked, and when she didn’t answer, I went in.

“She heard me talking and came out of the bathroom to ask where I kept more towels. She feels horrible that she caused a fight between us,” Justin explained.

“Who the hell is she if you aren’t sleeping with her?” Avery demanded, sounding exhausted.

“Gabi is Cash’s sister, and she is the manager of the coffee shop. The pipes burst in her apartment and she needed a place to stay.

“Since I’m not using my room at the clubhouse, I’m letting her stay there until she gets everything dried out and situated,” Justin said, looking into her eyes.

Tears welled in her eyes again.

Justin could see she was conflicted and tired and knew she needed to sleep, but he had to tell her and hope to hell that she didn’t blame or hate him.

He leaned down and kissed her hand again, trying to show that he still cared, but he was also drawing strength from being close to her.

Avery touched his face when he was kissing her hand. “What is it, Justin? Is there something else?”

He looked at her. “Avery, because you were so sick and your body was fighting the infection so hard, you had nothing left for the baby…”

Avery stared at him, then her eyes went wide when she realized what he was saying. “No!”

Justin grabbed her hand tighter. “I’m so sorry, Avery.”

Avery started sobbing. “NO! That’s not fair! WHY?”

Justin’s heart broke hearing her sobs and he felt his tears start to run down his face.

Sitting in the chair next to her wasn’t good enough and he got up and laid on the bed next to her, pulling her to him and holding her tightly as they both cried.

AVERY

Avery heard the door open and close, then smelled her Uncle Gio’s spicy cologne. She turned her head and looked at the couple.

Gio came over and smoothed her hair back from her forehead and smiled sadly at her. She gave a half smile back and gently nudged Justin to let him know that they weren’t alone.

Justin kissed the top of Avery’s head and moved back to the chair he had occupied for days.

“Is everything okay with you two?” Tina asked carefully.

“Yes,” Justin said at the same time that Avery said, “I have no idea.”

The four of them looked at each other, then Justin spoke, “Why wouldn’t we be okay, Avery?”

Avery looked at him. “I don’t know where we stand, Justin.”

“How could you not know, Avery? I love you and I’m not going to stop,” Justin replied firmly.

“I just don’t know how to navigate this, Justin. You and the club, Uncle Gio and his business, it’s just a lot. I don’t know how to handle all this.

“Plus, I just lost a baby that I wasn’t expecting but discovered that I really, really wanted. And I don’t know how the club feels about me,” Avery rambled out.

JUSTIN

Justin was shocked that she didn’t know how he felt or how to navigate this life with him when she had already done a damn good job to that point.

She had the fire and correct temperament to be the queen of Devil’s Reign, the problem was just getting her to believe it.

Justin knew with every beat of his heart that she was meant to be with him and to have an amazing life together.

Granted, he hadn’t anticipated Avery getting pregnant, but he was thrilled for the three seconds he knew about it. And he was crushed when he found out that he would never meet him or her.

Justin knew this was almost a do-or-die moment for him and Avery. He had to make her understand what he felt for her and their life together.

Justin stood up next to Avery’s bed and kissed her passionately, then pulled back and looked at her with his piercing stare for several seconds before he spoke.

“Avery, let me make a few things very clear for you,” Justin started. “I am in love with you and that’s never going to change—except for that love to grow for the rest of my life.

“You will be a perfect old lady, and with you by my side, I KNOW that I can do anything. The club knows that they made a mistake about assuming what you knew about Gio and his business.

“I made it very clear to my table that if anything even close to what happened a few weeks ago seems to be happening again, I will not hesitate to replace the table.

“I will put a bullet in anyone’s head that dares to disrespect you or our relationship. I will not tolerate it ever again.

“I want to marry you and have lots of babies with you and for you, me, Lexi, and those babies to be a family.”

Justin watched as Avery’s face registered everything he was saying and tried to figure out how she would respond. He was going to give her time to absorb and truly understand what he wanted.

He saw Gio in the corner of his eye smiling broadly and knew he had his approval.

“I’m going to go home and spend the day with my daughter while you think about what you want. Cuz baby, I have wanted you since the day I saw you in January. I will be back tomorrow,” Justin finished, and turned to leave.

Tina smiled at him and winked as he walked out of the room and down to the garage where he parked his bike, praying to God that tomorrow would be a good day.

AVERY

Avery was stunned into silence after Justin’s speech and looked at the other two people in the room for help.

Tina knew what her niece was after and raised her hand to stop her from talking. Gio smirked, knowing that Tina was going to give Avery a reality check.

“I know what you are thinking, Avery, and you need to start thinking of the bigger picture.

“I know the last month has been filled with some shocking and life-changing things, and I am sorry for the part that I played in that. But you are an adult now and life isn’t so black and white anymore.”

“A man just walked out of this room professing his love for you and telling you how much he wants a future and life with you. He wants to give you everything you have ever wanted.

“Does he have a ‘normal’ 9-5 job? Nope, but neither do Gio, Luca, or Matteo. Does that make you change how you think of them? Or how much you love them?” Tina started.

Avery shook her head, not able to speak as the tears started falling again.

“I’m not saying this to be mean, sweetie. I know you have had a heart-breaking day and are feeling something so gutting, and I never wanted you to have to feel the pain of losing a child.

“You have, and it feels like nothing will ever be good again. But you have a man that loves you deeply and wants to make it better and help you heal. And that is a good thing!

“You are a strong, smart, and very capable young woman, Avery, and you can absolutely be what Justin and Lexi need. And that means what the club needs too.

“Without a shadow of doubt, you can do this. You can absolutely have an amazing life and get everything you have ever wanted. All you have to do is let it happen.

“Stop getting into your head and overthinking everything.”

Avery wiped her face and accepted the tissue box that Gio offered her. He sat next to her and rubbed her leg to try to calm her down and let her know that she was supported.

Gio waited several minutes until she regained some control of her emotions, then spoke quietly, “You have a lot to process and think about, piccolo fiore.”

“We are going to let you sleep and decide how you want your life to go. We are only a phone call away if you need us, but I want you—no, WE want you—to own this decision and make your life your own.”

“We will be back tomorrow to check in and see how you are doing.”

Tina came over and hugged her, whispering how much she loved her in her ear. Gio did the same thing, then took Tina’s hand and they walked to the door.

Gio stopped right before he opened the door and looked at Avery. “Oh, one more thing I think you should know, Avery. Justin was here every day and every night that you have been here.

“He never left your side. He left his daughter with his sister so he could be here for you. The love he has for you is deep and true.”

Avery watched as they left and sighed, knowing the changes that her life would be taking no matter what she chose to do would be profound.