Stiletto's Savior, page 15
Everything else fades away, only leaving room for me and her.
“Whoa,” she whispers when we pull apart, her cheeks flushed. “Where the hell did that come from?”
I grin, and my father approaches, a knowing look on his face. “Nothing, babe. Just how I feel about today.”
My father pulls her into a warm embrace, and I watch them, a mix of pride and anxiety swirling inside me. “Hello, Song.”
“Good to see you again, Mr. Lion,” she beams, genuine warmth in her voice.
“Called it from the start, didn’t I?” he grins. “Happy you two are finally together.”
“Yeah, never thought it would happen,” she laughs, glancing at me.
But there’s something deeper in her eyes, something that tells me she’s glad it did.
Dad steps up beside me. “I’m glad it did. But, look at this place. You two kids did a damn good job,”
His eyes scan the crowd.
Camera flashes pop like firecrackers.
Journalists hover like vultures, notebooks in hand.
“I didn’t think it’d be this big,” I say, shaking my head.
A knot tightens in my stomach.
I was picturing a couple of local bloggers, maybe some influencers. Not this circus.
“Your mother would’ve loved to see this.” He glances away, and I catch a flicker of something—regret?
It’s gone before I can ask.
Instead, I focus on the reporters jostling for position.
They want a piece of me.
“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter, pulling my leather jacket tighter.
“Just be yourself,” Dad pats my shoulder. “They’re here to learn about the gym.”
“Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes. “Just a gym opening.”
He smirks, but there’s pride in his voice. “With a Lion behind it, kid.”
I nod, trying to shake off the weight of expectation.
A woman calls out, waving her arm like she’s conducting traffic. “Next!”
I step forward, plastering on a smile that feels more like a mask. “Guess it’s showtime.”
The first interviewer approaches, a slick dude in a blazer. “Miles Lion, it’s opening day for your gym, huh? How does it feel?”
“Like I’m about to throw up.” Laughter erupts from the small crowd gathered.
I suppress a grin.
“Seriously, though.” He leans in, eager. “Have you thought about following in your family’s footsteps and competing?”
“Not really.” I shrug, keeping it real. “I’m not in this for fame. I want to build something solid here.”
He raises an eyebrow, pushing harder. “Solid? Like a legacy?”
“Yeah.” I cross my arms. “But it’s for my future kids, not for me.”
He scribbles notes, moving on to the next question. “Fair enough.”
I glance across the room, spotting Stiletto chatting with some fans.
She catches my eye and gives me a thumbs-up.
“Next question,” the reporter prompts.
But all I can think about is her smile.
“Can we wrap this up? There’s a lot of people I need to talk to,” I cut in, feeling restless.
There’s too much noise, too many expectations.
I’m ready to break free.
“Sure thing.” He smirks, sensing my urgency. “Final thoughts?”
“Just come to the gym. Let’s make it a home for everyone. Doesn’t matter if you have little ones. We have an in house daycare who will watch them while you get your workout in.” I step back, relieved as he nods and signals for the next one.
He gestures toward another journalist, and I’m already backing away. “What a nice bonus for everyone.”
“Thanks.” My heart races, but I push through the crowd, weaving past cameras and curious faces.
I need some damn air.
Another voice calls. “Hey, Miles!”
I turn, catching sight of a familiar face among the throng. “Yeah?”
“Is it true you’re opening more locations?”
“Maybe one day,” I keep walking, focused on Stiletto.
I don’t want to get caught in another round of questions.
“Excited for the future?”
“Definitely.” My voice is firm.
No bullshit.
I reach Song just as another wave of questions starts swirling around me again.
The last interviewer walks away, and I take a deep breath, grateful they gave up.
The energy in the gym buzzes around me—heavy bags swinging, weights clanging, voices rising in laughter and sweat.
“That was a nice interview,” she teases, tilting her head.
“Yeah? You think I should have said more?”
“Honestly? Nah. You nailed it.”
I close the distance, pulling her into me.
Our lips collide, urgency sparking through me.
It’s electric, passionate, everything I yearn for.
“Wow, getting bold, huh?” she breathes, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze.
“Just showing you what you were missing,” I reply, my voice low.
She rolls her eyes, but a blush creeps into her cheeks. “Right. Is there anything else we need to do?” Her brows knit together as she scans the room.
“Maybe check in with Nova? Make sure she has everything covered.” I nod toward the front desk where Nova, Roxy’s daughter, is busy organizing the schedules.
She’s got a knack for running things smoothly.
“Good call.” Stiletto glances over. “How many trainers are we still looking for?”
“Just two more,” I reply, mentally kicking myself for not finding them faster. “We want the best. Keep this place rolling.”
“Yeah, and keep the club kids employed.” She leans against the wall, arms crossed, watching the crowd.
Aggie is chatting with some guests nearby.
Noelle is buzzing around, helping out wherever she can.
“Exactly.” I can see it now—this place thriving, a hub for the community.
It’s not just a gym—it’s going to be another thing that brings the community together.
“You think Nova will be okay managing it all?” she asks, tilting her head slightly.
“I’m sure she’s got it handled,” I assure her. “Roxy raised her right. Just like Grim and Natalie did with Aggie.”
“True.” Stiletto flashes me a knowing look. “You know, it’s great seeing everyone get involved. Feels like… a real community.”
“Exactly,” I agree, my eyes scanning across the room. “We’re not just any other gym. We’re not just a club. We’re a family.”
Stiletto laughs, her hazel-green eyes sparkling with amusement. “Family drama included?”
“There’s always going to be drama.” I can’t help but grin.
The crowd is thinning out now, the music lowering as the night progresses.
The journalists have all but disappeared, replaced by genuine community members who are thrilled about the new gym.
“But,” I continue, drawing her attention back to me. “It’s our drama, our mess. It’s part of what makes us... well, us."
She chuckles at that, her red hair dancing under the dim light of the gym as she nods in agreement. “Can’t argue with that,” she replies, leaning up to plant a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Now,” she begins after pulling away from me, sweeping her gaze around the crowd once more. “I’m ready for this day to be over so I can take you upstairs and have my way with you.”
I chuckle, “There’s nothing stopping you from doing it right now, baby.”
REAPERS REJECTS MC MEMBERS
Gone But Never Forgotten:
Fist – Former Prez (Deceased)
Cracker – Former VP (Deceased)
Saffron – Fist’s woman, Sakura’s sister, Sydney’s mom. (Deceased)
Billings, Montana Charter
Zane – Prez – Ol’ Lady – Octavia
Children: Sydney (adopted), Neo, Knox, Zuri
Blackjack – VP – Ol’ Lady – Ashley
Children: Dex (Blackjack’s previous relationship), Noelle, Fist, Rory, & Cannon
Bull – Enforcer – Ol’ Lady – Alexa
Grim – Sgt. at Arms – Ol’ Lady – Natalie
Children: Aggie, Davina, Sorcha (Nat’s Kids), Conrad ‘Con’
Cheyenne — Medic — Ol’ Lady — Frost – Prospect
Children: Scarlett (Frost’s daughter), Indigo ‘Indi’ (Chaz & Chey’s daughter),
Tex – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Roxy
Children: Kat
Dracus – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Roxy
Children: Nova
Bolt – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Roxy
Children: Jordyn
Hammer – Full Patch (Regent located in Los Angeles, CA) — Ol’ Lady — Shiloh
Children: Oakleigh (previous relationship) & Naomi
Chaz – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Crina
Children: Indi (Chaz and Cheyenne), Ezra
Dex – Full Patch
Ripper – Prospect – Ol’ Lady – Tara
Bama – Prospect – Ol’ Lady – Jordyn
Stiletto – Prospect – Ol’ Man – Miles
Poison – Prospect – Ol’ Man – Asher
Children: Tilly (Asher’s previous relationship)
Siren – Prospect
Gears – Prospect – Ol’ Lady – Sydney
Las Vegas, Nevada Charter
Damon – Prez – Ol’ Lady – Kat
Children: Luna & Aurora
Dixon – VP – Ol’ Lady – Indra
Children: Jalen (Indra’s previous relationship) & Khloe
Booger – Enforcer – Ol’ Lady – Camila
Children: Ransom
Widow – Sgt. at Arms – Ol’ Lady – Tania (A Jackal)
Children: Zoe (Widow’s previous relationship) & Talon
Mouser – Road Captain – Ol’ Lady – Sakura
Children: Saffron & Bo
Cobra – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Izzy
Hawk – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Raven
Children: Bridget & Danica (Raven’s half-sisters, adopted)
Kade – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Ivy
Children: Orion & Fate
Jolt – Prospect
Turmoil – Prospect
Spark – Prospect
Doc – Prospect
Chihuahua, Mexico Charter
Amara – Prez – Ol’ Man – Dante
Razor - VP - Ol’ Lady - Oakleigh
Python - Enforcer - Ol’ Lady - Astra
Zorro – Sgt. at Arms — Ol’ Lady — Ruby
Axel – Road Captain — Ol’ Lady — Rosa
Boulder – Prospect
Brick – Prospect
Rooster – Prospect
Doom – Prospect
Lashes - Prospect
ALSO BY ELIZABETH KNOX
Elizabeth Knox
MC Romance:
Skulls Renegade MC
Reapers Rejects MC
Reapers Rejects MC: Second Generation
Satan's Raiders MC
Iron Vex MC: New York City
Knights of Retribution MC
Sons of Gods MC
Raiders of Valhalla MC
Deathstalkers MC
Dark Billionaire Romance:
Steele Bros
Love Hack
Mafia Romance:
Mackenzies
The Clans
Mafia Heirs: The Gallaghers
The O’Dea Crime Family
Umarova Crime Family
Security/Protector:
The Mafia Brotherhood
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Knox is a USA Today Bestselling romance author who specializes in romantic suspense, and dark romance. She’s well-known for her intense page-turning motorcycle clubs, and sinister dark mafia books.
While Elizabeth loves to write, she is an avid reader as well, who reads a mixture of genres. She lives on a farm with her husband in the northeastern United States with her rescue animals. When she isn’t working, you can find her horseback riding, riding ATVs, or out on the farm with her animals.
Make sure you join Elizabeth’s newsletter so you can get special news, announcements, and sneak peeks into incoming books.
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Reach out to Elizabeth by emailing her: author@elizabethknoxbooks.com
Elizabeth Knox, Stiletto's Savior
