All Chapters of Bad Boy Biker : Chapter 61 - Chapter 65

Three weeks later, Duke stood in a federal courthouse watching Marcus Keane—the man who'd called himself Connor Reynolds—accept a plea deal.Life without parole. Three consecutive sentences. Murder, fraud, conspiracy, assault on a federal officer.He'd never see the outside of a prison again."The defendant will be remanded to federal custody immediately," the judge said. "Sentencing hearing in thirty days, but given the plea agreement, the sentence is predetermined."Duke watched as marshals led Marcus away. The man looked smaller now, broken. His eyes found Duke in the gallery one last time.No words. No threats. Just hollow acceptance.Then he was gone."It's really over," Valentina whispered beside Duke, her hand in his."Yeah." Duke stood. "Let's go home."Outside the courthouse, reporters swarmed. Duke ignored them, pushing through to where Axel waited with the truck."How'd it go?" Axel asked."Life. No parole. Three sentences." Duke climbed in. "He's done.""Good." Axel pulled

The candles flickered in the wind, two dozen of them forming a path up the hill. Valentina followed the light, her heart already racing before she saw him.Duke stood at the overlook, silhouetted against the sunset. His leather jacket was gone—replaced by a black button-down that hugged his shoulders. His dark hair caught the dying light as he turned to face her."You came," he said, voice rough."You said it was important." Valentina stopped a few feet away, suddenly nervous. They'd been together for months now, stable and strong, but something about tonight felt different. Significant.Duke closed the distance between them. His hand cupped her face, thumb tracing her cheekbone. "This is where we first kissed. Remember?""I remember everything about that night." She'd been eighteen, reckless, running from her parents' expectations. Duke had been twenty, already dangerous, already hers."I was terrified," Duke admitted. "Thought you'd disappear if I touched you. Thought you were too g

The flowers sat on Duke's kitchen counter like a threat. Valentina stared at them while Duke paced, phone pressed to his ear."I need everything you can find on Marcus Reeves. Yeah, all of it." Duke glanced at Valentina. "I'll send you his photo. Just dig deep, Axel."He ended the call and tossed the phone on the counter. "Axel's going to run a background check. See what Marcus has been up to since college.""Duke, maybe we should—""No." He moved to her, hands on her shoulders. "He sent flowers to my place, Val. He knows where I live. He's not just watching—he's making moves."Valentina couldn't argue with that. The roses felt like a violation. Marcus was getting bolder."I have to open the bookstore," she said. "Grand opening is in three days. I can't hide.""Then I'm coming with you.""You can't babysit me every day."Duke's jaw set. "Watch me."---The bookstore looked perfect. Valentina had spent months getting it ready—shelves organized, café corner set up, reading nook by the w