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“That’s why you have me. I didn’t think twice about killing them because I knew they would keep coming for you.”

“I love you.” She kisses me, and I kiss her back, and we make love again before the doctor shows up and gives her a clean bill of health.

EPILOGUE ONE

HARLOWE

THREE MONTHS LATER

Ilook down at the dress I had rushed to have ready on time. I decided on a Halloween theme because of our October wedding, except for my dress. It’s a cream, rustic lace gown with a plunging neckline and a small train in a mermaid style. My hair is loose in long waves down my back, and I’m carrying a bouquet of black and orange flowers.

I’m ready to marry my man and take his name. He’s just as ready for me to have it since I already have the ring and his property patch.

I look across the master suite of my parents’ old bedroom to where Marnie is standing, fixing Oly’s hair. I still work for Marnie, and she’s still giving my brother a run for his money. She won’t tell me why she’s so scared to have a relationship, but I’ve decided she used to be married. When I told her I wanted her to be my maid of honor, she corrected me and said she was a matron, then quickly mumbled something and said never mind. I tried to question her, but she wouldn’t open up.

She and Oly are both in black dresses. Marnie’s is in favorite retro style, while Oly’s has a tutu skirt. My brother paid for whatever Oly wanted to wear and secretly paid for Marnie’s dress too. He’s not giving up on her.

I stand in front of the mirror my mother used, checking myself in it. Getting married here is perfect. It brings them close to me today. I love that Crue wanted that for me. Seph arranged to have my father’s body flown up, and last month we buried him next to my mother in the yard out back. They’ll both be with us today.

After everything settled, we found out that Goat and his son were the ones taking out all the original members. It was all revenge because he wasn’t made VP. He held it against them for not voting for him. Goat also hated that Cy was left as acting president until Kodiak could take over. He also wanted to sell women and traffic them, and the club is against that. He was also the informant who was trying to get the club busted for gun running. His death, which was ruled a tragic accident, put a stop to that investigation.

A knock sounds on the door, and Marnie opens it. I see my brother standing there as I look at him through the mirror.

“Ready, Low Low?”

“Yes.” I turn and walk to him.

Marnie and Oly walk out hand and hand, and my brother stops me. “Give him this.” He pulls a ring out of his pocket. I recognize it instantly.

“No, that’s yours.”

“I got Mom’s diamond and one of Dad’s gold nugget rings. Give this to him. Dad would want him to have it.”

I blink, trying to hold back the tears, as we head down the aisle, and I marry the man I’ve had a crush on since I was in third grade.

EPILOGUE TWO

AFTERSHOCK

Iwatch as my wife’s truck pulls into the driveway earlier than expected. Glancing down at my watch, I realize she should be in class. The prospects watching her didn’t tell me she wasn’t going or that plans had changed.

“Can we stop fighting for a bit?” I interrupt Loki, who is arguing with Rose, the architect my father hired to design his house.

“No, we can’t. She’s fucking crazy if she thinks we can build this house. It won’t pass inspection, and I’ll make sure of it,” Loki barks as he looks down at her. “I will make sure you lose your license if you don’t make the fixes I told you to.”

“No, I won’t,” she snaps and walks over to my dad, who is leaned back in a chair just watching them.

“Forget it.” I turn back and see my wife walking toward us in the snow. She’s moving carefully, and I worry she fell.

We had a good dump of snow over the last few days. Winter is back with a vengeance compared to last year when it barely snowed. It’s early December, and we already have over thirty inches with more predicted before the holidays.

I trudge over to her and pull her into my body. “Starlight, what are you doing home so early? Did you slip on the ice and fall?”

“No, I’m trying not to slip and fall.”

“Why?”

She smiles up at me and hands me a slip of paper. It’s an ultrasound image, and when I read the words typed on top, I can’t hold back the whoop that bursts out loud and clear.

“I’m going to be a dad,” I yell and turn toward the others.

“Congratulations!” They all rush over to us.

“Hello, Rose.” Harlowe hugs her. They’ve become friends.

Loki snaps his jaw so hard I hear his teeth clack when Rose jumps in front of him to reach Harlowe first. It’s fucking hilarious to watch the two of them together.

I’m going to enjoy watching Loki eat crow when he realizes all the arguing is foreplay for them.

Right now, all I care about is my wife. I pull her away from my dad and carry her bridal style to the garage, where we drop our snow gear before heading to our bedroom. I need her naked so I can kiss her stomach and talk to my baby.