Page 46

EPILOGUE 2

MIRIAM

18 months later

Theo glances over his shoulder, only for his eyes to drop to my massively swollen stomach where Tatum has his hand resting. Ezra growls when he catches his eyes on my stomach, and Theo fucking smirks at him. “Rein it in, solider boy,” he whispers to Ezra.

I shoot my hand out to stop mi soldado from hurtling over the uncomfortable bench seats. Tatum’s arm tightens, ready to intervene.

“ Estan actuando como idiotas ,” I hiss out, referring to both Ezra and Theo.

Now isn’t the time, but Tatum and Richard chuckle silently. I glare at Richard, who of everyone here should understand the severity of what’s happening. I’m pleased when I see Chester and Kevin turn their heads to scowl at Theo.

He shrugs and faces forward to watch as the judge enters the courtroom. Once the judge settles himself in his seat at the front of the room, he runs his gaze over everyone before clearing his throat. I hold my breath, anxiety rolling through me when I see Susanna’s shoulders stiffen.

“It’s been a long few weeks of questioning and deliberations. I appreciate everyone’s time spent here. Your patience has been much appreciated.” He turns to the jury sitting at the side of the room. “To the jury, again, I thank you for your time and service. Have you reached a verdict?”

The first juror stands up, an older woman who seems nervous but confident. “We have, your honor.”

“You need to breathe, Miriam. You look as if you’re about to pass out.” Richard’s lips are pressed to my ear, making me shiver when he whispers. I exhale shakily, then turn to him. He’s watching me with concern, so I tighten my fingers over his hand where it’s resting on my thigh.

“Thanks,” I whisper. “I’m just anxious.”

I know he understands the enormity of this situation. Susanna is finally going to find out if her stalker, abuser, and kidnapper will suffer the consequences of his actions. She spent weeks working on her statement to read if he’s found guilty, but kept it close to her and didn’t share with any of us.

My baby boys shift in my belly, and both Tatum and Richard look down when I do. I’m so fucking pregnant right now that we can literally see them moving around.

Tatum leans against me and whispers to Richard, “Just as a reminder, I did that.” When Richard rumbles in warning, Tatum holds up two fingers. “Two in one shot, man. What’s that say about you?”

“Are you kidding me right now?” I hiss at him, holding Richard still. These two fuckers became so competitive the moment I said I was feeling the itch for another baby.

And I got. Fucking. TWO!

“You don’t even know if they’re yours,” I snap at him as quietly as possible.

He grins happily. “They are, pretty girl. We all know it.”

Tatum leans back, relaxed and proud as fuck while Richard is practically vibrating next to me. I expect him to stay silent, but my mouth falls open when he grumbles, “Yeah, well, I did it first and wasn’t even trying, pendejo. ”

Kevin is sitting in front of us, next to Chester, but I see his shoulders start bouncing silently in laughter. It’s enough to break the tension surrounding us, and I see Susanna’s shoulder slowly begin to relax. Chester presses a kiss to the side of her head and whispers something that has her nodding.

Then we all hold our breath as the judge calls on a jury member. “For the charge of false imprisonment of Susanna Walston, what say you?” he asks. You can hear a pin drop as a jury member leans toward her microphone.

“We, the jury, in the case of the state versus Arthur Walston, find the defendant guilty of the charge of false imprisonment of Susanna Walston.” I close my eyes, a tear slipping out in relief. There are still two more left, but this is a start.

“For the charge of the attempted murder of Susanna Walston, what say you?”

“We, the jury, in the case of the state versus Arthur Walston, find the defendant guilty of the charge of attempted murder of Susanna Walston,” the juror continues, her voice growing more confident.

I can tell Ezra’s leg is bouncing up and down, so I reach forward and squeeze his shoulder. As much as he likes to play around, when I shared what happened to my best friend, he spent weeks daydreaming different ways he could end her grandfather without anyone finding out.

If we didn’t have children, I’d probably have given him my blessing. The man is evil incarnate.

Finally, the judge calls on the jury for the death of Susanna’s mother and when that comes back as guilty as well, I choke out a sob. My friend is sitting like a statue and I can see how much concern her guys have. They’re side-eyeing her, but I know she’s got this.

She’s afraid of speaking in front of everyone and is building the courage to face the man she’s been afraid of her entire life. I’ve never been more proud of her than when she stands up and faces him, her voice coming out strong.

“I was three years old when this man stole my mother from me…”

After she’s finished, she sits back down, shaking, and my damn hormones have me all teary-eyed again when Vance leans over to her and whispers, “I love you so much, songbird.”

We’re excused from the courtroom after formalities are done. I laugh when both Richard and Tatum grab me under my arms and help haul my ass to my feet. Carrying twins is so much different than one and I feel like I’m immobile already, and I’m only at six months!

After I spend time hugging my friend and she thanks each of us for being here with her today, I grab Kevin’s hand and give it a squeeze as he heads to the car. This was important to him to see through since he was the one who was there when they pulled my friend out of the ground she was meant to be buried in. Tugging on his hand, I wait until he glances down at me.

“You doing okay, papí? ”

His arm goes around my shoulder, and he pulls me in close. “I’m perfect, love.” Turning to Richard, he asks, “Your parents are keeping Gabe for the night, right?”

Richard snorts out a laugh, using the key fob to unlock our vehicle. “I think he’s keeping them. My father bought some new airplane toys for them to play with tonight, and Grandma promised lots and lots of sugar.”

“I miss him,” I admit, then scoff when my eyes water again. “Fucking hell. These boys are turning me into a pathetic blob of emotions and sappy tears.”

They don’t make me feel bad as I’m helped into the car, but it doesn’t stop me from sighing as I look out the window.

“What’s wrong now, mi tormenta? ”

Whipping my head to Richard, I bare my teeth. “I don’t like that. I like the other one.”

“ La Ni?a , tell me your worries,” he teases as he steers us from the lot.

With as much exaggeration as I can muster, I throw my hand over my face and sigh into Tatum’s shoulder. I peek at Ezra on my other side as he curls his body around my stomach as best he can in the tight space we’re sharing in the backseat.

“Miri?” Tatum calls, and I jump, distracted by how sweet Ezra is being, kissing my stomach now.

“Sorry,” I whisper with a wink. Then I sigh loudly again. “I’m just dreading the two-hour drive back to our place.”

Ezra snickers against my stomach, hiding his face. Kevin glares at him from the front seat. “Are you kidding me, Ez? You told her?”

“In my defense,” Ezra mumbles, his words muffled as his face stays buried. “She was freaking the fuck out about leaving Gabriel all day, then how we’d be getting back late and it would throw his nap schedule off.” He lifts his head, waggling his eyebrows at me. “I bribed her with promises of sweet, sweet pussy eating and fucking.”

Tatum smacks the back of his head. It’s easy access since his arm is resting across the seat behind me. “You didn’t even tell her the best part?”

My conspiratorial grin falls away, and I turn to Tatum in surprise. “There’s a part better than sweet, sweet pussy eating?”

“Oh, pretty girl,” he teases, tapping my nose. “There really is.”

My mouth falls open and all of them laugh at me. Snapping my mouth shut, I tilt my head to the side and try to think it over. “I have no clue what you’d have planned.”

They keep their mouths shut as Richard navigates the old city I used to live in, Kevin holding his phone and murmuring directions. Eventually, I sit up straighter as I realize where we’re headed.

“Stop it,” I cry out when we turn down a familiar street, slowing to a stop in front of the house I spent all of my Sundays at for two years. Ezra rolls down his window as Darlene’s children spill from the front door, waving. “Darlene!” I call, giggling as she follows behind them, moving slowly with her walker.

Pushing at Ezra, he falls out of the car and helps me scramble out. I don’t give two shits if I’m waddling like a clown. I hurry as quickly as I can and as gently as I can, hug the ever living shit out Darlene.

“Well, would you look at the size of that belly? My dear, are you growing a footballer?” Her wrinkled hand strokes my stomach and I laugh, wiping the happy tears from my cheeks.

“Hardly. Actually, maybe. There’s two of them in there!” Leaning forward, I not so quietly whisper, “If you take a look at the men behind me, I think it’d be safe to assume that they’re going to be big boys.”

Darlene leans to the side, fixing her glasses to get a good look at the loves of my life. “Oh, to be a young woman again. Hello there boys,” she waves, then cackles when her two oldest boys groan.

“My God, mom.”

Darlene and I snicker together, holding hands. “They’re delicious, aren’t they?” I ask, this time actually keeping my voice lowered.

“I envy you.” She cups my cheek. “But you’re well?”

I nod against her palm. “I am. Very well. Happy too.” She pats my face before grabbing onto her walker again.

“I know they’ve got plans to whisk you away, but it was so lovely to see your face. It’s been too long.”

Guilt ebbs its way into my chest, but I push it down. Darlene and I have spent at least an hour every Sunday on the phone catching up where she fills me in on all the gossip surrounding her family drama. I tell her about each new thing Gabriel does, but I have missed seeing her.

I hug her family before giving her one more tight squeeze. Before I know it, I’m shuffled back to the car with me leaning over Ezra to wave goodbye as we pull away from the curb.

The smile I’m wearing is locked on all the way to a fancy hotel we’re apparently staying at tonight. It’s getting close to dinner, but I’m just so happy with our short visit that I don’t ask about a thing. I let them take the lead and before I know it, we’re checking out our suite for the night.

Kevin helps me sit on the edge of the bed while Richard is already on the phone, placing an order for a large meal to be delivered through their room service. Kneeling before me, mi capitán slips my shoes from my feet and I groan when he rubs the aches away.

Falling back, I close my eyes, only for them to shoot open when hands wrap around my ankles to spread my legs wide. “Wha?—”

Kevin flips my dress up and presses his lips to the inside of my thigh. He grins up at me when I push myself part way up to look at him. “Lay back, Miri. We told you. You’re getting your pussy eaten tonight.”

I grin when Richard slips a pillow under my head and urges me to lie back again, then I moan loudly when I feel teeth dig into my flesh, then a tongue drag up until it circles my clit. I shudder and reach for Richard’s cock, growing hard already through his pants.

Dios mio , these men are going to be the death of me. And they spend all night doing their best to prove me right.