Page 126 of The Deals We Make

I close my eyes as I sit down at the laptop. I take a deep breath.

And then, I hear it.

The sound of our salvation.

As with when we arrived, I don’t know who fired the shot.

But I don’t need to.

Because at our very core, all of the Outlaws are one.

At least, these eight men, a new generation of Outlaws with the same beliefs and moral code as me, are.

I jump out of the chair and sprint to Calista. Both she and Marlie are tangled up on the ground, but Calista finally pushes the taller woman off her.

“Ti,” she says, the single word coming out on a sob.

Gunfire continues outside as Bates, Clutch, Catalina, and Niro hold off the others.

I sweep Calista into my arms and run from the building with her. I don’t look back. I don’t need to. I know the others are covering my retreat.

It’s fucking freezing, and she’s not wearing a coat.

“Put me down,” Calista says. “I can run.”

I put her down at the entrance to the stables and yank a horse blanket from one of the hooks as we run by.

When we get to my bike, we’re far enough away from trouble that I finally press my lips to hers. “Fuck, you’re brilliant, my beautiful girl.”

She throws her arms around my neck. “I knew you’d come for me.”

“Always. In any lifetime. I’ll come for you, Calista. I promise.”

EPILOGUE ONE

VEX

“Fuck me, her ass looks good in that skirt,” Halo mutters as he leans back in his seat near the clubhouse bar and watches Ari as she brings more food to the large table the old ladies are setting up.

Lola toddles next to her.

Bates chuckles. “You think her ass looks good in everything.”

“Or nothing,” Clutch adds.

“All true,” Halo says. “It’s a fucking joy to know I get to hit that ass later.”

Spark puts Archer over his shoulder and rubs the little guy’s back in circles to get the kid to burp. “Stop talking about fucking when Archer’s listening.”

Bates shakes his head. “I’ve got a daughter who carries the Fort Knox of panda backpacks because of how much Niro swears. Your kid’s got no chance of not swearing before the age of three.”

Rock music plays loud, but not as loud as it once did, given Archer’s little ear drums can’t take the volume. Avery is dancing in the middle of the room with Niro. I say dancing, but it’s more of an energetic jump and twirl around.

Vi encourages the two of them while Catalina takes a video.

“You ready?” Switch asks.

We all look at the ring box currently sitting on the table in front of me, and then I look up at the clock on the wall.