Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Layne POV

" S o, that's my story. That's everything I have to tell." I look at the two agents seated across from me. Both of them have their jaws halfway to the floor. Perhaps I should have spared them a few of the more colorful descriptions. What could I say? Life is too short to spare the details of great sex.

One of the men straightens his already straight tie as a means to regain his composure. Clearing his throat he stumbles over his first few words. "Ms. De Luca…"

"Mrs.," I correct him.

He tries again. "Mrs. De Luca, that… That was a very thorough recounting of events."

I smile sweetly at him, reveling in the fact he is so damn uncomfortable right now.

His partner begins pouring himself what must be the fifth cup of water he's chugged in the last hour.

"You asked me to give my version of events and spare no detail. Didn't you?" I smirk, knowing I damn well went above and beyond what the Unwind and Unorganize Program was looking for.

On the day I called Detective Adams to inform him of my potential interest in the initiative, I was surprised to discover the commissioner himself had told him to not only expect my call but prioritize it. The detective swiftly put me in touch with his federal liaisons.

Several discussions on the terms of my cooperation occurred before we ultimately reached an agreement. Now, here I was giving these fuckers enough information to hit several criminal faction kingpins where it hurt the most.

Sure, I may have left out some details for those who were friends in the loosest definition of the word—allies if you will. I'm not stupid enough to burn all my bridges. I don't have a crystal ball telling me if and when I will ever return to this line of work. The one thing I do know? This is it for me—for us—for now.

Mr. Tie-Straightener shuffles through a folder overflowing with multiple forms. "There is, um, just a few more pieces of paperwork to sign and then you can be on your way."

Finally, his well-hydrated partner is put together enough to try and make light conversation. "How far along are you?" He nods at the large belly in front of me.

The asshole is brave enough to assume a woman is pregnant? I'm even more tempted to fuck with him. I barely resist the urge and give a glowing smile instead as I rest my hand on my bump. "Just entered my third trimester. It's twins, so each week from here on out is considered a win."

The man nods and seems to try and focus on the mundane details. "Any names picked out?"

I nod while rubbing my hand over the roundness idly. "Joseph Elliot, after the father, and we are naming our daughter Shannon Marie, after my mother."

After pulling another form out of the folder, the man leading the discussion hands several pages over to me with a pen. "These all lay out the terms of your immunity and confirm you have fulfilled your end of the bargain by providing relevant information on the organized crime units here in Manhattan."

I read over each word, scrutinizing the way everything is phrased to ensure that the government doesn't end up fucking me over due to a typo.

Once I'm satisfied, I scribble my name at the bottom of each page before laying the pen on top of the stack.

"Is that all? It's been a long couple of days on my back." My wince as I shift in my seat supports my complaint. This entire process had been in play since the moment we realized the threats would never stop coming, not if my lifestyle didn't change. If I ever had a shot at living a normal life, I needed to take steps to create it for myself.

Both agents nod and stand from their seats. The one asking about my pregnancy is quick to help me onto my feet. Graciously, I accept.

"You have the utmost appreciation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mrs. De Luca. Per the terms of your immunity agreement, a contact from our witness protection program will be in touch with you," he says as he walks me to the door.

"I look forward to it." With that, they make sure I find my way out of the federal building located not too far from the World Trade Center.

Right out front waiting for me is my ride. Gage smirks as he leans back against the side of the same shitty Jeep that just won't have the sense to finally up and die. I guess in a way I can relate, as I continue to live my life, refusing to lay down and succumb to death.

He approaches me, reaching out for my belly. "Have I told you how hot as fuck you look? My cock is telling me that this needs to be an ongoing condition for you." Gage's hands cradle my stomach before he lays a kiss on it.

I roll my eyes at whatever breeding kink he has driving his dick wild right now. "Don't get your hopes up."

He follows up with a kiss to my mouth. "We'll see."

I climb into the Wrangler, struggling to get the momentum to put my ass in the seat, but with a little nudge from Gage, I am finally in and settled. My seat belt stretches across me to make sure all things precious to both of my guys are secure.

Gage jogs around to the driver's seat and gets in. "He's waiting for us."

Smiling, I can't wait to finally see his face. The Feds had been far too interested in Joey's criminal history and all the contracts he had taken from the moment he stepped foot in my life. To spare us both the risk of pissing off Uncle Sam, he has been keeping his distance and lying low.

It was a brief drive across the bridge into Brooklyn. I was all too ready to hop out of my seat the second Gage parked by the quiet little beach Joey and I had dubbed as our spot. His beloved Challenger was parked right beside us and he stood on the beach watching the sun reflect off the calm water lapping at the shoreline.

To say I was running for him was the biggest overstatement of my life. This massive weight I carried on the front of me slowed me down tremendously. How did women do this more than once? I will never know.

Joey turned as I approached, and his face lit up. "Layney." His lovely brown eyes soaked in the sight of me. "Fuck, I didn't expect you to look this goddamn gorgeous." Clearly, he is pleasantly surprised at how well I wear the extra curves. I'd know that heated gaze anywhere.

My steps come to a halt in front of him. "Don't get any ideas." I grin and finally begin shifting things underneath my shirt while wrinkling my face up at the intense effort of it all.

His hand reaches out and takes hold of my chin. "We'll see." Those chocolate hues holding a promise within them.

These damn De Lucas and their hard-headedness when they get an idea in their heads…or cocks.

I welcome Joey's slow and intense kiss as he takes claim over my mouth, savoring each part of my lips before his tongue dives into my mouth. The kiss distracts the efforts of my hands underneath my shirt until finally, I feel a sudden release.

Breaking away from his mouth, I let out a massive sigh of relief as the prosthetic belly falls to the ground with a ceremonious thunk. "Jesus, you have no idea how heavy and hot as balls that shit is." Makes me glad that I have no intentions of thrusting my lifestyle onto any innocent souls in the near future. No child needs to grow up in a life riddled with danger the way I did.

Gage catches up to us both and smiles. He leans over and picks up the rounded stomach from the ground. His hand dives into a small slit in the side, digging around for what is just underneath the surface.

When Gage's hand pulls back from the silicone, he holds a small electronic chip between his fingers. "How long do you think it will take before the Feds realize that the entire recording of your interview is useless?" He flashed an amused grin.

Thanks to Cowboy, he made sure that what I confessed to could never be used against any of us. His new girlfriend, Amanda, works in the costume design department for some theater production company on Broadway. She was kind enough to hook me up with the prosthetic to house the interference device. Who was going to question a pregnant lady?

The FBI may now know the names of major players and know who to focus on first, but without solid proof, nothing I said could ever come back to haunt me.

I shrug innocently. "Hours, maybe days." Either way, I expected all of us to be long gone before then.

Joey pulls out his car keys and dangles them in front of my face. "You're in charge of taking us where we're going now, Layne."

I reach out and take the keys into my hand, looking them over.

Smiling to myself, I can say that my decision has come easily. "I think it's time I leave this city behind. My time here is done, and I'm overdue for a nice, long vacation. How does someplace warm and sunny with plenty of booze sound?"

Joey smiles as he pulls my face to his with his hands. "I don't care where we go, as long as we're all going together." His lips caress over mine once more in a reassuring and loving gesture.

When I slowly pull away from the kiss and look over to Gage to gather his opinion, he responds by hooking his finger under the thin chain around my neck to tug me closer. The charming grin on his face says it all; he wants this change as much as the rest of us.

"You better believe that no matter where we go, I'm going to be there to correct your bratty behavior," Gage's tone makes it clear that his words are a lifelong promise. One that he seals with a playful kiss to my mouth.

After we all make it back to where both cars are parked, I turn and look at the Manhattan skyline. My eyes grow wet at the memories of the place I had grown up calling home. Letting go was proving to be more difficult than I anticipated, but I knew it was the right thing to do for all of us.

It's going to be a long drive down to the Florida Keys, but maybe I could learn to call the ocean waves and sandy beaches my new home. They say home is where the heart is, right? I am lucky enough to have the hearts of two De Lucas following me no matter where I go. And for that, I am so grateful.

My dad had left a key and address of a house located in Key West in my safety deposit box. I don't believe in fate, but I do consider it a sign that this is ultimately what he always wanted for me. Closing this chapter of our lives means we have all the unwritten possibilities ahead of us.

I will never stay in my lane, even now that I have found closure. Now, as my life shifts, I know that Chaos and Wrath will always and forever be on either side of Luck.

THREE MONTHS LATER

The oscillating fan in the small grocery store continues on its back-and-forth pattern of distributing airflow. I take a deep breath as I continue to stare at the line of products in front of me. Joey and Gage are probably wondering what the hell is taking me so long, I only came in here for one thing.

A woman stops at my side, nearly passing me before she backs up a few steps. When I glance over at her, she's seemingly smiling to herself as she looks at me with a glistening of tears in her eyes.

"Can I help you?" Not that I work here, but what else do you ask when someone stops to stare at you?

She shakes her head apologetically. "Sorry, you just remind me of someone who was a part of my life for a very long time. Someone who I had to recently say goodbye to."

My face softens, my heart reaching out to this woman who may have been a stranger but had an unexplainable sense of familiarity about her. Trying to put her mind at ease, I offer up some kind words, "Goodbyes are hard but they provide the promise that something new is just beginning."

I reach out and give her hand a reassuring squeeze, it seems to provide her some solace as she gives me another sweet smile. "Thank you, for everything," she says softly, returning the squeeze to my hand.

After she takes her leave, I'm left with my own words about beginnings as I'm once again looking at the shelf in front of me. I hastily grab a box at random and make my way to the checkout counter.

When I leave the store with my purchase in tow, Florida's humidity greets me. The island breeze is the only real thing making it tolerable.

Crossing the parking lot, I climb into the front seat of Gage's Wrangler. After one too many tropical beverages on the boat this morning, Gage is squeezed into the backseat while Joey is behind the wheel.

"Get everything you need?" Joey looks at me curiously.

I nod and raise the bag in front of his view.

Gage leans forward between us with a giddy smile. "I'm feeling lucky."

I roll my eyes, of course he is.

As Joey is pulling out of the parking space, another Jeep passes by us. Driving it is the same woman I had made a connection with inside the grocery store. She pops up two fingers on her steering wheel giving Joey the signature Jeep Wave.

I watch as he gives her a smile with a hint of something grateful behind it as he returns the wave to her.

On the way home, I find myself lost in my thoughts as I look into the bag I'm holding in my lap.

There's only one question left.

Is the test going to be positive?

The End…?