Epilogue

Layla

Four Months Later

I anxiously looked at the crowd as I held the ridiculously oversized scissors. After nearly a year since starting this endeavor, the first shelter was finally opening. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something would go wrong again. I knew it wouldn’t; all of my enemies were long dead and shark shit. Anton was the last one on my list, and he ended up bleeding to death as two dildos turned his insides to mush. Thankfully, I didn’t have to go down and help clean it up. Once Anton was gone, everyone could come out of hiding, and everyone I loved was here today to celebrate with me.

Brandi was still pretending she didn’t have the hots for her guards, whom I officially permanently assigned to her, much to her annoyance. They needed more time with her to break down her walls. Monika and her four men were there as well. She seemed a little off these days. I suspected something was happening with the Triple Skulls that I wasn’t aware of. I’d have to press her later and make sure she remembers that I will always have her back, and her problems are my problems. I shifted my gaze to Kadence. Her life was still lacking the stability she needed, but I knew she would be ok. She had a couple of pretty great men who adored her.

Jen and Autumn were back in our lives, though they no longer lived with us. They lived with their Seals. It’s funny how people come together. Things between me and Autumn were quickly resolved when she saw Sean for the first time. We didn’t tell her that I thought he was dead. I waved her forward to join me. “Want to help me cut the ribbon?”

“Yes!” she said excitedly, grabbing onto the scissors she had been eyeing all afternoon.

Finally, my eyes fell on my forever family. Cordy, who had always been like a mother to us, stood with my men, who beamed proudly at me. We may not be the most upstanding citizens, but we are good people and try to help those in need whenever possible. I felt more blessed every day with them. We lost a lot of good people to get where we are today, but we managed to come out of it stronger than ever.

“Hurry up and cut it so we can eat, wolf lady!” Mac yelled as he bent to pet Dash and Dire, making everyone laugh. As a beam of sunshine split through the clouds, I smiled, knowing the heavens were smiling down on us today. I love you too, Daddy.

I looked at Autumn. “On three. One. Two. Three.” Together, we cut the ribbon, and everyone cheered.

“ T hat was more exhausting than I expected,” I said hours later as I walked to our front door.

“Yeah, it was,” Colton replied stiffly.

“Ok, what’s up?” I asked them as I paused with my hand on the doorknob. “You guys have been quieter than normal since we left the shelter.”

“Let’s just go inside,” Sean prompted.

I sighed. Whatever it was, they’d tell me when they were ready. I opened the door and gasped. The foyer was covered in flowers. Rose bouquets covered every available surface and rose petals covered the floor and stairs. “What in the world? What did you do?” I asked as I spun to look at them. “Oh my God!”

All five of my men were down on one knee, and Colton held a ring box open. Inside was a stunning diamond ring with five stones surrounding it.

“Layla Grace Romano,” Colt said, “you are by far the most infuriating woman we’ve ever known.”

“You’re also the most generous and compassionate woman we’ve ever known,” Drew said.

“I first fell in love with you right here in this room,” Zach said. “A tiny little warrior ready to defend an abused boy she had just met.”

“Every day, you teach us how to be better men. How to be better humans,” Tyler continued.

“We love you for all the things that you are, and we always have,” Sean said. “Will you please do us the greatest honor of allowing us to become your husbands for the rest of our lives?”

My heart swelled and overflowed through my eyes as tears trailed down my face. “Yes!”

They surged forward and surrounded me, taking turns kissing me, and at some point, Colt managed to slip the ring on my finger.

“Wait! Can I legally marry all of you?”

“You’re the Queen of Atlantic City,” Zach reminded me. “I’m pretty sure you can do whatever you want.”

“But legally, no. We can still have a wedding and say our vows in front of our loved ones,” Tyler said. “Who cares if it isn’t legal? We don’t need a piece of paper to tell us what we already know and feel in our hearts.”

“To the bedroom so we can celebrate!” Zach cheered, throwing me over his shoulder and running upstairs.

Halfway up the stairs, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Colt sighed, turning around and heading back down the stairs.

We were almost to the bedroom when we heard Colt yell.

“LAYLA! WHY THE FUCK IS THERE A MAN HERE WITH A FUCKING TIGER CUB?!”

Oops.

One Year Later

“ S he should wear it up,” Brandi stated.

“Her hair is too pretty. It should be down,” Monika argued.

“Why not just compromise and do half of it up?” Kadence proposed.

“Or we could ask Layla what she wants,” Jen suggested.

“Guys, I don’t care what my hair looks like, and neither do the guys,” I said, moving from between them.

“Just because it isn’t a legal wedding doesn’t mean you can’t look the part,” Kadence argued. “That dress deserves good hair.”

“I think you’ll look pretty no matter what,” Autumn said with a dreamy sigh.

I looked at myself in the mirror. The white wedding dress I had picked was on the simpler side, but I looked stunning in it. “Let’s just leave it down. It’s a wedding on the beach, so we’re going for a more casual feel.” We were standing barefoot in a tent, for goodness sake. This wasn’t the Ritz.

“I still can’t believe you picked this date to get married,” Brandi laughed.

I shrugged. “It seemed appropriate.”

“Boss,” Keith said, sticking his head inside the tent, his eyes shut tightly. “It’s time.”

“Thank you, Keith. Ok, ladies, out you go. I’ll see you down there.” They left the tent, and I took calming breaths as I heard the music start.

Keith waited outside the tent to walk me down the aisle. “Ready?” he asked.

“Absolutely,” I grinned. I whistled for Dash and Dire, who flanked us.

I placed my hand on his arm and lifted my skirt as we made our way to the beach and my men. I tried to take in all the familiar faces that had come to witness our union. Cordy was already bawling. Keith had become a permanent resident of the house, staying in her quarters. I was delighted for them both. Sean’s parents were there. His mom was the most darling woman I had ever met, and I looked forward to getting to know them better over the years.

My attention shifted to my men, dressed in tuxes and waiting for me at the end of the aisle with varying degrees of awe on their faces.

I was supposed to marry Anton eight years ago today, but instead, I had to leave my home and run for my life.

My life took an interesting detour, to say the least, but it brought me right back to where I had always belonged.

To my city and my home.

Because as long as I’m with them, I’ll always be home.