Epilogue

EPILOGUE

CLINK

SIX MONTHS LATER

I hold my arm out and dip my chin as she slips hers into mine. Bending my elbow, I lift my other hand and pat the top of hers. We take one step and then another. Side by side, together, we walk down the aisle.

The music plays, the world melting away as I walk toward the front of the room. I stop short of reaching the front. Turning my head, I look at the woman by my side. She’s beautiful every day, but this day, she looks spectacular.

My little sister.

I hear the officiant ask, “Who gives this woman away?” I don’t want to give shit away to Brew or anyone else. But if I had to, he is the one who I would have chosen. He loves her.

I see it in his eyes when he thinks I’m looking, but especially when nobody is looking. He loves Spencer more than the air he breathes. He would die for her, but more importantly, he would kill for her.

That is why he is the one for her. I know because I would do the same for Dillion. I agree to give her away to Brew. But before I do, I turn to her. She’s wearing a veil, so I can’t touch her face or anything. Even though that’s exactly what I want to do. I want to hold her face and look into her eyes. My little sister.

“I love you, Spencer,” I murmur.

Her eyes are bright as she smiles at me, her happiness consuming her entire being. She doesn’t speak, but she doesn’t have to. Even through her veil, I can see the wetness glimmering in her eyes.

Taking her hand in mine, I squeeze it before I release it and take a step backward. Her spine straightens, her body tense, but I know that it’s just nerves. This is the moment she’s been waiting for, waited three years for. Waited those three years because of me. I watch as she moves forward, her attention no longer on me but on her soon-to-be husband.

I turn away from them, the pastor speaks, and I find my seat. Sinking down, I reach out and take my woman’s hand. She laces her fingers with mine. I don’t look away. I can’t. I listen and watch intently as my sister marries one of my brothers.

When they say their vows, I continue to watch. Then, they are pronounced man and wife before they kiss. The whole crowd stands and cheers. Dillion and I do the same. Cheer and clap for my sister and my brother. They walk down the aisle but stop beside me.

Spencer reaches out and wraps her hand around my wrist. “Thank you, Humble.”

Arcing a brow, I clear my throat as I stare at her. She smiles, her eyes watering at the sight of my confusion.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you.”

And with that, Brew whisks her away. I thought she would spend her life away from here, away from me. I knew she was ashamed of what I was. Who I was. And I had come to terms with that. I didn’t like it, but I came to terms with it.

Which is why I’ve understood Dillion and her up-and-down emotions. I am in love with a woman who is much like my own sister. I hadn’t really thought about it until this moment. Their similarities are more than I realized. It hits me like a goddamn freight train.

The room begins to empty, and everyone follows the bride and groom to the clubhouse for the reception. I turn to face Dillion and don’t move. She watches me for a moment, her eyes filled with confusion as to why I haven’t moved.

Dipping my chin slightly, I look into her eyes, searching them. “Is everything okay?” she asks when I don’t say anything immediately.

Leaning forward, I touch my lips to hers. “Everything is perfect, baby. I love you.”

She smiles against my mouth, her lips moving slightly with a whisper. “I love you so much, Humble.”

Slipping my tongue inside her mouth, I taste her with one single swirl before I break the kiss and take a step backward. I hold out my hand, palm facing up and wait for her to slip her fingers through mine.

“Shall we?” I ask.

“You’re okay with all of this?” she asks.

My lips curve up into a smirk. “I am okay with it all. Spencer has what she wants. And I have what I want. I have you. I have my sister here. I am happy.”

It’s true. I am happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. In fact, I didn’t think happiness was something I could have, especially when I was in prison. I thought I would never have something like this. Something this good and with a woman who not only knows exactly who I am but accepts that, too.

Accepts me.

And she does. Dillion accepts everything about me. I’ve told her about prison, about club life. About my childhood. She knows it all, and she is still beside me, happily. I wouldn’t blame her if she went running.

I’ve had a shit past, and I’m probably not the best man to build a life with, to have babies with, but she’s right here. She’s in my bed and at my side every minute of every day.

I don’t deserve her.

I never did.

Together, we follow the crowd and head straight for the clubhouse. It’s time to celebrate. I’m going to drink, dance, and eat. Not in that order. And at the end of the night, I’m going to bury my cock inside of my woman and fuck her until we both come—hard.

DILLION

SIX WEEKS LATER

Well, that’s unexpected.

Blinking a few times, I stare at the word in front of me. It can’t be true. Flicking my eyes from the little screen to the closed bathroom door, I shift my attention back to it and wonder if this is real.

I need a second opinion, maybe a third or fourth.

Reaching for the handle of the door, I tug it open then step out of the bathroom and glance around in hopes of seeing someone close by to call into the room to help me. But the café area is empty.

They’re all in the back, probably having a snack. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I roll it a few times, then release it, scraping my teeth across my skin before I do. Then I move toward the back of the bakery, where I stand in the doorway, pretty sure that something like this shouldn’t be in the kitchen.

Shawn is moving around the kitchen. Ryan’s hand is resting on her round belly. Kyle and Spencer are leaning against the edge of the opposite counters. They’re all standing around chatting.

Clearing my throat, I wait for them to turn toward me. They do, almost in unison. Their heads swing to the side, their eyes stare in question, and I clear my throat again before I speak.

“Can someone look at this?” I ask as I extend my hand.

My entire arm trembles, the test shaking in the air. Shawn is the first one to rush toward me, but it’s my sister-in-law Spencer’s gasp that fills the room. Shawn rips the test from my trembling hand and glances down at the screen.

“Pregnant,” she exhales.

She lifts her head, and her eyes find mine, and then she smiles. I watch as she turns around to face the women in the room, who are intently watching to find out what exactly is happening.

“Dillion is pregnant,” Shawn calls out.

Before anything else is said or done, I’m surrounded by all the women. They wrap their arms around me, and whispers of congratulations fill my ears. At the same time, tears fall from my eyes.

My body trembles, and I can’t stop shaking. I don’t know what to do or what to say, but it’s real. It’s really real. I’m having a baby.

Oh. My. God.

I’m having a baby.

The girls all take a few steps back from me. Shawn hands the test back, and I shove it into my purse. I’m not sure what to do or say right now. I’m frozen in shock. We weren’t trying, but we weren’t careful either.

“We aren’t married,” I whisper.

Kyle lets out a snort. “He won’t care. He loves you, Dillion. If it were up to Clink, you’d be married.”

I shift my attention to Spencer, unsure of what to say to her. She’s Humble’s sister. She loves him more than anyone else in the world. I love him, but the bond they share is beyond anything I could ever give him.

He claims that her approval doesn’t matter, but I know it does in all things. I know Spencer likes me, but if she somehow didn’t approve of this, that would be tough.

“My brother would marry you tomorrow, Dillion. He loves you. We all love you. He’s only waiting because you asked him to.”

And I did.

Now I’m thinking that’s kind of dumb.

“What do I do?” I ask. “How do I tell him?”

Shawn clears her throat, and I flick my attention to her. She’s got her hands behind her back as she rocks on her heels, her lips curved up in what I can only describe as a wicked smile.

“Shawn?” I ask.

“Let me take care of telling him?” she asks.

My brows snap together in clear confusion, and she shakes her head. “On a dessert. You can give him the dessert.”

“Oh, I like the sound of that,” Ryan whispers. “Let’s do it.”

A few hours later, I have a box with six cupcakes in my hands, and I’m leaving the bakery and heading straight home to my man.

It’s been about eight months since I was allowed my freedom from the clubhouse. I’m assuming that all things are safe and there is no longer a bounty out for me, especially since it seems as if the Southern Mafia is no more.

Maybe one day, I’ll know for sure one way or the other, but Humble seems to think that all is fine, which is why he hasn’t had a guard following me around for at least three months.

It doesn’t take me long to get home. Pulling into the driveway, I smile at the exterior. Humble remodeled everything. If my brother’s vibe was anywhere in the house, it’s gone now.

The whole place was basically gutted and redone. I love everything about it now.

I’m glad I sold it to Humble.

With the box in my hand, I walk into the house. There is music playing loudly, some rock music, and I know he’s probably in the kitchen cooking. It’s become very clear over the past few months that I cannot cook to save my life, and Humble actually enjoys it.

We’re the perfect duo. He creates mouthwatering deliciousness, and I clean it up. Placing the box down on the bar countertop, I just watch him as he moves around the kitchen, his hips moving with the music, which makes my lips curve up into a smirk.

The song ends, and a new one begins. I didn’t think he knew I was home, but I should have known better. He turns to me, makes his way around the kitchen island, and wraps his arms around me.

Dipping his chin, he touches his lips to mine. “Missed you, baby. Ready for dinner?” he asks.

I don’t know how he misses me. I haven’t been gone long, just a few hours. But I have to admit that I missed him, too. I always miss him when he’s not right beside me. I love him more than anything.

“I’m ready,” I exhale.

Humble talks during dinner, which is great because I am so consumed with the pregnancy and cupcakes that I don’t know what to say. And I’m afraid I’m going to ruin everything if I talk.

“I brought dessert home,” I announce the moment he finishes his last bite of food.

Humble’s brow arches as he stares at me. I’m sure he’s surprised. Pushing the chair back, I practically run to the counter and grab the pink box, then wordlessly place it in front of him.

Like a presentation.

I feel completely out of my element, and I have no idea what I’m doing here, but I’m going to show him what I have and hope that his reaction is a positive one. I can’t imagine it won’t be. The girls are right—he would marry me tomorrow if I asked.

“What’s this?” Humble asks.

“Open it.” My voice is shaky.

I shift from foot to foot, unable to sit down or stand still as he reaches for the box. Slowly, he lifts the lid, his eyes scanning the cupcakes before he brings his attention back to meet mine. Then they flick down to the cupcakes again and he reads them out loud.

“You’re getting a new riding buddy… Congrats, Daddy…”

His eyes flick up to meet mine again before he speaks. My whole body is trembling right now, almost as if I’m standing in a walk-in freezer. Goose bumps break out over my skin as I wait for his reaction.

“Are you telling me…” His words trail off.

“I’m pregnant, Humble.”

He stands and turns his back to me. I stare at him, unsure if he’s pissed off or upset. But then he spins around to face me. His feet move, charging toward me, and then he wraps his arms around me.

My breath hitches right before his mouth slams down against mine—hard. On a gasp, my lips part, and he slips his tongue inside of me, tasting me. Consuming me like only he can. Then he breaks the kiss and rests his forehead against mine.

I hold my breath, unsure of what he’s going to say.

But when he speaks, my breath comes out in a whoosh. “We’re gettin’ married immediately.”

I flick my gaze up to meet his, and my eyes search his for a moment. “Are you asking me?”

He snorts. “Baby, I’m telling you,” he growls.

My heart slams against my chest with excited anticipation. “Does this mean you’re happy about the baby?” I ask.

His smile is huge. It reaches his eyes, and it’s so damn beautiful that my breath is stolen from my lungs.

“This is the happiest moment of my entire fucking life, Dillion. I love you so goddamn much. You’re the woman I chose to spend the rest of my life with and the woman I want to carry my babies. I couldn’t be fucking happier right now.”

His mouth touches mine. His tongue slips inside of me, and he tastes me again. This time, he doesn’t break the kiss until we’re both naked and my ass is perched on the edge of the dining room table. He buries himself inside of me, lifting his mouth from mine to look into my eyes.

“Happiest fucking man in the goddamn world, baby,” he rasps. “I love you so fucking much.”