Epilogue

epilogue

K Day

“It’s called an in-verbal communication,” I tell Gabe.

“You mean non -verbal communication,” he points out. Now I know why Bez hates when Gabe corrects him.

I wrinkle my nose in distaste. “You’re being arrogant and haughty again.”

“And you’re spending too much time with Bez, your English is getting atrocious!”

“Atrocious? Are you jealous of Bez again? I still literally have cum leaking out of me after I gave your cock another out-of-this-world ride it’ll never forget,” I state.

We are sitting on the sofa in the living room. I’m butt naked, while he’s only wearing a shirt open on his chest.

“I’m not jealous,” he deadpans, trying to fix the Korean collar of his black shirt for some bloody reason. Tough luck, I wrinkled it with my hands when I was impaling myself on his long shaft. I’m actually still impaled on it.

And yes, he is jealous . “Yes, you are.” I lace my hands behind his neck. “I need to double my efforts to prove you wrong, then.” My voice has turned sultry. Though, not enough it seems.

“Lori, let’s focus.”

I huff, letting my arms drop. “Why are you ruining my Krampus Day afterglow?”

“Your petty revenges. You promised you would stop them in the office.”

“I never did such a thing.”

He grabs the hair on my nape and tilts my head slightly upward. It’s a dominant move, to show me who’s in command. Love his long, manhandling fingers and large palms.

“I had my tongue inside your ass as you screamed it.” The reminder pushes a long and delicious shudder down my spine.

“That was coerced out of me. You know you can make me sing the whole church hymnbook when your hands are on me,” I retort, grinding my ass as his dick is slowly harding inside me again. Sodding fucking yes! “And I didn’t cover Randall’s office in LGBTQ+ stickers.”

Gabe tightens his grip. Mmm! More.

“But, but, but…I might have suggested the idea to a poor soul who has been unjustly used as an emotional punching bag.”

“Lori, you are my fiancé, you need to act respectably. As much as possible—for you,” he adds at the end. It makes me scoff.

“I suggested the idea outside the office!” I feel the need to remind him how respectable he is, as well. “And you killed two people because they put their hands on me!”

“That was different. They hurt you. You , Love.” His fingers dig deeper into my hair, and combined with the Love endearment, it’s my kryptonite. “Nobody dares do that and deserves to see another sunrise.”

And that’s the last nail in my coffin. I kiss him like I need air and he’s the only one who can provide it to me. My hips start moving again, and for another hour, we are lost to the world.

“So, will you really try to behave when you come to the office?” he asks me as I’m splayed on top of him on the soft rug in front of the lit fireplace.

He won’t just bloody let it go.

“Lori?”

“Oh, so sorry I completely forgot about your existence for a second,” I lie shamelessly, because there’s no way my head, my heart, and my soul don’t feel my soulmates when they are near.

“Come on, Gabe. That was hilarious. You got that big fat check from a new client because of that show,” Bez confesses.

“What am I hearing, now? You lying wanker! You didn’t tell me anything about a fat check! And a new client.” I punch his chest.

He sighs, and his long, sexy, expert fingers stop brushing my back. Fuck, I don’t want that. It’s time for some fake compliance.

“I’ll try to keep my marvelous advice for myself in the office,” I offer him. Out of the office, all is fair , though , I add inside my head. His fingers resume the brushing, and I purr on top of him.

“I miss working with you,” I confess after a few minutes. I really do. I’m too busy with classes and studying to focus on any cases right now. Gabe asks my opinion at times, but it’s not the same.

“It seems to me that you had ample time for Santa’s evil twin.” He palms my sore arse, pretty sure the imprint of his hand near my tattoo will never go away.

“Don’t you like your Krampus slippers?” They are my hideous and funny Christmas present to him, among other things. He did love the maggot’s knife for his collection. Giving him my first donor’s trophy meant the world to him, hence our morning jolly ride on the sofa.

“I clearly said fuck no, Little Wasp.” Bez is never diplomatic with his answers.

“They have horns that Wednesday can’t stop clawing and picking at,” Gabe states. He bought her a small water fountain so she can always drink fresh water. He really loves her.

My little lady is herself again. She just hates everything Krampus now. My theory is that being unwillingly possessed by a demon made her murderous toward him.

“When are you going to remove the altar?” Gabe asks.

“End of the month. And I’ll make a new one every year because December is Krampus time, so all the evil souls I take will be his.”

“Will you wear that furry outfit again?” Bez rumbles. He bloody loves it. He kept fucking me for hours, pulling on my horns. Should I be worried? Nah. Who hasn’t dreamed of being fucked by a fangy demon? I certainly did.

“For you? Everything,” I whisper darkly.

“Everything, right,” Gabe mutters.

“I put that bloody microchip behind my ear for you, didn’t I?” I touch the bump under the skin. It felt weird at first. But I forget about it most of the time.

Gabe’s hand curls around my nape as he lifts my head up. “You did it because I threatened to tranquilize you and put it there myself.”

“Fear of having a permanent scar near my pretty face was an essential factor in my decision-making, yes. The need to get my beauty sleep another.”

“Lori. I think it’s time we talk about rules.”

“Rules? No, no rules. I vote we chuck the rules.”

“You can’t. That’s against the rules.”

“What rules?”

“The rules we need to talk about.”

This could go on for hours, which we don’t have. “Ugh, you are lucky I love you, or…” I start.

“Or what?” Bez growls. “You will never leave us, Little Wasp.”

I look upward, asking the whole chorus of angels to give me strength. “Open your hairy ears because this is the last time I say it. I will never leave you. Either of you. Ever!” I spell out.

“I told you.” Gabe sounds a smidge smug.

“Shut it!” is Bez’s annoyed reply.

My phone buzzes, and I turn a glance to see Petunia texted me. Since that night two weeks ago, we’ve been chatting over the phone, and she even helped me buy some presents—Krampus slippers included. She’s fun to be with, and I think I will use her driving, stalking services again in the future.

My eyes focus on the time displayed on my phone, and I scramble into a sitting position.

“Bugger! We’re going to be late.”

“When we come back it’s rule time.” I roll my eyes at his persistence.

An hour later, we are entering Rami and Hunter’s home when a cacophony of kabooms, fizzes, and swooshes fills the air.

“Gabriz is here!” Rami cheers—his ship name for Gabe, Bez, and me.

“Merry Christmas and congrats on your initiation!” Michael yells with Sari, followed by the less enthusiastic rest of the sausage fest with the triplets and Opal. Wow, everybody is here, except Linda. She decided to stay at the hospital with Meg.

We'll go see them later.

I pat Gabe’s chest, silently telling him to let me go. He wrapped me in his arms and shielded me as soon as the firecracker noises started. I feel so fucking cherished and, at the same time, bloody irritated by his overprotectiveness. Nevertheless, I remind myself this is a difficult time for all of us, with Meg still in the hospital with no signs of getting better. So, I let it slide.

“Cheers, mates. I’m touched.” I smile at everybody. The room is filled with Christmas decorations. A tall, trimmed tree is looming over the room far away from the fireplace—good call—and the table is dressed with food and drinks. Rami is quite the cook. I’m looking forward to eating.

“Happy Krampus Day!”

“Are you still going with that?” Ren clicks his disdainful tongue at me. But I don’t care. I’m free of my curse, and my tushy is delightfully stingy. I’m utterly satisfied…until tonight. A boy’s gotta keep eating.

“You owe me,” Ash feels the need to remind me every time I see him. He’s referring to the old tattoo gun he gave me, but he hasn’t asked me for anything in return yet. Brat. I’m dreading that day.

I wave at Opal and Hunter talking in the kitchen, then I’m suddenly enveloped by a huge, hard body.

“Hugs are painkillers,” Rami whispers too close to my ear.

“This is overmedication,” I mutter. “Are you asking for my boot in your arse?”

“So feisty, I bet Bez loves that.” He winks at my fiancé, earning an angry “back off” from him.

“Like I would hit on Gremlin.” Rami makes it sound ridiculous. I stomp on his foot, pressing hard with my high heel into his sneaker for a second too long before stepping back.

“Oops.” I stifle a smile behind my hand as he hops toward his boyfriend, whining like a baby. I sigh contently, petty revenges are so fulfilling!

“Ren, George was in my room,” Dare addresses his brother as he walks into the crowded living room with the black snake around his arm and his blind squirrel hanging from his neck.

“He likes your damn cookies-and-cream scented candle for some reason.” Ash scoffs and then oomphs as Ren elbows him in the gut.

Don’t know what’s weirder, a snake that likes to sniff candles or Dare buying a cookies-and-cream one.

“Your dog farts like a minigun.” Raph glares at Hunter as he moves Michael and him from the sofa to the armchair.

“I’ll happily kill him,” Uri offers, earning glowers from a few people in the room. He’s insufferable lately.

“It wouldn't help,” Michael says. “The canine body is capable of being flatulent for hours after death.”

Sari adds, “The human body as well.”

Not wanting to hear more, I go hug Sully and Ollie and give Rague a pat on his mountainous pec.

“Gabriz, not bad,” I hear Opal telling Rami.

“By the way, we’ve changed our ship name to Ralie,” Rague announces. Rague plus Ollie. Ralie.

“What’s wrong with Ollague?” Rami asks, annoyed.

“It’s crap,” Uri replies. He’s not wrong.

I leave the presents Gabe and I brought near the piles under the tree. I guess we’ll exchange them later.

The bracelet Bez and Gabe gave me for Christmas feels cold on my wrist, but I’ll never take it off. For now, there’s only one ruby on it. Gabe will add a new one every year we are together, and since we’ll never part, I’m going to be covered in gems one day like a bloody maharaja. Maybe I can even get myself a tiger—only if Wednesday likes her.

For now, I have to think about the biggest present I brought. It fits in my velvet dress pocket, and I feel like it’s making a hole in it.

“What’s with all the fidgeting?” Ollie asks me as I make my way back to them.

“What?” I fake ignorance, even though I know it’s useless with my bloodhound of a bestie…and his brother.

“You’re doing the duck dance.” Sully nods, confirming his sniffing skill.

“Rubbish. I’m perfectly still. Like an iguana waiting for its prey to get close.” I describe the perfect picture, at which Sully laughs.

“Do you feel a fiery sensation in your pants? Liar liar!” Ollie’s joke is not funny.

“You did something, and you need to tell us before you pop. What is it?” Sully asks. He tries to lean against the wall without measuring the distance well. Ollie and I grab him before he smashes his head against the hard surface.

“Alright?” I ask him. He nods a couple of times, embarrassment coloring his cheeks.

“Yo, want some?” Ren comes up with a bottle of Coke and a bunch of paper cups. We nod, and he starts pouring. Need to add some rum to it, though. It’s Krampus Day, and I need to celebrate.

“ I said I wanted one!” Ash clips at his brother, reaching us.

“I didn’t hear you, buttface,” Ren replies, handing each of us a filled cup.

“Yes, you did, douchebag!”

“You’re always muttering away. Can’t expect me to listen to whatever you say. Plus, not even Dare heard you, and he was right next to you. Right, Dare?”

Dare wisely decides not to reply and instead takes a sip from his glass. The hoodie he’s wearing is gray and it barely holds his muscular torso in.

“Dirtbag!” Ash grumbles.

Dear vengeful God of the past, please shatter my eardrums to spare me this torture. And since you’re here, I just want to thank you for Jamie Dornan, you did a very fine job there.

“Boys, are you still trying to exceed your daily cursing quota?” Gabe’s monotone question comes from behind me. I feel his front pressing against my back. His arm wraps around my chest, and I lean back as I lace my fingers with his.

“It’s still disturbing seeing you together.” Ash purses his lips at us. He’s such a contrary arse.

“Is it because you imagine us fornicating?” I taunt him while Gabe steals a sip from my cup.

“Nobody wants to imagine that!” Ren replies with a hint of disgust. His sunglasses are new, probably a Christmas present.

I roll my eyes. “Gabe, I changed my mind.”

“About?” Ollie, the noisy wanker, asks.

“About giving my biggest gift to the Offsprings.” I wave at the triplets.

“A present,” Ash echoes with no enthusiasm whatsoever.

“A big one?” Ren adds.

“Why?” Dare inquires.

I let out a nervous sigh but instantly relax when I feel Gabe pushing me firmer against him. I brush my fingers over the little urn around my neck as I look at the boys, and I know. It’s time to let go.

“I have a house. Gran left it to me. It has a nice, spacious garden and an even nicer neighbor.” I pause to find the right words. “It’s been rotting there for two years now, and I can’t possibly think of a better way to use it than give it to you brats. You can turn it into another pet shelter, a tattoo shop, a hacker cave. Whatever. Gabe and I can help you with the legal side, and Rami…”

Ash cusses, interrupting my amazing speech. “Fuuuck! I had you by the balls after I gave you that tattoo gun. By. The. Balls.” He purses his lips, and I feel Gabe tensing behind me. I wrap my hand around his nape to soothe Bez’s feral response.

“I just finished planning the most tortuous and devious way for you to repay me. And then you come and do this?” Ash hisses at me. “You ruined it now!”

I smirk at him. “Sorry, I’m not sorry?”

“Lori.” Hunter’s voice is filled with warmth. He gives me a grateful look. He’s a silent grump, but he loves these boys deeply. Rami nods at me with the same look in his eyes,

Dare grabs Ash’s shoulder, silencing him, as he tells me, “What Ash meant to say is, do you have any idea how much that means to us?”

I open my mouth, but Ren cuts me off, “Are you sure?”

Ollie and Sully have big smiles on their faces. They know how hard it has been for me having Gran’s place and not being able to be there anymore. She loved that house, and she would’ve wanted for someone to live in it. I nod. “More certain with every passing second.”

Ren lets out a short laugh. “This is yet another sign of your lunacy.” The mirrored glasses cover his gaze, hiding his emotions. But he adds in a choked voice, “Thank you.”

“Fuck!” Ash breathes out, but it sounds like another thank you to my ears.

I grab the keys from my dress pocket and toss them at Dare. “I have a copy. We can go when you’re free, and you can help me with the moving? Gran had a lot of stuff, and I don’t want strangers putting their fingers on any of it.”

“Damn, I knew it. This is just the beginning,” Ash grumbles.

“Count me and Hunter in!” Rami exclaims, reminding me we have an audience.

“Me three.” Opal makes herself available as well. Her long braids look fabulous falling down her shoulders.

“Can’t!” Uri mutters.

“Nobody asked you,” I counter.

“Good,” he grumbles, his eyes focused on Sari as he taps on his phone. Is he texting that sexy teacher?

“I can rent a truck from the company I usually use for work,” Rague lets me know, earning a kiss on the pec from his husband.

Michael also gives me his availability and Raph’s reluctant one.

Everybody starts moving toward the table as Hunter announces that the feast is ready.

“Good?” Gabe asks me. I turn in his arms, flattening my palms on his chest. He’s wearing a black cashmere sweater, a pair of gray jeans, and leather boots. He’s sexy as hell, but it’s the way he undresses me with is eyes that makes my body shiver under my green, baby doll dress. The short skirt ends at the middle of my thighs, and the top of the bodice is strapless, revealing some skin. Thick wool socks wrap the edge of the brown, knee-high boots Bez loves to fuck me in.

I nod at him.

“I have something to show you.” He grabs his phone, and after tapping on the screen, he turns it toward me.

It’s a picture of his office. I can see the fabulous view from the wide glass wall, the sofa with the cute purple cushions I bought recently, his desk, and another desk. Wait! Another desk?

“Is that my name on the silver plate on that cute desk?” It says “Lori Boone, attorney at law.”

“Yes . On your cute desk. Merry Christmas or…Krampus Day.”

I look at him, too stunned to properly think. “I don’t understand.”

His fingers flex on my hips. “A little premature since you’re still studying, but I don’t see why we have to be in two different offices when you come back to work since mine is big enough for two.”

“We will also have an extra surface to bend you over,” Bez adds.

I bite my inner cheek as I will my tears to stop.

These men, they are all I knew I wanted and everything else I wasn’t aware I needed.

“All those lame excuses you gave me these past few days, they were to keep me out of the office. I thought you didn’t trust my promise about the petty revenges.” I poke his pec.

“I love those revenges,” Bez chuckles.

“I don’t trust that promise. That’s why we need rules,” Gabe declares.

“That hurts right here,” I joke, pointing at my chest.

His answer is a quick, hard kiss.

But my heart truly aches since I fell in love with them.

Perhaps because it grew, two sizes too big.

THE END