Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Lace

Two months later

I thought I’d have severe PTSD after seeing Manny shot and taken to hospital, his recovery almost a blur in my mind. Maybe I’ve chosen to block it out, and part of that is for my own healing journey, but the fact he’s made a full recovery brings warmth to my heart.

Things have certainly taken a turn for the better since then. The club has settled down again and I’ve even started a new job at an accounting firm. I no longer have to hide, or run the risk of the mob finding me again.

That night after the shooting, Mateo looked into all the colleagues I worked with and figured out that his step-brother, the one he shot, set it up to look like I had swindled money from him. His whole plan all along had been to frame me so Mateo would kill me, and then he’d get to keep the money. He was broke, and Mateo only paid him a wage, albeit a decent one. He had too many debts around Arizona to ever pay them back with his own money.

I try not to think about that night too much. It only brings back memories I’d rather forget.

The boys spoiled me on my birthday, and now I know exactly why they call it cherry pie; when they both took turns eating out my pie, I can never look at cherries again the same way. Dirty boys. I smile to myself, packing up my things for the day as I head out. Getting back to my real line of work has been good for me. I miss Audrina a lot, but I call in most days for coffee on the days she’s working. Mainly, it’s to tease her about Hustler. The pair of them are either really good at hiding it, or they really are too chicken shit to act on their desires.

“You good?” I hear my brother’s voice as I step outside the building.

I hold a hand to my heart. “You startled me.” I smack him on the arm. “Seriously, dude?”

He chuckles. “Can’t I meet my own sister after work to make sure she’s alright?”

I give him a look. “Of course you can, but sneaking up behind me isn’t cool.”

He gives me a chin lift. “Wanna grab some food tonight? We could hang out.”

I smile. “I’d like that.”

“Oh, Bella went into labor.”

My eyes go wide. “Huh?” I slap him again. “You could’ve told me that first!”

He chuckles. “I said I’d drive you to the hospital.”

“Wait, they’ve had the baby?”

“Yep! A bouncin’ baby boy.”

I hold a hand up to my mouth. “That’s so freaking cool!” I hug my brother with excitement.

“We should grab them something on the way,” he suggests.

I check my phone, then I see the group chat has blown up. “I’ve been so busy at work I didn’t have time to check my phone. We all knew she was close to popping.”

“Priest is beside himself, and Hustler is a grandpa.”

I giggle. “Grandpa West, I’ll remember to tease Audrina about that later.”

He gives me a look. “Is that really happenin’?”

Men can be so clueless. “My lips are sealed.”

We stop by the florist and pick up flowers and a huge teddy bear. When we get to the hospital, of course, everyone is already there. I hug the girls. Every one of them is excited. Halo is fully showing now and soon it’ll be their turn. I can’t wait to be an aunty. Riot never really mentioned anything about kids until Halo came along. They’re good for each other.

Manny embraces me as I fold into his arms. “This is such good news.”

He kisses my hair. “So good.” He pulls back to look down at me. “You look tired. You sure that firm aren’t workin’ you too hard?”

“Thanks for saying I look tired.” I shake my head. “But yeah, it’s been busy. The firm likes me, though, and everyone has been really great. I think I’ll be happy there.”

He smiles. “Good.”

“Shouldn’t wear those pencil skirts around us,” I hear Bandit behind me. “A man could get ideas.”

“She’s so fuckin’ hot when she’s dressed for the office,” Manny agrees.

“You two behave,” I chastise. “We’re here for Priest and Bella.”

“Manny! Lace!” Eli comes running up, waving a stuffed hedgehog at us. “Look what I got for the baby!”

I cuddle him, kissing the top of his head as he shows us proudly. “That’s so cool, bud, I think he’s gonna love it.”

“Would I be allowed to hold him?”

“We’d have to see about that,” Bandit says. “Gotta remember he’s super small and only a few hours old.”

Bandit’s eyes meet mine, and I see the pain there. We’ve talked about this a lot; how Eli came into the world and how difficult that was for him. I know hospitals make him nervous, and I hate that. I pull him in for a hug, too.

“You okay?” I whisper.

He nods. “I’m fine.”

Eli walks the hedgehog up Manny’s chest and bops him in the face with it. Manny proceeds to take it off him and then chases him around the waiting room, getting disapproving looks from the staff as they go.

“He never really grew up,” I sigh.

Bandit puts an arm around my shoulder. “He probably never will.”

“Would we really want him to?”

He smirks. “Definitely not.”

“He’s so good with Eli.”

“So are you.”

I look up at him. “Do you want more kids?”

He swallows hard. “Maybe someday, I’d never keep that opportunity from you if it’s something you wanted.”

“How would that work? I bite my lip. “I mean, how would we know whose kid it is?”

He smiles. “Well, I’m sure some people find out. Others don’t because it doesn’t matter, but we can do either, when the time comes.” He pops a brow. “Is that time comin’?”

I give him wide eyes. “No!” I put a hand to my heart. “Uh, I mean, someday, but not anytime soon.”

Manny comes back out of breath as Eli takes off to play with some other unsuspecting biker in the waiting room. “He’s fast.”

“We were just saying how cute you two look,” I muse.

He presses a kiss to my lips. “Yeah? I think he’s cuter.”

“Yep, got it in one.” Bandit smirks.

Manny gives him the finger and he knocks it away. The pair of them have this little back-and-forth banter going between them, but really, it’s just foreplay. I love that about them. To think of how far we’ve come makes my head spin, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

“Love the fuck out of you two,” I whisper. They both stop talking. “In case I didn’t tell you today.”

“Love you more.” Manny plants a kiss on my forehead.

“Love you always.” Bandit nips my chin.

Our future isn’t just bright, it’s forever. I know it like I know the sun will rise, and that’s all we need. It’s all I’ve ever needed. I just didn’t know it until now.

Bandit

“So good,” I groan as Lace fondles my cock. “Baby, stop teasin’ me…”

She licks my tip and I pull her by the hips, trying to get her into my lap. Manny’s away this weekend to see Shep, and we’re up to no good.

“You’re just too impatient.” Her words cut off as I slide her down my dick.

She groans as I lift her and slam her back down. “Feel Daddy’s big cock?”

“Oh, God!”

She moves her hips and I know this won’t last long. We’ve been holding off since Manny’s been gone, but we both know we can’t hold out forever. Plus, we’re all okay with being together without each other.

I surge upward and she tips her head back, her tits in my face as I latch onto a nipple and suck as she climaxes. “Took all of two seconds,” I grunt. “My baby needed that.”

She has been pent up, and I’ve teased her just a little bit. “You know I need your cock all the time.”

“Wish Manny was here to see how well you’re takin’ me.” I glance down to where we’re joined and groan. There’s nothing like seeing her pussy wrapped around my dick to set me off. I know I’m gonna come quickly, too. “He’d be so proud.”

I roll her onto her back as she squeals. “You’re so dirty.”

“You love it.” I smile into her neck as I bite her pulse point. “He’s gonna see this, and he’s gonna know.”

“And then what?”

“Then I’ll put him over my knee for pointin’ it out.”

“Promise?”

I smile. “Yup.” Both of them love being spanked, and I love making them beg me for it.

Lace wraps her legs around me, and I plunge in and out. We both knew this was gonna be hard and fast, and we weren’t wrong. She’s so tight as I ram in and out, raising up onto my hands as I give it all I’ve got. We both climax together, my load spilling into her for what feels like forever. I finally collapse in a big rumpled mess on top of her.

She yawns as I lift my head. “Am I keepin’ you up, Chantilly? ”

She giggles. “No, but you exhaust me pretty quickly.”

“I’m just gettin’ warmed up.”

She smiles as I glance down at her. “Are you happy?”

I kiss her softly. “I’ve never been happier in my life. This arrangement may be a little unorthodox, but I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Gettin’ over that hurdle has been the biggest breakthrough for me, and I have you two to thank for it.”

“Well, I was the one who orchestrated this entire thing.” She sounds kinda smug.

I laugh. “I guess you were.”

“So I should get gold stars or something?”

“I think you’re worth at least five.” I pull out, rolling onto my back as I try to control my ragged breathing. “That was hot.”

She snuggles into my side and that’s how we stay; content until all I hear is the gentle lull of her breathing. I follow closely behind, feeling the weight of the world lessen from my shoulders.

I wake up and hear giggling. I jolt upright, then see Lace rolling around as Manny covers her in kisses.

“Holy shit,” I say, my hand on my heart. “You scared the shit outta me.”

“Hurricane warning for Miami. I came back a day early before the game,” Manny says. “I didn’t wanna get stuck down there, can’t say the same for Shep.”

“We watched the game,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “Shep was amazing.”

“Don’t tell him that,” Manny says. “It’ll give him a big head.”

I smirk as he leans over, kissing me as my cock stirs to life. It’s then I notice it’s still dark. “What the fuck? What time is it?”

“Four am,” Manny sing-songs. “All I could think about was getting home to you two and snuggling up.”

I pull him by the lapels of his cut, annoyed he isn’t undressed. “So do it and stop talkin’ about it.”

I shove his cut off as he sits up, pulling his boots, jeans, underwear, and finally his top off.

“That’s better,” I mutter.

“Way better,” Lace agrees.

Manny straddles over me as Lace lies on her side facing us, watching. “Don’t mind me, wanna see you two make out.”

I grin as I pull him down, and I groan when his hips flex and our cocks meet. Fuck yeah.

“You two have a nice time without me?” he breathes. I nip on his bottom lip.

“It was a heck of a lot quieter,” I muse, that earns me a slap on the arm from Lace.

“Be nice,” she croons. Her hand squeezes my bicep and feels my muscles as Manny keeps kissing me, working his way down my body. I hiss when he nibbles gently on my dick. I’m hard, but then again, I always am when either of them are in my bed. He takes my girth, licking the underside of my dick, and I groan in pleasure.

“Such a tease,” I scold. “Like Lacey.”

“He told me we should spank you for being away from us.” Lace’s eyes are glued to Manny, sucking me off.

Manny lets my dick go with a pop and says, “I think I like the sounds of that.”

“Did you fuck your palm last night?” I grunt.

Manny looks sheepish. “Yeah, because I knew you two would be doin’ the nasty.”

I push him off me so he lands on his back, then move over the top of him, pressing my cock against his and he moans. I rub up and down, my hands all over him as he begs me for it.

“Don’t blame us,” Lace says. “Jesus, you two look so good.”

I lick a path down his chest, then cup his balls and lick his head, sucking his dick into my mouth. But it isn’t enough. I pull him out, then I flip him over, spanking his ass as he obligingly raises to his knees.

“He’s ready for it,” Lace groans. She’s touching herself.

I lean down and capture her mouth with mine. “He so is.”

She passes me the lube and I smother it over his ass.

Manny pushes back against me, and I smack his ass again. “Brat.”

“Love when my daddies go at it.” Lace’s hand works between her legs as I part Manny’s. He’s so ready for it, I can practically see him dripping. I nudge his ass and he sits back toward me.

“So eager,” I murmur.

“Don’t tease, I need it,” Manny cries.

“Aww, poor baby,” Lace doesn’t sound one bit sorry.

I nudge into his hole and he hisses. I close my eyes as I take my time sliding in. The ring of muscle is so tight as I close my eyes. I start to move my hips gently, letting him get his fill of me before I ride his ass.

“So perfect,” I mutter.

Manny grips the sheets as I fuck him, Lace’s eyes transfixed as she takes care of herself, watching us. Sometimes Manny will go down on her while I fuck him, sometimes she’s sucking him, and sometimes we’re just all in it together. I can’t get enough of us both pleasing Lace, it’s one of the things I love to do the most.

“Oh,” Manny cries. “Harder, Beefcake, just like that…”

I slide out and slam in. “So good,” I groan.

I know I’m not gonna last, and when Lace cries out her orgasm, I glance at her and then I feel myself explode. Manny comes too, his dick jerking all over the sheets as I still.

I pull out, watching my cum leak out of him as I fondle his ass and spread my wetness over his cheeks. “Next time I’ll spank that ass red raw before I fuck it.”

He collapses on the bed, and I smirk as Lace leans down to kiss him on the cheek. “You wore him out.”

I grunt. “I can’t help it. My dick won’t behave when he’s been gone for a few days.”

“It never behaves,” Lace laughs.

We clean up and I set about making us bacon and egg sandwiches because now I can’t sleep. Eli had a sleepover last night, hence why Lace and I could be loud. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise when Manny got home.

I love our little family. I know it won’t be smooth sailing all the time, especially as Eli gets older, but I’m sure he will see that I’m happy. It isn’t all about the sex, and while that’s great, I’ve never had a connection with a man like I do Manny. And with Lace, it’s so natural. We just fit, all of us.

I bring the sandwiches back to bed since the two of them were too lazy to help me. When I get there, Manny is on his back, Lace in his arms.

I set the plate down on the side table, taking a bite out of half a sandwich, finishing it off before I even climb in. I slide under the covers and snuggle up next to Manny.

Indigo’s words echo at me about finding my way out of the darkness. That’s exactly how it feels. The light is where I belong, and I never want to forget that as long as I live.

Manny

“I can’t believe he’s dead,” I say, looking at the report in front of me. “Stabbed as he was leaving whatever hole he crawled out of.”

I look up, Bandit’s back to me as I try, and fail, to believe that this is a coincidence.

“Well, isn’t that a good thing?” Lace peers over my shoulder, squinting as she tries to read. “I mean, the man was a piece of shit.”

When Bandit turns, his eyes meet mine, and I know the truth.

I don’t know if he wants to admit anything in front of Lace, but when he breaks the silence, I realize that there really can’t be secrets between us.

“Mateo owed me a favor.” He shrugs.

My eyes go wide and Lace sputters for me. “For real?” she gasps. “You got my old boss to knock off Manny’s step dad?”

Bandit gives her a sobering look as he points at her. “Don’t go spoutin’ that to the girls. It’s club business and not somethin’ they need to know. Trust me, I wanted to go myself and end that fucker’s life, but Cash forbid me.”

“You did that for me?” I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. “Why?”

“Because I wanted him dead,” Bandit says simply. “He hurt you, and his daughter, probably countless others, and I didn’t believe it was fair to keep breathin’ the same air when he can rot in Hell instead.”

“Why didn’t you say something?” I manage. “This report is from months ago.”

Bandit palms the back of his head and I try, and fail, to not travel my gaze to his lower abs that are now showing as he lifts his arm. “I didn’t want you to be mad at me, or try to stop me.”

I frown. “Stop you?”

He sighs. “I knew this was a sensitive topic for you, and if you found out, I didn’t want you to think I’d taken your glory. I also didn’t want you to be involved. You’ve suffered enough.”

I stand, making my way over to him as tears leak from my eyes. I may have punched that bastard in the face when I left home all those years ago, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t afraid of him. I was terrorized. When I think back to the sweet, intimidated little boy I used to be when I was a kid, it makes me even sadder. I just wanted to love and be loved. I didn’t deserve what he put me through, different or not.

I pull him into a hug. “Thank you.”

“Wait, you’re not mad at me?” he sputters.

“Yes, I’m mad you didn’t tell me, and you kept it from the two of us, but what you did was selfless. You could’ve asked for money and Mateo would’ve given you it.”

“I don’t need money,” Bandit says. “I need my family.”

Lace moves toward us, wiping her tears as she joins the hug. “You really are a shithead for keeping this from us,” she says. “But I’m glad that bastard is six feet under. It’s what he deserves.”

“I had to act quickly, strike while the iron was hot,” I explain. “I couldn’t stop thinkin’ about it and what you went through. I hated him for doin’ that to you.”

I look at him and his face softens. “Thank you, Jonah. I didn’t expect that, but I’m glad he’s gone.”

“What about your mom?” Lace soothes, rubbing my back with one hand.

I shrug. “I sent her money for rehab a few years ago. Despite everything, I still thought she could be saved, but it turns out she only wanted to save herself and get high. She probably won’t even register that he’s gone.” I feel the lump in my throat, but I can’t feel sorry for her. She had so many chances to do the right thing. “I reached out to Emma while I was away, my stepsister.”

Lace’s fingers squeeze my arm. “How was she?”

I nod. “Good. She’s doing good. We might arrange to meet down the road. It’d be nice because she seems like she’s got her head on straight after years of therapy.”

“That’s sad,” Bandit says. “But out of something truly horrible, something really amazin’ is takin’ place. If you wanted to invite her for Christmas, that’d be okay.”

I nod. “That would be amazing. She has a husband now, and a new baby, so it may be more difficult. I’d love to meet them.”

“Well, you could go to them?” Lace says. “One or both of us could come with you, right, Jonah?”

Bandit nods. “Of course.”

“Why did you stay away so long?” Lace whispers. “You and Emma?”

“I guess she wanted to get away as much as I did, and truthfully, she’s ten years older than me. She didn’t know I even existed until I left home.”

“Holy shit,” Lace says. “That’s some fucked up shit right there.”

“Tell me about it.”

Finally, the pieces are starting to fall into place. My life up to this point was one big cluster fuck of getting by and being everyone’s friend. It’s not the same as having people to come home to. I love my MC family more than anything, but Lace and Bandit have both given me something that I could never even dream of; unconditional love.

“I love you,” I whisper to both of them. “I wouldn’t want this any other way.”

“Me either,” Lace whispers. “I love you, too.”

“Same goes here,” Bandit agrees. “Whatever happens, we weather the storm together. Nobody has to do anythin’ alone ever again, okay?”

We both nod. “I’d like that,” Lace says. “A lot.”

“There’s nothing I want more than what I have in my arms right now,” I say. “Plus Eli, of course, when he gets back.”

Bandit smiles. “Feels like we were always meant to do this.”

“It does,” Lace sniffs, kissing my chest, then Bandit’s. “It really does.”

“I’ll love you forever,” I whisper.

“Yes, forever.” Lace snuggles in again.

“Never gettin’ rid of me, or Eli,” Bandit grunts.

I smile. My heart is free, and it’s the best feeling in the world. Nothing can compare to the feeling of being loved without conditions. I have so much more to give, and starting this new chapter of my life has been nothing short of blissful. I’m sure we’ll have bumps in the road, but we’ll climb those rocky hills, and when all is said and done? Love is all that really matters in the end.