Epilogue - Holly

"Shhh, everyone be quiet! Chance is almost here!" I hiss, casting a stern look around the dimly lit bar.

Trickster rolls his eyes but obediently falls silent, an arm slung casually around his girlfriend's shoulders. Knowledge just grunts; he's never one for excessive noise anyway.

The others— Knowledge's girl, Chance's brother Snake and his wife, Bear and his old lady—all quieten down, too, exchanging excited looks.

My heart pounds heavily in my chest as I listen to the low rumble of Chance's motorcycle pulling into the lot outside. I can't believe it's been three whole years since that wild, fateful night when he first swaggered into my life. So much has changed, and yet...

My gaze drifts over to where Jayden stands, right beside Snake, both of them grinning in anticipation of surprising Chance. My son has grown so much, finally finding his confidence without needing to act the tough guy.

Chance took him under his wing, training him in self-defense and showing him what it truly means to be a man of honor and integrity. But he's also kept Jayden safely removed from the grittier aspects of club life.

A fond smile tugs at my lips as I take in the rest of our newly extended family surrounding me. The other bikers' ladies have become true friends to me over these past few years. We've had each other's backs through all the chaos and turmoil, forming an unbreakable bond.

The sound of boots scuffing against the pavement outside snaps me back to the present moment. I suck in a sharp breath, excitement and nerves fluttering in my belly. Please let him like this surprise...

I don't know why I'm so anxious all of a sudden after all this time. Chance has only ever shown me unwavering devotion and fierce protectiveness, even when I never could have predicted falling for a rough-and-tumble biker.

The door handle rattles. My pulse spikes.

Then Chance is shouldering his way inside, head down as he rumbles something under his breath about the damn lock sticking again-

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Chance freezes in the doorway, eyes wide with surprise as our combined shouts ring out. For a heartbeat, he just stands there, motionless, taking in the scene—the dimmed lights, the crudely strung birthday banners, all of us grinning like idiots as we wait for his reaction.

Then his lips curve into that crooked, knee-weakening smile I've come to love so much.

"Well, I'll be damned..." he rumbles, shaking his head in amused disbelief as he ventures further inside. "You crazy kids actually managed to pull one over on the old Mercenary, didn't you?"

Jayden is the first to break ranks, rushing forward to clap Chance on the shoulder.

"We got you good, didn't we?" he crows triumphantly.

Chance chuckles, ruffling my son's hair with a fond look. "That you did, kid. Should've known better than to let my guard down around this bunch."

His gaze finds mine then, and I can't help beaming back at him as Snake steps up, slinging an arm around his big brother's neck and giving him an enthusiastic noogie.

"C'mon, old man!" the younger biker crows with a mischievous grin. "Fifty ain't that damn ancient yet! Plenty of years left to keep kicking ass, right?"

The others all laugh and begin gathering around to dole out birthday punches, ribbing Chance good-naturedly. But through it all, his eyes never leave mine, speaking volumes without words.

Three years ago, I could never have imagined this—being so seamlessly woven into the fabric of his unruly, unconventional family. But now? Now I can't picture my life without these roughneck bikers surrounding me with their crass jokes and fiercely loyal bond.

We've been through hell and back, stuck together through every violent blowup and heart-pounding crisis.

And Chance? Holding his warm, adoring gaze, I know without a doubt that he's the winding thread binding all my chaotic new life together. My protector, my partner, my unlikely king amidst all this brutal, beautiful mayhem.

He finally breaks away from the rowdy group to pull me into his arms, bending to brush a lingering kiss across my forehead.

"Thank you, my love," he murmurs gruffly against my hairline. "For giving this old bastard a reason to celebrate another year on this Earth."

He pulls back with a lopsided grin, giving my chin an affectionate chuck.

"Alright, enough of the mushy stuff. You know how I feel about that sentimental crap in front of the guys."

I roll my eyes good-naturedly, used to his gruff front by now. The other bikers snicker and jeer, pelting Chance with crass ribbing about him going soft. He flips them off one-handed, his other arm still looped around my waist.

"You morons are just jealous I landed such a fine woman to keep me in line," he calls out over the ruckus.

The teasing insults fly freely then, cheap shots and crude retorts filling the air. I can't help but laugh, shaking my head at their timeless, boyish antics. Three years in, and they're still just a bunch of overgrown teenagers at heart.

Eventually, the commotion dies down, giving way to the real festivities—beer, greasy pub snacks, and undoubtedly some off-color stories that will have me blushing furiously before the night is through. It's just another typical birthday in our big, rambunctious MC family.

As Snake cranks up the tunes and the others disperse to grab drinks, Chance leans in close, his hand skimming over my back.

"You really didn't have to go to all this trouble, you know," he murmurs, somehow managing to sound both gruff and touched at the same time. "Having you and the kid here is enough for me."

"I know," I reply simply. "But you deserve to be celebrated, Chance. By all of us."

He holds my stare for a long moment before giving a soft huff, dragging me snugly against his chest in a rare moment of open tenderness.

"Lucky damn bastard, ain't I?" His gravelly baritone rumbles against the top of my head. "You and me... Who'd have ever seen this coming three years back?"

Smiling into the worn leather, I hug him tighter, drawing strength from his solid warmth.

No one could have predicted this beautiful, crazy life back then. But now?

I wouldn't change it for the world.

Thank you for reading it!