Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Nevada

Rubbing a hand over my face, I take her hand in mine. "I'm so sorry."

It's been twenty-four hours and she had emergency surgery to make sure no debris was left in her shoulder.

Louise was taken to emergency and she died on the operating table. We'll plead self-defense, but none of this is gonna be easy after what Star's already gone through.

"Why? It wasn't your fault some ex got crazy and wanted to shoot you." She's awake, and complaining about being in hospital when she's apparently fine, even though she has wires and drips running at either side of her hospital bed.

"She wasn't my ex. But I can agree she was crazy. She's also dead."

"Great." She lowers her voice. "That's two people I've killed in a matter of a month. Should I get some kind of reward for that?"

"I don't think I'm gonna let you anywhere near the sharp knives at home if that's what you're askin'."

"I knew when we got together things were gonna be interesting, but I never expected I'd be lying in a hospital bed with wires coming out of me and doctors shoving things into my nether region."

"It's a catheter. Quit your bitchin'."

"Knock, knock." Tilly taps at the door. She visited earlier, but comes back every few hours to check on Star. I know this has hit her hard, and not exactly what we needed to help with her recovery.

"Hey." Star reaches out as Tilly gives me a tentative smile and perches on the side of Star's bed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she says. "Never been better. I'll be good when I can get out of this hospital bed."

Tilly rolls her eyes. "Now who's telling who to rest?"

"You've suffered so much," Star starts. "This kind of violence isn't good for you."

"You don't have to explain." Tilly smooths her sister's hair. "And I'm okay, my eyes are wide open. I've led a sheltered life, but bad things happen, Star. They happen to good people all the time."

I know Star worries about her sister spiraling. And I hope that isn't the case. She was doing good, but I've never seen her look so pale ever since she got the news Star had been shot. And I feel so horribly guilty. It's because of me that she's in here, because I couldn't keep it in my pants back then.

"Don't." Star shakes her head.

I glance at her. "What?"

"Don't overthink it."

She can read my mind, and for Tilly's sake I don't say anything. The less she knows about crazy stalkers, the better. We're supposed to be providing a safe environment for her, not having her sister get shot for her troubles. Pain grips at my heart. I could've lost her. I could've lost my baby, and that makes me want to wrap my hands around Louise's throat and squeeze, resuscitate her just to kill her again, even that wouldn't feel like enough.

"I'll go get us some coffee." I need to make myself useful.

"Find out when I can go home!" Star yells after me.

I step out and bump into Cash. His eyes scan me. "You look like shit."

I run a hand over my face. "Go figure."

"She okay?"

I nod. "She's gonna be fine. Already bitchin' and complainin'."

He chuckles. "Sure she doesn't wanna patch in? Heard she took out some fuckface at Bane's warehouse."

"You heard right. She's tough."

He grips my shoulder. "This is the life. She knows that."

"Doesn't make me feel any better about it."

"Gonna claim her at the table?"

"You know it." With getting Tilly settled, we haven't gotten around to doing it.

"Then she knows the risks. A woman like Star is born to be in this club. She's good for you."

"Know it." My phone buzzes in my back pocket. Dad. "Better take this, it's my dad."

He nods as I take off down the hall. No doubt he's calling because Mom told him about what happened. "Dad." I don't know if my voice sounds as flat as it feels, but I don't hold back. I'm tired of doing that with him.

"Asher. Your mom told me what happened, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's my girl, she got shot, but she's okay."

"Jesus Christ, son." I wait for it. I wait for him to tell me the club is dangerous and the people in it are bad news. "I want to see you. I don't see you enough."

I open my mouth then close it again. "Okay."

"I'm flying up first thing tomorrow. It'd be great to catch up."

I swallow hard. "I'd like that, Dad."

"Good. I'm glad you're okay. I was worried."

"You know me, I'm resilient." My heart races in my chest. Maybe reconnecting with him will be good for us. I guess we can only try.

"I'll text you my flight details."

"Sounds good."

"I can't wait to meet your girlfriend."

I don't correct him, even when I know she's so much more.

"Well, I'm hopin' she'll be out tomorrow, but we'll see."

"Keep me updated." For the first time in forever, he seems concerned. I hope this will lead us to being closer, but I won't hold my breath.

"I will." We hang up and glance back down to Star's hospital room.

We got lucky. I'll never take anything for granted ever again.

One week later

"You're being ridiculous."

"The doctor said you need to rest your shoulder."

"You can still fuck me."

My eyes go round at her words. "Wow, someone is definitely feelin' better."

"I shouldn't have to beg my boyfriend."

I laugh. "Is that what I am?"

"Sorry, my old man… who's younger than me."

"You're really hung up on that, aren't you?"

She crawls her fingers up my chest. I'm resting one arm behind my head, watching YouTube on my phone while I thought she was reading. "I need sex."

"Now, now, you know what demandin' women get, and I don't wanna spank you until you're fully healed."

"I am healed!"

"Were you this pushy in the hospital?"

She rolls her eyes and I grin. She slides on top of me, sitting upright as she pulls off the sexy negligee she put on earlier. I noticed. I just don't want to hurt her. Her shoulder is still really sore. "I'm not made of glass." She reaches down and fists my cock and I hiss.

"Fuck, baby. A little warnin'."

"Stop being a baby." She continues to jerk me off and I cup one of her tits, my mouth watering at the sight of her sexy body. She moves down and licks the tip of my dick. I'm hard as a rock, I have been all fucking week, but I don't want to push her.

I grip my fingers into her hair and tug gently. "That's it, Mama. Suck the cum out of me."

She licks and sucks, groping my balls and I lift my hips. She's greedy, and needy, but I love every second of it. "I'm gonna blow if you keep doin' that."

"That's the point."

I want to ram down her throat, but I also know that I should be pleasing her first. That's how this works. I pull out of her mouth and yank her toward me.

She straddles me. "Hey!"

"Need to please you."

"You are pleasing me. I need to feel you, Asher."

I cup her face. "Okay, babe."

"And after I ride you, I've got a surprise."

I quirk a brow. "What kind of surprise?"

"Oh, you'll see." She squeals when I grab her ass and squeeze it, shifting her so she's over my dick. She wastes no time sliding down on me as we both groan.

"Slowly," I tell her. "Wanna make it last."

She rolls her hips as I grip them, her nipples tight as I suck one into my mouth and she moans. I love making love to her as much as I love fucking her, and my girl is desperate for an orgasm, so I'm not gonna deny her. I bounce her up and down harder, her pants coming in thick and strong and I know this is exactly what she needs.

"You feel so good," she whimpers.

Fuck taking it slow, I move her faster. Her tits bounce in my face and she tips her head back, riding me like the beautiful vixen she is.

"That's it baby, feel that big cock inside you?"

She moans in reply and I suck the other nipple into my mouth. I feel her pussy clench around me, squeezing my dick and I know I'm gonna blow. A week without sex with her has been torture.

"I'm coming, Asher…" She grips my shoulders harder and I move my hips to match hers as we fuck like rabbits. I still and shoot my load, groaning as I pulse every last drop.

"Couldn't last," I pant. "But that was round one." I roll her over, pulling out as I swipe my fingers through her swollen pussy and pinch her clit.

"Babe!"

I make her come again with my thumb, rubbing her sensitive bundle of nerves. Then I put my fingers to her mouth. "Suck."

She does as she's told and I groan when she stares up at me, my fingers in her mouth.

"I want my present," I gruff.

She smiles around my fingers. "You sure?"

My cock hardens once more. I can't get enough of her. "Yep."

She smiles secretively. "I have to get up to get it."

I lean down and kiss her, my tongue in her mouth as I slide off her body to let her free.

I watch as she reaches for the tissue box to wipe herself and I stop her. "I wanna see my cum slidin' out of that pretty pussy."

She rolls her eyes, earning her a smack on the ass as she scoots off. When she comes back she's got something in a bag. When she pulls it out, my eyes go wide.

What the hell?

I roll on my side and then a slow smile slides across my face. "You got me a strap on?"

She smiles wickedly. "It's not for you, dumb ass, it's for me. To fuck you with."

My mouth dries and cum practically leaks out of me. "You're shittin' me?"

She shakes her head. "Nope. Are you up for it?"

I cock an eyebrow. "It had to be pink?" Well, the strap harness is black, the dildo is hot pink.

"Uh, huh."

I pull her to me. "I told you before, I'm down for anythin' with you."

She kisses me quickly as I grip my dick as she fumbles with the box. I watch in fascination as she slips the harness on and reaches for the lube.

"Holy shit, you're so hot wearin' that."

"I've been thinking about this ever since that night in Jackson." Hearing her admit that makes my balls ache.

"How would you like me?" I rub my chin as she straddles over me. "Bottom?"

Her eyes meet mine and we both laugh. "Very funny."

I pull her down, sheathing the rubber cock as I move my hands to her ass. "I can't wait to feel it, baby." I move my hands around to her front, groping her all over her body. Feeling her tits and sucking each nipple into my mouth as her breathing becomes labored. "When did you get it?"

"Online. It came this morning."

"Fuck."

She fondles my balls, sliding one hot palm over my dick as she jerks me nice and slow. I watch her hand, dying for her to command me. I love it when she gets bossy in the bedroom. "Turn around."

I do as I'm told as she slides off me and I roll onto my front. I get on my hands and knees and press my hands into the headboard, sticking my ass out. "Warm me up first."

She slaps me on the ass and I chuckle. She lubes a finger, then starts to massage my tight hole. Jesus, this woman is like nobody else, and I'm into it. She rolls her fingertip over me as I move one hand to jerk my cock. I'm so ready, so fuckin' ready to feel her in my ass. She inserts a finger up to one knuckle, then two as I try not to groan. "How's that feeling?"

"So good, baby."

She works me in and out as I stick my ass out, needing more. Then she applies more lube to the dildo and moves closer to me. Then I feel the tip at my hole and my eyes roll to the back of my head when she penetrates. It's slow, controlled, and when she's half way in I groan like I never have. I'm gonna shoot so hard.

"Fuck," I mutter.

"Is it okay?"

"So good."

She slides out, then in again, super slow, like she's careful of hurting me. The thing isn't huge, but it's big enough. As if reading my mind she says, "We can work up to the next size. It came with two heads."

I can't form words as she slides deeper, my balls drawing tight as she works me in and out, in and out. Precum drips from my tip and I know I'm gonna blow faster than I wanted to.

Her hands grip my hips, then reach around to feel my abs and I grunt like a bitch when we get into a rhythm. "Need to do this in front of a mirror next time," I grit out. "So I can see what you're doin' to me."

"It's so hot. Jesus, you're so hot, Asher."

"Harder, baby. Fuck my ass like I know you want to."

And she does, sliding in and out with more force as I grip the headboard tighter with one hand, the other squeezes my dick rapidly back and forth. And then I'm coming so hard and so violently that I see stars; my orgasm dragging on and on until I'm panting and making a mess all over the sheets.

She stills, sliding out of me and I take a few moments to get my breath back. She scoots up on the other side of me, her back to the headboard as I glance down. My body is slick with sweat and I'm breathing like I just ran a marathon.

"That was so hot," she pants.

I shift quickly, rolling on top of her, and she squeals. My lips find hers as the dildo presses between us. "I think I just found my new favorite toy."

"You did?"

"Yep."

"See, the pink doesn't even bother you now, right?"

I chuckle. "No, but definitely getting ceiling mirrors so I can watch you."

I press my lips to hers. "Love me?"

"Always."

I grin against her lips. "You're givin' me ideas with that thing. I could use it on you."

"Hey, you're gonna need to get your own, this is my toy."

"Fine. No double penetration for you." I pretend to roll off and she catches me, pulling me back down.

"I do like the sound of that."

"Good. Because my toy is gonna be twice the size so I can stretch that pussy even more and bury my dick into your ass, see how many octaves I can take those vocals."

"I love it when you talk dirty."

I press my body weight on top of her. "I'm glad you're okay, baby. I was so scared."

"I'm always okay as long as I have you."

"You'll always have me. I've got it all planned out."

She laughs. "Okay, when do you plan on lettin' me in on all of that?"

I kiss her chastely. "Soon, Mama. For now, we need to enjoy each other. You've been through a lot, now it's time to let me take care of you."

She takes a long moment before answering. "I've never had anyone do that before."

My heart hammers in my chest knowing that I have the woman of my dreams in my arms. "Like I said, we're forever. No backin' out now."

"I don't want to," she whispers. "I'm so glad I knocked you on your ass."

I smile against her mouth. "You had to go there again."

I don't give her chance to answer. I take her mouth and kiss her like I never have before.

My heart is hers, and that's all there is to know.

ESTELLE

Two weeks later

"These are the best mashed potatoes I've ever had," Hustler tells Audrina with a smile.

We're all having dinner at Nevada's and it feels like a real family affair. It's nice. Tilly sits to my left, and Nevada to my right. Then Audrina, Hustler, Riot and Halo.

My best friend isn't dating Riot yet, but they've been spending time together. He also won't let anyone else near her when she comes to the clubhouse, which is often. I can see her being an ol' lady, but she just won't admit that she's kinda already fallen for the life. And possibly Riot.

"Well, thank you, West." Audrina smiles back. She refuses to call him by his biker name, just like her son, which I get. She gave him a perfectly good name, and nobody except the two of us use it. Then again, I only use it when we're in the bedroom, or when he's in serious trouble.

I don't know if these two are banging, but there are some serious sparks going on between them.

"They're so cute together," Tilly whispers.

"I know," I whisper back and we both smirk to ourselves.

Hustler addresses the table. "Thinkin' about buyin' a cafe," he says out of nowhere.

Nevada glances up from his plate. "Yeah? Which one?"

"Muso's, it's a cheery little place near Jackson Square in the French Quarter."

Riot and I both whistle between our teeth. "That'll be settin' you back a pretty packet." Riot points his fork. "You talked to Cash? We got the Burger Grill on Bourbon Street, and Indigo's bakery; NOLA Sweet Treats, but no cafe in the club. Might be interested."

"Been thinkin' about it, don't like to ask for any handouts. Got most of the deposit."

"That's very brave of you, West," Audrina says. "Working for yourself is a big step, but I'm sure you'd make anything work."

Nevada gives me a glance and I know what he's thinking; how would my mom know that?

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," he chuckles. "Maybe you'd like to be my barista?"

We all watch as Audrina flushes and Nevada lays down his knife and fork. I press a hand to his and he looks up at me.

Be nice , I mouth.

I am nice , he mouths back. Then he turns his attention to his mom and Hustler. "You two go out on a date yet?"

The two of them shift their gazes across the table and Audrina holds a hand to her throat, a nervous laugh escaping her. "Don't be silly, we're just friends." She picks up the bowl in front of her and says, "Anyone want any more Caesar salad?"

Meanwhile, Hustler is still staring at her, amusement crosses his lips. "Here, let me do that." He takes the bowl off her and passes it down the line to Riot, who's already filling his plate back up.

"It really was nice of you to do this," Halo chimes. "I haven't had a Sunday dinner like this in years."

"Where do your family live?" Audrina asks.

"They're all in St. Charles Parish, actually. My father runs a big construction and machinery company."

While Halo isn't exactly on speaking terms with her parents, all because they had plans for her future that included becoming a wife and mother, not working and certainly not running around with a biker club.

"Oh gosh, that's a really pretty place. Were you raised there?" Audrina asks.

Halo clears her throat. "Yes, but I had to leave because my parents wanted me to marry a man not of my choosing."

Everyone stops eating and silence falls around the table. I see Riot's hand ball up into a fist.

He turns his head to look at her. "Is that even legal?"

"For my parents to be pushy?" She laughs without humor. "Uh, yeah, it's legal."

"They sound fun." Nevada's tone is laced with sarcasm.

Audrina pauses for a moment, then says, "That's a shame, but it's good that you clearly stood your ground. Good for you."

"Thanks." Halo smiles. She doesn't add that they also cut her off financially and emotionally. It's probably been six months now. I don't know why they have to be such asshats, but with a family like that, who needs enemies? "Star was kind enough to give me a job running her office, so that's why I moved out here."

"Well, I needed someone who's far more friendly than I am to answer the phones as well as organize all my shit," I muse. A few smirks and chuckles ring around the table.

"Who's the guy?" Riot mutters.

Halo looks down at her plate. "Uh, nobody you'd know."

"First lovers tiff?" Nevada whispers.

I elbow him in the ribs.

When he claimed me at the table a few weeks ago, we had a big celebration and everyone wanted to hear all about me kicking his ass that first time we met. I swear, if I had a dollar for every time I've told that story, I wouldn't have to keep working.

Nevada got to catch up with his dad and they've been texting and speaking more regularly, something I know has helped him immensely. Not being good enough in his father's eyes has always been a big thing for him.

As I sit around the table with all the people I care about the most here, I feel a sense of comfort. Of stability. Of love.

I feel at home.

Nevada rests his hand on mine. "You good?"

I turn and smile. "Never better."

I found my forever. The man I never knew I needed.

The family I craved.

That's all that matters.