Epilogue

EPILOGUE

K ira stepped into Gerri’s office, flanked by Rex and Nash, their presence a comforting warmth at her back. The matchmaker sat behind her desk, her silver-white hair gleaming in the sunlight that streamed through the windows, her blue eyes sparkling with wisdom.

“Well, well, well,” Gerri said, her voice rich with amusement, “if it isn’t my favorite triad. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

Kira couldn’t help but smile at Gerri’s irreverent tone, feeling some of the tension drain from her shoulders. “We wanted to give you an update on the Dupont situation,” she said, settling into one of the plush chairs in front of the desk. “He’s dead. He won’t be a threat to your agency anymore.”

Gerri waved a dismissive hand, her lips curving into a smirk. “Oh, honey, I knew that old bastard would be out of the way soon enough. He was never really a concern for me. I’ve dealt with far worse than the likes of him.”

Kira blinked, taken aback by Gerri’s nonchalance. “But... he was sabotaging your business, your reputation. He could have ruined everything you’ve worked so hard to build.”

Gerri leaned forward, her eyes glinting with a knowing look. “Kira, darling, let me tell you something. In any business, there will always be people who try to tear you down, who try to undermine your success. But the key is to never let them see you sweat. You keep your head high, your shoulders back, and you keep doing what you do best. Everything else will sort itself out in the end. Besides,” Gerri grinned at Nash, “I’ve got an amazing hacker on my payroll now. It won’t happen again.”

Rex chuckled, shaking his head in admiration. “I can see why you’ve been so successful, Gerri. You’ve got a backbone of steel.”

Gerri grinned, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied air. “Damn right, I do. And speaking of success...” She turned her gaze to Kira, her expression turning sly. “I hear congratulations are in order for you three. A new triad, huh? How’s that working out for you?”

Kira felt her cheeks heat, a blush rising to her face. “It’s... it’s good,” she stammered, suddenly feeling shy under Gerri’s knowing gaze. “Really good, actually.”

Nash reached out to take her hand, his fingers twining with hers in a gesture of support. “More than good,” he said, his voice warm with affection. “It’s everything we never knew we needed.”

Gerri’s smile widened, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m so happy to hear that, truly. You know, when Maggie first came to me about finding Kira a mate, I had a feeling it would take someone special to capture her heart. Or should I say someones ?”

Kira’s blush deepened, and she ducked her head, feeling a rush of warmth and gratitude toward her meddling sister. “I don’t know what I did to deserve them,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “Sometimes I still can’t believe this is real, that I get to have this kind of love and happiness in my life.”

Gerri’s expression softened, and she leaned forward, her voice gentle but firm. “Kira, listen to me. You deserve this, and so much more. You are a strong, brilliant, beautiful woman, and you have just as much value as any other being on this earth, whether they’re a full-blooded shifter, a paranormal, or a human. Don’t you ever forget that.”

Kira felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, touched by the sincerity in Gerri’s words. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “I think I’m finally starting to believe that, thanks to these two.” She squeezed Nash’s hand, leaning into Rex’s solid warmth beside her.

Gerri nodded, her expression satisfied. “Good. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years of matchmaking, it’s that love doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care about bloodlines or species or any of that nonsense. It only cares about the heart and the soul.”

Rex smiled, his hand coming up to rest on the small of Kira’s back in a gesture of support. “Wise words, as always, Gerri. We’re lucky to have you in our corner.”

Gerri waved a hand, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, stop. You’re going to make me blush. And trust me, that’s not an easy feat at my age.”

Kira lifted her brows. “How old are you, anyway?”

Gerri laughed. “Old enough.”

Kira chuckled, feeling a rush of affection for the irreverent matchmaker. “Well, we can’t have you blushing, now can we? Imagine the scandal if word got out that the great Gerri Wilder was seen blushing like a schoolgirl.”

Gerri snorted, shaking her head in amusement. “Please. I haven’t blushed like a schoolgirl since the Reagan administration. But enough about me. Tell me more about this triad of yours. How’s the sex? Are they rocking your world like I predicted they would?”

Kira’s eyes widened, and she let out a startled laugh, feeling her face flame with embarrassment. “Gerri!” she exclaimed, her voice high and slightly scandalized. “I am not discussing my sex life with you!”

Gerri grinned, unrepentant. “What? I’m just looking out for your best interests, darling. A girl’s got to make sure her matches are living up to their full potential, if you know what I mean.”

Nash chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Trust me, Gerri. We’re doing just fine in that department. More than fine, actually.”

Gerri’s grin turned wicked, and she leaned back in her chair with a satisfied air. “I’ll bet you are, handsome. I’ve got an eye for these things, you know. And the three of you? You’re practically combustible with all that chemistry.”

Kira buried her face in her hands, feeling like she might spontaneously combust from sheer mortification. “Oh my god,” she muttered, her voice muffled by her fingers. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

Rex laughed, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. “I can,” he said, his voice rich with amusement. “This is Gerri we’re talking about. The woman has no filter.”

Gerri shrugged, unapologetic. “What can I say? When you get to be my age, you stop worrying about what people think of you. Life’s too short to hold back, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Or the bedroom, for that matter.”

Kira peeked out from between her fingers, feeling a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

Gerri winked, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “It’s part of my charm, darling. And speaking of charm...” She turned her gaze to Rex and Nash, her expression becoming serious for a moment. “You two had better take good care of our girl here, you hear me? She’s special, and she deserves nothing but the best.”

Rex nodded, his expression solemn. “We know,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “And we’ll spend the rest of our lives making sure she knows just how loved and cherished she is.”

Nash squeezed Kira’s hand, his eyes shining with sincerity. “Kira is our everything,” he said, his voice soft but filled with conviction. “We’ll never take her for granted, not for a single moment.”

Gerri nodded, satisfied. “Good. Because if you ever hurt her, I’ll come after you myself. And trust me, boys, you don’t want to see what I’m capable of when I’m angry.”

Kira laughed, feeling a rush of warmth and gratitude toward the fierce, feisty matchmaker. “Don’t worry, Gerri. I think they’ve learned their lesson. And if they ever forget, well... I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve too.”

Gerri grinned, her eyes glinting with approval. “That’s my girl. Always keeping them on their toes. Now, enough serious talk. Who wants some tea and fresh scones? I’ve made my famous banana chocolate chip scones. That recipe is older than all of you combined, and I only make it for special occasions.”

As Gerri poured them each some tea and offered some amazing smelling scones that made Kira’s mouth water. Kira leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of contentment and belonging wash over her. She was surrounded by people who loved and supported her, who saw her for who she truly was and cherished her all the more for it.

She bit the sweet scone and marbled over how sweet her life had gotten since meeting Gerri. She glanced at her mates and grinned. The woman knew her business, that was for sure.