Epilogue

Beethoven

Fifteen Months Later

Life was good.

It took a hell of a lot of prayer, therapy, love, and healing to get here… but life was good.

After the shooting, I shut down. I didn't regret protecting Whiskee and Carlos, but I hated that my father and cousin had to die because of it. It didn't matter how much my family or therapist told me it was their choice to betray me and shoot first, that didn't fully remove the guilt, pain, and anger that consumed me. Even now, I had my days where I couldn't get over that emotional hill, but I'd learned to take it one day at a time.

Me and Whiskee made the move to Rose Valley Hills, and so did Mahogany and Carlos. Carlos was, in fact, damn good at creating strains and distribution. Together, we'd created a dispensary here in Rose Valley Hills that had been open for three months and was doing exceptionally well. We had plans of opening dispensaries all over the country, but for now, we were content with the success of our first store.

Whiskee had opened her own salon suites business. She did hair and makeup as well, but with the suites, the bulk of her profit came from other stylists that were renting space.

Mahogany was still doing her thing as an influencer and brand ambassador. At the moment, she was on some island to potentially sign her first six-figure brand contract.

Mama and Keith had finally gotten married. I wasn't sure if it was Pops' death or the shooting showing them the importance of life, but I was glad she'd finally said yes.

The Carter and Smith organizations had still combined in Memphis, but under their new leadership, they were raided and shut down about two months after we left the city. A part of me was glad Pops and Robert weren't around to see the demise of the empires they'd devoted their lives to building.

All in all…

Life was good.

The only thing that was going to make it better was the birth of my son.

Whiskee and I eloped in Vegas the day before Valentine's Day. After everything that happened, we decided to keep our exchanging of vows sacred and private. We did, however, have a party with our family and friends to celebrate when we got back home. Our son was conceived on our honeymoon, and I couldn't wait for him to enter our little world.

This life was slower and more peaceful than the one I'd been accustomed to. I missed my cousin and my father, but my life had new purpose and a different meaning now. The crew back home came to visit often, and I was glad my son would be able to grow up with their kids, even though he'd be a little younger than them.

The sound of Whiskee and Mahogany's laughter made me smile like it always did as they wrapped up their FaceTime call. If nothing else, I could count on them to be somewhere giggling and enjoying each other like nothing else mattered. As I entered our bedroom, my wife's smile widened at the sight of me. I didn't know how it was possible, but it seemed like our love grew day by day.

"You ready to go?" I asked, walking over to the bed.

"Not yet. Come lay with me first."

I climbed into bed behind her and wrapped her up in my arms. We were about to head to Memphis for Mama's birthday, and we'd also use the trip to connect with some friends. It would be the last trip we took until after Whiskee gave birth. I rubbed her stomach, and it didn't take long for Winston to start moving around.

"I was thinking while we're in town we can go back to that supper club where we had our first date," Whiskee suggested. "I won't be able to drink, but you can. And we can dance until my feet hurt."

Her giggle made me smile as I placed kisses on her neck. "We can do that, and I won't need any alcohol. You're the strongest, sweetest, smoothest Whiskee I'll ever need."

Turning in my arms, Whiskee wrapped her arm around my neck and kissed me. I never thought things would turn out this way, but I would never complain. I was grateful to God for my wife and son, for the peace that had consumed my life, and for the people in it whom I knew truly meant me well.

The End

Karrington is up next, but his book will be in the Mister series, not the Protector series.