Epilogue
EPILOGUE
THE ROARING BONFIRE protected Talia from the chilly—not cold, it never got cold—Christmas Eve air. Well, the fire warmed her front since her back couldn’t be more comfortable and toastier nestled against Pulse’s muscular chest on the blanket set out for them.
Brenna, designer extraordinaire, had outdone herself. She’d banned everyone from the clubhouse for the entire day to set up what she’d been planning for weeks, and, man, had it been worth her efforts. Somehow, she’d transformed the space behind the clubhouse into a magical winter wonderland.
Thick blankets sat around the massive fire, one for each couple, with pillows and a tray of spiked hot cocoa and treats. Every detail was holiday-themed from the pillows to the mugs with reds, greens, and gold woven throughout. Brenna had found an enormous Christmas tree and must have paid a pretty penny to have it delivered and decorated in twinkling lights. The effect was warm and comforting, and when she got to enjoy it with the man she loved more than anyone, it was magical.
In the few months since Talia had tumbled into the Handlers’ world, the club had become the family she’d never had. There wasn’t anywhere she’d want to be than right where she was. Well, maybe one place, but the night was young with plenty of time for her and Pulse to tear up the sheets later. For now, she was beyond content right where she was.
“You good?” Pulse’s warm voice rumbled against her ear.
“Good?” she asked, tilting her head to view her man. “No, Pulse, I’m perfect.”
“You are,” he whispered, tightening his hold.
That wasn’t what she meant, nor was it close to the truth, but she had to admit there was something incredible about having a man who thought so. And Pulse really seemed to. Talia didn’t consider herself an easy person to be in a relationship with. As an attorney, she could argue for days and never lose steam. Her independent streak bordered on pathological, and she tended to do the exact opposite when ordered around.
None of her flaws phased Pulse. Months into their relationship, he found them amusing, which boggled her mind but made for a sublime connection.
“You ready for your Christmas present?”
She straightened and whipped around as excitement zinged through her. “Now?”
Pulse nodded, then signaled to Brooke, who stood near the clubhouse’s back door. Talia had been so caught up in enjoying the moment she hadn’t noticed her friend leave the blanket where she’d sat cocooned with Curly.
It was then she noticed Brooke was holding something.
Wait. Is it moving?
Her breath caught, and she squeezed Pulse’s thigh. “Oh my God. Is that what I think it is?”
Pulse grinned.
“Oh my God,” she said again. Her throat thickened, and tears caused her to blink rapidly. Brooke started her way and with each step she took, Talia became more certain her hunch was correct.
Pulse got her a dog.
About fifteen feet out, Brooke crouched and set the wriggling puppy on the ground. It immediately began to attack her shoes.
“It’s a girl,” Pulse said. “She was left on Curly and Brooke’s doorstep last week in the middle of the night. The vet thinks she’s about ten weeks old.”
“Oh, the poor baby.” She pressed a hand to her chest and patted the blanket with the other. “C’mere, sweet girl,” she said. The puppy’s ears twitched at the high-pitched tone. She looked right at Talia and then scampered over, all gangly legs and oversized puppy feet. “Does she have a name?”
“Funny enough, the box she was in had a note that said her name was Judy. I thought that was kinda perfect since you’re a lawyer.”
“What does Judy have to do with being a lawyer?”
“Judge Judy, of course,” Pulse said with a wide grin.
Talia burst out laughing just as Judy reached her. She had no fear, clambering right into Talia’s lap and going to work on the drawstring of her joggers. Her soft fur was a dream to pet, and her big puppy eyes would melt even the iciest heart.
She was instantly smitten.
But she had never taken care of anyone or anything besides herself.
Could she do it? Did she have what it took to nurture and care for such a tiny, helpless creature?
“I know you’re worried you won’t be able to do this,” Pulse whispered. “But that’s crazy. You are the most warm, giving, and loving woman I’ve ever met. Being independent and strong as fuck doesn’t take away from any of that. Besides, we’ll be raising this little lady together.”
They would, wouldn’t they? Pulse had moved into her house the week before, and she couldn’t have been happier. At least, that’s what she thought until that moment.
She blinked, but instead of dispelling the tears, it pushed one out and down her cheek. How did she get so lucky to have met this man when she did?
“Thank you,” she whispered. It felt like an insignificant way to express the vast well of gratitude in her, but Pulse seemed to understand. Words couldn’t capture the love she had for him.
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her as the puppy tried to dig a hole between her crisscrossed legs.
They stared down at Judy, who seemed to have worn herself out already. She flopped down and rested her adorable snout on Talia’s knee. Two seconds later, a soft puppy snore filled the air.
“I’m so happy,” she whispered as she settled back against the man she loved. “You’ve made me happier than I’ve ever been.”
“Tell me if that ever changes,” he whispered back. “Because your happiness is the most important thing to me.”
That statement let her know they’d never need to have that conversation. She’d be happy with him for the rest of her days.
THIS WAS ONE of the most relaxing and satisfying nights Pulse ever had. He could have sat by the fire forever with Talia in his arms and died a happy man. But the night would come to a close soon, and everyone would head to their respective houses, where, for Pulse, things would only get better.
He’d strip Talia down, and they’d slide between the sheets to spend the next few hours pleasuring each other.
Unless, of course, their new fur child decided she couldn’t sleep in her new house.
“Oh, Curly’s coming over,” Talia said. She tensed a bit.
“What’s up, Prez?” Pulse asked as Curly reached them.
“Mind if I sit and chat for a minute?”
“Of course.” Talia didn’t move away from him, but she straightened between his legs so she wasn’t resting on his chest. “Everything okay?”
Curly scratched Judy behind her fuzzy ears. “Damn, she’s a cute one, isn’t she?”
Talia beamed, already the proud doggy mama. “She is.”
“Any time you want to drop her here or at our house to hang out with the rest of the pack, you’re more than welcome. I know it can be hard to leave them alone when you have to work all day.”
Talia’s breath caught. “Thank you. We’ll probably take you up on that.”
“Thanks, Prez. That’ll take a lot of worry off our shoulders since we both work crazy hours sometimes.”
Nodding, Curly let the pup go back to sleep. “There’s one other thing I wanted to talk to you two about.” He turned his attention to Talia, whose eyes widened.
Pulse knew what was coming. After everything went down with Tomás last month, she’d told him about her father’s connection to Curly and how it had come out at the same time as Pulse’s secret. But hers ended up on the back burner and hadn’t been discussed since. It weighed on her, so Pulse appreciated his president addressing it.
“My father,” Talia whispered.
“Your father,” Curly confirmed with a nod. “You were young when I was arrested.”
“In my late teens. My father and I were never close. You weren’t the only one he screwed over. I followed your case because I just knew he wouldn’t do right by you. I never believed you were guilty. I even went to the cops to tell them my father was crooked. They pretty much patted my head and gave me a lollipop before sending me on my way.”
Her sad grin tugged at Pulse’s heart. This was the final string tethering Talia to her past. As soon as Curly cut it, she’d be free of the misplaced guilt that had plagued her for many years.
“You were a kid, and you tried to do more for me than most everyone I knew then. I can never tell you how much that means to me.”
“I worried if I told you who I was, you wouldn’t hire me to represent the club, and I wanted you to be represented by someone who truly had your back. I wanted to make up for my father’s betrayal. I’m sorry I withheld the information.”
Pulse pulled her back against his chest and splayed his hand across her stomach. He had to bite his tongue to keep from assuring her no one worried about her loyalty. He wasn’t the one to fix this. Curly had to ease that worry.
“I knew who you were before I ever agreed to hire you. You might not want to hear this, but you look like your old man.”
Talia winced. “I’ve been told that a time or two.”
“When I started digging, I saw you got a few of his clients’ convictions overturned.”
“He took a lot of bribes and did a shit job of defending so many of his clients because of them.”
“Your career has been the opposite. I also found an article in an obscure law journal where you commented on my trial and what a sham it was. How your father never tried to form a competent defense.”
She gasped. “You saw that?”
“I did. So, Talia, you never have to worry that I’ll question your loyalty. You’re good people. You’re family.”
Talia blinked rapidly. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Curly patted Judy on the head a final time before standing. “Merry Christmas,” he said.
“Merry Christmas, Prez,” Pulse said because Talia seemed too choked up.
“I can’t believe that,” she whispered as she faced him after Curly returned to his ol’ lady.
“Believe it, baby.” He hugged her close and kissed the side of her neck.
“I needed that from him.”
He knew she did. One more thing to be grateful to his club’s president for. “I’m glad you finally got that closure.”
She turned her head and met his gaze. “There’s something I need from you too.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Really? And what could that be?”
“Why don’t you take me home, and I’ll show you?” she asked as her eyes deepened with lust.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a wink.
He wasn’t sure he deserved the gift the universe gave him when Talia walked into that interrogation room, but he was smart enough to recognize her for what she was—his entire damn world.