Epilogue
Dante
Three Months Later
My heart has taken up residence in my gut.
The moment feels like it’s happening to someone else, but I’m the one with a racing pulse and sweaty palms as I peek out the heavy stage curtain at a sold-out theatre.
No pressure. I’m just about to perform my first lead role in an original queer production in front of thousands of people.
The nervous churning in my stomach intensifies.
If I fuck this up, I can’t live here anymore.
And I wouldn’t survive another move when the family I’m learning to let my walls down for is sitting in the front row.
Wyatt was able to sneak me six seats, which I gave to Rev, Forest, Gage, Cain, Ezra, and my brother.
My gaze locks on my boyfriend. Rev looks dashing in his three-piece suit with his hair brushed back and his legs crossed.
He keeps referring to himself as my husband, but I’ve rejected every one of his proposals. Sometimes it requires force. Sometimes I have to cut him up a bit.
I’m going to do my very best to put on one hell of a show for him tonight.
A hand touches my shoulder. I spin around to find Wyatt and Trey standing before me.
“You’re gonna do fantastic. Remember, your leaps inspired this choreography,” Trey encourages.
Forcing a smile, I nod. “I hope I make you proud.”
Wyatt’s eyes crinkle as he smiles back. “Dante. We’re already proud. We’re so grateful you’re here.”
I fan at my watery eyes. “Fuck. My makeup. Don’t make me cry.”
Trey laughs. “The travesty. We’re on in five.”
As they leave me on the side stage, I smooth my hands over my high-waisted dark pants.
They’re tailored perfectly to allow me to hit soaring grand jetés.
And the shirt is beautiful. The white material fits snugly around my torso, low-cut in the front to show off my skin through a ruffled neckline.
It’s the sleeves I like the most, though. They billow elegantly whenever I move.
Sucking in a deep breath, I settle in to watch the first scene unfold. Luke, the lead, who is later crowned king, struggles internally to accept the news of his arranged marriage.
God, the drama of it all. Even with my nerves currently trying to take me under, I’ve missed this. The glamorous costumes and set designs. The rigorous recitals. The wild ride of emotions during a performance.
I gave it all up to chase revenge.
But I know now it wasn’t really murder I craved. It was relief from the devastating weight of loss in the wake of Papi’s death. An end to the suffering.
I’m not sure the hole inside of me will ever fully heal, but it hurts a hell of a lot less with Rev and his crew in my life.
Lights dim in the back corner of the stage as the soon-to-be king escapes his castle to wallow in the surrounding forest. Props are efficiently switched out, and I take my place in an alcove between trees for my grand entrance.
Breaths quickening in anticipation, I don’t try to push away the ache of Papi’s absence in the audience. I know he’s here with me in my heart. I know he would be proud. And I know there are people out in those seats eager to cheer me on.
A little smirk plays on my lips. Rev will be there even if I don’t want him to be.
My cue sounds with the first haunting note of a cello. I slip into my role as fey, slinking onto the stage to circle the king. We size each other up, moving from suspicion to curiosity to playfulness.
It’s odd being the one lifted after years of doing the lifting, but I keep my focus, and we execute our routines flawlessly.
When the final scene comes—the emotional breakdown of my character at the loss of the king, poisoned by his own court—I let it all go. Everything I’ve been bottling up since Papi’s death. Maybe even before that.
I don’t want to forgive SIXX for what they took from me. I’ll never be able to forget. But I can choose not to let them rule over me any longer. I can choose to move on.
After my final leap, I collapse over Luke’s body. My chest heaves with labored breaths as the audience breaks into a standing ovation.
The crushing weight on my bones lifts just enough that I’m finally able to fill my lungs with air.
Is this what oxygen feels like?
Luke trembles beneath me. I help him to his knees, and he immediately embraces me.
“We did it, Dante. We did it.” He weeps.
Speechless, I cling to him for support, though my attention is stuck on one man standing among thousands, icy blue eyes shining with love.
Everything else fades into the background. Lights and faces blur while Rev remains in clear focus.
After exchanging hugs with the rest of the company, I rush toward the edge of the stage. It’s unprofessional as fuck, but I can’t stop my body. It’s like I’m possessed. I’ve spent the last several months trying to run away from Rev. Now, I’m leaping into his outstretched arms.
He catches me and spins me around. “Dante álvarez Ríos. You are perfection.”
Tears slip from my eyes as I take his face in my hands. “I love you.”
He brings his mouth to mine. “Love you too, baby boy.”
“Are you sure?” I hiccup on a laugh and sniffle.
Rev cracks a smile. “I don’t play around.”
“Liar.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him over and over again.
Eventually, Rev sets me back on my feet, and I run over to my brother, nearly tackling him to the ground with a hug. Laz squeezes me hard enough to make my bones creak.
“Papi would be so proud, manito. I’m so proud of you.”
And there go more ugly tears. I rub them into Laz’s dress shirt. Pretty sure it’s the only nice thing he owns.
As soon as he releases me, Gage is there to wrap me up in his arms next.
“Sweets, that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Why didn’t you tell me you could dance like that? Frankly, I’m pissed.”
I chuckle. “Sorry.”
Gage rubs his palms up and down my biceps. “I’m guessing this means you won’t ever be coming back to Club Saturn.”
“No. I’ll be here.”
With a flip of his imaginary long hair, Gage says, “It’s fine. You’re too good for us now.”
I chuckle. “You know that’s a lie.”
“Invite me over to hang out more, and I’ll believe you.” Then Gage leans in to whisper, “I think the one with lake eyes wants me.”
Brows lifting, I glance over his shoulder at Forest, standing awkwardly in the background. He’s been up and down since he pushed himself too hard in the gym and received strict orders from Kai to let his injury fully heal.
“Gage…I’m not sure he’s gay,” I caution.
“I’ll just have to make him see the error of his straight ways.” Gage winks and struts over to say something in Forest’s ear that has the mercenary perking up.
Ezra moves in next, stretching up to peck a kiss to my cheek. My face heats, and Cain gives me a long look. His eyes narrow for a moment, and then I see the corner of his mouth quirk up in a tiny grin.
Rev hooks an arm around my waist, tugging me against his hard body. My huff of irritation rapidly dissolves into laughter as he peppers me with kisses.
“How do you want to celebrate your incredible performance?” he asks.
I shut my eyes, humming in contentment. “Honestly? I just want to go home with you.”
Rev guides my hand down to the small ring box he’s been carrying in every pair of pants he wears, even his tactical ones. “Tonight, and every night after that, kitten.”