Epilogue
KAYLOR
GRADUATION DAY
The sun hit the football field at that perfect late-May angle, warm enough to feel like freedom and bright enough to sting my eyes.
Rows of folding chairs stretched across the turf, filled with fidgeting seniors in caps and gowns.
The whole place buzzed with energy, with excitement too big for our bodies to hold.
This was it.
Graduation day.
I hadn’t expected it to feel so…heavy. Like the past four years were pressing one final hand to my shoulder, asking if I was ready to let go.
This last year had been the hardest of my life, and it was impossible to believe I was here, that I was leaving behind my adolescence and moving into my adulthood.
I only wished my parents could be here to see me.
Donovan might be in attendance, but he wasn’t here for me, not in the way I needed. His presence was a constant dark cloud over my head.
Beside me, Poppy nudged me with her elbow, her deep berry lipstick flawless despite the humidity. “Last chance to run. I’m sure you’ve got some escape plan tucked up your sleeve.”
I huffed a laugh. “Pretty sure my escape plan is already sitting in the bleachers staring holes into the back of my head.”
Her gaze slid past me, toward where Kreed sat two rows behind us with Nash, caps tipped back, tassels tangled, all Corvo intensity even in a graduation gown. Kreed met my eyes the second I turned. Of course, he did. My pulse fluttered.
Poppy sighed. “Are you guys ever going to get past the honeymoon phase? It’s troublesome.”
“You love it,” I muttered. Besides, I’d accepted I liked all forms of Kreed Corvo trouble.
“Unfortunately.”
The ceremony blurred. Names were called.
People cheered. Someone tripped over a microphone cord and half the class snorted.
My turn came and went in a blink. Kaylor Steele.
Applause followed, along with a flash of cameras, and Mason’s low whistle carried over the crowd, making my cheeks warm.
The twins were easy to spot in the crowd as they were the only two idiots standing and making a ruckus when I walked the stage.
Kreed frowned at them, which made me grin.
By the time we tossed our caps and the field erupted into chaos, laughter, screaming, arms thrown around shoulders, and caps sailing up into the air, I felt weightless for the first time in months.
We were free.
Not from everything…but from enough. I’d grown comfortable with my life.
Poppy grabbed my wrist the second my feet hit the grass. “Picture time. Before Nash disappears to avoid more human interaction.”
“I’m right here,” Nash deadpanned behind us, adjusting his gown like it personally offended him. “And I don’t disappear.”
Poppy arched a brow. “You ghost at every social event.”
“I prefer selective attendance.”
I snorted just as strong arms slipped around my waist from behind, Kreed’s breath brushing my ear. “Congratulations, little raven.”
I leaned back into him despite Nash groaning, “Dear God, does the mushy shit ever stop with you too?”
Poppy smacked Nash’s arm. “Seriously. That’s what I said.”
Kreed murmured against my temple, “You ready?”
“For what?” I asked, turning in his arms to look at him.
He stepped closer, his gown unzipped and silver eyes bright in the sun. “Our next chapter.”
My throat tightened, not with fear, not with the old grief that used to haunt every milestone…but with something warm and fierce.
Hope.
We drifted away from the crowd toward the parking lot where our cars were lined up, graduation balloons bobbing on antennas, and parents still crying into tissues. The four of us, me, Kreed, Nash, and Poppy, walked shoulder to shoulder.
Poppy kicked a pebble. “I can’t believe you’re moving out together.”
“It’s just for the summer until we go to college,” I reminded her though saying it out loud made my chest lift in a weird mix of disbelief and delight. “Still feels insane.”
“What the hell are Mason and Maddox going to do without you?” Nash asked Kreed.
Kreed groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Fuck, get into more trouble than I want to think about.”
“They’ll be okay, won’t they?” I asked, but I didn’t fully believe they would.
As much as I wanted to move on with my life, I felt guilty for leaving them alone with their father.
Thinking about it always left me with an ache in my stomach.
Mason and Maddox weren’t the only ones with something to stress about when it came to Donovan Corvo.
He’d been good on his word.
I was officially part of the crew, much to Kreed’s fierce displeasure, but it was better than the alternative, and even though Donovan hadn’t asked anything of me yet… I knew he would.
Someday, probably when I least expected and just when my life was comfortable, I expected him to blow it all up, but until that day…
Kreed slipped his hand into mine, squeezing tight enough that the pressure grounded me. “I’m not abandoning them. I’ll make sure they’re okay.”
“You take on too much responsibility,” I said softly. “All these lives you swear to protect… Who the hell looks out for you? Keeps you out of trouble and safe?”
He didn’t hesitate. “You do.”
I blinked, heat rising in my cheeks. “And just how do I do that, Kreed Corvo? I can’t shoot a gun straight, as we’ve established. I’m not exactly qualified as a bodyguard.”
He turned toward me fully, expression open in a way he reserved only for me. “You love me. That’s what protects me.”
My lips curled. “That might be the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
He shrugged, unbothered. “You love it.”
“I do,” I admitted, my lips curving. “I love you.”
His eyes softened, darkened, and deepened to that molten silver that always unraveled me. “I love you with every inch of my dark heart, little raven.”
Poppy made a gagging noise. Nash shook his head. “Unbelievable.”
But I didn’t care. Because for the first time, the future didn’t terrify me. Not entirely.
I could see it, our cramped summer apartment, late nights studying, Kreed stealing my blankets, Poppy FaceTiming me, and Nash pretending he hated us but never actually leaving.
And beyond that…
College.
My inheritance.
A new life.
Loving Kreed.
Being part of the Raven Crew.
I wanted all of it.
As we reached the cars, Kreed tugged me closer and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “You ready?” he murmured.
I nodded. Bring on my happily fucking ever after…at least for now.
Thank you so much for embracing Kaylor, Kreed, and the Public Crew!