Epilogue
Three Months Later
"How do you plead?"
"Your Honor, my client pleads not guilty."
The people in the courtroom yelled, some with profanity and pumped fists, as Griffin Regal pled not guilty.
He, too, was in bed with Choppa. Once he sent in men to kill him, he gave up Lucky, who owed Choppa one hundred grand.
Choppa felt slighted when he learned that Lucky had given Griffin half of his debt for fighting dogs.
"Very well. Let the record reflect that Mr. Regal has pled not guilty.
A court hearing will be set for trial. In the meantime, your client shall remain in custody, along with his co-defendant, Jim Richards.
" That was Choppa's legal name, a name Starlah would cringe at the sound of or even sight of in the local paper.
Griffin was discovered when his son and daughter, who were dressed like men, were scouting for other dogs.
That day at Swift's grandmother's house was the day that Lucky and Creed's killers were close to being exposed.
A week later, Money and Swift made sure cameras were installed.
After they returned, in search of Papa, a license plate was captured on the camera.
Colt sat on the other side of the courtroom, his head hung low.
He wasn't involved, but he'd overheard one of Choppa's men bragging about the murders.
It was his way of helping Braelyn pay for a DNA test before Logan reached out.
He felt he'd betrayed Starlah for sitting on information, but he was scared for his life.
"Oh, baby. Don't you worry. They will be found guilty." London hugged Starlah, then Swift as they both walked out of the courtroom.
"They sure will, and they tried the wrong family," Gianna chimed in.
Once Swift and Starlah made it official, the Brightons bought the farm and managed to keep all the staff on. They'd even expanded their trucking company and were able to ship their own crops and other products.
Life was good for them, especially Starlah, when Braelyn stood up as they exited the courtroom. She was due any day, but she wanted to be there.
"Brae, you need to be at home with your feet up. What are you doing here?" Starlah probed. She shoved a tear from her cheek and lowered her gaze at the life inside of her.
"Creed would have wanted me here," she whispered. "I know you probably hate me, but this baby inside of me is your nephew, your blood. I'd really like it if you could find it in your heart to make me a part of your family too."
She looked up at Swift, and he shrugged. He'd learned from his father, who stood nearby and grinned, that women ran the fucking world. Whatever Starlah wanted, Starlah received. It was the only reason she still worked at the mechanic shop, like he wasn't close to retiring himself and her.
"I think we have one more seat at the dining room table. Swift's grandparents prepared dinner. Want to come?"
Braelyn nodded, her head bobbing when she opened her arms. "Please hug me. I can't run to you, Star. This damn baby barely lets me walk," she sputtered, covering her stomach.
"You mean two more seats."
Starlah looked over her shoulder, and there were Contessa and Endea. They'd grown closer since Lucky and Whistle's deaths. Endea had found a nice, older gentleman at church, while Contessa swore she'd never give her heart to another man.
"I think we can accommodate them," Logan offered.
He handled Whistle's will, and although he wasn't allowed to share its contents with others, the beneficiary of Whistle's million-dollar life insurance policy was Contessa.
Logan and Contessa had been spending time together, but he didn't cross boundaries.
In fact, her being faithful to Whistle, even in death, told him she was loyal. For now, he'd enjoy her friendship.
"Wait, who has Chevy and Papa? We need to head back home and take them for a walk," she said when Swift smirked. "Oh, Money."
They all laughed. Money lived between Cedar Spike and Pellum. Each time he was there, he was the Anatolian Shepherd Whisperer. He found a love for being a dog trainer, even purchasing two of his own — one for him and one for Tasha.
"We might as well let that nigga Colt come too," Swift muttered when he came out of the courtroom. He didn't hate Colt, but he hated that he'd hurt Starlah. "Y'all were best friends once, right?"
Star looked up and smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. She'd lost so much in her life, but she had gained so much when she looked around and saw her new family.
"He can come, but no new friends," she warned him. "Like Darcie."
Swift hollered. He and Darcelyn weren't friends, but since he visited Barks and Meows so much with Starlah, she was always eager to help.
"Let's get out of here," Cain announced. "I'm ready to get rid of all of y'all so I can spend some alone time with my wife."
"Daddy," Gianna whined, "can you not?" She pushed out pouty lips when Trey's eyes bucked. He was still scared shitless of her father, even with his aunt, Misty, being there.
"Relax, Trey. He's harmless," she teased when Cain huffed.
"Anyway," her father drawled, "if I didn't love your mama so much, you or this nigga right here wouldn't even be here."
They all laughed as Logan waved Colt over. He was happy for Starlah when he realized that Swift was good for her — her and Chevy — and that Papa was the glue that kept them all together.
Swift kissed Starlah's temple.
"I love you, Star. I promise to keep putting that smile on your face, especially when you let me name our firstborn Papa."
"Papa?" She frowned before she playfully rolled her eyes. "I guess as long as we name our second child Chevy."
Star then placed her hand over his and dragged it over her stomach. She lifted her eyes and nodded when his brows dipped.
"Is my baby having my baby?" he asked when she covered his mouth. "Star—"
"Don't. Let's enjoy this without all the fuss. Besides, I like that we have the house alone. One word to your mother, and our entire house will be ambushed."
"Don't matter, Mrs. Brighton," he whispered. They'd married very quietly before Star learned she was pregnant. Swift would have married her, even if she weren't.
"Oh, and no more damn flowers." She sniffled, and he hollered. "Send them to your mama. I'm not her."