27. Epilogue - Hawk
Epilogue - Hawk
*** THREE YEARS LATER ***
I still remember the day that I first saw those hazel eyes.
Jett and I had been passed around family to family for years, overstaying our welcome until it was time for the next foster family.
Over the years, I had met many kids in our temporary foster families, but they never cared about us. We were an inconvenience to them—disrupting their lives.
Until she came along.
From the moment I stepped foot in the Spencer house, her barely teenage face lit up. Warmth, like sunshine, emanated from Rayne. She did everything she could to make us feel welcome, and I loved her for it. Even though I knew that we weren't the first children to walk through those doors, she made us feel special. I was sure as fuck going to make sure we were the last.
It was pretty apparent from the beginning that Rayne was genetically programmed to please everyone. So, I tormented her.
I wanted to see the real her.
But still… she never relented.
Many times I expected her to rat me out to our parents. But she never did.
The master of secrecy, she held it in, more determined than ever to not let anyone see her frustrations. I think she feared hurting our parents. But I also think she feared the worst—that we would leave them all.
And for that… I hated her too.
Not in the way that makes you see red—but the way you see every color of the spectrum.
She made the mistake of thinking if she ignored us, we would stop. Oh, sweet Tempest. How sadly mistaken you were.
The harder she fought, the more she became like gasoline. And I was the fucking match.
I was ready to burn everything down for her, until we were all soaked in ashes.
When the inheritance came in, I knew I had a choice—stay and keep fighting her battle, or leave and see what she did once her worst fears came true.
But that's the thing… Jett and I always watched. Every step she took, every decision she made, every breath she inhaled—I knew about it.
"Give her until thirty," Jett had said. "The twenties hit differently. She needs more time."
Reluctantly, I agreed. I spent all my time building my own business, determined to make something of myself and Jett. Maybe, when we came back, she would see things differently.
But she's too fucking blind to see anything except everyone else's lives.
Coming back to Phoenix was always in the cards. But finding her at the Wicked Temptation key party? That was fate.
I saw her walk into the club that night, all awkward, like she didn't belong there. And it made me so angry. She belongs wherever she wants to go, and seeing how nothing had changed, I knew what we had to do.
I knew fate had me draw her name out for a reason, and I had waited long enough.
And it all came down to this very moment.
Inside the Stanford stadium, there's barely any room for people to move. A sea of black gowns and caps, I hide among the families and friends of the graduates, easily spotting her.
Rayne is seated next to a girl with black hair, the two of them muttering happily to each other. Paisley is her name, and I could easily tell you her social security number, where she was born, and even the date she purchased her Honda or childhood pet.
As the ceremony starts, I wait with Jett in the shadowed corner of the stadium, in an aisle near the exit tunnel as the law school celebrations start. One by one, students collect their rolled-up diplomas, looking out in the sea of people for their loved ones.
"Rayne Elizabeth Spencer," the speaker calls out over the microphone, and I smile as she steps forward to shake hands and grab that piece of paper she's been longing for since she was a teenager.
I watch as she starts to descend the steps, eyes scanning the crowd. My gaze narrows on her frame, and like she can sense it somehow, she looks directly at the tunnel entrance where I'm leaning against the wall.
"I think she spotted us," Jett laughs.
My lips twitch as I fight back the urge to laugh. The surprise in her face, the way her soft lips parted—I know she did. She can feel us here.
"Yep," I answer simply, turning to head toward the exit. "Let's go. We have a long drive back to Arizona."
"We should have just flown," Jett groans, following. "Instead you insisted on torturing me with your music choices."
I snort, reaching into my pocket. Flinging the keys at him, he catches them with ease. "Here—you drive then," I say amused.
Jett jingles the keys in his hand, raising an eyebrow at me. "What do you have planned?"
As we reach the Porsche, I make a direct beeline for the passenger door, pulling my cell out of my pocket. "I need to check in on something."
He looks at me with a quizzical glance. "The house?"
I nod, pausing as I catch his eye over the top of the car. "Spot on, Brother."
If Rayne thinks she can purchase a house under my radar, she has another thing coming.
The moment she had submitted a formal offer, my PI called me with the details. Immediately, I was onto the agent, making sure he knew he was to persuade the sellers to accept.
I could have offered money, just like I paid her tuition, but I didn't. This house was her achievement. She needed that win, that little sense of accomplishment for her golden soul.
I knew they had accepted before Rayne did—which also meant I had her address too.
Following graduation, I watched her carefully, making note of her plans.
Coming back to Arizona. Buying a house. Applying for a job as a junior associate in her old firm which she got—which led to more investigations on the current staff.
I wasn't letting her go back there unless I knew it was safe. The only predators in her life will be us.
But my favorite part?
The date of her arrival back into Phoenix.
I knew that the moment she arrived, she'd come straight to her new house to check it out. We'd texted briefly leading up to this, her excitement flourishing through the messages when she told us about her new purchase.
A part of me wondered if it was solely to provide an update on her achievement, or a subtle hint at something else. Either way, I've waited long enough to have her.
We haven't touched her since the Christmas she came home three years ago. If I wait any longer to feel her, I'll spontaneously combust, burning the world with little shards of Rayne.
In fact, I haven't touched anyone since that night. She consumes my thoughts after burying herself in a place inside me so deep. So many times I had to remind myself of the end goal and how it was for her. Jett had to stop me from flying to Stanford just as much as I had to stop him.
"She should be here soon," he remarks, looking at the time on his cell. "Try not to break her."
"I promise nothing ," I shoot back.
Her new house is simple but cozy. Small but plentiful. It screams Rayne, right down to the overgrown garden out the back that I know she can't wait to get her hands on, and the pale blue walls inside.
We're sitting inside her new living room, waiting in front of the door. I'm tempted to light the fireplace for her, but I don't want to give any indication of our presence when she arrives. I want to see her face in all its purity—her surprise, her relief, her equal longing for us.
Everything had finally settled into place. And now it was time for me to fulfill my promise to her.
"When the timing is right, we'll come find you."
So, now I'm here. Ready to claim her in every single way possible. The only question is who will get to her first. Jett is equally antsy, but his patience has always been greater than mine. Still, I've seen the way he's followed her movements, stared at her photos, reread her text messages.
I love that my brother loves her as much as I do. He's the only person on his planet I would allow that honor and not kill for putting his hands on her. I trust him completely, my rock and companion through everything. So, it only seems fitting that we would love the same girl. She's the only one worthy of us both— able to handle us both .
I've counted down the very seconds to this moment, the reflection of her headlights bouncing around the living room as her car pulls into the driveway.
I know she's alone, because I planned it that way. I have everything planned—every single fucking thing. Which is why I went to our parents' house yesterday and explained everything to them.
No more obstacles. No more barriers. No more waiting.
I wish I could say it went perfectly smooth, but of course, they were surprised in the worst way. I've never seen them so speechless. For a moment, I thought Dad was going to wrestle me into the hardwood floor, but slowly, my words convinced them—and they agreed to work on a journey of acceptance. After all, all they wanted was for us to be happy. And that's what we will do.
I knew we had to be the ones to do it. Rayne would struggle, scared of hurting our parents. It would pain her to start that conversation, so I took control for her. Now, she doesn't have to worry about anything.
The soft sound of footsteps land on the front porch, keys jingling. I stare at the door, intensely, fire pulsing through my veins as I wait. Jett stands up next to me, and I follow, getting to my feet.
Time stands still as the door slowly opens. And then, there she is.
It takes Rayne a few seconds to process the situation, her eyes wide with disbelief. They sparkle too—the hazel orbs switching between Jett and I as she takes us in.
"You're here," she breathes out. There's no hostility, just relief—like she's waited for this moment too.
"Welcome home, Tempest," I say, unable to stop myself from smiling.
I knew back then when I first saw her that she's the most beautiful person that ever existed. And that still rings true to this day.
Tears pool in her eyes as she drops her bag by her feet. Rushing forward, she flings her arms around me, burying her face into the side of my neck. My arms tighten around her on their own accord, holding her. Even though I knew she'd be here, I still can't believe we're all finally here. Here—the end of it all.
Rayne lets go of me, embracing Jett in the same manner. I watch them both fondly, my eyes scanning the room. I'm already deeply familiar with the house, but I still can't help my wandering thoughts.
She senses them too, stepping back from Jett. "No masks this time?" She asks, amused, surprised even.
I shake my head, lips fighting back a smirk. "No masks. No more hiding."
The masks are upstairs in her master bedroom—but she doesn't know that yet. There will be plenty of time to chase her, hear her beg for me.
Have her beg for me to break her.
"I should have known you'd be here," she laughs softly, the sound sending an euphoric wave through me.
"Why is that, Tempest?" Jett asks. Asshole. He already knows the answer, just like I do.
Rayne smiles warmly, extinguishing the need for the fireplace as she lights up the room. "I saw you at graduation a few weeks ago. And I knew you'd be following along." Her eyes look around the room, referring to the house. "I knew you'd find me."
"I promised you I would," I reply.
She gazes back at me, my heart doing little flips.
"I know. And I'm glad you pushed me. Where do we go from here?"
Her confidence makes me proud. No delaying her questions, no hiding behind a wall. She's ready for an answer.
"We start by fucking you in every single room of this house," Jett says, hand exploring her thigh. He's looking for his mark under her dress, the symbolic scar and ink that makes her ours forever.
"That's not what I mean," she scolds playfully, looking at me. "Hawk?"
My name passing those lips is almost enough to send me into a flying frenzy, but I hold on to my control—just for a little longer. She deserves answers. She deserves the reward after working so hard.
Rayne has waited four long years for this.
Ah, fuck it. What's a few more minutes?
"Do you still hate me?" I tease, stepping closer to her. Her eyes flare at my words, before she crosses her arms.
"Maybe."
"Really?"
"Not even a little."
I grab her waist, pulling her forward. She crashes into my body, fitting perfectly against me. "Then what?" I ask, urging her to say the words I've been waiting years to hear.
Rayne smiles up at me, putting her hands on my chest. I don't know whether she's going to shove me or kiss me, and that's the best part.
"I love you," she says confidently. "Both of you."
"Good," Jett replies, ripping her out of my grip to kiss her.
I roll my eyes, hastily pulling her back to me from his hold. I kiss her harder, smirking against her lips as her legs shake a little from our dual attack.
"We love you too. We start here now, making up for lost time," I murmur before quickly picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder.
She lets out a little squeal at the sudden movement, reaching out for Jett to take her hand and follow.
"Where are we going?" she asks.
I smack her ass hard, heading to the bedroom. "Who said the masks weren't here? I'm going to fuck you so hard that even the Devil himself has to go to church. So, buckle up, Tempest. Now that you're back, we're never letting you go."