Epilogue
Isy
I’d spent the night in Rebel’s arms, and now that morning had arrived, it was time to move on to the next chapter in our lives. But first, we had to tie up the loose ends from what happened with Price.
“All right, enough with the pleasantries,” Atilla said, making the room go quiet. “We need to talk about the recent events.”
Rebel stood beside me, his hand firmly gripping mine. His eyes darted between every face in attendance, assessing their reactions before he spoke up. “Isy said Price wanted revenge on the Reapers. Something about them screwing up his business. Bull, any idea what he meant?”
Bull shook his head. “Nothing comes to mind. Did he say what kind of business?”
“No, but… he’d planned to sell me when he was done. Said he had men who would be happy to buy someone already broken. Maybe it has to do with that?” Isy said.
My dad growled softly, clearly not happy about the reminder of what I’d been through. “We’ll look into it. Need to know if someone else will come for us. I’ll talk to Savior once I’m back home.”
“Before everyone leaves, there’s something else I need to do.” I turned to face the Dixie Reapers, tears welling up in my eyes. “I want to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me -- for us. You’re not just my family; you’re my friends, my protectors, my home. And I’ll never forget that. No matter where I live, you’ll always be in my heart.”
“Isadora… My precious daughter.” My dad’s voice was thick with emotion as he hugged me tightly. “You’ll always be our little girl, no matter where you are. You better come visit, or we’ll come find you. I barely held your mom back when I came here this time.”
“I promise, Dad,” I whispered, my tears spilling down my cheeks. “Take care of each other. I’m going to miss you.”
I hugged each of them, holding onto my dad a little longer. Then we followed them outside to their bikes. As much as I wanted to tell my dad not to leave, I knew it was time to grow up and forge my own path without him. It’s what I’d wanted, but my heart ached right now. Rebel stood beside me, our fingers intertwined. He was my home now. My family.
“Rebel,” Dad called out gruffly, his voice carrying across the lot. He approached with slow, deliberate steps, his gaze locked onto Rebel’s. I tightened my hold on Rebel’s hand, letting know I was here beside him, no matter what my dad said.
“Sir.” Rebel nodded in respect, meeting his eyes without flinching.
Bull studied him for a moment before speaking. “I’ve been watching you these past few days, boy. The way you look after my Isy, the commitment you show her. She means everything to me, and I’ve seen that she means the same to you. I’m not going to say I’m thrilled about how this all came together, but I can see you’re good for her. You make her happy, and that’s what matters most.”
“Thank you, sir,” Rebel replied. “I promise you, I’ll always do right by her.”
“See that you do,” Dad warned, his eyes narrowing. “Because if you ever hurt her, I don’t care who you are or what club you belong to -- I will come for you.”
“Understood,” Rebel said, holding his gaze and letting him know he meant every word.
“Good.” Dad finally broke eye contact, his shoulders relaxing slightly. He glanced at me and gave me a tender smile before turning back to Rebel. “Take care of my girl, Rebel. That job belongs to you now.”
“I will,” Rebel promised, squeezing my hand as I leaned into him.
“Rebel…” I whispered. “You know I love you, right?”
“More than anything,” he murmured against my temple, wrapping his arm around my waist. “And I love you, Isy. With every breath in my body.”
I brushed the tears from my cheeks and sniffled a little. My dad got on his bike and started it up. Why did it hurt so much to watch him leave?
The rumble of a motorcycle approaching the compound caught my attention. My eyes went wide when I saw my brother, Foster, pull up to the gates. The Prospect let him through, and he came to a stop in front of me. He held my gaze before glancing at our dad.
“Little late, boy,” Dad said. “All the action is over and as you can see, your sister is fine.”
“I’m not here for that,” Foster said. “Already talked to Savior.”
I noticed he wasn’t wearing his Dixie Reapers cut. What was going on? Had he done something to get kicked out while Dad had been here?
Foster got off his bike and came to stand in front of us. He held Rebel’s gaze. “I need to talk to you.”
“Me?” Rebel asked. “Not your sister?”
“I meant you. I want to stay here in Bryson Corners, be closer to Isy, and prospect for the Savage Raptors MC,” he said, his voice firm. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dad watching us but remaining silent.
“Are you sure about this? It’s a big decision,” Rebel replied. “It’s also not my call.”
“I’m positive. I know I’ve been a fuckup for a while now. Not only do I think I need a fresh start, but I want to be close to Isy,” Foster said. “Everything here is new to her. I thought it might be a good idea if she had family in the area.”
“We’ll have to run it by Atilla and Spade. If you’re asking my thoughts on it, I don’t have an issue with you being here. As long as you don’t put Isy in danger.” Rebel turned and yelled into the clubhouse. “Hey, Pres! VP! Isy’s brother wants to prospect for us.”
“Let him,” Atilla yelled back. “But if he fucks up, I’m sending him back home bloody.”
I frowned, not sure how I felt about his response. I eyed Foster, but my brother seemed determined.
“Did you hear that? Looks like you’re in. Welcome to the club.” Rebel reached out to shake his hand.
“Thank you, Rebel. I won’t let you down.” I’d heard that before, and hoped this time he meant it. I glanced over at Dad who was giving Foster an assessing look. I didn’t think he’d known about this before now, and I was impressed he was taking it in stride.
“Let’s make it official,” Atilla called out, striding toward us. He handed Foster a prospect cut with the Savage Raptors’ colors on it. “Welcome to the Savage Raptors MC, Foster.”
“Thank you, sir,” Foster replied, nodding respectfully to the club president.
“Cheers to new beginnings,” Spade said, raising his beer bottle. The others followed suit, clinking their bottles together as Bull finally broke his silence.
“Make us proud, son. And visit when you can. Now that both her chicks are out of the nest, your mom is going to drive me crazy.”
I bit my lip, but Foster didn’t hold back at all. He rolled his eyes at Dad.
“Yeah, right. It just means we don’t have to listen to what you and Mom still do at night. Although, I guess it’s good to know I’ll still be able to get it up when I’m your age.”
My dad flipped him off and everyone around us laughed. Dad gave me a lingering look before he turned his bike toward the road and left the Savage Raptors’ compound, and both his children. The other two Reapers followed, and only Viking gave us a wave over his shoulder.
Rebel led me into the clubhouse with Foster following behind us. I watched my new family as they played pool, threw darts, or just sat around enjoying a beer. I cleared my throat and tried to speak over the din.
“I just want to say thank you. Thank you so much for accepting me into your family, protecting me, and now welcoming my brother too. It means more than I can ever express.”
“Isy, we’ve got your back,” Atilla replied, grinning. “You’re one of us now. And Foster will either prove himself and patch in, or he’ll find another path in life. We’re giving him a chance. What he does with it is up to him.”
“Come on, babe,” Rebel whispered to me, leading me away from the crowd and toward the dimly lit corner of the room. As we sat down at a table, he laced our fingers together.
I took a breath, trying to find the courage to say the words that were weighing on me. “I’ve been thinking about our future… about starting a family together.”
“Isy,” he whispered. “Are you sure?”
“Rebel… I haven’t started my period, and I’m two days late.” I paused, biting my lip. “I know it’s not a guarantee, but… the possibility is there. I’ve always been regular and never been so much as one day late. I’m worried, though. They drugged me. What if I’m pregnant and whatever they gave me hurt the baby?”
“You know I’ll stand by you, no matter what, darlin’. I want a family with you, more than anything, but if it turns out you aren’t pregnant, or that you can never carry a baby, I’m okay with that too. You’re what’s important to me.” He kissed me softly. “And if it makes you feel better, we can get you an appointment with a doctor in town. Have them check you over, and even do a pregnancy test if it’s not too soon.”
“I love you so much.”
“Love you too, Isy,” he replied fiercely, pulling me close and pressing his lips to mine in a searing kiss that left us both breathless. My cheeks warmed when I heard a few wolf whistles, but I blocked them out.
As we broke apart, I knew that whatever the future held for us -- whether it was parenthood or another challenge entirely -- we would face it together, surrounded by the family we had found in each other and this club. The thought of belonging here, of being part of something so amazing, filled me with peace.
Rebel’s phone rang and he showed me it was Wire calling. “Hello.”
His eyebrows rose and he yelled out for everyone to be quiet, then put the call on speaker.
“Wire said he has something to say,” Rebel said.
“I’ve been thinking, and it doesn’t seem right that you’re shacking up with Isy. Not all Reapers are married, but… we tend to lean that way, and I’m sure a marriage would make her daddy feel better,” Wire said.
“What’s your point, Uncle Wire?” I asked.
“By the power vested in me by… well, by my own damn hacking skills,” Wire said, with a slight chuckle, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”
“Wait. You married us?” I asked.
“Yep. Congratulations! I’ll be sure to give your dad the good news when he gets here. Call me if you need anything.” He hung up and I stared at the phone, trying to process what just happened.
Rebel turned me to face him and captured my lips in a searing, possessive kiss that left me breathless and wanting more. The club erupted in cheers and applause, their support and love enveloping us like a warm embrace.
“Isy,” Rebel murmured against my lips, his voice thick with emotion. “I promise I’ll take you to Alabama at least once a year so you can visit your parents and the Dixie Reapers.”
“Thank you, Rebel,” I replied, my heart swelling with gratitude and love for this man who had become my entire world.
As I basked in the afterglow of our makeshift wedding ceremony, I realized just how much our lives had changed since meeting each other. As long as we were together, there was nothing we couldn’t face, no adventure too daunting, and that knowledge fortified my soul, igniting a passion and desire within me that could never be extinguished.
For as long as I lived, I would love the man beside me… and I couldn’t wait to see what the future held for us.
I placed a hand over my belly. Please let us have a baby.
That was the only wish I had left… I’d already found the love of my life, a place where I not only felt like I belonged but also had the freedom to be myself. I’d made new friends and had so much to look forward to. I hoped the other Dixie Reapers’ kids would have their shot at happiness… especially Dawson.
It hurt, knowing I’d left him to face his parents on his own, but he was stronger than he realized. I’d have to call and check on him… tomorrow. Tonight was for celebrating my life with the Savage Raptors. I watched the revelry, and saw how seamlessly Foster seemed to fit in. It warmed my heart, and I knew this was true happiness.