Epilogue
Riptide
The next morning, we wake to the sounds of little feet running around downstairs. Van stirs in my arms and I wind them tighter around her, drawing her into me. “Morning, beautiful.”
“Morning,” she answers around a yawn.
It won’t be long before our little man starts calling out for us, so I ask her, “Are you ready to get up and face a new day?”
“Every day as long as I wake up in your arms… just like this,” she remarks, placing her hand on my thorax, directly over the spot where my heart beats.
“That’s something I can guarantee will happen,” I say, squeezing her tighter to me.
“Unless you’re out of town on business,” she contradicts.
“Even then you’ll be with me. If not your body, then your heart and mind will always be there beside me, guiding me, reminding me that I have something worth crawling out of bed for,” I state. “You’ll never be alone, Van. Not now, and not ever again.”
“Even when you’re away, I feel you here,” she tells me, lifting her hand and tapping it against her chest. “You filled that spot that was once a void. Like you said last night, I didn’t know something was missing from my life until our paths crossed.
In his own way, Gage brought us together.
He gave us a gift when he sacrificed his life for Rio. ”
“He was our Cupid,” I raspily say. “The gift he gave me with you and our boy will never be forgotten. I can’t forgive him for what he put Rio and Issy through, but I can be thankful to him for guiding you to me.
He was once a brother. I'll always have fond memories of him and our childhoods but that doesn’t give him any grace in our eyes.
In the end, he redeemed himself, and helped me find my own redemption in you. ”
“His path of death and destruction led us to where we are today. Like you, he’ll never have the chance to earn my forgiveness but I’m starting to understand some of the things he did.
He was put in between a rock and a hard place.
Did he make the right decisions? Not in my opinion, and not in yours, certainly not in Rio’s, but his last act on this earth was a righteous one.
For that, I can find it in my heart to give him some grace. ”
“Maybe in time, I’ll find my own grace with him. But that time isn’t today, come on, gorgeous, let’s get dressed and go down to see our boy.”
“Right behind you,” she says as she reaches her arms above her head and stretches. Her glorious tits pop up out of the sheet, causing my mouth to salivate.
“They can wait a few more minutes,” I state as I pounce on her, rip the sheet off of her body, and devour her from head to toe for the next hour before we make our way to the shower and make love there too.
“Those fuckers are getting released in three months, are we prepared? Are our allies lined up and ready to assist?” I ask as we sit around the table talking about the impending war with the Onyx Dragons.
“We’re as prepped as we can be,” Slayer comments. “The Feds have drawn out their release for as long as they can, now, it’s our turn.”
I clear my throat before announcing, “Next week, I’ll be flying out to meet up with Rio and Gemini.
The Montana takeover can’t wait any longer.
Things there are dire. They’re running around like ants without their queen and it’s drawing unwanted attention.
We’ve pushed it off as long as we can. Needless to say, Big Daddy is getting restless and impatient with our stalling. ”
“When are those of us who’ve been voluntold we’re going, heading that way?” LoneStar asks, looking perturbed. “I need to order winter clothing and supplies before making my way to Montana. Because you know, It. Snows. There.”
“You’ll need Alaskan gear,” Indiana taunts, tossing it in LoneStar’s face that he drew the short straw.
“Fuck off, asshole,” LoneStar says, flipping him off.
“Just telling you like it is,” Indiana replies, shrugging.
“That’s enough!” I yell, slamming my fist on the table.
“This is church, not comedy hour. Fuss at each other during your own time, not mine.” They both mumble out their own versions of “yes, pres” before zipping their damn lips.
“Indiana, get in touch with your contacts, I want us to have an arsenal bigger than what we’ve got of weapons and ammunition.
Booker, double check every feed and make sure every inch of our grounds are covered.
I don’t want any blind spots. Icer, you and Shade talk to your sources inside, see if one of those pieces of shit have talked and shared their plans.
Anybody got anything else they want to bring up?
” When all of my guys shake their heads, I call out, “Church dismissed.”
“You’re worried,” Slayer says after the room has cleared.
“I’m goddamn petrified,” I admit as I reach over and pour two fingers of bourbon into my glass. “This war is going to be a bloodbath and lives will be lost.”
“Let’s just hope those losses aren’t from our side,” Slayer mumbles, lighting up a smoke. “Are the ladies aware of the evac plan?”
“They are,” I reply. “It’s not foolproof, but it’s the best we’ve got.”
“They’ll be okay, Rip.”
“They better fucking be, Slayer, because I’ll raze this goddamn town and send them all to meet their makers if not.”
“You really love her, don’t you?” he inquires.
“I do. She’s my everything,” I admit.
“Who will be on them when the time comes?” he asks. “It can’t be Icer, we need him on the battleground.”
“Him and Shade both. I’m debating on using our prospects as their guards, but that doesn’t feel right,” I convey.
“We need someone with combat experience, or at the very least, someone who takes the protection of others seriously, Rip.”
“Or someone who has something at stake if the women and kids are in the line of fire,” I deduce.
We both glance at each other and one name comes to both of our minds, “Nova.”
“When is our little school teacher set to arrive, Rip?”
“Next week. Why?” I ask.
He looks me square in the eye and asks, “Has she been briefed? Is she aware she’s heading into a war zone?”
“She’s been told,” I confess.
“And she didn’t scurry away with her tail tucked between her legs?” he asks, sounding shocked.
“She’s not a stranger to club life, Slayer. You’ll see, she will be an asset not a deterrent.”
“I’ll have to see it to believe it,” he murmurs. “Until then, I’m going to drown myself in booze and pussy unless you need me for something else.”
“Not today, brother. I’m about to head home to my woman and kid. If anything comes up that’s life or death, call me. Otherwise, leave me the fuck alone.”
He laughs, salutes me, and walks out the door.
I lift my phone out of my cut pocket and send Van a text, letting her know I’m heading home to her.
Always to her.