Epilogue
PRESLEY
One Year Later
Istared at the invitation and tried to make it say something different.
“Why do we have to go?” I asked, picking up the beautiful piece of cardstock.
Gio peered over my shoulder. “Dad’s hosting it.”
Kingston added from across the room, “He also doesn’t trust anyone from El Peligro to have his back yet. We’re his backup.”
That meant we’d have to sneak in weapons, which would be risky. “Fine, but that means you two are going to have to chill out on who talks to me. Let’s work on blending into the background.”
Both brothers smirked, and it was identical, making my belly flip. “I’m going to get ready. But I’m serious, we can’t draw attention to ourselves tonight.”
There was no response, which should have been the first red flag of the evening.
The room was decorated beautifully.
It reminded me of my engagement party in Italy, with dangling chandeliers and opulent ceilings. People wore their finest clothes and most expensive jewelry. I had on a red, silk dress that spilled over my curves like water.
The twins were in all black, but instead of wearing nice jackets, they’d left theirs at home and rolled their dress shirt sleeves up to their elbows.
I hadn’t stopped touching them since we arrived, and in turn, their hands had been fastened to my hips, thighs, or arms as if they didn’t want to let me out of their sight.
I hadn’t bothered with researching who was in attendance.
Over the past year, I have truly released the identity that was forced upon me.
I had relaxed into the farm life, with a slower routine and lazy Sundays spent with music playing and dancing barefoot around the kitchen.
I did what workouts I liked. I ran if I wanted to.
I hadn’t touched a gun since the day Gio was shot.
I liked this new version of me.
Not on alert, or thinking of anything other than the book on my Kindle and the type of appetizers they were serving. I allowed Gio and Kingston to watch my back, and in turn, worry about what was around us.
There was someone making their way toward our group swiftly. Once a few people parted, I was able to see why they were moving so quickly.
“Presley!” Carter threw her arms around me, drawing me into a tight hug.
I returned her warm greeting until we pulled apart. “What are you doing here?” I asked, looking over her shoulder. I could make out her dad near the corner and her mom. They were talking with Juan and Taylor.
Carter snagged a glass of champagne from the tray that was passing.
“So, my grandpa owes Juan a favor. I’m not sure for what.
He got into a deal with Scotty, and it created this huggggge mess with my mom and Aunt Taylor.
They were fighting and arguing. I missed literally all of it, but what I did catch was that Grandpa Charlie now came to whatever event Juan asked him to.
Since he’s paying for most of this party, my mom decided we should go, and that way we’d get to see family. ”
With a little tip of her drink, she had finished her story.
Gio shifted behind me, and King squeezed my hip.
They were trying to encourage me to remain calm.
This was all attached to what Scotty had done, how he’d bought off El Peligro and left us stranded with no help.
It was the reason Gio had gotten shot. We had been lucky, but if the bullet had been even a millimeter to the right, he wouldn’t be here right now.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. We have to catch up,” I said, trying to sound happy as I shed the memories tied to such a heavy day.
Carter glared at the twins behind me and pulled me away. “I need to borrow her.”
“They aren’t my keepers, Carter,” I joked as I trailed after her.
She took us to a rather large circular couch. We had it to ourselves, but my cousin still ducked her head close while she asked, “So tell me your decision about having a ceremony.”
“I told you last time we talked.”
She rolled her eyes, and it made me laugh.
Her gold eye shadow was on thick, but it complemented her black dress and red tresses.
“You told me you guys were happy. What the hell does that mean? You have wedding bands essentially tattooed to your ring fingers, does that not justify a ceremony of some kind?”
She used air quotes around the word ceremony, which made me laugh.
“I just don’t know what good a ceremony would do? We know what we are to each other and that’s all that matters.”
Setting her glass on the small table next to us, she grew serious. “Listen, I have tried to really respect the sanctity of your relationship, but I’m going to need some details now. When you say you know what you are to each other… Does that mean in the biblical sense?”
“There is nothing holy about what we’ve been doing, but yes, Carter James, we’re fucking.”
She smiled devilishly. “But like…individually, right? Each twin takes his turn, or…”
A smile slid along my mouth as I shook my head. “We do that sometimes, but it’s typically me between them.”
“Hot damn…how does that work with the twins? Do they—”
I moved forward to grab my drink. “Never. They are very careful and are always aware of their body parts when we’re…”
She squealed excitedly. “This is so crazy. I can’t believe you’re with them and like…it works.”
We settled in, chatting a bit when there were suddenly a few men who crowded us on the couch. One man in particular, dripping with wealth and radiating power, sank into the seat next to me and sensually held my thigh.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I said, pushing at his hand. I made sure I used the one with my tattoos.
He laughed. “You have no idea who I am, do you?”
“I don’t think that will matter.” I shoved his hand again, but his other hand moved to my neck, where he began pushing my hair out of the way. “You’re the most beautiful creature in this room tonight. I want you bouncing on my cock before the night is done.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to start with your cock.” Gio appeared in front of us.
Kingston strolled next to him. “We’ll start with the hands since he used those to touch her. If you want the cock when we’re through—that’s fine by me.”
The man next to me shot to his feet while the males around him went to pull out their guns, but stopped.
Everyone had been forced to surrender theirs on the way in, and if they didn’t and wanted to keep their firearm, it was with the understanding that they’d go to war with the families present if they were to find a reason to fire said weapons.
Except the twins never played by those rules, so I knew they were currently carrying.
“I didn’t realize she was spoken for by one of you,” the man said.
Gio laughed. “Both of us, actually, which makes this twice as dangerous for you.”
“No harm was done,” one of the men said, placing their hands up like they didn’t want any trouble.
“I guess it depends on perspective, though, doesn’t it?” Gio asked while pacing the small area near the coffee table. Carter was between me and the guy, but I caught her nervous expression.
Kingston began picking at his shirt. “From our perspective, you touched her, and we don’t allow anyone to touch her.”
The powerful man laughed, as if all this were hilarious, and his hands slowly went up. I already knew what was about to happen, so I pulled one of the small couch cushions and covered my face. Carter watched me and did the same thing, moving slowly so no one really noticed.
Sure enough, seconds later, Gio and Kingston had their guns drawn, and two shots were fired. One bullet per hand that touched me.
Blood had sprayed on the cushion when I tossed it away. The man who was shot fell to his knees.
“You’re going to regret that,” he seethed through clenched teeth.
Movement behind us indicated it was time to move. Security was closing in fast, but we were faster. I lost Carter on the way, but if she was smart, she’d slink out or act like she had no idea what had just happened. On our way out of the room, Juan found us.
“Boys, what the fuck did you do?”
They shrugged as if they’d done nothing wrong at all. “He touched Presley.”
“You’re aware Presley can take care of herself?” Juan asked while we bypassed valet after snagging our keys.
“Presley is ours to take care of now, so while yes, we know that she can. She won’t ever have to again,” Kingston replied.
“Well, this is a mess I’ll have to try and sort out.” Juan let out a heavy sigh.
Gio smirked while getting into the car. “Best of luck, Daddio.”
Kingston slapped his chest while telling me to slide into the back seat.
Once the three of us were in the car, we shot off into the dark.
Gio caught my eye in the rearview mirror and said, “See, told you, Elvis. Our enemies never actually go away, especially because if you’re with us, then you’ll likely always create new ones.
The sky won’t fall just because you’re not a weapon.
You can simply relax and be ours. We’ll be the weapons. ”
I rested on Kingston’s shoulder as peace filled me. I was finally starting to accept what he was saying.
My father and Scotty had always wanted a weapon, but the twins merely wanted my heart. Even with new enemies chasing us, I felt safer than I ever had before.
“Let’s go home and check on Marigold.”
Kingston pressed a kiss to my shoulder.
The whole car ride back, I was held by Kingston, and I thought of all the things that had broken me, and then I remembered all the ways they’d ensured I was whole again.
I wasn’t a broken queen any longer.
Now, I was just me. A girl who loved marigolds and highland cows. A girl who loved two boys, one with trapped fire in his eyes and the other with starlight.
I was simply me, and that would forever be enough.
Did you read Wren and Archer’s book yet?
Fill in the missing months while the twins and Presley are apart by reading My Darling Mayhem.
I’m so glad you finished the duet. If you’re not sure what to read next, I highly recommend trying my best-selling motorcycle club romance. Here’s a little glimpse of Where We Started.