Epilogue
A few years later…
Cleo stood in the small hallway, leaning against the wall with her hands tucked behind her back.
Two minutes.
“Why is it taking so long?” she muttered and ducked her head inside the bathroom, laser focused on the plastic stick on the edge of the sink counter.
It was silly to think an inanimate object could tauntingly hold the entire trajectory of her life. Two lines or one? It would completely alter the journey she’d been making with Wraith. Cleo stepped back and leaned against the hallway wall.
They’d gotten married in a small ceremony at the clubhouse a few years ago.
Cleo had never coveted the grandeur of a big wedding.
She just wanted Wraith. It was actually him who’d insisted they have a ceremony.
She would’ve been fine with marrying at the courthouse.
Looking back though, she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
They’d been surrounded by family. Not by blood, but family all the same.
Cleo glanced down the hall to the back door. Well, what used to be the back door. The doorframe was covered by a heavy tarp. Beyond that, was their new bedroom. It was still in the finishing stages, but it would be amazing with a separate bathroom and walk-in closet.
When the timer on her phone rang, she pushed off the wall and peeked inside the bathroom again.
This wasn’t some crazy, out of the ordinary event.
Married couples had babies all the time.
Planned or surprise, it happened. But this was different.
They’d had one conversation after they got married about having children.
Cleo wanted to be honest, not only with Wraith but with herself.
She wasn’t ready for a child. In a sense, she was still kind of one herself.
There were so many things she wanted to do.
So many experiences she wanted to live. Wraith hadn’t said a word during the entire conversation. And then his response was simple.
“Okay.”
He’d never actually said whether he wanted to have kids somewhere down the road. Dread washed over her as she stepped into the bathroom. This would change things. The life they were building would never be the same. Could she even be a good mom? She had zero experience on how to do it.
Cleo drew in a deep breath and exhaled as she grabbed the stick and looked down.
An overwhelming calmness washed over her. As if total clarity was settling in. She rested her hand on her belly, staring down at the two small lines. Without any forethought, she smiled.
Pregnant.
Cleo hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted it until the proof was staring back at her. Her vision blurred from her tears.
“I’m gonna be a mom,” she muttered, brushing her hand over her cheek.
A good one. The kind that loved unconditionally, protected at all cost and put her child above everything else.
“A mom.” She repeated.
And Wraith is going to be a dad.
She sucked in a breath and glanced up at the ceiling. It was probably best to wait for him to come home. It was a sensible and logical plan. And one that only lasted five minutes before she grabbed her keys and rushed to the car.
The drive over to the clubhouse was only five minutes, but it felt like forever. A million things ran through her mind, but they all circled back to one thing. I’m going to be a mom!
Cleo pulled up to the clubhouse, parked out front, and stared up at the building through her windshield. It was her second home. Her refuge when she’d been rescued. She’d had no regrets moving out, but every once in a while when nostalgia struck, she missed those days.
She walked up the stairs, waving to the newest prospects stationed by the door. They’d always been cordial but none were overly friendly. She assumed it had to do with her husband.
She knew Wraith was at the clubhouse for a meeting. She’d hoped it was finished when she arrived but as she glanced around the room, it was clear it was still in session. She could wait.
No, I can’t.
Cleo didn’t trust herself not to blurt it out to anyone before telling Wraith. Decision made. She started across the room, waving to the women near the bar.
“Hey, girl.”
Cleo made a beeline for the back hallway.
“Cleo, they’re in a meeting.”
I know.
She nodded but didn’t slow her steps. Ace’s wing of the clubhouse had expanded in the last year to accommodate his new living arrangements.
But the rules hadn’t changed. No one was permitted in that section of the building unless given permission or invited.
Cleo always respected and followed that specific rule.
Until now. Maybe it was the hormones. Whatever the case, she couldn’t wait.
The prospect manning the door stepped in her path and held up his hand.
“They’re in a meeting, Cleo.”
“I know.” She gave a curt nod. Any other time, she wouldn’t consider any interruption.
“I need to talk to Wraith.”
“It shouldn’t be much longer. An hour, maybe.”
Too long.
When Cleo continued to approach, he cautiously backed up. He had a job to do, and she understood it. But she could see the wheels turning. A confrontation with Cleo meant an altercation with Wraith. The prospect was weighing his choices and the repercussions. The club or Wraith?
“Cleo, I can’t let you in.”
“Please move.”
He shook his head and reached for her arm but she yanked it away, narrowing her gaze.
“Do you really want me to tell Wraith that you touched me?” Cleo rarely used her husband as a weapon. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
“Shit!” He sighed and slowly moved away from the door. “I’m fucked either way.”
“I’ll tell them I forced my way in, and you had no other choice.”
His lips twitched as his gaze traveled down her body. He was a foot taller and outweighed her by at least seventy-five pounds.
“Yeah, like I said. I’m fucked either way.”
“Sorry,” she muttered, grabbing the door handle.
She’d formulated a game plan. She’d ask to speak with Wraith and tell them it was an emergency. She would remain calm and cool. This news was not for everyone’s ears.
She opened the door, and all talking ceased. She scanned the room, finding Wraith seated at the end of the table.
“I’m pregnant!”
****
Wraith stretched his arms over his head, enjoying the release of pressure in his muscles.
I’m not fucking twenty anymore. And it was showing.
He’d brought it on himself. He could’ve easily hired a contractor for the addition to the house.
He probably should have, considering the delays courtesy of his last two runs.
They’d taken him out of Killcreek for nine days.
Too fucking long. Not only for the project.
He’d learned a long time ago being away from Cleo for any extended period of time made him cagey.
His woman had a way of calming him with just her presence.
Initially, he’d worked out a schedule with Ace and Cross.
All the members approved. His runs were limited to overnights and local areas.
That changed when times had gotten dangerous for the club.
They needed everyone, and he’d made an oath when he’d joined.
Cleo supported it, but Wraith didn’t like it.
“Need two guys for the ride down south.” Ace scanned the room, eyeing each brother.
A lot had changed in the last few years with more brothers settling down. It seemed he wasn’t the only man who didn’t want to be away from his woman.
Ace sighed, shaking his head, giving the men another glance when no one spoke up. His stare lingered briefly on Wraith.
He arched his brow and hardened his stare. “No.”
“Fuck,” Ace snapped.
“Who’s turn is it in the rotation?” Cypher asked.
Wraith squared his jaw, steeling his features. Ace looked over again, but Wraith wasn’t backing down.
“What part of no isn’t fucking clear?”
Ace snorted. He wouldn’t push, but the same couldn’t be said for the others. It came as no surprise when Gent spoke up.
“I went last time, brother. Gotta do your part.”
Motherfucker.
Wraith shifted his glare to Gent. “Your run was two days. Mine was nine, asshole.”
Gent smirked. “If you’re worried about leaving Cleo alone, just say the word. I’d be more than happy to take your place and play husband for a few days.” He paused. “Even willing to stay at your place. Really commit to the role.”
Oak laughed, gesturing toward Gent. “How the fuck has he not killed you yet?”
I’ve been tempted.
Wraith had settled a bit over the last few years. Cleo had that effect on him. However, there were some people who would forever annoy the fuck out of him. Gent was top of the list.
“You come near my house when I’m not around, I will fucking kill you.”
Gent scoffed. “Brother, we established this a while back. Can’t kill me. Like it or not, your woman loves me, and she’d be pissed if you take me out.”
True, but…
“She’ll get over it,” Ghost said.
“Yeah, she’s forgiving,” Cypher added, lifting his chin to Wraith. “If you get the chance, take the shot.”
“Yeah, man.” Hyde’s lips twitched, eyeing Gent. “Please take the fucking shot.”
The room erupted in masculine snickers. But it was abruptly silent when the door flew open. Cleo stood in the doorway, pale face and red rimmed eyes as if she’d been crying.
What the fuck happened? Wraith’s muscles tightened, and he straightened in his chair.
“I’m pregnant!”
Wraith stilled. What did she just say?
Cleo clasped her hands, tugging at her fingers while biting her bottom lip. She’d gotten a lot more confident and lost most of her odd anxiety-driven quirks, but every once in a while they resurfaced.
Wraith was acutely aware, the room with ten bikers was eerily silent.
He slowly stood, making his way across the room.
Her eyes widened as he got closer, and her shoulders sagged slightly.
Wraith couldn’t figure out if this was good or bad news in her eyes.
He knew how he felt, but this wasn’t just about him.
“I don’t know how this happened.” Her voice was strained and unsure.
A familiar chuckle sounded, but before he could say a word, Cross snapped, “Shut the fuck up, Gent.”
Wraith looped his arm around her waist, pulling Cleo into his chest. He cupped her jaw, forcing her to look at him.
“We didn’t plan it,” she whispered.
“No.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “And we haven’t really talked about it or…”
“Yeah, we did. A couple years ago. You said you weren’t ready.”
Wraith remembered the conversation as if it had happened yesterday. Cleo had needed time. She had concerns about what kind of mother she’d be since her own had been shit. Wraith wanted to debunk all her fears, but he didn’t want to influence her decision either way.
She blinked. “Yeah, but you didn’t say anything.”
“’Cause I was ready. I’ve been waiting on you.”
The corner of her mouth curled, and her eyes welled. “So, you’re excited then?”
“Yeah, I’m fucking excited.”
Cleo threw her arms over his shoulders and hugged him tightly.
The room erupted once again, this time in cheers and congratulations.
This probably would’ve been a moment better suited for privacy.
But there was something special about having his brothers with him.
He glanced up at Knox’s helmet on the wall and smiled. All my brothers.
“This calls for top-shelf shots,” Jekyll said, slapping Wraith on the back. Cleo loosened her grip, and Wraith tucked her into his side. Jekyll smiled down at Cleo. “Except for you, Mama. But we’ll make sure you get name brand apple juice.”
One by one, all the brothers offered their individual congratulations until Cross was the last man in the room. He shook Wraith’s hand then smiled over at Cleo.
“Knox would’ve loved this.”
Yeah, he would.
Cleo shook in his arms. He didn’t have to see her face to know she was overcome with emotion. Wraith tightened his hold, pressed his lips to her head, and whispered, “If it’s a boy, we already got the name.”
Knox.
Her cheeks were drenched in tears, but her smile was bright. “I hope it’s a boy.”
Me too.
The End