Epilogue
Nine Months Later
Seger
You haven’t popped yet, have you? *frowny face*
My face twists at the message, but I chortle at his words. He's been so anxious about our first dinner together that he’s been texting me every day leading up to the event to see if I’ve had the baby yet.
Journey
No. Rude question, though.
“Who has you laughing like that, Kitten? I’m the only one who should see your teeth,” Arrow says, narrowing his eyes. I swear anger blazes through his gray eyes.
“It’s her brothers and sisters,” Jericho hums, snatching my phone from my hands and eyeing the group chat.
“Ugh, give it back,” I grumble, attempting to reach for my phone, but my enormous belly holds me back.
Jericho smirks. “I let him know he shouldn’t be asking my wife those questions.” And with that, he hands it back to me carefully, with glee.
Journey
Do not speak to my wife like that.
Seger
I see the mafia douche got a hold of your phone again. Bro. She’s my sister. This is how we roll.
Journey
Ignore him, please.
River
I can’t wait to put a face to the name. *laugh emoji*
Journey
You say that now until you meet them. They might lock me up until I have this baby.
River
Well, I’d come to rescue you. Tell them to be nice…
“I could,” Arrow quips, putting his ear against my large stomach after peeking at my screen—invasive bastards. I swear I can’t have a moment to myself. Let alone to pee. “Come on, Buddy. Give Daddy a kick.” He blinks a few times, grinning when the baby does just that. “See? That’s mine.” He grins more when the baby moves, pushing against my stomach and into his face. “Ah,” he sighs, relaxing into me more.
I sigh. This fight again. Here we go…
“You’re highly confident that your sperm beat mine,” Jericho says calmly, raising a brow as he rolls up the sleeves of his white button-down.
“You’re highly confident it’s even yours. May I remind you, Daddy Jer, you were tied to a chair while I got a total of five orgasms. Count that! That’s five counts of spermies making their way to her egg.” Arrow grins proudly, puffing out his chest.
Great. The last time this happened, they legitimately had a fistfight. Of course, Arrow laughed it off with a black eye, begging for another round. And Jericho? The asshole came out of the fight unscathed. Like always. I swear he’s invincible when it comes to fights against Arrow.
“Shepp,” I whine, slumping my shoulders. “Contain them.”
He snorts at me from his spot across from me in the recliner. “You say that like I can.
“You have before,” I argue.
“There’s no containing this, Kitten. We’re uncontainable and shit.” Arrow grins up at me before sitting tall on the sofa.
“Just don’t break anything like last time.” I give each of them a pointed look, trying to remind them of the mess they made before. Broken art—thankfully not Shepp’s. Broken vases. Hell, they even put fist marks into the newly finished drywall. They’re reckless as fuck, and it drives me up a wall.
“It’s okay, Little Chaos. Arrow and I will take this outside and let off some steam.” Jericho gestures for him to follow him out the back door.
“Whoop!” Arrow says, whipping off his shirt and jeans and throwing them on the couch.
“You’re going to fight in your sneakers and boxers?” Shepp asks, rolling his eyes.
“Why not?” Arrow huffs, running after Jericho.
“You’re seriously not going to stop them?”
“Stop them? Why? Let them beat the shit out of each other, Little Tempest. And while they’re doing that, I can eat a meal.” He grins, popping off the chair and falling to his hands and knees.
Shudders instantly go through my limbs at the feral look in his eyes as he crawls to me. “Shepp,” I breathe when he forces my legs open and lifts my dress to my hips, exposing me.
“Shh. You don’t want them coming back,” he says, diving into my pussy and wrapping his lips around my clit.
“Fuck,” I breathe, throwing my head back against the couch, getting lost in the feeling of him between my legs and bringing me to orgasm. Twice. While the others fight through their differences.
I could get down with this princess treatment any day of the week.
Journey
We’re on the way!
Zepp
Good luck with the drive. Hopefully, you don’t have the baby in the back of your SUV.
Seger
Been there! Done that! It was magical.
Zepp
And terrifying, especially when you’re the one to catch him.
Journey
I’ll see you guys in a few hours.
Rush
I wish I could be there to meet you guys. But it’s so hectic here right now.
Seger
One day, bro. You’ll be able to make it. Tell her to quit busting your balls.
Rush
*laugh emoji* Bro. I’ll let you tell her that. She’d hang me by them if I even uttered those words. No thanks. I like the boys intact. **peace emoji**
Seger
My fucking funeral, I guess.
River
I’ll see you guys in a few hours. I’m so excited for this! We finally get to meet after months of texting! 3 Lyric is thrilled, too! She can’t wait to meet her new aunt.
I never had a true family growing up. Sunshine was all I had. Even then, when I look back, I was more of a mother to her than our mother was to us. I took care of her from the moment she was born until she was kidnapped.
Sunshine
Have fun at your dinner tonight! The boys and I are doing all right! How’s my nephew?
I sigh, staring at her text message. A few months ago, before I became as big as a whale, I went to Miami and visited her and Mikhail and his secret brothers. It almost blew me away when the man who greeted me in the massive hallway of their Miami mansion wasn’t Mikhail himself because he looked exactly like him, down to the damn moles on his face.
But I guess that’s a secret to the world. One I promised I wouldn’t talk about.
Journey
I miss you so much! You’re still doing all right?
She’s still so young to be living so far away and taking on the role of wife to the Bratva leader. She says she’s fine, but I can see the yearning in her eyes every time we video chat. Although they come to Briar Cove often, I know she misses home. Health-wise, she’s done amazing. Her body accepted the new heart immediately, but doctors are still monitoring her every step of the way.
Sunshine
Of course! I love you! G2g!
Journey
Love you too!
“Now, if you feel any contractions, you’ll let me know, right?” Jericho asks, snatching my phone from me again.
He and I will end up having a brawl if he doesn’t stop taking my phone from my fingers. He claims it’s to keep me stress-free, but I’m calling bullshit. He’s an attention whore who wants my eyes and thoughts on him. I don’t mind that, though.
“No, I’ll sit here and stew in it myself,” I grit out, holding out my hand. “Of course, I’ll say something. It’s your hands I need to hold when I push this watermelon out of my vagina, because it’s all your fault!” I huff, wiggling my fingers for my phone.
Fucking jerks. First, they take my IUD without my damn permission and impregnate me. Impregnate me! Like some medieval breeding bastards. Ugh. Now, they’re trying to be overbearing and possessive. Although it may turn me on. I won’t tell them that tidbit. Ever. It still gets on my damn nerves. I’m a grown-ass woman now, and I deserve my phone and their fingers to crush whenever their son makes his grand entrance.
Soon. So fucking soon, and he’ll be out in the world. I can’t wait to see what they’re like as fathers.
“So sassy, Kitten. You can hold my hand. You won’t break anything.” Arrow beams at me from the passenger’s seat, winking when I scowl.
Wanna fucking bet? I raise a brow, challenging him, but he doesn’t back down. Okay, he asked for it. I’m taking all my pain out on him when the time comes. Broken fingers are coming right up!
“Oh, I’ll break a lot of things. Balls. Penises. Toes. You name it, and I’ll break it. Besides, you’re the main culprit.” Am I dramatic? Yes. Am I excited to hold our baby? Double yes. I’m so fucking excited to have him in my arms and be the mother I always wanted to be.
Peace fell over Briar Cove the moment Grace and Gabriel met their makers. Thank fuck. They were ruining this city with their war and tainted drugs, killing their citizens. Our allies have taken their places, moving into their new businesses.
All their allies took their pieces of Briar Cove and, for the most part, we’ve been living in peace. Mikhail often visits to check on his venues—with Sunshine. Other times, not.
“Main culprit?” Arrow acts innocently, putting his hand on his chest. “I would never…”
“Drug me? Pull my IUD out without permission? Throw me in your lion’s den and leave a knife in my pussy? Yeah, never.” I roll my eyes at his theatrics.
“She has a point,” Shepp mutters from the driver’s seat.
“No one asked you,” Arrow gripes, staring hard at him.
“Exactly. Now, give me my phone,” I grumble, smacking Jericho in the chest.
A blaze of fire crosses his dark eyes, and he smirks that sexy smirk he knows makes my panties melt into a puddle of goo. “What will you do for your phone back, Little Chaos?”
Well, so much for melting into a puddle of horny goo. Now, I want to whack him in the back of the head until he rethinks his words. Listen, I’m pregnant. Like forty-thousand weeks pregnant. I want sex. I want food. I want to chop my husband into bits when he’s an asshole. And currently? I’m at that last one. He thinks I’m going to offer sexual favors to obtain my phone again? Fat fucking chance. He’s the one who needs to drop to his knees and suck my clit until I’m satisfied.
“I am nine months pregnant. If you think I’m bending over and slobbing your knob in the car, you’re mistaken. Give me my phone, or I will let Arrow cut off your belly button.” There! That threat always makes him slightly stiffen. So discreetly that I’m the only one who seems to notice every time I threaten the life of his stomach.
“I will, too!” Arrow hoots, pulling out a large knife from his jeans.
Where the fuck did he get that? Is what I would think if it were anyone but Arrow. That psycho always has some sort of weapon stuck down his pants. I don’t know where he stores it or how it’s remotely comfortable.
“You’ve got to stop encouraging her threats, Arrow. And why did you have that big thing in your pants?” Jericho grumbles, staring at the knife like it might actually cut off his belly button.
Arrow shrugs. “If it fits, it fits. Now, give my Kitten back her phone.”
Jericho huffs, not bothering to argue when he hands me my phone.
“Thank you for the backup. You deserve a blowy later,” I say with a grin, rechecking my group chat as my mouth waters, eager for food or dick. I can’t tell right now. I swear my emotions are constantly all over the place. Thank you, pregnancy.
“Hear that, Daddy Jer? Looks like I’ll be the one with her mouth on my cock later. Oh, Kitten! Can I tie him to a chair again?” He wiggles his brows, waving the knife around. “He’ll have so much fun in the handcuffs.”
“You may not,” Jericho growls. “Now, put the fucking knife away before you stab yourself or Shepp. I’ve got some business to attend to.” Jericho pouts, putting his nose in his phone, doing God knows what to avoid the conversation.
Arrow winks at me, sliding his knife back into its sheath and putting it back in his pants.
After three miserable hours in the car, we finally pull up to a large fenced-in property and make it through the gate. My eyes widen at the enormous house with even bigger garages sitting behind it. Yes. Plural garages. Like at least three with four car garages in each.
“Holy shit,” I wheeze at the sheer size of the house looming before me. Granted, there are a million people that live inside. My two brothers, their wife, and the other two men in their relationship. Plus, their four kids. I wonder if it's something that runs through our blood, making it impossible for us to settle into monogamous relationships.
Whatever. We’re here. Poly. And fucking happy. Get the fuck over it, haters.
“Why’re you gawking? The mansion used to be as big as this,” Jericho hums, putting his phone away with a head shake.
“Yeah, Kitten. You want me to build you something bigger than this?” Arrow asks, turning to look at me.
“No,” I groan. “Our new house is perfect.” And it is. Beyond fucking perfect. It’s everything I had ever dreamed about when I was lying on my shitty mattress, aching for a real home with four walls and love inside it.
I got what I wished for. And more.
We designed it ourselves, laying out the blueprints. It may not be an enormous mansion like before, but it suits us. It’s a one-story ranch with a basement, a multitude of bedrooms, and plenty of space to grow our family. Only this time, Arrow doesn’t have a killing room down there for torture. Jericho and Arrow wanted a separate space to take traitors and anyone else who stepped out of line. I’m not privy to the location and don’t really want to be, but I know it’s hidden on the property.
“Okay, the baby is starving,” I groan as the door swings open, and Shepp stands with his hand out. “Such a gentleman,” I murmur, taking his hand and sliding out of the car.
“You okay?” he rasps, pulling me close.
No. Do I look fine? I’m bloated, gassy, and I want to lie in bed all day watching those stupid reality shows Jericho insists he hates but actually loves. Does Gavin love Bianca, or will he cheat on Tracy on the Island of Cheating Love ? Neither. That Gavin bastard will take his dick to anyone who will listen to him.
“I’m fine,” I say, smiling sweetly and tilting my head.
Does he buy it? Absolutely not. I can tell by the lift of his brows and the downturn expression on his lips. Shepp doesn't ask again, though, sending me a knowing look that I can read all too well. This conversation isn't over. And if he has to torture me sexually by telling him why I'm so bloated and down, then he will. Of course, it won't be actual torture. Oh, no. He's sucking my clit again and giving me orgasms. Oh, God! What a damn tragedy!
Shit.
I shift my legs while leaning against him. I've gone and made myself all horny again. What is it, pregnancy brain? Do we want to eat, fuck, or sleep? Or all three?
"You've got a horny look about you, Kitten," Arrow quips, shoving his nose against mine. Shepp huffs, attempting to shove him away, but it doesn't work. "Your cheeks are flushed, your legs are crossed. Do you want me to bend you over in your brother's bathroom? I can make it quick and quite satisfying." He grins when I groan.
"Brother and bending over don't belong in the same sentence," I huff, shoving him away and standing tall. "I'm starving. My stomach hurts. I want to go to bed. But I also want some D." I give Arrow a pointed look. "We're having a nice dinner with my siblings. So, no funny business."
Arms wrap around me from behind, gently resting his hands on my large stomach. I groan in relief when he raises my bump with his hands, taking the pressure of the massive baby off my hips and legs. Fuck. I wish he could stay here all day long and keep that up.
"Don't worry, my Little Chaos. We'll take care of all those needs after we have a nice, civilized dinner with your siblings. Then, I'm not letting you out of the house. Not until Jr. is born.” Jr? I snort. We haven’t decided on a name yet, but there’s no way I’m naming our son after these three. Nope. Not a damn chance. That would be like setting him up for a life of craziness.
"Have you been pooping, Kitten?" Arrow asks, breaking my thoughts.
I blanch. Why, though? No clue. Arrow has this knack for asking the most random questions not pertaining to the conversation.
"Arrow," I groan, leaning my head back against Jericho's shoulder with exasperation.
"What? The book says constipation is normal! Besides, I can..." I quickly cover his mouth, stopping whatever words are about to spill out. I can sense exactly what’s about to come out of his stupid mouth.
"Something, something with your dick. No, thank you. Now, if I remove my hand, will you be a good boy?" I raise a brow when he nods, mumbling about getting treats afterward.
"A reward would be nice if he behaves." Jericho's warm breaths spread over my flesh, strengthening my desire.
Damn them. They've conditioned me to love their warm breaths and mouths and dicks. Ugh. I'm completely obsessed and need them.
I remove my hand from Arrow's mouth. "Yes, a reward. For both of us. If we make it through this dinner and get back home. I'll let you rock my world."
Arrow wiggles his brows, swooping in for a kiss. "You got yourself a deal, Kitten. I call the back door with lots of lube!" he shouts, taking off toward the house. “What, what! In her damn butt!” He shrieks a weird song, making my face heat with embarrassment. There are children present inside that house, and here he is singing his favorite butt song.
Lord, help me.
"We can just leave him here," Jericho whispers, rubbing my belly with a chuckle.
"No. No. He'd end up showing back up, anyway. He’s like a puppy who always finds his home.” Besides, I kind of love him and would be sad without his wild antics. Fuck. I’m hopeless. “Can't leave him," I quip, pushing off Jericho. No matter how much I wanted to stay in his arms and let him rub my belly. "Let's go meet my siblings."
"You nervous?" Shepp asks, side-eyeing me as we begin the walk toward the house. Well, they walk. I fucking waddle. Slowly.
"Very," I say without hesitation, nervously rubbing my fingers together with every step closer to their home.
"You'll be fine, Little Chaos. It's the brothers you've met before and a new sister." He smiles down at me, taking my hand in his.
"I know. I'm just... It's weird," I murmur. "I haven't had a family before. Just my mom and Sunshine, and that was a shit show. Now I have all these brothers and sisters who accept me for who I am and... God damn it," I hiss, wiping away the hormonal tears rolling down my cheeks.
Shepp stops our progress near the front door and wipes my tears for me. "I'm happy you found them."
"Me, too," I say with one last nod as we catch up to Arrow, talking with Seger and Zepp on the porch. He grins. They frown.
"Hey, Journey," Zepp says in greeting. "How's the baby?"
"Hey. I'm ready for him to evacuate ASAP," I chuckle, taking Arrow's hand as he helps me up the front porch steps. Jericho gently presses my lower back, supporting me from behind.
"I bet you fucking are," Seger says, nodding his greeting. "Come on, guys, everyone is here."
I smile when the warmth of their home envelops us. We step inside the massive foyer leading to a family room on the right. Loud voices echo through the space. Kids play. Adults talk and laugh. I can't help myself. It feels like walking into a place that holds all the people I love in life—which, I guess, it does—even the siblings I didn't know about until this year.
"So, when do you think I'll meet Rush?" I ask, following Seger and Zepp toward the massive living room.
Rush is another of our brothers who lives locally with his wife and her other husbands. See? It runs in our West blood. He’s always busy, though. I don’t know that much about him yet. So, I’m eager to meet him face to face.
Seger snorts. "You've met his wife." Yes, I have. Multiple times. And she’s a damn trip.
Technically, I think Jericho, Arrow, and Shepp have met Rush, too. Of course, he didn’t go by his given name until Seger and Zepp found him years ago to hand him his inheritance.
Zepp rolls his eyes, shoving at Seger's shoulder. "Don't be an asshole. Rush is very busy maintaining a casino he inherited from his father in Greenwood. It's hard for him to get away. We've had them all down for Christmas and other holidays. Something you all are invited to now. We'd love to have a big West family gathering."
"Of course." I try to keep my voice monotone.
Seger smirks at me. "We get it, ya know? We only had Dad growing up and an evil stepmom—no other family. We knew everyone existed, but we were too young to know where or even understand all the circumstances. So, this," he says, gesturing to the living room filled with adults. "Is all we've ever wanted, too. You fucking got it? You're family now. Just don't fucking put us on a hit list or something." He tosses a nervous look in Jericho’s direction.
"Why? You done something to be put on one?" Arrow asks with too much enthusiasm while leaning in toward Seger, who grimaces.
"Fucking nope," he mutters, taking a step back.
"You're my wife's family," Jericho says, reaching out and letting his hand hang in the air. "Anything we can do for you, we will."
"Fuck it. To family," Seger says, clasping his hand and shaking it.
"To family," Zepp says calmly, taking Jericho's hand.
"You're Journey," a female voice says, quickly approaching me.
I suck in a breath, staring her up and down. Same green eyes. Almost the same facial shape, minus her eyes. Same brown hair with little waves throughout. She’s my goddamn twin.
"We told you it was uncanny," Seger quips. "Journey, this is our sister, River, and her daughter, Lyric." The little girl grins up at me from behind her mom, clinging to her legs.
"Hi," I croak, holding back the emotions threatening to spill over. Again. "It's so great to meet you after all this time."
"You, too," River says, pulling me into a big hug. "Lyric," she murmurs, pulling back. "This is your Aunt Journey." She pulls the little girl, who can't be more than two or three, into her arms. Her mismatched eyes take in every inch of me, and she grins, clapping her hands excitedly.
“Nice ta meet ya, Aunt Joney,” she says in a small voice, unable to enunciate her words.
"Nice to meet you, too." I can't help the smile that crosses my lips when Lyric bends over and copies what her mom just did, giving me the biggest hug.
"All right, Fam. Let's go eat some dinner," Seger says, gesturing to another room behind us.
We all pile into the large dining room and take our seats. Seger and Zepp's family is here—their wife Kaycee and her two other husbands, Chase and Carter, with their four kids. River is here with Lyric.
Laughter rings out throughout the evening as we indulge in pizza, wings, breadsticks, cinnamon bites, and everything in between. We catch up and get to know one another better. And by the end of the night, I'm feeling more complete than ever. I can't wait to bring my sister Sunshine into the mix and introduce her to everyone in our new extended family.
After where I came from with just my drug-addicted mother, my sister, and I, I've grown so much. Even being kidnapped and forced to live with the Devil's of Briar Cove. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. Jericho, Shepp, and Arrow gave me the much-needed stability I needed to push through my shitty life. They've slayed my dragons while standing beside me.
And I couldn't thank them enough for the things they brought to the table.
THE END