Epilogue
Four Months Later
Loudoun County, Virginia
“How’d it go?” Dillon hunched over his phone, smiling at Cove’s face in the chat program. It had been too long since he had seen and held her. “Did they hand down a verdict?”
She smiled in tremulous relief. “Acquitted—all counts.”
“Fire,” he said, feeling that tightness in his chest ease. Now that the trial was over, Dillon and Cove could figure out their future. “I’m so relieved for y’all. For us.”
Cove bobbed her head. “Me too.”
But that…that smile and her words…she didn’t seem excited. His heart spasmed, wondering if absence had dulled her feelings for him. “Is—”
Shouts from the barn made him look over there, taking in the white chairs, streamers, and flowers for McKenna and Dante’s wedding.
He saw Owen and Spencer, two of his Scion brothers, adjusting blazers and ties, their boots and jeans a contrast to what most groomsmen wore for a wedding.
But when the bride was a cowgirl and her father a cowboy, this was what happened.
Dillon adjusted his tie, feeling like he was being choked.
Or maybe that was the fear that Cove might be having second thoughts about them.
“Wish you were here.” He shifted and tucked himself next to the trunk of the large white oak tree that blanketed the grass in red and gold leaves all fully in the glorious grip of fall.
Cove tilted her head as she leaned in. She must be in the courthouse still or something, because she was protecting herself and the environment. “Thank you for understanding.”
Holy fire, she hadn’t said she wished that too. Were things over? He glanced around to be sure he was still alone. “I miss you.”
She gave another weak smile, then looked to someone out of sight and nodded before she refocused on the screen and him. “I need to go. Sorry.”
Crestfallen, he pursed his lips. “Right. Of course. Tell your dad congrats for me.”
“I will. Okay, bye.”
Dagger to the chest that she seemed in such a hurry to bail on their call. That she had not said she loved him. Of course, he hadn’t either before she disconnected. This long-distance dating was rough. Was their relationship already over?
“Was that Cove?”
Frowning, thoughts entrenched in what her reticence meant, Dillon turned toward the voice and found Dante joining him, wearing a blazer and boots too. “Yeah. Her dad was acquitted.”
“Excellent. Man, that is fire.”
Dillon smirked, still rattled. “That’s what I said.”
“Everything okay?”
“I…” He rubbed his jaw. “I don’t know. She was acting strange. Distant. Like she didn’t want to talk.”
“You just said it was her dad’s trial.”
“Fair.” But it didn’t untangle his thoughts or the knot in his gut. “I…I don’t want to lose her. Maybe I need to go over there…”
Dante clapped his shoulder. “Maybe do that after my wedding. Mick would kill us both if you left now.” He cocked his head back toward the barn.
“Right.” Dillon gave a nervous laugh. “Sorry—this is your day. And it’s time!”
They strode across the lawn to the barn where guests were already taking their seats. As they made their way to the front to stand with the other Scion groomsmen, Dante glanced over his shoulder. “Favor.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t steal our thunder.”
Dillon frowned. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Was that his way of telling him to get his head in the game? Even as the music changed to signal the start of the ceremony—with the arrival of the bridesmaids—he moved past Owen and Spencer to stand to Dante’s left at the front of the altar.
The first bridesmaid down was McKenna’s sister, Sophia, who wore a pretty dress with boots and a pink cowgirl hat adorned with a tiara and flowers.
She glided to the other side of the floor and faced the back.
Next came Tala, Owen’s half sister, in the same cowgirl fare.
Next was McKenna’s best friend from college, Cat Something-or-other, in a coral dress and hat, her head tucked so the wide brim covered her face. Was she okay?
She looked up.
That is not Cat. Dillon forgot to breathe. In the split-second it took his brain to register the pink lips and gold eyes, he jolted forward.
“Thunder remember?” Dante muttered.
Dillon did not care. Four large strides carried him to Cove. He pulled her into his arms and crushed her to himself. “You’re here.”
She laughed, stabilizing the hat that nearly came off. “I could not stand it anymore.”
Laughter and applause yanked him back to their surroundings.
Cove blushed. “We should…”
“Yeah. Right.” He bent and kissed her, afraid to let her go. Afraid she would get away. “Don’t go far.”
“Five feet,” she said, indicating to her spot next to Sophia.
“Yo, move,” Dante hissed. “My bride is coming!”
Dillon grinned like a fool at Cove as he let Dante haul him back to the side. He saw McKenna walk down the aisle in an amazing dress and white rhinestone tiara-hat with her burly dad, who pulled Dante into a tight hug before giving his daughter to him.
Heart still thundering—Cove is here!—Dillon swallowed. Met his dad’s gaze, found that look Dillon had always sought—pride, joy. Dad nodded his approval, and Mom slipped her hand through Dad’s arm and smiled at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Guess she approves too.
He felt bad—no idea what the pastor said, knew there were the standard vows and a killer kiss—along with whoops from the operators in the chairs—but his mind never got past Cove standing there. He stared at her. The whole freaking time. Knew…knew someday…they would be at this altar too.
All this…the families—the Riddells, Jacobs, Metcalfes, Neeleys—were all because of one man who sat on the second row next to Dad: General Olin Lambert.
He’d handpicked the Nightshade team decades ago.
Put Max Jacobs in charge. Out of that decision came all…
this. Love, grit, patriotism, godliness, and commitment to the values that kept their families, country, and liberties safe.
That was a lot to live up to, but more than that—it was an honor to have grown up beneath that powerful legacy.
And with the beauty on the other side of the stage, maybe someday he could help perpetuate and sustain that legacy.
Thank you for reading Achilles!