Epilogue
Clay
Her arms wrap tightly around my waist as she leans into my back.
The thrill of the ride and the freedom the road below me allows is always at the front of my mind.
Bella’s boys have lived at the clubhouse for the last three weeks, and they’ve really settled in.
My beauty is the happiest I’ve ever known her.
I asked Rochelle to take care of the lads so I could have some time with Bella to show her that she had saved me as much as I had saved her.
If I had to choose between my brothers and her, it would always be her.
She showed me what it was to truly live.
I had stopped myself from feeling and had punished myself for years after my brother died, telling myself it was destiny, that I was due to live the rest of my life alone.
Little did I know that Bella was waiting for me, and every night, she sleeps by my side, the nightmares stay at bay.
My brother would have loved her, he’d be proud of her.
Shit, he would have smacked me a few times for being an arsehole.
I pull the bike to a stop right where our story began, sliding down the kickstand. She climbs off the back and pulls off her helmet, eyeing me with sadness.
“Why are we here?” her voice wavers. I take the helmet from her and rest it on the bike, removing my own, grabbing hold of her hand, and walking her to the part of the bridge we both sat on that night.
“Clay,” she sniffles, and I swipe away a lone tear that dampens her cheek, “why are we here?”
“I wanted to bring you back to where it all began, to that night you felt like you had nothing to live for. Little did I know, I felt that way too. I truly believe my brother was guiding me that night, bringing me to you.” I take a deep breath, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.
I can hear my brother’s voice. ”Stop acting like a bitch already. ”
“You saved me, too, that night. I was lost, broken, hollow. You gave me a reason to live. You gave me something to fight for.” She swallows hard, absorbing my words.
“So, today, I wanted to bring you back to that moment that changed your life, the moment you chose to fight alongside me.” I get down on one knee, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a ring.
“Bella, I know we’re married in the eyes of the law, but I want to give you everything—a proper wedding, a proper proposal, because I want us to be forever.
” She smiles down at me, her tears free falling now.
“This bridge signifies the start of our story. I want it to also be the start of the rest of our lives, you, me, and those boys.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she shouts, and I stand up, encasing her in my arms, lifting her off the floor, and spinning her around.
She snorts, laughing. “Clay, thank you. Thank you for everything. For giving me the will to carry on, and for protecting me when I wouldn’t even protect myself.
You really are my knight on his shiny steed. ”
The End