Epilogue Noelle
One year later
I stretched in the big bed alongside my three very satisfied men.
All four of us struggled to catch our breath, and our laughter trickled out in fits and starts.
After another successful night delivering presents, we’d fallen into bed and finished out the night loving each other.
One year with them, and I still couldn’t get enough.
I rolled toward Ash and propped my head on his chest. “I can’t believe they left out cookies shaped like motorcycles.”
The sight of those cookies had almost done us in. Little Andre must have recognized Rafe last year and convinced his mother to make the cookies.
Ash nuzzled the top of my head. “Kid’s got style.”
Bishop propped himself up on his elbow and kissed my bare shoulder.
He’d added a new scar to his body with the bullet he took for me last year, but the wound had healed and he’d regained full use of his arm after a few months. “I bet we’re going to get a stern talking to at next year’s Christmas drive after she sees the miniature dirt bike under the tree.”
“Worth it.” Rafe lay on his back with his arms behind his head.
His strong physique tempted me to roll across the bed and slide over him again.
Later.
Rafe stretched one arm over his head and tapped the garland wrapped across the headboard. “Good thing Ash put it together for him.”
Ash’s satisfied grin stretched wide. “Yeah, otherwise the wheels would’ve fallen off the first time the kid tried to ride it.”
“Hey.” Bishop lingered behind me, his broad body warming me. “I’m the one who had to get you all out before that mom spotted us.”
I twisted back to kiss him before I sat up.
My second Christmas Eve mission had gone off without a hitch.
And we were even more ambitious this year.
Thirty-seven houses.
Forty-three kids.
Not a single disappointed kid woke up in our town on Christmas morning.
The Steel Vipers had perfected their Santa operation into an art form, and I got to be part of it.
“At least we didn’t have a rival gang to deal with this year.” Rafe’s gaze slid over me, and I saw the calculating look in his eye as he debated starting another round of steamy sex.
I traced circles on Ash’s chest but snapped my hand back when his cock twitched.
He laughed and brought my hand back to his chest.
Things were so different from how they’d been a year ago.
Bishop rolled to his feet. “I’m hungry.” He winked at me. “And I want to give Noelle her present.”
My present?
My stomach did a happy little twist.
I had a gift for them too.
God, I hoped they liked it.
Ash grumbled when I pushed away from him.
His complaining was all in good fun, and he scooted past Rafe to grab his pants from the pile of clothes we’d left on the floor. “Did you see the latest edition of your article?”
I nodded and couldn’t help the happy dance that sent me spinning across the room. “And Mrs. Peterson’s interview about the food drive made the front page.”
I beamed and twirled again.
My new position at the local paper had turned into everything I wanted in a career.
Instead of hunting criminals and corruption, I highlighted the good in our community.
My character spotlights on local heroes, small business owners, and articles about community events and charitable work gave me a sense of pride I’d been lacking.
My investigative instincts were finally put to good use on the positive side of humanity.
I tugged on a pair of reindeer leggings and my favorite red sweater dress.
The four of us left the room and made our way to the living area.
We had the clubhouse to ourselves today, but the place didn’t feel empty.
“The mayor’s office called yesterday. She wants to know how much longer you need to think about her officially recognizing what you all do for the community.” She still didn’t know half of what they did, and we planned on keeping it that way.
Rafe grunted and sat beside the Christmas tree.
He patted his lap, and I climbed into a comfortable spot with my arm around his neck.
I wiggled into a better position, and he gave me a look so full of desire, I almost forgot my plan and the present.
The pile of presents beneath the tree gave me a giddy feeling.
We’d not exchanged gifts last year, but I’d surprised each of them on their birthdays, and they’d spoiled me senseless on mine.
It became a game of sorts to see who could out-gift the others.
Rafe had helped decorate the Christmas tree this year without any complaining.
He’d even brought in the tree before I asked and had Colt and Ash bring the ornaments down from the attic.
He’d seemed… excited.
I’d helped give him that.
My heart swelled at the thought of giving him a sense of peace and hopefulness about my favorite season.
Ash plopped onto the floor and crossed his legs.
“Ladies first.” He motioned at Bishop.
Cheeks pink, Bishop brought his arms out from behind his back.
He held out a red box wrapped in a silver bow bigger than my head.
The card dangling from the side had my name written in beautiful script I recognized as Rafe’s.
Bishop set the gift in my lap, and the tag flipped over.
“What is this?” I laughed as I read Ash’s note on the other side. “Naughty list only?”
“Ash.” Rafe tried to sound fierce, but his laugh joined mine and ruined the moment.
Ash waved his hand toward me. “They told me to wrap it. Can’t help it if I threw a little something extra in there.”
I tugged the bow loose and set the ribbon aside.
My heart drummed loud and hard enough that Rafe could probably feel it.
I licked my dry lips and raised the lid.
The scent of leather hit me first, and the blur of tears obscured the sight in my lap. “You didn’t.”
“We did.” Ash and Bishop took up stances on either side of me.
I reached into the box and pulled out a custom-made leather jacket.
The smooth feel of it in my palms reminded me of countless hours on the bikes behind one of my men.
I’d grown to love the wild power and the growling engines.
“Next we teach you how to drive your own bike.” Ash winked and helped me to my feet.
Bishop helped me into the jacket. “Not that we want to keep you off our bikes.”
“You could never.” I brought the jacket closed around my chest and held it there. “It’s a perfect fit.”
“That’s Bishop’s doing.” Rafe stood up behind me and slid my hair free of the collar.
It cascaded down the back of the jacket and he twirled several locks around his fists. “It suits you.”
A patch sat high on my heart, the Steel Vipers’ insignia threaded into the leather in crisp gold lines.
I closed my eyes and inhaled. “This is incredible.”
“There’s one more.” Ash held out the box, and a flash of red lace sparkled with sequins when he tipped it toward me.
Heat flooded my cheeks.
Even after a year together, he still managed to make me blush.
I imagined they always would, and it was one of the best feelings in the world.
I removed the lacy lingerie and held it in one hand.
The box still wasn’t empty, and I burst out laughing when I recognized the small red whip.
“It’s for you and Rafe.” Ash waggled his eyebrows. “You can see how he likes getting spanked.”
“I don’t think so.” Rafe draped his arms over my shoulders and kissed my cheek. “Merry Christmas, Noelle.”
“Merry Christmas.” I let out a happy sigh and closed my eyes, enjoying the moment before I revealed my big surprise.
The thoughtfulness of the leather jacket made my throat tighten.
They knew me so well.
I hoped I knew them too.
I worked the lump out of my throat and clapped. “Okay. My turn. Sit.”
I pointed at the couch tucked alongside the tree and all three men dropped at once. “Well, that was easy.”
Ash slapped Rafe on the shoulder. “Guess she doesn’t need the whip after all.”
I shushed them all when I reached into the tree and withdrew a small white box with a red bow on top.
I’d hidden it there earlier, and my heart took up its panicked hammering all over again.
I held out the box to Rafe. “You should open it.”
Bishop and Ash leaned into his shoulders.
They all seemed confused by the size and maybe the weight of it. Rafe glanced left and right and removed the lid.
Inside was a white plastic stick with the digital readout, the bold PREGNANT on the display.
I’d added another bow inside the box because I hadn’t known what else to do.
Rafe stared at it for a long minute, his face a blank slate.
Understanding dawned, and his head snapped up. “Noelle?”
“Surprise.” I waved my hands in a ta-da gesture.
Ash let out a whoop loud enough to wake the neighbors and jumped onto the couch. “We’re having a baby.”
He threw a pillow into the air and caught it.
Bishop stood slowly and approached me.
His jaw worked from side to side, and his blue eyes raked over me from head to toe. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yes.” I fidgeted with my fingers, trying not to drop my gaze.
Was he upset?
I’d never seen that look on Bishop’s face before.
He pulled me into his arms, almost crushing me to his chest. “Do you have any idea how much I love you? This is incredible news.”
Rafe remained silent so long that Ash had finished throwing pillows and had taken a lap around the living room.
“Rafe?” I held out a hand toward him. “Are you okay?”
I’d worried the most about his reaction.
After not having a childhood and raising his brother, he might not want the added responsibility of a child on top of the work he did with the club.
“Okay?” He shook his head in a slow side to side motion. “Hell, Noelle. I’m better than okay.”
He burst upright in a flurry of movement and joined the hug alongside Bishop. “How far along?”
“Eight weeks.” I brought their hands down to cover my belly. “I know we never talked about kids…”
“This is the best gift ever.” Rafe kissed me. “We were already a family, and this just makes things better.”
“We need to convert one of the upstairs rooms into a nursery. And child-proof the house. I’ll make up a list so we can all get some sleep during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. We’ll take shifts.” He was in full on planning mode, and I loved him for it.
Ash held out a hand. “Easy, Brother. One thing at a time.” He ran his hand back and forth over my stomach. “Right now, just enjoy the moment.”
Our moment.
Everything I’d ever wanted, I’d found thanks to a shit assignment meant to show the world I was a failure and to disgrace me in front of my peers.
The hell with them.
I had the kind of love people killed for, and I wasn’t about to let anything happen to our family.