Epilogue
LoneStar
When I stroll through the clubhouse doors and walk into the media room, I notice all of the old ladies have passed out on the sofas and Elodie has crashed on a pallet in front of the television.
Reaching beneath Britton, I place one arm underneath her legs and the other behind her back, lifting her up and holding her bridal style against my chest.
As I go to walk up the stairway, Riptide comes strolling out of his office. I stand there until he locks the door and turns to face me. “No matter what, pres, I’ll never question you again. I’m here and will do anything to keep our family safe.”
“I know you will. Thanks, LoneStar,” he says, brushing past me and patting me on the shoulder as he walks away to get his woman. His shoulders are stiff and he looks like somebody’s kicked him while he’s already down.
Britton rouses in my arms, and as she becomes more alert, she blinks her eyes up at me and sleepily says, “You’re home.”
“Yeah, baby girl, I’m home.”
She lays her head on me and falls back asleep.
No matter what happens in the future, as long as I have this at the end of the day, that’s all I need to keep me steady.
She’s my anchor, my better half, the love of my life and I’ll do anything, fight anyone, to keep her with me.
She’s carrying our future in her womb and I will do everything within my power to protect them both from any harm, no matter who the enemy is.
Throughout the night, all I could think about were the best ways to keep Britton and our little one safe and sound.
It occurred to me sometime past four that with the club, publicly announcing her as my old lady will secure her with the Kings, but when it comes to the law, she needs my last name so that if anything does happen to me, she receives everything I have to my name.
My money, my insurance, my belongings, all of that will set her up for life but the only way for that to happen is to put a ring on her finger.
First things first, I call the club’s lawyer and ask him to draw up a will leaving all of my worldly possessions to Britton, then I text Booker, have him get us a marriage license and set us an appointment at the courthouse for today.
Then I send out a mass text to my brothers and let them know what the plan is.
By the time nightfall comes, Britton will be legally tied to me.
I meet Jersey in the main room where I corner her and tell her my plan. “Seriously? A secret wedding that I’m supposed to get her dressed for but not tell her why? She hates dresses, LoneStar. How do you think I’ll be able to trick her into wearing one without explaining why?”
“If she doesn’t want a dress, then she doesn’t have to wear one, Jersey. I don’t give a shit if she shows up in a potato sack, as long as she’s there,” I snap. Then I realize she’s not the enemy and soften my tone, “Please, Jersey.”
Jersey gurgles, and I can tell she’s stupefied. “Dammit, LoneStar. I’m not sure if this is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard or the stupidest plan you’ll ever have.”
“Lets hope it falls under the romantic category,” I tease. “Help me give this to her, Jersey. She deserves this.”
“Why the rush, LoneStar?” she asks, giving me an incredulous look.
“I’m marrying her one way or another, Jersey. The reasons don’t matter as long as she’s happy at the end of the day and no matter what happens in the future, she’s taken care of.”
“You’ve thought a lot about this, haven’t you?” she inquires.
“It’s all I’ve thought about, Jersey. This isn’t some random thought I had on a whim. I love her. She loves me. Let me give her what she’s never had, what she’s always wanted… security, love, and a family.”
“I’ll get her there,” she promises.
As I stand with the judge waiting on Jersey to escort Britton into his chambers, I smile when I hear her grumbling as the old ladies hold her arms and help her inside since she’s blindfolded. “I don’t like this, ladies. Y’all aren’t my besties anymore. I hate the dark!”
“Stop torturing my old lady and remove her blindfold,” I order.
A laugh escapes me when Britton gasps. “I knew y’all were up to something,” she accuses.
While the women remove the bandana from her head, I bend down on my knee and hold up the jewelry box that has the ring I stopped and bought along the way.
When her vision is no longer blocked and she sees me in my crouched position with the velvet box held out in my hand, she cups her mouth as tears form in her eyes. “Tanner.”
“I don’t have any flowery words prepared, so I’m just going to speak from the heart, Britt.
Before you came into my life, I used to look at my brothers and envy what they had.
I wanted to wake up beside one woman for the rest of my life, share everything with her, and let her see the real me.
For a long time, that felt like nothing more than a pipe dream.
But what I have with you is even better than anything I ever imagined.
You’ve fulfilled me in ways I can’t begin to explain.
Every morning that I wake up with you beside me, I feel like the luckiest man in the world.
I’ve pictured us growing old together, watching our kids and grandkids play in the yard, building a life full of love and memories.
I want forever with you, baby girl. So make all my dreams come true and marry me.
Be my wife, my partner, and the person I share my life with. ”
“Yes,” she cries. “Before you, I was scared to stay in one place, to let somebody own a piece of my heart, but you’ve alleviated those fears and instead have filled my heart with dreams that only you can help me make true.
So yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll spend my life with you.
I’ll help us both make our dreams come true. ”
I slide the engagement ring on her finger and stand up, grasping her hips with my hands and drawing her to me. “I love you, Britton,” I declare as I slam my lips down onto hers.
When we come up for air, she replies, “I love you too. Now, make me yours forever.”
“I really thought that was gonna bite him in the ass,” Indiana jokes before walking up to me and saying, “Happy for you, brother.”
“Stop raining on my parade, Indiana,” Britton says, shoving my brother back. “This day is about me, you selfish bastard.” Before Indiana comes up with a retort, Zoey grabs his hand, gives him a ‘cut it out’ look and drags him back to where the rest of the club is congregated.
“If you two will step before me, we’ll begin,” Judge Morrison says.
I lace my fingers with my woman’s and ask, “You ready to do this?”
“I was born ready to do this as long as it’s with you,” she replies.
I peck her lips one more time before drawing her with me and place her in the spot the judge indicated for her to stand.
In less than twenty minutes, I’ve bound her to me in a way neither of us will ever forget. She faced her demons, took control of her fears, and changed everything. And now, she’s given me the greatest gift I’ve ever received—herself.
The club still has plenty of questions, and the answers won’t come anytime soon. But for now, we’re going to celebrate our victories and brace ourselves for whatever comes next. Because sooner or later, the other shoe will drop.
Life is messy and unpredictable, it’s full of bumps and curves, but as long as we take them together, we’ll come out on top because we’re Kings, and nobody fucks with the Kings.
THE END
Up next is Property of Slayer, you can preorder his and Jersey’s book with this link:
Note: Each book in this series builds on the one before it, as the conflict between the Dragons and the Kings continues to unfold.
As this story suggests, every time a new woman joins the club, a new enemy emerges and more of the bigger picture is revealed.
I promise everything will come together in the end—even if it takes a little time.
Whenever I think I have the story fully mapped out, something new rears its ugly head, and I’ve learned to trust the process and follow my characters where they lead me.
I hope you’ll be patient with them, and with me, as the full drama unfolds.