Epilogue
Aspen
The Tavern feels different.
Not quieter.
Not safer.
But… settled.
Like something finally stopped chasing us.
Dylan is outside.
Laughing.
Actually laughing.
Buddy is chasing after him like nothing in the world has ever gone wrong.
Grandpa sits on the porch. We have people working to put the farm back in order.
Watching.
Content.
Calm.
Safe.
I stand in the doorway.
Just watching them.
Holding onto this moment like it might disappear if I blink.
Because for a while there—
I didn’t think we’d get this back.
Any of it.
The sound of a truck pulls my attention.
My heart jumps before I can stop it.
Because I know.
Before I even see it.
He’s back. Ace already told us it was over.
The engine cuts.
The door opens.
And there he is.
Havoc.
Standing there like nothing could’ve kept him away.
Like he said he would come back…
And he did.
For a second—
I don’t move.
Because I need to be sure.
Because I need to feel it.
Real.
Alive.
Here.
Then—
I run.
I don’t think.
Don’t stop.
Don’t slow down.
I just go.
Straight to him.
He catches me like I knew he would.
Like he was ready.
Like he’s been waiting for this too.
I crash into him.
Arms around him.
Holding on like I never want to let go again.
“You’re back,” I breathe.
He holds me tighter.
Stronger.
“I told you I would be.”
My throat tightens.
Because he did.
Because he kept his promise.
Because he always does.
I pull back just enough to look at him.
Really look.
He’s tired.
Bruised.
But his eyes?
Still the same.
Still steady.
Still him.
“Is it really over?” I ask.
A beat.
Then—
“For now,” he says.
Honest.
Always honest.
I nod.
Because I understand what that means.
Because I know men like him don’t get clean endings.
But this?
This is enough.
His hand comes up.
Brushes my cheek.
Gentler than everything else about him.
“You okay?” he asks.
I smile.
Soft.
Real.
“Yeah,” I say.
And I am.
Behind me—
“Is that him?” grandfather asks.
I laugh softly.
“Yeah,” I say. “That’s him.”
Havoc glances past me.
Takes it all in.
Grandpa sitting on the front porch of the tavern.
Dylan and Buddy running around in circles.
The life waiting here.
Then he looks back at me.
And something shifts.
Not the fighter.
Not the soldier.
The man.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he says quietly.
My breath catches.
Because that?
That’s bigger than anything else.
“Good,” I whisper.
He leans in.
Kisses me.
Slow.
Real.
Unhurried.
Like we’ve got time now.
Like we’re allowed to have this.
And for the first time in a long time—
It feels like we do.
I rest my forehead against his.
Close my eyes.
And breathe.
Because this?
This is what we fought for.
And whatever comes next—
We’ll face it.
Together.