Epilogue
VANNA
The club was loud with the sounds of the party going on around us. My new cut sat on my shoulders perfectly, like the cut had been personally customised to my body.
I loved it.
Being Devil’s, and having his name on my back, was hot as fuck.
In fact, the second I’d put it on this afternoon, he’d fucked me in it and only it, for hours.
I was still sore which was why I was currently sitting on this stool so I didn’t walk weakly around the clubhouse and look like a hag with crab legs.
My brother slid onto the stool beside me, breaking the sight of Devil with Rabbit and Ode by the pool tables. He looked happy. I don’t think I could last remember seeing him laugh openly in front of others.
“I’m guessing there’s a history between you two that I didn’t know about,” he said, taking a sip from his whisky. “The way he looks at you…”
“Is the same way I look at him?”
Vice nodded. “Am I really that dumb and didn’t see it before?”
“No,” I replied, smiling. “There was nothing to show you because he chose you over me back then. He thought he was doing the right thing, not interfering with me, not being the man I wanted him to be. I’ve loved him since I was nineteen, Vinny.”
“How? You never spent time together…”
“You weren’t around,” I added. “You were busy sticking your dick in as many pussies as possible.”
He winced. We all knew how bad his reputation was.
“It’s okay. I had him. He spent nights with me, keeping me away from idiot prospects who would have no problem taking me to their rooms. We talked. We…ah…fuck…we fell in love all those years ago but he chose you, and this club, and I chose not to sit back and watch him be with other women.”
“That’s why you left the club.”
“I never left,” I admitted. “I was always available, but I didn’t want to see him. I was hurting because I loved him but I couldn’t have him.”
“And now?”
“I guess he came to his senses.”
Vice chuckled. “You’re happy. I can see that. So is he.”
I nodded. “You should talk to him. I know he misses his best friend.”
Vice nodded, and I could see he missed him too.
“I never wanted this division between you two. It worked out okay, even if he was a pig headed dick about it. But now you need to make the first step.”
“I’m not apologising for punching him.”
I laughed. “You don’t need to apologise. Just…talk.”
He nodded. “I will. You’re happy?”
“I am.”
“Good. That’s good. Does that mean you’re back?”
I nodded. “Do you really think Noah would let me not be protected? He’s even spoken to Ode about setting me up in one of the spare sheds for my shop so I’m not too far away.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“You know what,” I replied. “I think I am. I love being here. I was only gone because I didn’t want to run into Noah.”
“Good,” he said, finishing his drink. “I’m glad. Dad will be happy.”
There was an uneasiness about him, and I knew why, but I had planned to bring it up tomorrow. But now was as good a time as any.
“So you and Bria.”
Vice’s eyes shot up to mine, wide and surprised. “How?”
“Bria can’t keep her trap shut to save her life, brother,” I told him. “All she’s done is yap about how amazing you are, how sweet, and how gorgeous the flecks of gold in your eyes are.”
Vice laughed, actually laughed, and I saw the relief on his face. “Are you…I mean…”
“I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I had a problem with you and her, wouldn’t I?” I replied. “But I will say…she’s young and naive when it comes to men, and you have quite the history.”
“I don’t want just a hook up, sis,” he said. “I haven’t for a while. I’m not getting any younger. I like her, even if she is fifteen years younger than me.”
“Age is nothing but a number, big bro,” I told him. “I think she’d be good for you.”
He nodded. “Thanks, V.”
Devil moved to my side, keeping his hands free of me, even though I knew it pained him to do so. Watching both my brother and Devil, I saw a recognition passing between them and then I saw Vice hold out his hand for Devil.
They shook, and broke into grins.
“Seriously? That’s it? You beat the crap out of him only a few days ago.”
“I deserved it,” Devil said. “We’re good.”
“No words, no explanations…nothing…just a shake?”
Vinny smirked at me. “Are you complaining, sis?"
“Sounds like you want us to punch on.”
The two of them were grinning, realising how much they were riling me up.
“Men!” I threw my hands up.
“Amen to that sister,” I heard a woman say from behind the bar. Her hair was bright pink and she had a lip piercing.
She poured me a shot and one for herself. “I’m Pinky.”
“This is Ode’s ol’ lady,” Devil said in my ear.
“Good to meet you. Finally, another woman to keep the rest of this riff raff in line,” she said with a wink.
“I think we’re going to be unstoppable, Pinky.”
She chuckled and refilled my glass with another shot. “Yes, babe, we are.”
And just like that, I was a Hollow Saints member again, but this time, I had my man Devil by my side, and a future started to unfold for me in my mind’s eye that I couldn’t have dreamed in my wildest fantasies.
Devil and Vice were laughing at something one of the prospects was saying at the end of the bar, and as I checked out my man, I realised just how fucking lucky I was.