Epilogue
STRYKER
Ilean my shoulder against the heavy wooden railing of our wrap-around porch, crossing my arms over my chest as I just watch my world. The late afternoon sun blankets the backyard in a rich, golden warmth, perfectly catching the dust motes dancing in the crisp mountain air.
The breeze carries the deep, earthy scent of potting soil mixed with the sweet, intoxicating bloom of jasmine. But the best sound in the entire world is the light, musical giggle of my little girl, mixing flawlessly with Soraya's soft, uninhibited laughter.
Five years. It's been five years since I carried my woman through the front door of this cabin and claimed her as mine.
The club is stronger than ever after the whole shipping ordeal, but as I stand here, looking out at the peaceful life we've built, I know my true purpose isn't sitting at the head of a redwood table in a smoky back room. It's right here in this yard.
Out near the edge of the property sits the massive, custom glass greenhouse I built for her with my own two hands.
Inside, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, is my wife.
Soraya looks just as breathtaking as the day I met her.
Her lush, curvy body is clad in a simple sundress, her beautiful face glowing, and her smile completely free of the dark shadows that used to haunt her.
Toddling right beside her is our daughter, Sasha.
She's three and a half, her wild dark curls bouncing around her face as she stomps around in tiny denim overalls. She’s absolutely covered in dirt from head to toe, proudly clutching a miniature watering can and “helping” her mama water the massive ferns.
Through the glass panes, my little girl's bright eyes suddenly lock onto mine. She squeals, dropping the plastic watering can right onto the dirt path. "Daddy!" she shouts, her clumsy little legs carrying her out of the greenhouse and across the grassy lawn as fast as she can manage.
My chest tightens with a love so overwhelming it almost knocks the breath out of me.
I step off the porch and stride out to meet her, effortlessly scooping her tiny body up into my massive arms. She giggles, throwing her small, dirty arms around my neck as I press a loud kiss to her messy cheek.
She instantly starts babbling at a mile a minute, excitedly telling me all about the new purple flowers she just planted.
A moment later, Soraya walks out of the greenhouse, wiping the damp earth from her hands onto a towel.
She stops a few feet away, her lush hips swaying, and her gaze meets mine.
Five years haven't dimmed a damn thing. The raw, intense heat between us is just as potent as it was the very first day. I step closer, shifting our daughter to one side, and lean down to capture Soraya’s lips in a deep, possessive kiss.
I pour every ounce of my love into it, silently communicating that no matter how much time passes, she is still the absolute center of my universe.
When we finally break apart, Soraya’s cheeks are flushed, a beautiful, knowing smile playing on her lips.
I shift our daughter so she’s sitting securely on my hip, then wrap my free arm tightly around Soraya’s waist. I pull her flush against my side, and she naturally rests her head against my chest, right over my beating heart.
Together, the three of us stand in the quiet majesty of the mountains. I look up at the sprawling log cabin, the massive wrap-around porch, and the sanctuary we’ve created inside it.
I think back to the man I used to be. The solitary, ruthless President who thought his cut was his only armor, who genuinely believed the club was the only family he’d ever need. I was so damn blind.
As I hold my fiercely loving wife and our beautiful, wild daughter, feeling the steady, grounding rhythm of Soraya's heart against my ribs, I finally understand. This—this chaotic, dirt-covered, deeply loving peace—is everything I never knew I wanted, and so much more.
THE END