Epilogue
Years later…
Asshole!
Addison stood in her kitchen window, sipping her coffee and glaring into the backyard.
The irony? Most days, it was her favorite place.
They’d done some work since they’d moved in years ago.
A deck was added, along with a screened porch.
She’d planted some shrubbery and trees, which had filled in nicely.
Off to the side of the deck was their newest addition. A hot tub. They made use of that often.
It was perfect. Was, being the operative word. Over the years, more members had utilized the opportunity of the houses. At this point, it was almost at full capacity. But it always struck her as odd that as the properties filled in, the one directly behind theirs stayed vacant.
Until last month.
Asshole!
She heard Cross’s footsteps before he came into the kitchen and stood behind her.
She had her hair in a bun exposing her neck.
She knew what was coming and smiled. His calloused fingers lightly slid over her neck, circling the tattoo.
It was reminiscent of how he’d done it the first time he saw her added ink.
Underneath the original tattoo “Property of Knox’s heart” read in a similar script, “And Cross’s. ”
She expected him to get coffee, but instead he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against his chest.
“Of all the houses, why does ours have to back up to Gent’s?”
“Pretty sure the dick did it on purpose.”
She groaned, knowing there was nothing she could do about it. She gasped when Gent walked out onto his deck, stretched his arms over his head, and glanced over. He was completely naked. A small smile played on his lips, and he waved.
“Fucking asshole,” Cross snapped.
“When we have kids, that shit better end.”
“It will, or I’ll fucking kill him.”
She laughed. “A world without Gent? How would we ever survive?”
“We’d manage.”
****
Cross tagged her from across the room. Anytime his woman was within a hundred-foot radius, he could detect her. His blood would pump through his veins, his muscles tightened, and he couldn’t completely settle until he laid eyes on her.
And there she was.
It was a common sight for the last year since Cleo had given birth.
Of all the women, Addison was the most hands-on with helping.
If baby Knox wasn’t being held by Wraith or Cleo, he could be found resting on Addison’s hip.
At parties, the baby could easily be confused for Addison’s.
They looked nothing alike. But they were bonded.
Cross made his way through the room. It was a big party but not the usual. Only family. He stopped behind her, resting one hand on her waist and the other brushing over Knox’s head. He looked a lot like Wraith, but his smile was all Cleo and his uncle. Knox would’ve liked this.
“Hey.” She turned slightly, and he looped his arm around her stomach, pulling her back against his chest. His lips skimmed over her neck, and he whispered. “You look good with a baby on your hip.”
She chuckled, angling her head. They were only an inch apart. “Yeah? Well, I’ve resorted to snatching others since I don’t have one of my own. Yet.” Her smile was too big, masking her disappointment. Others might not have seen it, but Cross knew his woman.
He brushed his lips against her forehead, “It’ll happen.”
They’d been trying for a while. Far longer than other couples, who seemed to get pregnant by just looking at one another. To her credit, Addison celebrated all those announcements and births as if they were her own. The same way she loved all the kids in the club.
“You know what we gotta do?” He asked.
She leaned into him, chuckling. “Practice?”
My woman knows me.
“Fuck yeah. Give that baby back, and I’ll take you to the house.” Cross cocked his brow, and she hopped up on her toes, kissing him, then walking away with baby Knox happily in her hold.
One day they’d have their own. Maybe two or three. As many as she wanted.
Their version of normal.
And it’s going to be fucking beautiful.