“Well, if we’re doing family dinner, we need to get moving. I have a feeling Mal will be here early—and an even stronger feeling Storm will be the first of your men to show up.”
He chuckles. “You’re probably right.” His eyes pierce mine as he gazes at me, his face full of hunger and love—all directed at me. “Come shower with me. We’re short on time, but I really want to make love to you. I need it like I need air.”
I lace my fingers with his and squeeze. “I do too.”
He leads me out of bed and toward the bathroom, and for the first time since last night, the weight on my chest eases just a little. We’re going to be okay. We can handle anything as long as we’re together.
Epilogue – Knot Your Boring Christmas Ending
BUDDY
I trot through the Broken Kings clubhouse like I own the place—which I kind of do. I mean, my dad is the President here, and although Animal is disrespectful, no one would dare touch me. A lot of things have changed this past year, and every bit of it has been good—for all of us—but I’ll get to that in a bit, because my mom has a big surprise planned.
Today, I’m wearing my club cut proudly. Thank God Dad finally got me out of those damn clothes Mom used to put on me. Sweaters. Pajamas. Little festive pieces of bullshit that I hated—especially at Halloween. I mean, who wants to go around looking like a fucking pumpkin? Not me, that’s for damn sure. I will admit, however, that I kind of miss the silk pajama top she used to have me wear at night. That thing was smooth as hell. Still, I’d never tell my crew that.Ever.
That’s another thing that’s changed.I have a crew now.
After Dad showed everyone how well the two of us work together, the guys decided they needed support too. It started with Pie. He adopted a dog from the local pound named Biff.Biff is what humans call a “mixed-breed dog,” which means he’s a little bit of everything and somehow came out perfect. He has a black and white coat and a snaggletooth that hangs over hislip like a fang when he snarls. Biff is tough as nails. He spent two years in the big house—which is what we call the pound—so yeah, he’s earned his edge.We bonded right away. He became my second in command.He has only one problem.Gas. My man has a definite problem with gas. I don’t know what he eats, but it must turn rancid the minute it hits his system. It’s that bad.
We call him Dead Eye. Pie says it’s because he’s missing an eye and wears a badass black patch. My crew knows the truth. If Dead Eye gets pissed, he backs that stubby tail of his right up and lets one rip so foul it burns your soul. The stink gets into your clothes, your hair, stains your skin with its stink, burns your lungs, and somehow you can taste that foulness on your tongue. Grown men cry from it. You might think I’m lying—I’m not. I’ve seen it. You see, Dad saw Dead Eye’s potential immediately.
So now when a prospect screws up—or some asshole disrespects the club—Dad ties them up and lets Dead Eye climb up and launch one right into their face. More men cry than don’t.That’s become our dose of justice and retribution—a Broken Kings MC’s fuck you.
Knife thankfully got shed of Rebbie—an easy task considering she’s living life in prison with Dee and Mark. He decided to claim Mouth and Pixie as his old ladies. That was both good and bad. They’re stand-up women, so he’s happier than he’s ever been. It’s bad for me, though. I rarely get to motorboat Mouth’s chest anymore because Knife is always right there. I didn’t mind before I understood what that sticky stuff was all over her tits, but I’m not licking up his jizz. Well, at least not now that I see the asshole every day. It just feels wrong.
Eventually, Animal decided he needed a dog too. He got a massive Great Pyrenees. He’s so big, it’s like a walking snow-covered mountain moving through the club when he’s here. Animal never shuts up about how dogs should be “big andpowerful.” It pisses me off. He thought he would prove it by getting his mutt, but the joke’s on him. His dog—that he named Wolf, but our crew calls him Fluffy—is gentle as hell. He’s sweet, meek, and mostly useless. We are, however, training him to hike his leg and pee on command. I’m thinking that could come in handy.
Now, I’m not entirely proud of it, but because Animal gives me so much shit, I’ve made his giant dog my little bitch. I did it with purpose, and I’m not sorry.I ride around on Fluffy’s back, gnaw on his ear, and get him to lick my balls when they itch. I do it right in front of Animal. If I had a real tail instead of this fluffy stub, I’d stick it straight in the air every single time Animal came around me.
There are two more in my crew.Bo—Storm’s Australian Shepherd. Protective as hell. He’s my Enforcer and a damn good one.
Then, there’s Maude.Maude is older. Street-tough. Stringy silver hair. Unknown mix of everything dangerous and unkillable. She’s spent years on the streets—which is worse than the big house. Rocky saved her from a kill shelter. I don’t think he ever named her. He just calls her Girl.
She allows only Rocky and one other to touch her—me.
I make it to my and Dad’s office and bark. Dad grins down at me. “Ready to watch Caleb open his presents?” I bark my agreement, and he scoops me up. I ride on his shoulder like a king as we head into the main room.
“Hey, Horse, what time’s dinner tomorrow?” Pie calls out to Dad.
“Around two,” Dad replies. “Gwen says her sister and brother-in-law will be there. She told me to warn you if you start any freaky shit, she’s kicking all three of you out.”
“No worries,” Pie says. “I’m bringing a date. So my cock can’t tame Cora tomorrow, sorry. Maybe for New Year's,” he brags.
Dad laughs. I snort. Pie’s Cora and Chips’ very unofficial, self-appointed marriage counselor. By that I mean, he fucks the bitch out of Cora while Chip watches them. Then, he walks out and lets them work through their issues together. I don’t know if it works, but I will say Cora is nicer these days and has stopped getting so many fucking procedures done—although she kept her ass implants and her double-D tits. I seriously think Chip is an asshole, but I have to say the man knows how to make tits and ass that will make you stand up, pay attention, and salivate to lick them.
The ride home is quiet. I lay my head on Dad’s leg in silent support. Mom’s been keeping secrets. Dad doesn’t know what yet—but I do. He’s worried she’s sick, and he’s given her time to confess, but since she hasn’t, I know he’s planning to confront her tonight.
Adults complicate everything.
Once we get home. Caleb and Mom are in the kitchen, giggling. I head in that direction as Dad kicks off his boots. The whole crew is here—Mal and Storm—who have been together for almost eight months, Knife, Rocky, and Animal. Mouth and Pixie flank Knife, and he’s grinning like he always does these days.
My crew are gathered in the corner. I greet Maude first, pressing my nose to her shoulder in respect. She allows it. Pie and Dead Eye come in through the back door. They must’ve followed us as soon as we pulled out of the parking lot.
Dad’s eyes lock on Mom and Caleb. I settle against Maude’s hip, warming the ache in her joints. She whimpers softly. I lick her fur in response and settle in for the show.
“What’s going on?” Dad asks.
Mom grins as Caleb holds two boxes, and they walk over to Dad.
