Tears tug in my eyes as Liem wraps me in his embrace.
“I feel like I knew her even though we never met. Y’know?” Beckett says, his voice soft and quiet like Liem’s.
I tug at my son’s arm, pulling him to us. “I know.” And I did because Gracie is sprinkling her magic everywhere.
The wind kicks up and despite it being Winter in Oregon, it feels extra bright out today.
“Hey, Mom, Dad. Look.” Beckett points and I follow the butterfly that lands on her headstone.
“Huh. Would you look at that.” Liem holds out his hand and the purple butterfly perches on his finger before flying off.
“Think it was her?” Our son chuckles but I only smile.
“I think it was definitely Gracie, honey.”
Beckett’s phone goes off, and he pulls it from his jeans pocket reading the text. I smile as his cheeks turn a pinkish color, glowing with shyness. “It’s Chloe. She said everyone’s asking when we’ll be home for Christmas.”
My body turns lighter, the tension leaving a small fraction.
Liem smiles and my chest warms from the sight as it always does. “Tell her we’ll be home soon.”
Thanks so much for reading! There is a bonus epilogue next which is also a sneak peek into book 5 of the Steel Valley Chains MC. Be warned though, it does hold SPOILERS from book 1. If you don’t want anything completely ruined for you, comeback after you’ve finishedCharger,if you don’t mind, or you’re already caught up, carry on!
BONUS EPILOGUE
The bare trees sway as the early spring breeze hits my face. It’s a nostalgic feeling and smell. One that reminds me of my childhood in such ways I can’t explain. Guess you had to be there. Maybe it’s because they say scent is a powerful remembering tool for those times. Moments I wish I could go back to and relive or get to experience at all. But here I am and I can’t go back. Which is what stings the most.
The stabbing pain is immediate when I shift from one leg to the other, giving the injured one a break. It’s healed but damn does it still fucking hurt at times.
I take the lighter from my pocket and light the cigarette dangling between my teeth. Another shit habit I picked up over the years. It curves my hunger of wanting to go back and kill each one of those stupid fucks. Just thinking about leaving him alive makes me want to vomit in fury. I’ll go back one day and take my revenge, but for now. I’ll get back what they stole from me.
My life.
Years of my goddamn life.
I don’t care what happens to me if I did go back. My life had already been ruined. It’d been lost and I hurt the ones I love so much because of it. They cried because of me, I just know they did.
It’s been three years since I got the hell out of there. Living low and in the shadows was kind of my thing. Which leaves me to the clawing ache as to why the hell am I standing here. Why the fuck did I came back when I should have stayed gone.
Reopening old wounds is never a good idea. But I needed to know—needed to see for myself.
The roar of motorcycles sound and a line of them continue into the reception area. One by one they line up and park.
Damn.
A motorcycle club.
Now I’ve really seen it all.
Protectiveness rushes through me. If these guys are as bad as the Cartel, then there’d be no stopping me. But over the last week of watching the Steel Valley Chains MC, as they call themselves, I’ve seen more love from each of them than I’ve seen in years. That kind of bond doesn’t happen every day and my gut tells me these aren’t the bad guys.
Thank fuck, given the circumstances.
With my pain in the ass limp, I push myself away from the tree I’ve been leaning against and head up to where the music blares. To where everyone is dancing. I’ve managed to stay out of sight throughout the entire ceremony. Debated on whether I should even be here. My original plan was to come, watch, and leave. But as I make my way closer to the reception, I can’t seem to do that. I really should turn around and go, but there’s no way I’d be able to leave now. Not without seeing her.
It’s dumb and I know I’ll regret it but right now, at this very moment, all I care about,whoI care about is dancing in the middle of the rolled-out floor. Her black hair twirling with her body and Christ, she is just as beautiful as the last day I saw her. More stunning even. And she’s…
Holy fuck.
