Page 86 of Gang of Roses: Rebel

“I love you too, Crow.”

For a long moment, we simply held each other, letting the sound of the ocean outside remind us that, for the first time in a long time, we finally had peace. After that, we got up and took a shower. Then we headed to the beach. Just as I sat down on the sand, holding Rebel close, my son Sebastian called. I wished he was with us, but I didn’t want him getting on a plane after everything we’d been through with the heist.

“I miss you, Dad.”

“Me too, little man. I’m with Rain.”

I know. You always with Raindrop,” he chuckled.

I laughed too.

“Granny said that’s your girlfriend.”

“Yeah, she is.”

“I knew that... but I’m happy.”

A grin spread across my face as I glanced over at Rebel, who was lying beside me with her sunglasses on, pretending not to listen.

“As soon as I get home, I’m gonna pick you up so we can celebrate your birthday. I know it’s tomorrow, and I’m sorry, little man. Dad had to make an important move. I never want to let you down.”

“It’s okay.”

“But guess what, Daddy?” he said excitedly.

“What?”

“We don’t have to wait. Turn around.”

I turned around and saw Sebastian standing there in his swim trunks with my mama smiling behind him.

“Dad!”

He took off running and crashed into my arms. I hugged my little man tightly, smiling from ear to ear. After I embraced my son, I turned to my lady. Rebel now stood a few feet away with the biggest smile on her face. The second our eyes met, I already knew this was her doing. She had gone out of her way to make sure I didn’t miss my son’s birthday. I walked over, cupped her face in my hands, and kissed her lips.

I realized I had found the best kind of love because we weren’t just lovers; we were best friends. No matter where life was gonna take me, I knew having him by my side made the journey worth it.

Epilogue

RAIN “REBEL” CRAWFORD

Vegas was home now, and my girls and I were finally back together. We had made it here just like we originally planned. At first, I hadn’t wanted to leave Magnolia. Leaving meant putting distance between me and Rose, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. But my girls eventually convinced me to stick with the plan we had made. The only way I agreed was knowing Magnolia would never be completely behind me. No matter where I lived, I would always go back to visit Rose’s grave. Vegas might’ve been home now, but I would never leave my sister behind.

Soft R&B filled my office as the morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow across the Las Vegas skyline. I bobbed my head to the beat while my fingers flew across the keyboard, wrapping up another project before my morning meeting.

Owning my own tech company still didn’t feel real sometimes. There were days when I had to remind myself that this wasn’t a dream. Everything I had sacrificed, every setback, and every lesson had led me here.

Standing up, I grabbed my tablet and made my way into the conference room, where twenty of my employees were already waiting. The room instantly quieted when I stepped inside.

I stopped in my tracks.

Baby gifts covered one end of the conference table, along with balloons, decorations, and a cake. I looked around at everybody staring back at me with smiles on their faces.

“Y’all really did all this for me?”

“Surprise!” they yelled at once.

I laughed, placing my tablet on the table. “See, this is why ain’t no work getting done around here.”