Page 90 of Karma

“Wanna know why?” I ask.

They both nod again.

“It’s because after a lifetime of searching, I finally feel like I’ve found my home,” I tell them as I look at each in turn. “My home is anywhere you two are.”

Karma gasps and hugs me tight. Grim just sort of freezes before coming to life and wrapping his arms around the both of us.

And if we stayed just like this until the end of time, I’d be happy. More than just happy—I’d be content in a way that no word exists to describe.

Funny how just a month ago, I thought I had nothing to live for and now I have everything.

The hug is nice. But the kisses that follow are even better. And despite our tiredness, we make love right there by the fire. As though for the first time. As though we’ve been loving each other for thousands of years.

Everything is as it should be, should always have been, and all tomorrow’s problems are nothing to worry about. Or ever will be.

EPILOGUE

About two years later…

Karma

I’ve never known freedom the way I have in the past two years. Cross came through and gave all the Forsaken Outlaws new identities that have so far held under scrutiny. Not that we’ve had to worry about that too much, because the town of Justice is exactly like Scorpio said it was—completely off the grid and off all maps.

Joker moved his Lost Sons MC closer to Eden’s family, so we’ve had the run of it for almost two years now. I can have clean sheets every night if I want them, and the big house on the hill that we claimed as our own smells like freshly brewed coffee every morning. I’ve even started baking and cooking recently. And I haven’t raised my gun or my knife with the intent to kill in over a year. I don’t think I ever want to again.

Scorpio stayed behind with us, taking on Nomad status with his club. Though I’m sure Joker would’ve let him stay no matter what. As much as I don’t like to admit it, I’ve been very wrongabout Joker. Beneath his scheming and abrasive exterior, he’s one of the most thoughtful guys I’ve ever met.

But we’re not in Justice now. We’re at the lakeside cabin—the place where my life finally turned for the better. We’ve been talking about bringing Grim here for a while and finally did it.

The sun is setting over the lake, coloring the sky and the water in hues of purple, gold and blue almost as beautiful as the ones on my tattoo.

We’re lounging on the deck, still wet from our swim in the lake, leaning against the sun-warmed wooden planks of the cabin where we’re about to spend our best night yet, if I have anything to say about it. I’m in the middle, their bodies pressed against me on either side, cool and hard, keeping me safe.

“This is just perfect,” I say, reaching out and taking hold of their hands. “Isn’t it?”

They both chuckle.

“It pretty much is,” Scorpio says.

But Grim wouldn’t be Grim if he didn’t add, “Where’s the warrior in you gone?”

I shrug. “This warrior likes not having to fight all the time. I think I’m done with all that.”

“Oh, come on,” Scorpio says. “I fell in love with that fierce woman. Don’t take her away from me.”

I lean over and take a nip at his ear, tasting the lake water as he yelps in surprise. “All right then. For you, I’ll always be a warrior.”

“I’m just kidding. You can be whatever you want to be,” he says, squeezing my hand tighter.

“Yeah, you’re perfect in any which way,” Grim adds and their words make me feel invincible—something I always craved but never found. Until now.

“You guys are exactly perfect too,” I say as I nestle myself between them.

“I was never much for these romantic sort of conversations, or romantic spots like this…” Grim says, speaking the absolute truth as far as I’m concerned. He clears his throat like he tends to do when he’s nervous. “But this place and all this talk of perfectness… I kinda like that.”

Scorpio and I both laugh. It’s the best we’re gonna get out of him as far as romantic sentiments are concerned and we both know it. But it’s enough. More than enough.

“Staying at this place has saved my life twice now,” Scorpio says in a voice that’s both very distant yet close and intimate at the same time. “And I’m thinking this third time’s gonna be the charm. Thank you for finding me. And wanting to keep me.”

“Forever,” I say without a second’s thought and Grim echoes the word.

Now there’s nothing left to do but to watch the sunset. One of many we’ve already watched together. One of thousands we have yet to see. Forever doesn't sound like a long enough time to spend loving them. But I’m gonna make it be. We have all our tomorrows back. And I’m gonna make the most out of every single one of them.

No more tears, no more bloodshed, no more fear. Only love. Only happiness. Only belonging. Forever.

THE END

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