Page 138 of Manny

“Wait, where are you goi–”

I slam the door as Lace beats me on the ass, trying to wriggle free. “Put me down!”

I laugh, and it feels good. “Not till we get to the clubhouse.”

“Don’t even tell me you’re going to take us both upstairs,” she whines. “That’s no place for a lady!”

I smack her ass. “Always so much sass. That’s what got us in this mess.”

And boy, am I glad that she did. Without her and Manny in my life, I’m not sure I’d ever feel whole ever again. The future may bring the unknown, but there’s power in that. And I’m here for it. For every single moment.

EPILOGUE

Lace

Two months later

I thought I’d have severe PTSD after seeing Manny shot and taken to hospital, his recovery almost a blur in my mind. Maybe I’ve chosen to block it out, and part of that is for my own healing journey, but the fact he’s made a full recovery brings warmth to my heart.

Things have certainly taken a turn for the better since then. The club has settled down again and I’ve even started a new job at an accounting firm. I no longer have to hide, or run the risk of the mob finding me again.

That night after the shooting, Mateo looked into all the colleagues I worked with and figured out that his step-brother, the one he shot, set it up to look like I had swindled money from him. His whole plan all along had been to frame me so Mateo would kill me, and then he’d get to keep the money. He was broke, and Mateo only paid him a wage, albeit a decent one. He had too many debts around Arizona to ever pay them back with his own money.

I try not to think about that night too much. It only brings back memories I’d rather forget.

The boys spoiled me on my birthday, and now I know exactly why they call it cherry pie; when they both took turns eating out my pie, I can never look at cherries again the same way. Dirty boys. I smile to myself, packing up my things for the day as I head out. Getting back to my real line of work has been good for me. I miss Audrina a lot, but I call in most days for coffee on the days she’s working. Mainly, it’s to tease her about Hustler. The pair of them are either really good at hiding it, or they really are too chicken shit to act on their desires.

“You good?” I hear my brother’s voice as I step outside the building.

I hold a hand to my heart. “You startled me.” I smack him on the arm. “Seriously, dude?”

He chuckles. “Can’t I meet my own sister after work to make sure she’s alright?”

I give him a look. “Of course you can, but sneaking up behind me isn’t cool.”

He gives me a chin lift. “Wanna grab some food tonight? We could hang out.”

I smile. “I’d like that.”

“Oh, Bella went into labor.”

My eyes go wide. “Huh?” I slap him again. “You could’ve told me that first!”

He chuckles. “I said I’d drive you to the hospital.”

“Wait, they’ve had the baby?”

“Yep! A bouncin’ baby boy.”

I hold a hand up to my mouth. “That’s so freaking cool!” I hug my brother with excitement.

“We should grab them something on the way,” he suggests.

I check my phone, then I see the group chat has blown up. “I’ve been so busy at work I didn’t have time to check my phone. We all knew she was close to popping.”

“Priest is beside himself, and Hustler is a grandpa.”

I giggle. “Grandpa West, I’ll remember to tease Audrina about that later.”

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