Page 100 of Storm

My friend smiles at me. “I know it was silly to go there, but he was the first person outside of us who I was able to tell about Gabriel. It felt good to let him know how everything was going.I imagine most of those people who work there get curious now and then, so I wanted to finish the story for him.”

I consider what he’s said, then add, “You finished his story with the beginning of ours.”

“Exactly. Like a prequel of a book. Nobody likes to be left on a cliffhanger.”

EPILOGUE 2

MIRIAM

18 months later

Theo glances over his shoulder, only for his eyes to drop to my massively swollen stomach where Tatum has his hand resting. Ezra growls when he catches his eyes on my stomach, and Theo fuckingsmirksat him. “Rein it in, solider boy,” he whispers to Ezra.

I shoot my hand out to stopmi soldadofrom hurtling over the uncomfortable bench seats. Tatum’s arm tightens, ready to intervene.

“Estan actuando como idiotas,” I hiss out, referring to both Ezra and Theo.

Now isn’t the time, but Tatum and Richard chuckle silently. I glare at Richard, who of everyone here should understand the severity of what’s happening. I’m pleased when I see Chester and Kevin turn their heads to scowl at Theo.

He shrugs and faces forward to watch as the judge enters the courtroom. Once the judge settles himself in his seat at the front of the room, he runs his gaze over everyone before clearing his throat. I hold my breath, anxiety rolling through me when I see Susanna’s shoulders stiffen.

“It’s been a long few weeks of questioning and deliberations. I appreciate everyone’s time spent here. Your patience has been much appreciated.” He turns to the jury sitting at the side of the room. “To the jury, again, I thank you for your time and service. Have you reached a verdict?”

The first juror stands up, an older woman who seems nervous but confident. “We have, your honor.”

“You need to breathe, Miriam. You look as if you’re about to pass out.” Richard’s lips are pressed to my ear, making me shiver when he whispers. I exhale shakily, then turn to him. He’s watching me with concern, so I tighten my fingers over his hand where it’s resting on my thigh.

“Thanks,” I whisper. “I’m just anxious.”

I know he understands the enormity of this situation. Susanna is finally going to find out if her stalker, abuser, and kidnapper will suffer the consequences of his actions. She spent weeks working on her statement to read if he’s found guilty, but kept it close to her and didn’t share with any of us.

My baby boys shift in my belly, and both Tatum and Richard look down when I do. I’m so fucking pregnant right now that we can literally see them moving around.

Tatum leans against me and whispers to Richard, “Just as a reminder,Idid that.” When Richard rumbles in warning, Tatum holds up two fingers. “Two in one shot, man. What’s that say about you?”

“Are you kidding me right now?” I hiss at him, holding Richard still. These two fuckers became so competitive the moment I said I was feeling the itch for another baby.

And I got. Fucking. TWO!

“You don’t even know if they’re yours,” I snap at him as quietly as possible.

He grins happily. “They are, pretty girl. We all know it.”

Tatum leans back, relaxed and proud as fuck while Richard is practically vibrating next to me. I expect him to stay silent, but my mouth falls open when he grumbles, “Yeah, well, I did it first and wasn’t even trying,pendejo.”

Kevin is sitting in front of us, next to Chester, but I see his shoulders start bouncing silently in laughter. It’s enough to break the tension surrounding us, and I see Susanna’s shoulder slowly begin to relax. Chester presses a kiss to the side of her head and whispers something that has her nodding.

Then we all hold our breath as the judge calls on a jury member. “For the charge of false imprisonment of Susanna Walston, what say you?” he asks. You can hear a pin drop as a jury member leans toward her microphone.

“We, the jury, in the case of the state versus Arthur Walston, find the defendant guilty of the charge of false imprisonment of Susanna Walston.” I close my eyes, a tear slipping out in relief. There are still two more left, but this is a start.

“For the charge of the attempted murder of Susanna Walston, what say you?”

“We, the jury, in the case of the state versus Arthur Walston, find the defendant guilty of the charge of attempted murder of Susanna Walston,” the juror continues, her voice growing more confident.

I can tell Ezra’s leg is bouncing up and down, so I reach forward and squeeze his shoulder. As much as he likes to play around, when I shared what happened to my best friend, he spent weeks daydreaming different ways he could end her grandfather without anyone finding out.

If we didn’t have children, I’d probably have given him my blessing. The man is evil incarnate.

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