Page 79 of Covert
"An army, eh?" Angelo teases me. "What in the world have you gotten up to while you were gone?"
I laugh and give an easy shrug. "Oh, you know. Bikes, tats, why choose harems. The usual."
Maddox takes me in his arms again, dropping a kiss to my lips. I smile as my brother grumbles, "I'll still never get used to that."
"You're ours now? Finally free?"
I run my hands up his chest and over his shoulders. "I'm ours. Finally free," I reply.
And I am.
Finally, I am free to start the rest of my life.
The End
Chapter fifty
Epilogue
Nikki
Months later, and it's our first competition with the sidecar. The rally is loud, full of engines revving, music, and the excited chatter of participants and audience. Axel and Beckett back the crossbike down the ramp from the truck
"I hate this," Maddox says, large arms crossed over his chest. He doesn't want me monkeying for Axel. Says it's dangerous. But we've put in a track at the MC club compound, and we've been practicing. The five families we ended up relocating there are doing well. The women have banded together and support each other with household chores and child care. They're grateful for a safe space to raise their kids and the steady supply of funds Angelo sends.
I pat Maddox's arm. "I know, Mad Dog," I say, but move past him to change into my riding gear.
Angelo's transition into a mafia leader was an easy one. The last of the problematic members took the regime change as an opportunity to leave, so they took care of themselves.
It'll take him years to go through all of Dad's things, but he's up for the challenge, with Matteo and Damiano at his side.
By the time I return in my gear, holding my helmet loosely in my hand, Axel's already doing his final checks on the bike. He glances up, eyes dragging over every leather-clad curve, and that slow-burning smile spreads across his face, the one that always makes my knees weak.
"You ready, baby?" he asks.
"Always," I answer, tugging my helmet onto my head.
We line up at the starting gate, the rumble of engines vibrating up through my boots. My heart pounds, but it's not fear anymore - it’s adrenaline. It’s joy.
Beckett comes over, tugging my helmet towards him to tighten the strap under my chin. “Stay balanced, princess. And don’t do that thing where you lean too early in the corners.”
I stick my tongue out at him. “That was one time.”
He leans in and kisses my helmet, just above my brow. I love these men with my entire being. They found me and allowed me to be exactly who I want to be, and live in any way I want. Even if it makes Maddox nervous, he'd never try to stop me.
The starting flag lifts.
“Let’s do this,” I whisper to Axel.
At the crack of a gun, I brace, and Axel guns it.
The sidecar hugs the curves as I swing out, dirt kicking up behind us, the roar of the crowd fading beneath the rush of wind and speed. Shifting my weight around the turns is a full-body workout, but I'm addicted to the speed of this sport. It's something I never would have been able to do before the boys. And I love it.
There was a time before them, and a time after them. Before them, I was barely surviving, ready to run at any minute. After them, I stepped fully into who I want to be and the life I want to live. And I'll continue to. Loudly. Every day.
I’ve chosen my path. I’ve claimed my people.
And they chose me right back.
