Page 24 of Sam's Forever
“That’s good, sweet girl.” Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I hug her tight one last time as my little girl.
“Your man’s here,” I whisper against her temple. Pressing another kiss to her head, I release her into Sam’s arms.
“I’ll take good care of her, Adam,” he assures me, taking her from me. Giving him a nod, I turn because I can’t speak past the lump in my throat.
I know he will. And I’m happy with her choice. She’s been his for over a year from the night he made her his Old Lady, but somehow her taking his name has made it final.
Tilly is waiting for me at the edge of the dance floor, and I take her in my arms and breathe in her scent as she holds me tight. This woman has been mine from the first day. It’s only right that our children find the same love.
CHAPTER 16
SAM
Ally and I turn and watch as Adam takes Tilly in his arms. Looking down into Ally’s wet eyes, I can’t believe we’re finally at this moment. We dance slowly around the dance floor, and everywhere I look, there are couples. Is it any wonder we held out for the one who made the world make sense?
“Look,” I tell Ally as I slowly turn us as we take in the couples slow dancing with us: Mum and Reaper, Cash and Lizzie, Adam and Tilly, Liam and Sera, Johnny and Maya, Andy and Moira, Tommy and Lana. Then the brotherhood and their Old Ladies, including my grandparents and their generation. The only ones missing are the Zambia crew, but they’re going through their own shit and hadn’t been able to make it. We understood.
Bren and Alec sway to a stop next to us, and they look out over the dance floor with us, seeing what we’re seeing. The love and family in the room are immense.
“We’re so lucky,” I say. From behind me, Ben agrees, “We are.” Turning, I see my crew standing with us at the edge of the dance floor, watching the couples.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that we’re lucky enough to have them,” Ally whispers.
She’s right; it is a good feeling knowing we have the love of so many people. Taking Ally back in my arms, we rejoin the coupleson the floor. She laughs out loud as I dip her over my arm and kiss her, long and deep. When I lift her back up, I’m smiling as I press a soft kiss to her smiling lips, “Love you, Ally. You’re my forever.”
EPILOGUE 1
BELLA
I’m not sure why I’m sitting here in the dark on the back of another man’s bike, watching my first love dance with his wife. He hadn’t wanted to bring me, knowing how much this would hurt me, but he’s a good man and an even better friend. I needed to see them tonight. It had been a burning need in me that wouldn’t be stopped. I needed to make peace with the fact that this had been my choice. Yes, it had been my choice, but that didn’t mean that it wasn’t without pain. I’d broken both our hearts for the greater good.
This wasn’t where I’d envisioned myself to be. I’d always thought we’d follow in our parents’ footsteps. We’d known each other for years and had one perfect night. The logical conclusion would be that we’d get married and have cute dark-haired babies.
I’d derailed all that because I’d been asked to do a job so dangerous that I hadn’t wanted it to touch him or my family. That didn’t mean that I wasn’t hurting. I know what everyone thought. But I’d loved him, even when I had to push him away, and I still love him.
When I’d been approached to do this job, I’d known what it would entail, and I’d made the hard decisions. I mean, how could I not, especially with innocents involved? I’d vanished from our family, not wanting what I was going to be embroiled in to touch them in any way. Of course, Beau knew, and if heknew, then I knew Ellie would too. Oh, he didn’t know where I was, but he did know what I was doing or as much as I could tell him. He’d had to know because he’d be running our business by himself until this was all over.
Ignoring the tears that run down my cheek as I watch Sam lowering his wife over his arm before swooping in and kissing her like he’d once kissed me. Inhaling a shuddering breath as he tips her back up again, hugging her to him.
A hand squeezes my calf, reminding me I’m not alone.
I watch them for a little longer as our family surrounds them. I’m glad it’s her that he chose. If it had to be anyone, then I’m happy it’s her. Not only is she a friend, she understands the life, and she’ll be loyal to him until the day they die.
I’ve seen enough. Tapping the shoulder of the man who brought me, I lower my visor as he puts his sled into gear, and we slowly ride away, leaving a small piece of myself behind.
EPILOGUE 2
DOG
Stepping out of the shadows, I watch as my baby girl rides off on the back of another man’s bike. I don’t know who he is or why she’s chosen to derail her life like she has, but I hope she has a good reason. Her mother and I are worried, even if she stays in touch via text message, lying about all the places she’s visiting.
The shadows move next to me as Cahir comes to stand beside me, staring in the same direction as I am. Whatever is going on, it has to do with Cursed Skulls, that much we all know.
That he’s here confirms it.
Taking one last drag on the cigarette that I know Maggie will scold me for later, I flick the butt into the night, slowly exhaling, letting a plume of smoke escape.
Not turning my head, I ask, “Is my daughter going to be all right?”
