“Copper,” she scoffed. “Be serious.”
“Dead fucking serious, Locks. As soon as I’m back on my feet, we’re getting married, and I’m putting a baby in your belly. Maybe you can convince Evelyn to hang around and play grandma.”
“You really mean it?” she asked, sounding like she was about to cry.
“Said it. Meant it. Now, close your eyes and go to sleep.”
“I love you, Copper Black.”
“Love you, too, Locks.”
Epilogue
By the time I was finally discharged from the hospital, I was more than ready to go. Even Phoenix’s premature babies were sent home before I was. I felt like I had a list a mile long of things to do and was itching to get started on it.
To my surprise, everything I thought was on the list had already been taken care of. Badger did find Evelyn’s son’s body in her shed and decided the best course of action was to burn down the shed. Can’t say I blamed him. I don’t think I would willingly move a four or five-week-old corpse either.
Evelyn decided to keep her cabin as a rental and moved to a little cottage just down the street from my place. I was a little worried about her being so close, but she stayed busy with her friends from the senior center and had yet to stop by unannounced.
As for the Disciples of Death, they were no longer a club. After Asp was killed and Aim’s cover was revealed, the remainder of the club members were arrested. Most were planning to take a plea bargain for a reduced sentence, but even with that, none of them would be out in the next decade—if they survived prison.
With all the loose ends tied up, I was finally able to get back to actual business. We had purchased three new rental properties just before the club was attacked and those properties still needed work before they could be rented.
“Are you ready to go?” Layla asked.
“Yeah, Locks,” I said and rose from my seat. I was still sore as hell and moving slower than I would’ve liked, but I was also happy to be moving.
Layla huffed when I climbed into the driver’s seat of my truck. She didn’t want me to drive, but I’d been cleared by my doctor—for the truck, not the bike—and damn it, I was driving.
Twenty minutes later, we walked into the hospital and found our friends and family lining the walls of the waiting area. Badger caught my eye and pointed across the hall where I saw Phoenix leaning against the door frame.
We made our way over to the room, and Phoenix stepped aside to let us in. Coal was kicked back in the bed like he didn’t have a care in the world while Annabelle and Kathleen fussed over him. “Ladies, save some of this for after the procedure,” I said jovially.
“Copper!” Annabelle exclaimed with delight. “You didn’t have to come.”
“Gee, it’s good to see you, too,” I joked.
“Oh, shut it. You know what I meant. How are you feeling?”
“Getting better every day. And you’re looking good. You doing okay?” I asked. She truly didn’t look like she’d just delivered twins a few weeks ago.
Before she could answer, I heard Layla squeal excitedly. “Oh, my goodness gracious! Aren’t you two just the cutest little babies ever?” I turned to find her crouched down in front of a double stroller gazing at Blaze and Flint.
“For now,” Ember said with a laugh and rubbed her protruding belly.
Annabelle sighed, “Apparently, there’s no age limit on sibling rivalry.”
I wrapped my arm around Ember’s shoulders and pulled her in for a side hug. “All the babies in this family are cute. I mean, just take a look at the adults.”
She laughed and then groaned. Dash was by her side immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to pee, and that means I have to stand up, and I don’t want to,” she whined.
“Come on,” he said softly as he helped her to her feet.
“Are you sure there’s just one in there?” I asked in all seriousness.
“After I’ve had this kid and you’re all healed up, I’m going to kick your ass,” Ember said with a mischievous grin on her face as Dash led her from the room.