Epilogue

A month later

Clive stood on the porch of the Epitaph’s club house one last time. All around, the twenty seven patch members were tuning their bikes and getting ready for a run. Trent was in the office, going over some last minute details with Levi and Saul, while Marly was saying goodbye to some of the many friends he’d made at the club. Roy was due on his bike any minute. He was supervising getting the last of their stuff put into storage. In fifteen minutes, Clive would be leaving Orlando, if not for good, then for a good long time. Destination – unknown.

I wonder if this is how Jules felt when he left town with his mate? Clive took a long drag on his cigarette as he leaned on the porch railing. The last month had been filled with planning, training, meetings and the occasional arguments. In the end, Clive went with the shifter idea – ride until you find a place that feels good. He was excited. Nervous too. The new tenants for his house were moving in the very next day. A young couple with a baby on the way excited to start their new life. It made Clive smile to think of young ones running around the floor of his home, but when he signed the lease he couldn’t help but feel a pang at the thought of being homeless again.

At least this time it would be temporary, and Clive wouldn’t be alone. He cast his mind back to the nights spent with Jules in abandoned warehouses or huddled in shop doorways and sent a silent thank you to his former lover. Wherever Jules and his mate ended up, Clive hoped they were as happy as he and Roy were proving to be.

“I thought I’d find you out here.” Levi slapped him on the shoulder and Clive tugged self-consciously at his new leather waistcoat. In the end he decided he couldn’t bear to strip his patch from his leathers and Levi, now the new President was happy to take the whole thing. Saul took Trent’s waistcoat for the same reason, and although it swum on the man, he wore it with pride.

“Have you got everything straight with Trent?” Clive straightened up, taking in the sights, sounds and smells one last time.

“The man knows his stuff and we have your numbers if there’s something we can’t handle. Where’s that man of yours? We’re about ready to ride out.”

“Here he comes now,” Clive held up his finger as he heard the unmistakable rumble of Roy’s bike. “Can you believe, he tried to get me to sell my ride and head off on the bitch seat of his?”

“He’s a good man, for an ex-cop,” Levi grinned. “Don’t be a stranger, you hear? Any time, any place, you need anything you just call.”

“Thanks, but I have everything I need.” Clive watched as Roy let his bike idle, pulling his helmet off so he could wipe the sweat from his hair. Dressed just like Clive, in a black leather waistcoat showing his broad shoulders and thick biceps, his legs encased in leather pants of the same color, the man looked a far cry from the buttoned up officer Clive met just six weeks before. Seeing him, all Clive’s nerves disappeared, replaced with a sense of excitement. Running his finger over the thick gold band now firmly wedged on his ring finger, he looked around the compound and for the last time he yelled, “Let’s ride.”

Striding to his own bike, Clive took a brief detour to kiss Roy senseless. “That has to hold you until we break for lunch,” he said when he pulled back.

“This is my first time riding with a motorcycle gang. Don’t let me do anything wrong,” Roy whispered.

“Just keep your bike next to mine and Trent’s. Levi and Saul will lead us out.”

One by one the bikes roared out of the compound. Clive, Roy and Trent riding behind Levi and Saul, with the rest of the members fanned out behind them. People looked up, stopped and stared as they rode through the city streets, but all Clive was conscious of was Roy by his side. As they reached the farthest edge of the city limits, Levi and Saul moved to the side and Clive, Trent and Roy rode through as the rest of the gang pulled back. This was it. The open road and giving a loud whoop, Clive opened up the throttle and roared down the road. Their new home was out there somewhere, and with his mate on one side of him, and his best friends on the other, Clive couldn’t wait to find it.

 

The End

 

It was really lovely to sit and write a short story without any of the usual angst and drama of longer story arcs. I do hope you enjoyed Clive’s and Roy’s story. A couple of readers did ask if Levi and Bobby might get their own stories – one even suggested that Bobby could straighten up in prison, shave his head, and buff himself up a bit, but I am happy to leave him where he is for now. He is young, so maybe he will start talking to me at a later time, but I am not making any promises. As for Levi, I’m not sure about him, but for now this book will be the only spin off planned.

There are a lot more books coming, as you know – I live to write – so please keep an eye on my blog and social media pages. I don’t update any of them as much as I should, but thank you all for sticking by me and sending me your lovely posts, emails and comments. I love them all. If you did enjoy this story, please consider leaving a review. They really do help authors to gain new readers and with so much wonderful competition in the MM genre, every little nudge in the right direction does wonders.

Have a wonderful day and don’t forget to hug the one you love.

Lisa