EPILOGUE

Three years later

Flick

With a sigh, I sat back down beside my two best friends in our backyard. Before I’d met Taz, he had bought the house between Mac and Zara’s place, and Eagle and Silk’s. They’d soon pulled out the dividing fences so we all shared one big backyard, which I loved. Especially now the kids were all running around. I placed my palm against my growing stomach, as I turned to face Silk. Her belly was as big as mine, which made sense since our due dates were one week apart, which was a little crazy. Zara was leading the charge with this round of kids–her baby was due two months before ours.

“Do you think the boys plan to have everything happen at the same time, or is it just some freaky fucking destiny thing?”

“What do you mean?”

Silk frowned over at me like I was nuts. Hell, I probably was.

“All three of them seem to do big life milestones together. Leaving the Marines was obviously a conscious decision, but meeting and falling in love with us all within months of each either? The first round of kiddos, and now this lot?”

Silk started laughing. “I hadn’t thought about it, but yeah, that’s some freaky shit. I don’t think they discuss and plan any of it though.”

Zara began chuckling. “Oh c’mon, I mean, can you just picture it? The three of them standing around discussing knocking us all up at the same time? It’s fucking hilarious.”

That set us all off. Because Zara was right. It was fucking hilarious. Especially considering the three of them were currently all standing around the barbecue pretending like they were going to cook something. We’d done our jobs, the salads were all inside ready to be served just as soon as the meat was done.

“Oh my, check out our kids. They are so cute.”

I turned to see what the three terrors were up to now. Eagle and Silk’s little boy, Raven Clint Benally was turning three in two months, while Mac and Zara’s daughter, Cleo Beatrice Miller wouldn’t turn three until September. My little angel, Lola Grace Lee, or Lolly for short, had just turned two. The three of them sat in the newly completed sandbox happily playing with buckets, rakes and shovels. Well, it was happily until Raven decided he wanted something from the other side of Lolly. Naturally, he wasn’t looking where he was going and tripped over Lolly’s outstretched leg as he’d moved. The responding scream had me cringing. My little girl had a set of lungs on her, no doubt about that. Poor little Raven froze, clearly panicking over what he’d done. Knowing Lolly wasn’t really hurt, I turned to watch for Cleo’s reaction. The little redhead was super protective and this was bound to be entertaining.

“Raven’s in for it now.”

Yeah, Zara knew her daughter, like the rest of us did. I nodded as we took in how Cleo gathered Lolly into a hug while she gave Raven a stare of pure death.

“Yep, she’s pulled out her southern-stink-eye-glare. One of the workers down at the daycare called it that the other day. I kinda like it. Fits her to a T. Aww, poor Raven.”

Predictably, Raven had raced off toward his dad in tears, as Cleo continued to make a fuss over Lolly, who had already forgotten all about the whole thing. Lolly was trying to get free from her savior as she reached for her bucket, clearly ready to get back to playing already.

Turning my attention to the men, Eagle had gathered his son up and lifted him up against his chest. We were too far away to hear what he told Raven, but whatever it was had the little boy nodding before he wrapped his little arms around his daddy’s neck.

“Damn, but I tear up every time I see him with Raven like this. It’s like the ultimate in mommy-porn.”

I smiled. “Yep, watching your man be a good daddy to your kids is totally swoon-worthy. “

Zara snorted a laugh. “You two are nuts. Meanwhile, if Mac or I want to cuddle Cleo, we gotta crash tackle her from behind to keep her still long enough to do it.”

With a snort, I nodded toward the sandbox. “Apparently, all you have to do is pretend to be hurt for a few seconds, then you get hugs while your assailant gets a death glare.”

That had us all chuckling again. With a smile, I lifted my glass of lemonade and took a deep drink. I really did love this family I’d found myself in. The Charons as a whole were good, but these people right here with me in our backyard? They were the best. The sound of a Harley pulling up had me rising from my chair.

“Who are you expecting?”

“Stone.”

Yeah, I did eventually get used to using his new name. And he came around often. Turns out my big brother loved being an uncle. He’d even rung our folks to let them know where he was. No more pretending like he didn’t have emotions. He’d called me earlier today, to say he was in town for club business so that translated to mean that he would be on his own and couldn’t give me an exact time. Not that it matter, I loved when he dropped around. And Lolly loved her uncle. Raven and Cleo thought he was pretty cool, too.

I walked–not waddled, despite what Taz tells everyone–to the side of the house to greet him. He strolled up with a wide grin before he pulled me into a tight hug.

“Hey, sis.”

After he pulled back from the hug, he gave my belly a pat while he kissed the top of my head.

“Where’s my favorite trio of trouble?”

“In the sandbox. The guys finished it today, and it’s been a real hit.”

He chuckled. “I can imagine. Get ready to find sand everywhere now.”

I winced. “Yeah, we’re already discovering that.”

Not that I minded, it gave us another reason to hang out in our joint yard with each other. I couldn’t have asked for a better environment to raise my family in. And I couldn’t have asked for a better man than Taz. I glanced over at him as Stone and I entered the yard. He was watching for my return. My caveman protector was always keeping an eye on Lolly and me whenever he could, and I couldn’t love him more for it.

Taz

At the sound of my daughter’s ear-piecing screech, I spun to see what was going on. The fact the women were all sitting there calmly watching the kids stopped me from running over there, but clearly something had happened.

Mac’s girl, Cleo was being all momma-bear over Lolly and giving Eagle’s boy, Raven a good, long, dark stare. Poor boy still had no clue how to deal with that girl. Within seconds he was running toward us with tears in his dark brown eyes.

“That boy’s gotta figure out Cleo, or she’s gonna walk all over him for the rest of his life.”

Eagle shook his head. “He’s not even three yet, Taz. He’s got time. And Cleo’s got one hell of a death stare going on.”

Mac laughed. “What can I say? My girl’s tough, just like her momma.”

Eagle scooped up his boy when he got to him. He was a mini version of his father, with straight, dark hair and dark eyes. But his temperament was a mix of him and Silk. I wasn’t really worried he’d let Cleo turn him into a doormat. I was sure in a couple of years, he’d take his role as big brother and eldest of the family seriously and keep the girls, and any other kids we all had, safe from all threats, while giving everyone around him hell.

Eagle finished consoling his son, and Raven ran off for the back deck of Eagle’s house. Eagle was watching after him, so I turned back to the barbecue, turning the various forms of meat we were cooking for lunch. The girls had finished the salads already and were all lazing around, watching the kids play. Well, until the roar of a Harley filled the air and Flick waddled off toward the side of our place. Fuck, I loved her pregnant. All round and soft. Although she kicked my ass for saying she waddled. But she totally did.

Hopefully our guest was just her brother, but I kept half an eye on where she’d disappeared from view as I flipped another burger.

“Oh, man, I love that kid so much. Taz, you gotta watch this, brother.”

Setting the tongs down, I turned toward the sandbox. Cleo was still glaring at the poor boy, but Raven ignored her as he went directly to my Lolly. Leaning down, he gave her a big hug, then when he pulled back, he held out his favorite toy. A Matchbox version of his daddy’s bike. I knew he slept with that thing.

“He’s giving her his bike? Damn, that is so sweet.”

Mac sounded a little in awe. We all knew his Cleo wouldn’t share her things with anyone. I turned to Eagle. “I’ll make sure I get it back to you before bed time.”

“Thanks, as much as the gesture is beautiful, he’s gonna be heartbroken come bed time.”

A couple minutes later, I relaxed when Stone strolled into the yard with Flick. I still didn’t like her out of my sight. Anything could happen. As soon as the kids saw who was here, they dropped all toys and ran for their Uncle Stone. Well, Raven took a moment to pocket his toy bike before he ran over there.

“He’s sly. Got it back already.”

Eagle chuckled. “Yeah, I caught that too.”

I looked around the yard with a grin. This was truly what a family should be. The entire Charon MC was like a big, extended family, and I knew they all would have our backs, but these people here in our backyard were even more than that. I knew no matter what happened to me, or Flick, little Lolly and our unborn baby, would never find themselves alone like I had. They would always be protected and surrounded with love. It was a comforting thought, one that helped me sleep at night.

I loaded the now-cooked food onto the platter and carried it over to the large table on the grass. The girls brought out the salads, and after Mac handed out fresh drinks we all sat down. I stood a little longer, looking over each face here, including my new brother-in-law Stone. He and I were very similar and had a good friendship these days.

I held my bottle up.

“To family.”

The others echoed it, and I gathered Lolly up off my seat, and sat down with her on my knee, next to my wife, my old lady, my other fucking half. Unable to resist, I leaned over to kiss her.

“I love you, kitty.”

She beamed up at me, glowing with her pregnancy and love.

“Love you too, caveman.”

I absently ran the palm not holding Lolly over my chest. Naturally, Flick’s gaze followed the movement with a gentle smile. Funny, the names I’d inked on my chest used to be something I avoided looking at, or thinking about, but thanks to my woman suggesting we name our little angel after my mum and sister, the ink held new meaning. It wasn’t just about my dead anymore, it was about life, the future. My gorgeous little Lolly.

“I loves you too, Daddy!”

Speaking of which, said little angel planted a big, wet kiss on my cheek before reaching for her mother. Flick didn’t have a whole lotta lap left these days, but she managed to take our daughter, and receive her own kiss and declaration of love from Lolly. I had to grin when she wanted back to me the moment she was through.

Yep, I totally got myself a daddy’s girl with this one. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, as I settled her back on my knee. As I’d imagined, Lolly had her mother’s black wavy hair, and the Lee baby-blue eyes. She was beautiful, and I knew I was going to have my hands full keeping boys off her when she hit teen years.

But that was okay. I’d teach her to shoot, while her mother would teach her how to throw blokes that pissed her off over her shoulder, and she’d be fine. Even without me making sure I was cleaning my guns when said blokes came over to take her out.

That had me grinning, too. I could picture it clearly, Lolly rolling her pretty blue eyes and dragging her poor date out of my sight. Mac and Eagle would probably come over and clean their guns with me. Yeah, we’d make it a pact to join forces to scare the shit outta our daughters’ dates.

Another glance around the table at all the happy faces eating, chatting and laughing had warmth spreading through my chest. For the first time I could say with confidence, I was completely happy with my life and who was in it.

While Chasing Taz is the final book in the Charon MC Trilogy, it’s not the end of the road! Keep your ear to the ground for news about upcoming spin off series:

Silky Ink, Iron Hammers MC and Satan’s Cowboys MC

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Keep reading for the first chapter of (Charon MC Book 1).