Epilogue

Getting the Gang Back Together

 

“You guys call this a goddamn bachelor party. Where the fuck are the strippers?” Lucky yelled as soon as he came through the door into the huge beach house Hawk and Pierce had rented to hold their wedding.

“Shut up Unc.” Max ran up and hugged Lucky and Viper. As soon as they got further in the house Toad popped Lucky in the back of the head.

“Have some class, dumbass,” Toad grumbled.

A short time later, the music was blaring on one side of the house. Max and Angel were slow dancing even though it was an upbeat song. Pierce hoped that he and Hawk would be that happy. But he was sure they would. He loved Hawk with everything he had, he couldn’t wait to stand on the surf with all of their friends and vow to love the man forever.

Speaking of, where was he? He’d just closed the door to go in search of his fiancé when the bell rang again. “Holy hell. We’re getting to capacity here.” Pierce opened the door and smiled happily at the couple standing on the doorstep with at least five bottles of Belvedere Premium Vodka.

“Jesus, Ryker. Are you trying to not wake up tomorrow?” Pierce laughed embracing his best friend’s brother. Ryker looked very handsome in his tan linen suit. Of course with him was his partner Sebastian. Pierce had to stand on his tiptoes to put his arms around the big Dom’s neck.

“Pierce this was a great idea. God, I been begging this man to get me out of Virginia for longer than I want to mention.” Ryker kissed Pierce on his cheek.

Ryker gave Bass a smug look that got him a hard slap on his ass. Pierce cringed but Ryker barely blinked. 

“Damn, you two. I think you guys better take one of the rooms on the back end of the house.” Pierce chuckled.

“Congratulations Pierce. I’m glad somebody finally clipped Hawk’s wings.” Sebastian’s deep voice vibrated Pierce’s chest when he spoke.

Pierce pulled back smiling from ear to ear, when he felt Hawk’s arms come around his stomach and pull him back into him.

“I wouldn’t go that far Bass. I wouldn’t say he clipped my wings, but it’s fun when he pins me down.” Hawk kissed Pierce’s neck, the sexy comment making his skin flush red.

Bass and Ryker both shook their heads at them. Bass placed a heavy hand on Pierce’s shoulder and mock whispered to him, “Let me know if you want to borrow my whip, Pierce.” Then moved further into the house to greet everyone.

Hawk shuddered at the thought and Pierce laughed in his arms.

“Hawk, Pierce, where are the steaks? I’m ready to put them on now,” Max asked them. Pierce was so grateful that Max volunteered to man the grill for them. It was a shitload of meat to be cooked too. The poor guy had been cooking since this morning. Pierce’s mom made all the sides, but she’d refused to grill. He and Hawk weren’t in to frilly catering and unfortunately that was all that was available in Palm Beach.

“Come on Max. I’ll show you.” Hawk kissed Pierce softly before being dragged off. The slight limp could barely be seen as Hawk jogged after Max.

Pierce went into the largely open living area and shook his head at Toad and Viper arm wrestling. He saw his mom standing there watching too.

“Mom are you having a good time? Where’s Dad?” Pierce draped his arm over his petite mother’s shoulders.

“He’s over there talking shop honey. You can only imagine how happy he is to have some agents to shoot the breeze with.”

“Well, I’m going to tell him he shouldn’t be leaving you around all these big strapping men.” Pierce went to pull away but his mother grabbed his arm.

“You leave your father right where he is, thank you.” She giggled, fanning herself when Toad slammed Viper’s hand down on the marble-top table. “Honey, go get me a wine spritzer.”

“Oh my god,” Pierce mumbled. Turning to go to the kitchen. Watching his mom get hot over a couple of the Beastmasters was just too much for him.

He turned the corner and stumbled a little when he saw Call leaning against the counter with a mixed drink in his hand, and Alpha leaning against him. That guy still gave Pierce a chill. His sheer presence radiated deadly power and authority.

“Pierce this is quite a function. Congratulations on your engagement.” Alpha’s voice was raspy and low. His eyes shifted and looked a little unfocused, like he was calculating something.

Pierce diverted his eyes, clearing his throat before he could muster up a little courage to speak back to the man. He knew what Alpha had done on the docks and he was so grateful to him and his brother, but that didn’t make the men any less scary.

“Um. Thank you very much. I didn’t see you guys come in. When did you get here?”

“About an hour ago,” Call responded.

“Hmm. I didn’t see you.” Pierce frowned.

“I know,” Alpha answered.

Jesus. This guy is too fuckin’ intense. Pierce went about fixing his mom’s drink. “So are you guys going to be staying in one of the rooms here? There’s plenty.” Please say no, please say no. Pierce didn’t think he could handle the dark man, slinking around the house in the middle of the night. Regardless, that his hood and cloak were gone, now replaced by stylish dark slacks and a black linen shirt.

“Relax. We have a room a few miles up the beach.” Alpha smiled at him. Damn, but the man was hot. A real David Gandy.

“Well come and join the party. Dance and get drunk,” Pierce urged.

“Alpha’s not used to large crowds. We’ll go outside and hang out there for a bit with Angel,” Call said while massaging the back of Alpha’s neck.

Phew. To be a fly on the wall in their hotel room.

“Sure thing. Well thanks for coming guys.” Pierce hightailed it out of there.

He gave his mom her drink while she swooned listening to Viper tell her how young she looked to have a grown son about to get married.

“Here’s your drink mom.” He said through clenched teeth, giving Viper a pointed look.

“Oh thanks honey. Dane’s looking for you. I think he went back outside.”

Pierce stopped here and there on his way out the door. Accepting congratulations and well wishes from the few agents that he’d invited and some of Hawk’s military buddies. They’d kept the guest list small. Just close family and friends. Nothing overly spectacular. He just wanted to be married. Then finally be able to live and enjoy life for the first time in too many years. They’d decided to live at Hawk’s home until they were ready to do some traveling. Which they were planning a lot of.

He went out through the large glass doors and inhaled the salty air coming of the ocean. The weather was beautiful. The weekend couldn’t be more perfect for their occasion. Pierce heard Max holler for everyone to come outside and prepare to eat. The food overflowed abundantly and so did the liquor. Hawk was talking with Shot, Fox and Angel in front of the massive fire pit. Damn, Shot and his son looked so much alike it was like looking at fraternal twins or something. Pierce was sure Max enjoyed knowing what Angel would look like in thirty years. That long, flowing mane only slightly touched with long streaks of gray.

Fox was holding on to Shot from behind, his nose dipped down into the crook of his neck. He raised his head and laughed at something Shot said. Fox was happy and back to looking like the extremely handsome man he was. Shot still battled with his PTSD but he had a strong partner that could handle it and be there for him.

Pierce couldn’t believe how all this had turned out. All of the men officially retired as military consultants; only Lucky and Toad continuing to train newly recruited SEALS. But there would be no more missions for any of them.

Pierce made his way over to them and Hawk didn’t hesitate to take him in his arms and kiss him like he hadn’t seen him all day. The shrill whistles and catcalls had Pierce blushing and Hawk sticking his chest out with pride.

Everyone was outside ready to eat and celebrate the night away. Pierce’s dad stepped up and whistled loud for everyone’s attention. His mother tucked lovingly at his side, smiling beautifully at them.

“May I have everyone’s attention please? My wife and I want to thank all of you for traveling over the highways to come and celebrate my son Pierce’s engagement. I’m an extremely proud father tonight, but it’s not a foreign feeling for me. Pierce has been making me proud for many years. But bringing home Lieutenant Dane Aramis as his future husband has by far exceeded all his past accomplishments.”

Loud clapping and cheering rose up again and after several long minutes, Pierce’s dad raised his hand so he could continue. “Dane, I’m trusting you to take care of my son. Make him happy for the rest of his life. He’s definitely earned it. I’m not losing a son tomorrow. I’m gaining one. And I’m sure your folks will be smiling down on your union tomorrow, proud of the man you’ve become as well.”

Hawk stepped up and shook his father’s hand and Pierce was fighting not to get emotional. His father was an amazing man. He was the proud one tonight.

His father lifted his glass. “I know everyone is ready to eat, but I have to give a special mention to the Beastmasters of the United States of America!” his father yelled as everyone joined in. Clapping the men on the back and yelling their excitement.

“You fine soldiers protected my boy for his last and most dangerous missions for this country. I could never repay you for keeping him safe. I was DEA so I don’t know half the badass shit you men have done over the many years of your enlistment, but I know there will be stories told of your reign for centuries to come.”

‘Here Here!’ was heard all around.

“So raise your glasses to the Beastmasters, for going out in BLAZE OF MOTHERFUCKING GLORY!” Pierce’s dad yelled, making the crowd roar with enthusiasm. Glasses were clinked together in acknowledgment of their victory.

The crowd stepped back and let the men come together. Hawk, Shot, Lucky, Toad, Viper, Call, and Shade. Everyone cheered loudly as the men hugged and clapped each other on the back. Then of course the rough housing and teasing began to flow as it always did with these guys. They did have a great run. They were the best, probably always would be. But there came a time when a man had to move on to bigger and better things.

They were moving on to love.

 

The End