Master of Death (Hollow #2)

EPILOGUE

Two months later . . .

“Hey, Harv.”

He gestures to the front porch. “Come. Sit.”

I sit on the steps, my hands underneath my legs. I haven’t seen him since the day he thought about suicide, having relied on both Henrik’s and Claire’s promises that he was okay.

Although the shorts I’m wearing make sense, he must wonder why I’m in a sweatshirt when the weather is scorching hot. My stomach doesn’t show much, barely a little bump, but my change in breast size would be revealing enough.

Today is the anniversary of the accident, and I needed to see him. Damon spent our three-day weekend ensuring I didn’t think about it. We traveled to California to visit Yosemite National Park, and I was in awe, exploring side by side with him.

Damon promised me we’d eat vegan all week to compensate. I keep telling him environmental sacrifices don’t work like that, but he hears none of it. He says he wants to travel the world with me before Blu comes.

My mind snaps back to the present as I ask Harvey about his work. He says he’s been adding a few hours every week. He tells me how nice it is to be with his old work crew and to be out of the house. As he talks about his new life and his new goals, I heal. I find peace.

From all the pain, the depression.

From the fear of never living to the fullest.

“I’m pregnant.” I share the news with him once he’s done talking, the finality of my words ringing through our whispering farewell.

Harvey’s shock registers before he swallows. “Congratulations ...”

“Thank you,” I croak, looking away.

I’m happy with Damon.

And Harvey’s happy with Claire, who I suspect might be eavesdropping on us from inside the house.

“I thought about you these past few months,” he says softly, shutting his eyes. When he opens them, peace pours out. “At first I was so angry with you. It was easier to put the blame on you—I realized that in therapy. I was taking everything out on you. And I’m sorry for that, Gemma.” He slowly moves closer from where he sits on the steps to hold my hand.

God, if only he knew. If only he knew the truth about Palmer, he’d pray for my ruin.

But Damon and I are letting this go. He even removed her paintings in his office and in our home. Perhaps he can finally be guilt-free too.

“I know we’ve said goodbye, but after thinking through what I wanted, I realized that to get a clean break, we really need to go our own ways.”

I knew the day would come when Harvey would be happier, more confident, and eager to break free from the nest we built the past few years.

He palms the side of his face. “This isn’t easy for me to say, because you’ll always mean so much to me.” Tears rim the side of his blue eyes, eyes bluer than the lightest ocean. “I know that, Claire knows that, and I think you know it too. Me saying goodbye and wishing you well doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Remember that, please ?”

I nod, my mouth dry since he started talking, tears obscuring my vision.

The time to move on has come. We crossed paths, and now we must each continue in a separate direction.

“I need to do this to see where life takes me.”

“I get it, Harvey. It’s time.” I gulp.

“I’m sorry, Gemma. For everything. I’m sorry for letting my pride ruin us, for staying in my head and feeding my demons instead of nourishing us.”

He comes closer and we hug.

We say goodbye and share one last smile. He gives me the biggest smile—the one he used to give me before the accident.

Whatever doubts I had about me leaving him fly out of my train of thoughts, one by one, because they don’t matter, and they don’t hold any truths anymore.

We’re happier apart.

We’re stronger apart.

But the love we shared will always be engraved in the creases of my heart.

My fingers still feel like I’m trembling by the time I get home. The screaming lady inside my head is no more. She’s gone, and so are her screams and cries. She’s gone, and the peace Blu fuels me with has taken over.

She’s gone, and she’s not coming back.

Eight months later . . .

Blu Dreygon.

That’s the name we gave our baby boy.

I became too attached to the name and the peacefulness Blu brought me to let it go.

I watch Damon rocking Blu.

Damon’s eyes are closed, his hair pulled in all directions. For the first time since giving birth over a month ago, I feel my insides burning with desire, melting my fears of having sex again.

My phone vibrates in my hand with a text from Gia. Since her daughter is breastfeeding, we often talk at night.

She’s always there for me without asking for anything in return. She says she’s proud of me, and that she can’t understand how I keep my cool with a newborn when everything is new and scary.

Perhaps she doesn’t understand, but with Damon, life isn’t so scary.

It’s filled with love and loyalty, sex and sarcasm.

And all the beautiful memories we’re creating with Blu.

When I stare away from my phone, I spot Damon watching me. He stands and places Blu in his crib after kissing him.

Once in our bedroom, I lean against the door, my back gently shutting it. Our eyes are connected, showing the yearning we have for each other. Not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

“Marry me.”

“What?”

“You heard me, Gemma. We’ve been engaged long enough. Marry me.” He weaves his fingers through mine.

I swallow, twisting my bottom lip between my teeth.

“Are you convinced now that I won’t leave you?”

“Yeah, Damon. I am.”

“Good.” He kisses the top of my cheek. When he thumbs the front of my throat, I feel the heat pooling between my legs. “So you’ll be my wife soon?”

“Yes,” I whisper. “I want to be.”

His Adam’s apple moves as he speaks, his voice hoarse. “I don’t deserve the honor of having you as my wife.”

I shake my head at his false words, but he lifts my chin up. “Seriously, Gemma. I’ll make sure to always be deserving of you.”

I kiss the rest of his words away. “I love you.”

“Oh, Gemma, the feeling’s more than mutual. My heart is yours, so take it—fucking take it.”

Many, many months later . . .

“I can’t believe you’re married.” Dad hugs me tighter as we glide to our father-daughter dance. I lock eyes with Damon as he sways with his mom across the dance floor.

“I can’t believe he sought the buyer of Mom’s jewelry collection to craft your ring.”

I smile. “Yeah, it matches the earrings she gave me.” I push my hair back to show him.

“Well, he’s definitely earned my respect.”

I sigh, staring at Damon’s back, admiring the view. “Is it always like this—love?”

“It’s not always easy, Gemma. But the love always remains. If it’s true and pure, it’ll always be there.”

“I’m happy, Dad. I’m really, really happy.”

He finishes the song with a hug, kissing my forehead. The whiff of my dad’s cologne brings me comfort and brings me peace, lighter than a bird’s feather.

We had a small wedding with Damon’s mom, his friends, a few colleagues, my family, Henrik, and Layla. She finally came back from her traveling adventures after announcing to us that she and her fiancé eloped. Gia was so mad she could barely stomach her name for a week, and she made me promise her that Damon and I wouldn’t do the same.

Later in the evening, Henrik steals me from Damon’s reluctant arms for a slow dance. I never would’ve imagined that I’d come to appreciate our friendship so much over the years. I owe it to Harvey, who lent me his brother as a shoulder to lean on and to share fun adventures with, because he didn’t have to.

We both know if Harv would’ve been really bothered by it, Hen wouldn’t have kept hanging out with me.

I haven’t spoken to Harvey since we said our last goodbye. And I’m more than okay.

“Henrik, thank you. Thank you for always being there for me.”

“Of course, Gem, always. By the way, this party blows—no single ladies.” Damon rented all our friends and families little villas at Bora Bora. We got our own exclusive villa as far away from everyone as possible. According to Damon, he intended to make sure nobody could hear my screams.

“We wanted it small and intimate.”

He scoffs. “Intimate, my ass. Though there is always Damon’s mom. She’s single, right?”

I narrow my eyes at him and he laughs.

“She really seems to like you,” he says.

I nod. “She’s nice. I lucked out.”

“Sure did, sweet pea. Could’ve ended up with a rich bitch of a mother-in-law.” We both stare at Blu, who’s playing on James’s lap. “Let it be known, on the record, that I’m a way cooler uncle than James.”

“Of course, you are, Hen. Just don’t tell anyone I said that.”

Damon’s mom is watching over Blu tonight. After the wedding party, outside our villa, I sit naked, my legs dangling inside the private pool. Damon spent the last hour torturing me as he slowly peeled off my wedding dress and lingerie while he—unfairly—remained fully clothed.

My wetness is still clutching my sex as I watch him unbutton his white dress shirt, my mind unable to process the fact that he’s my husband.

I’m his wife. I’m Damon’s wife.

A word with a million sweet kisses and promises of till death do us part.

“Do you know how beautiful you are, Red?” He takes a step closer, unbuttoning his black slacks, pulling down the zipper with a sultry look. “I used to think the whole virginal white wedding dress was comical until I saw you today.”

“You think I came off as virginal?” I ask him, dipping my fingers in the water and letting it drop to the center of my body.

“You looked sweet enough, but deep down you’re my little freak.”

My mouth is salivating when I see him descending the stairs of the pool in nothing but boxers, reaching the spot under me.

“Spread your legs.” He lifts one leg over his shoulder while he pushes his fingers inside me, stretching me, readying me for him. “You’re still wet.”

“I was wet all day.” My back arches as he digs deeper, but slower, curling his fingers in a come-hither motion.

“I hope it was everything you ever wanted.”

When our eyes level again, our connection intensifies, all invisible barriers shattering at the reality that we get to spend our lives together.

“Gemma?”

My breath hitches. “Yeah, Damon?” My hand grips his hair.

“When I wake up next to you, I’m so glad I pushed past all my fears. I didn’t think this kind of love was real.”

His words spark shooting stars inside me.

When he’s finished pleasuring me, he coats my inner thigh with my cream.

“If you knew how much I love you, it’d probably freak you out,” I whisper.

“I’m telling you, I’m right there with you.” He pulls me into the water, and I wrap my legs around him, moaning and digging my nails into his shoulder blades as he pushes his boxers underneath his ass and thrusts inside of me. “You’re my moon and my sun.”

“My moon and my sun,” I echo, enjoying the feel of him kissing my forehead as he repeats his harsh strokes.

A few years later . . .

“I’m helping Daddy.” Blu’s smile is on high beam as he stares down at the plastic belt and tools around his waist.

“Shit.”

I hear Damon curse under his breath as he grabs the instruction manual to build the nursery.

“Clearly, Daddy needs all the help he can get.” I wink at Damon, earning an eye roll in return.

“I’ll go get some groceries. You’ll stay with him?”

He nods as I’m about to head out of the room, not wanting to be bothersome. His mind has been preoccupied with work lately, and when it comes to building things, Damon has the patience of a flying horse.

“Wait,” Damon says, strolling over to me. “Come here.” His grip on my waist earns a swallow as I stare into the darkest eyes. “I love you. Drive like a weakling grandma.” He fingers my cheek before he clasps his lips over mine.

I’m breathless by the time we pull apart.

“You look hot in this dress, Gemma. Now go.” He turns to Blu, then faces me and spins me around, grabbing my ass. “Before I put him to bed for some adult time .”

I bite my lip, positive from the look in his eyes that he wants me to take him up on his offer. But we need food, and the nursery must get done.

Later , I mouth over my shoulder, and he nods, eyeing my legs. I’m wearing a fitted, olive-green dress, my baby bump showing.

This pregnancy has been easier on my body so far—less nauseating. I also have more energy, but maybe that’s because of Blu. I have to keep up with him.

And a horniness that won’t go away. Not that Damon’s complaining.

The grocery store is vaguely empty today, so I take my time and lean my arms over the bar of the cart. As I pick up the last item I need, I hear my name.

And my heart beats fast because I’d recognize the sound of his voice even if I saw him a hundred years from now.

“Harv—” The rest of his name catches in my throat as I look up and see him walking with crutches toward me.

No wheelchair.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God, Harv.

Tears well in my eyes as I stare at him all the way down to his sneakers. “You did it. You really did it!” I let go of my cart and quickly walk to him, throwing my arms around his neck.

I look up, hoping to avoid the tears that are begging to fall, but there’s no escaping them.

“Gemma,” he whispers against my shoulder.

I pull back. “Harvey, you’re walking!” I laugh and shake my head. “Henrik didn’t tell me.”

“I told him not to tell anyone.”

“You don’t want to jinx it.”

He nods. “Yeah. I guess that’s it.”

The tears fall in abundance, and it’d be so easy, so believable, to blame it on the baby growing inside of me.

But it’s not.

Seeing Harvey like this is a dream come true.

Something I didn’t know I needed to be at peace, what with the guilt I felt about covering for Damon.

“Gemma, don’t cry.”

“I know.” I push them away. “Pregnancy, you know?”

I can see the emotions flickering through his blue gaze. “Congratulations on the baby.” He smiles. The warmest, realest of smiles. A smile that shows off his dimples.

We talk back and forth about Blu and about his newborn son.

“Hen told me you were the executive director at the firm.”

“Yeah,” I say, rubbing my stomach. “Some days I want to kill my husband, but overall we work well together.” Especially with Marie as his executive assistant.

“Well, that’s good. Don’t let him boss you around.”

I smile. We check out our stuff, then reconnect at the parking lot.

I can’t believe he’s walking around at a grocery store, not cooped up in his house playing video games, and walking without his wheelchair.

When he pops open the trunk of his new Jeep, I see his wheelchair there—in case he needs it, I’m assuming.

“Henrik told me you started going to schools and workplaces to give motivational speeches.”

Harvey places his grocery bag in the trunk, taking a sip of his water bottle as he shakes his head. “Hen loves that title—motivational speaker.”

“I’m happy for you. And I heard about your art. You’re becoming famous,” I tease him.

He waves me off. “Not even. I’m just doing what I enjoy, I guess. It all worked out, didn’t it?”

I nod. “It really did.” Everything that was meant to be happened. “Tell Claire I say congratulations.” I turn to leave.

“Gemma?”

I spin around when I hear him speak again.

“Thank you. Just, thank you.”

I walk up to him one last time.

We hug, for the love we shared that wasn’t strong enough to keep us together and for all the bittersweet happiness we feel inside from having walked away from each other.

“I’m so proud of you,” I whisper to him before backing away and heading straight to my very own Tesla. I don’t ride my motorcycle pregnant. That’s the truce Damon and I came up with, and one I can live with.

Damon and I spend the rest of the day fixing up the baby’s nursery. The process takes longer with Blu’s help, but it makes it that much more special.

I’m deep into a new fantasy novel later that evening, wearing Damon’s gray T-shirt, when the love of my life stands next to me in black sweatpants and with his chest as bare as my legs.

My eyes land on the left side of his chest, where he has both my and Blu’s initials tattooed over his heart. I did the same and got a small tattoo of their initials on my wrist.

“What’s wrong?” He seizes the book. “Something’s off with you today.”

“I’ve been waiting to put Blu to bed before telling you—”

“Is everything okay?”

I push off the bed toward him and kiss the tip of his nose as he holds me by the waist. “Everything’s fine . I saw Harvey today.”

He freezes, his jaw tensing up, the curves of his abs contracting in response. “He made you cry?” Venom drips on his every word, ready to infect any enemy.

“Of course not.” I look up, holding it in because that’s what I’ve always done all my life. I hold it all in. But Damon pushes me. He doesn’t let me brew. He helps me heal.

“Your eyes were red and puffy when you came back. I’m not an idiot. Give me some credit.”

Is he going to be mad? That I cried for Harv?

His beautiful lips stand close to mine, injecting his comfort and love around us.

“You can cry whenever you want to. I’m just ... curious.”

I sigh, and my fingers splay across his chest. When I take a deep breath, I see fear cross his eyes, like an orange fireball ready to burn him.

As if I would ever burn him.

As if my world doesn’t start and end with Damon.

“He can walk.” A tear trickles from my eye. “I saw him at the grocery store. He was walking with crutches. I ... it struck a nerve, you know?”

He lets go of my waist, his thumb scratching his forehead. And suddenly I hate it when he pulls back. I hate it when he fills the love and the comfort between us with space.

I watch him look away. I can only imagine how this will affect him. He’s blamed himself for what happened to Harvey for so long, even if he wasn’t the one driving. He blamed himself for protecting Palmer.

And I can’t fault Damon for that anymore.

Because if I were in his shoes, I would’ve done the same thing for him and Blu.

“Holy fuck, that’s good .”

He rubs his eyes and runs a hand through his hair before he looks at me. “Wait. So, why are you crying?” He pushes another tear off my cheek and then plays with my ear.

“Because I’m proud of him. And I feel at peace. I’m happy for him, and that makes me feel free . I have to ask, did you have anything to do with his sketches selling out?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Oh, Damon.

He grabs my neck, and I pull him in for a soul-crushing kiss, knowing that means he’s helped Harvey indirectly again. Either by buying his art or asking other acquaintances to do so.

“I love you, Damon.” I lift my shirt up and toss it aside. He groans, smacking my ass, the sound echoing across the room.

“Do you really?” His voice is raw, bleeding against the edge of a sharp blade. “Answer me.” He pinches my clit after I lie on the bed.

“Damon.” My voice is breathy, and a series of whimpers escape me when he finally removes his erection from his pants and pushes it inside of me, reaching the best high, the best explosion.

The best of everything with Damon here with me—doing life with me.

He snatches my legs around his torso, and I tighten them as he thrusts into me.

“Mourn your past, Gemma,” he rasps, “before I fuck the what-ifs out of you.”

I’m out of my mind, zoned out, feeling like I’m on ten different types of drugs as my orgasm pulses through me.

“Fuck, I love you,” he says as he comes inside me.

We end up cuddling on the bed, him pushing my hair back and stealing kisses here and there. They send shivers all over me like I’m on fire. They even ignite my sex, ready for round two.

“Blu admires you, you know. Just watching him look up to you ...” I can’t finish my sentence; my heart tightens when I witness the pride pouring out of my husband’s eyes.

“He already has your reckless gene.” He sighs. “It worries me sometimes.”

“Don’t,” I whisper, palming his face. “I won’t let anything happen to him.”

“No bikes until he’s twenty, Gemma. I’m not budging on my rule.”

I chuckle, placing my head on his chest as he squeezes me in his arms. “Okay, Damon,” I say, because we both know his rule won’t stand.

Besides, who’s to say Blu will love sports bikes? Sure, I already can see his eye for a good thrill and adventure, but he could change.

What if we have a daughter next, and she’s just as adventurous as me?

I palm my stomach, my mind bringing me ten years into the future.

“You scared me today, Gemma. I thought ... I don’t know what I thought, but it wasn’t good.”

I lift myself off his chest. “In case you didn’t notice, I’m pretty obsessed with you.”

“I’m addicted to you, Red. I’ve been waiting for the honeymoon phase to blow over.”

“And?” I swallow. “Has it?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

“I’ll always love you, Damon. I’ll always strive to be your sun and pull you out of any darkness you might face.”

“If I had to steal the earth, knife the sun, and fuck over the moon for you, I would.”

“And they say romance is dead.”

His chuckle is vibrant and free of all the wires that used to trap it.

He brings my body to his and wraps his arms around my stomach. “Gemma, every second of every day, my thoughts belong to you and Blu. You changed my life, and I’ll never stop being grateful for it.”

“Damon.” I kiss him. “You’re so loved. So loved.”

—THE END—