Red (Hell’s Jury MC #5)

42. Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Red

Six months have passed since the hearing. Erin, Theo, Stella and I worked out a transition schedule for Gabby, but once she met Sorcha, it went faster than we anticipated.

It’s spring now and Stella and I are officially engaged. We’d like to get married this summer, but Sherri wants us to wait a year. I’m starting to learn what Stella already knows. You pick your battles with Sherri and know when to wave the white flag.

The adoption for Sorcha is in the works and can’t happen soon enough. We’ve also petitioned for Stella to adopt her, but that may have to be tabled until after we’re married. Stuart’s mystery meeting with Judge Gosling was about the injustice of my sentence.

Three months after the hearing I was awarded a full pardon and my record expunged, despite committing the crime. I was also awarded $500,000 in compensation and used the money to buy a legit autobody shop. I also sold mom’s house and plan to use the money to pay for Stella’s tuition as she studies law. Between her, my little girls and my job, I’ve never been so happy.

Right after she moved in, Stella installed a basketball net over the garage door. Since our house is opposite Stuart and Sherri’s, we now have a small basketball court.

Sherri and Stuart are hosting a spring barbecue so everyone’s here. Gabby for the weekend and Lexie and Selma for the food. We’re split into two teams. Stella, Gabby and Selma against me, Sorcha and Lexie. Gabby’s on Stella’s shoulders and Sorcha’s on mine. The rule is that only Gabby and Sorcha can make the baskets.

There’s yelling, the kids are screaming with joy, we’re running back and forth, taunting each other. If a car drives by, we stop the game and let them pass. The neighbors have gotten used to us.

Sorcha’s just dunked a basket and our team is cheering when a piece of shit Toyota Yaris races up the road and screeches to the curb outside my house.

The driver’s door bangs opens and Eight jumps out. Oscar scrambles out the passenger side, then pulls the seat forward and practically drags a girl about the same age as him from the back.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I don’t swear much anymore, but I think this warrants it. I haven’t seen any of my brothers since I walked away from the Jury last fall. Even though I know it’s the rule, it still hurts. Rocky and Trigger were close friends.

“We need your help, Red. Oscar and Charlie,” he says as he motions his hand towards them. Gone is the dead look in his eyes and cold cadence in his voice. Instead, he’s panicked, desperate.

I hand Sorcha to Lexie and Stella sets Gabby on the ground, then walks over and stands next to me.

“Let’s talk inside,” I say as Oscar and Charlie huddle next to Eight.

Eight shakes his head. “No time for that. I need to leave Oscar and Charlie with you. Maybe a week. Maybe longer.”

“Why?” I sound aggressive, but my past is my past and I don’t want it impacting my future.”

“You’re the only one I trust right now. No time to explain. I have to go.”

I look at the two children looking back at me. I don’t want to be a prick, but I don’t want my little girls involved in something the Jury’s got itself mixed up in. “I don’t?—”

“Of course he will,” Selma says as she shoves herself between Stella and me.

“What the hell?” Stella elbows Selma out of the way. “Of course we’ll take them.” She looks at me. “We can fit out the spare room with a couple of beds.”

“I’m not sleeping in the same room he is,” Charlie says in disgust.

Sorcha bounces up to her. “You don’t have to. You can sleep in my room.” She stops herself. “I mean me and Gabby’s room. Gabby’s going home tomorrow.” She says to Gabby, “Is it okay if Charlie uses your bed while you’re gone?”

Gabby nods at Sorcha. “I get to sleep with Charlie tonight though.”

Sorcha looks disgruntled, but Selma jumps in. “Of course, if it’s okay with Charlie.”

“Jesus,” I say under my breath. Sometimes I can’t believe that Stella comes from the same gene pool as her sister and mother.

“Okay, that’s settled,” Eight says as he heads back to the car.

“Where the fuck are you going?” I snarl at his back.

All the girls say, “Language.”

“It’s okay,” Stella says as she hugs my waist. “We’ll figure it out.”

I glare at Stella. “They have no clothes. What about school?”

“Wow,” Selma says. “Do you ever sound domesticated.”

Lexie elbows her. “Shut up.”

Eight turns towards me but keeps walking backwards. “They’re expelled from school. They need to stay out of sight. And… I don’t fuckin’ know. Buy them some clothes.”

He opens the car door, pauses then strides over to Oscar and hugs him tight. “Don’t fuck around.”

Charlie is standing to the side looking lost as Eight eyes her. “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he grumbles as he grabs her and gives her a hard hug. “Now get inside both of you.”

Lexie herds them towards the door.

I know I’ve lost this battle, but I try to go down dying. “Eight. This isn’t on.”

“I know, Red. I’ll make it up to you.” He gets in the car and roars away.

Gabby looks up at me. “Why’s he calling you Red?”

THE END