Monk by Ivy Black

Epilogue

Monk

Two Weeks Later

The sun is slipping toward the horizon, casting the sky in vivid shades of red and gold. The air is crisp and filled with the heavy scent of the sea, and the earthy musk of the forest. It’s been two weeks since the shootout at the lodge, and it’s been a constant barrage of shit.

The sheriff, true to his word, has done his best to shield us from the worst of it, portraying our role as peripheral to the events of the day. It was the deal we worked out with him, which we are totally fine with. The last thing we want is publicity, especially since the FBI has been crawling all over Blue Rock, looking for answers or loose ends and flaws in the sheriff’s story.

Not everything worked out for the best. Zavala and his sicario Xavier escaped during the firefight. They went to ground, and nobody can find them. Likely, nobody will. They’ll only resurface when they’re ready. And without Zavala, there is no case to be made against Spencer. Although, he did finally relent and sign the divorce papers. He’s also been put on notice that if he ever sets foot in Blue Rock again, he’ll have to deal with us, which makes me positive we’ll never see him again.

A high-profile case like that, one involving a cartel as notorious as Zavala’s is bound to attract the attention of the feds. At the same time, they’re also searching for one of their own, who’s gone missing. A deep cover agent tasked with infiltrating white supremacist militias and dismantling them from the inside.

That’s the thing that’s been eating at me the most lately, even as I’m doing my best to put it out of my head. It truly was a case of us or them. I made the decision to protect myself, my brothers, and my club. And now, I’ll have to find a way to live with it.

I’m sitting on the top of a picnic table, sipping a beer as I watch the bonfire burn. The Pharaohs compound, at least for today, has been turned into a family fun zone. All of the guys have invited their families for a barbecue and bonfire. On the far side of the compound, Max and our other two prospects are working the grills, turning out burgers and dogs almost as fast as the crowd can eat them.

A group of kids are playing together, their squeals and laughter barely audible over Metallica’s One, blasting over the speakers. All around me, people are laughing, enjoying themselves, and enjoying each other.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Kasey says as she drops down onto the top of the table beside me.

“Nothing too heavy. I was just thinking how nice of a day it’s been. And how rare they seem to be,” I reply.

“Which is why it’s so important to cherish them when they do come around.”

“Well said.”

I put my good arm around her shoulders and pull her close. My other arm remains in a sling and probably will for a few more weeks. The bullet they dug out of me had done some damage, but nothing permanent. They’d patched me up and the doctor warned me to avoid doing anything with it at all until he gave me the thumbs up.

“How’s the shoulder?”

“Still attached.”

“Smartass.”

I shrug. “Yeah, but you seem to like it.”

She smiles and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Actually, I love it.”

I return her smile and then I look over to see her father standing with Prophet, Poe, Cosmo, and Doc. They’ve all got glasses of bourbon and cigars, talking and laughing with one another.

“I never thought I’d see the day. Didn’t think it was even possible,” I say.

Kasey follows my gaze, a warm smile on her lips. “He’s getting there. He’s doing better about not being such a judgmental prick. I’m actually really glad he’s here.”

I nod. “Me, too. He’s actually not a bad guy when he’s not trying to arrest us for everything, including the assassinations of JFK and Abraham Lincoln.”

“Well in his defense, you haven’t exactly provided a solid alibi for either event.”

I laugh and plant a kiss on the crown of her head. She melts into me and I relish the feeling of her pressed to me so closely. This is something else I never thought I’d live to see… Kasey and I back together. She moved into my place about a week ago, much to the delight of Bo, who just adores her. As do I.

We’ve been able to move past what happened so long ago, and we are now content with focusing on what’s to come. And frankly, I’m excited about it. Looking forward to, and being optimistic about, the future has never been my specialty. But with Kasey by my side, I am starting to honestly believe that all things are possible.

Sheriff Singer saunters over to us, cigar hanging out of the corner of his mouth, glass of bourbon in hand. His cheeks are flushed, and he has the look of a man pretty well into his cups. I have to give him credit, though, as he’s holding himself together very well. Behind him, Prophet and the guys are laughing and hurling insults at him, hazing him like they would any other prospect. That’s how I know they’ve genuinely come to like the guy.

Singer stops before me and I feel Kasey tense up, almost subconsciously. He looks me in the eye for a long moment, not saying anything, and I’m wondering if the bourbon’s made him mute. Finally, he opens his mouth, he surprises me.

“You know, for a long time, I didn’t like you,” he starts.

I chuckle. “Yeah, I kinda got that.”

“I judged you by your parents. Figured you’d turn out just like ’em. And when I heard you joined this outfit, it confirmed what I thought all along… you’re a dirtbag and a criminal.”

“Dad,” Kasey whispers harshly.

He gives her a smile and holds his hand up. “Slow down now, girl. The point I’m getting to is that I was wrong. About all of it. You. The club. I was being a… what was it you called me, honey? A bigoted, ignorant prick?”

“Among other things,” she says with a roll of the eyes.

He laughs. “She’s right. I was all that and more.”

“To be fair, I know I didn’t do much to disabuse you of the notions.”

“No, you didn’t. But the point is, you shouldn’t have had to. I was bein’ an asshole. And I just want to say I’m sorry. For everything.”

“I appreciate that, Sheriff. More than you know. And I apologize as well. I know I’ve been… disrespectful at times.”

“That’s puttin’ it mildly. But hey, water under the bridge. You brought my little girl home to me and I’ll never be able to thank you enough,” he says, the gratefulness on his face evident.

“You don’t need to. I’m glad she’s home, too.”

Kasey leans against me and I squeeze her tighter. The sheriff smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. I can see he’s trying. Old prejudices take time to evaporate completely. The important thing is not the past but the future. And both Sheriff Singer and I are traveling new paths.

We’re joined together by our love for one very special person, and it’s she who’s shown us the error of our ways, as well as the way to chart a new course forward. Without her, I have a feeling both the sheriff and I will be lost and adrift forever.

“None of this means you get a free pass, Monk. You can’t be runnin’ around out there all willy-nilly, committin’ crimes. If I catch you, I’m gonna have to arrest you,” Singer clarifies.

“Well, I guess I’m going to have to make sure you don’t catch me, then.”

He stares at me blankly for a moment, and it’s only when Kasey bursts into laughter that he gets the joke and joins in. He shakes his head and starts to turn away.

“Such a smartass. That’s somethin’ that hasn’t changed,” he mutters as he walks away, chuckling to himself.

Kasey and I sit side by side, enjoying a companionable silence. I finally turn to look at her and find her looking back at me, a wide smile on her face. She plants a soft, lingering kiss on me, then pulls back.

“I never thought I’d get a chance to be this happy,” she says quietly. I thought I was going to be forced to settle for that life, and that prison, for the rest of my life. You saved me from that, Jacob. You saved me from a life of abject misery.”

I shake my head and gently lay my hand on her cheek, staring deeply into her eyes.

“No, it’s you who saved me. I need you to understand and believe that. You saved me in more ways than I can count,” I tell her.

“Well, maybe we saved each other.”

A smile touches my lips. “I like that. And I love you.”

“I love you, Jacob. I always have. And I always will.”

“I’m yours and you’re mine.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She leans into me and our lips meet, a kiss filled with passion, but also with emotion so powerful and thick, it takes my breath away. Back at the lodge, I had the thought that truly good days—days you cherish and remember your entire life—are incredibly rare.

Having Kasey in my arms and in my life, however, is proving me wrong on that count. Every day with her is special. She’s more special than I can even begin to say. And I will cherish every single day we have together proving that I deserve her love. Proving that I deserve her.

Prophet said we don’t often get a second bite of the apple, and I intend to seize this chance and make the very most of it. For her. And with her.

* * *

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