Page 98 of Stag

“Is it not what you want?”

Stag suddenly started to laugh, and for the millionth time, I wished I knew how it sounded. Was it rich and warm, or low and raspy? Was it infectious? I felt like it must be, because my lips were twitching and I could feel giggles rising, until I was laughing with him.

“Why are we laughing?” I finally asked and he leaned forward to press his lips against mine.

“Because for the millionth time, you just took all the fear out of everything for me. I’ve been shitting it wondering if you want to come with me. Praying you do. Desperate to keep you. And then you just pipe up and put it right out there for us to discuss. Thank fuck you’re so direct.”

He looked like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, in fact, for the first time really since I’d known him, he looked like nothing was troubling him at all. Stag at peace is beautiful. He looks almost youthful and boyish, even though I know he’s all man.

“So you want me to move in with you at the clubhouse? For us to be together always?”

He tugged my face closer, kissing me again.

“Always, babe. You and me. This was meant to be, right? It feels like you’re mine, even though I know you could do better. Yes, I want you to move in with me. Today. Is that too soon?”

“Today? The clubhouse is ready?” It couldn’t be, even yesterday we were still painting rooms, and carpets were still being laid.

“Our room is. We can move in today. Is that okay?”

“God yes!”

Epilogue 1

I’m moving in with the love of my life, and she chose me. She fucking chose me. Of course there were other options, there always would be, but she chose me.

“Van’s ready, brother.”

I nodded at Rocket, who disappeared with the last box of Claudia’s stuff. We were back at her old flat, removing the rest of her stuff, which thankfully her sister hadn’t trashed with her gone.

There wasn’t a huge amount. That’s the weird thing, because we’re both adults, but we own literally no furniture, so it’s just clothing, and various personal possessions. She wanted to leave everything else for her sister for when she returned, and even insisted that she was going to pop in and keep the place in order until her sister was released from whatever unlucky place ended up with her.

The room we were moving into was literally like a small flat itself, furnished with a king size bed, dresser for clothing, sofa, chair, and mini kitchen, and a small bathroom. It was perfect for one person, but I felt like they’d worked on making them nice enough for couples, since a few of us were marrying off in one way or another.

“I think that’s the last of it. I just want to vacuum this room for her, and-”

I tapped her shoulder, and Claudia turned to look at me.

“What? I want to leave it nice for her.”

I nodded. “And that’s fine, but why don’t we get moved in, then I’ll pop back here with you to help spruce it up? We could even make a prospect help us. Ha. Grimm’s prospecting in. I’d love to make him clean for us.”

She slapped my arm. “Be nice! Henley said he and his guys are only on a six month term, and they’re already not happy about it!”

I shrugged. “Life of a prospect, babe. We get to use and abuse them. Of course mostly it’ll be helping people move into their rooms and stuff. So, shall we go? We have a whole bunch of new furniture we could christen.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her, and she giggled, but the humour quickly faded as she cast her eyes around the flat she’d shared with her sister.

“I really thought this was going to work out here. That we’d be happy sharing this place together. I never could have imagined it’d go the way it did.”

Yeah, because nobody suspects their twin would turn psycho on them, although if you watch enough soap operas there’s apparently always an evil twin. Maybe those shows were built on a little truth after all.

Still, I wasn’t letting her stay to dwell on the bad feelings she’d been left with, even if they might reconcile later. I wanted her happy and smiling as we moved into our new place together, and got started on our future, so I took a risk and grabbed hold of her, lifting her into my arms as she let out a surprised squeak. Her eyes were wide as she stared at me, her hands folding around the back of my neck.

“What? I’m taking you with me. Mwahaha.”

She giggled. “Did you just do an evil laugh? I wish I could hear it.” Yeah, me too, but then she’d catch all the dumb shit I come out with. Only, I didn’t think I was doing that so much these days.

“Let’s go get settled in, baby. You’re mine now.” I hesitated, then did my evil laugh again, and she giggled. She could see me making the movements with my lips, and at the very least it’d lifted her mood. That’s all I wanted. Her happy.

I headed for the door, groaning when she made me hold her in place while she locked the door.