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BONUS EPILOGUE
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER
COPPER NARROWED HIS eyes as though he could use the orbs as lasers to vaporize the problem playing out before him. When nothing happened, he settled for another sip of scotch and a growl.
“You know,” Shell said, as she stepped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m pretty sure the birthday girl shouldn’t have to spend twenty minutes searching for her sexy ol’ man at her party. But I am over the hill now, so maybe my memory isn’t serving me as well as it used to.”
With a grunt, Copper pulled his wife around from behind him, tugging her down to his lap. She looked even more gorgeous than usual tonight in a form-fitting black dress he couldn’t wait to peel off her later on. With her sunny hair straightened sleek and glossy and subtle makeup, she looked fresh, young, and happy. “Over the hill, my ass,” he said, palming her ass. At forty, well thirty-nine and three-hundred-sixty-four days, Shell didn’t look a day older than she did at twenty-four when he’d finally pulled his head out of his ass and admitted his love for her. If there were lines around her eyes, and a softness to her middle, he sure as hell didn’t notice it.
Making the woman his had been the best fucking move of his entire life. Soon to be the second-best because eliminating this problem in front of him might top everything, even his decision to marry Shell.
“You seeing this shit?” he asked, nudging his chin for Shell to follow his gaze.
She did, but her giggle didn’t seem appropriate for how fucking bad the situation was. “Do I see our daughter flirting with a handsome man? Yes, Copper, I do. Those two have been sniffing around each other for about six months now.”
He straightened, nearly dumping Shell off his lap. “Excuse me? How the fuck did I not know this?”
Rolling her eyes, his sassy wife swatted his chest. “Could you not break my hip on my birthday? And seriously, what’s the big deal? Beth has been dating for years.”
“Yeah, but not him. Not one of my guys.” He shot his daughter another glower.
Shell giggled again.
Even at his expense, he loved the damn sound of his wife’s happiness.
“Copper, you love Lee. He went through a bit of a rough period in his late teens, but once Makenna and Thunder got him in therapy and he dealt with his upbringing he really turned his life around. He’s a good man and you know it.”
He was a good man. One of the best Copper knew. Responsible, self-assured without being a cocky fucker, and damn smart, he’d make a great Sergeant at Arms in the future. None of that meant Copper wanted him dating his eldest daughter.
Makenna’s brother had prospected at twenty-one and been a great addition to the club. But there was one big problem here Shell seemed to be overlooking. “Baby, Beth is twenty. And Lee is thirty-fucking-three. He’s robbing the goddammed cradle. It’s fucking wrong.”
Uh-oh.
Shell no longer wore a playful smile. Now, her eyes were narrowed, and fire shot from the orbs. “Uh, you do realize that’s three years closer in age than we are, right?”
Shit. He swallowed. How did she not see the rules were different for their daughter? “Yeah, I know, but—”
She tsked. “No buts, babe. Beth is an adult, and Lee is a great guy. I’d be happy to see them together. And she’s pretty smitten, so you better get on board, big guy.”
Smitten? Seriously? Had they purposefully gone behind his fucking back? “Maybe I need to send him away for a while.”
Shell’s jaw dropped. “Copper! Don’t you dare. Shush, here they come.” She whacked his chest again. “Behave.”
He grunted but snatched her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her palm. As usual, her eyes went misty, and she gave him a love-filled smile. After so many years together, he knew precisely how to worm his way back to his wife’s good side.
With a sigh, Copper watched his daughter meander their way. Christ, he loved that girl. Beth wasn’t his biological daughter; but not for one minute had that ever mattered to him. She was his, plain and simple. As was her mother.
“Hey, Mom! You enjoying your birthday party?” Beth asked, as she took an empty seat at their table.”
Lee remained standing, eyes on Copper, and posture stiff.
That’s right, asshole. She’s my daughter. You wait for my permission.
“I am,” Shell said with a bright smile for the pair. “I was just trying to get your father here to dance with me.”
Copper snorted. Little liar. His snort turned into a grunt when her bony elbow landed on his ribs.
“Goddammit, woman,” he muttered, rubbing his side. Those elbows were fucking lethal.
“Lee, come sit with us. How are things going with you? I hear you’re thinking of buying into Zach’s gym.”
