by Faith Gibson
“Was? Son, it’s still hard. Why do you think I text Abbi every hour?” Frey kissed Abbi’s temple and hugged her tighter.
“Right. Well, if I play basketball, I have to live in the dorm for the first year. I don’t want to be away from Slade that long, so I’ve decided not to play. It was never my intention to try to go pro, and I don’t want to put either of us through being apart that much. I’m still going to school; I just won’t be on the team.”
“Honestly, I’m glad to hear that,” Frey admitted. “You’re my son, and I’m always going to worry about you. Now I’ll worry a little less with you being in the apartment with Slade.”
“We won’t be in an apartment.” Slade pulled out his phone, scrolled to the listings they had narrowed the selection down to, and passed it over to Abbi. “I’m going to buy us a house. We’ll live in it for four years, and then we can sell it. Think of it as an investment.” Abbi commented on the houses, picking out what she liked about each one. “I’m also going to enroll in classes. At least for the first year. I’ll be able to spend time with Matt instead of sitting outside on a bench doing nothing.”
Abbi handed the phone back, her smile sad. “Let us know which one you decide on. We’d love to come visit.” She turned her face into Frey’s neck, her shoulders shaking.
“Oh, Abs. Athens isn’t that far. We’ll come back to visit as much as possible. You know I can’t go long without seeing Amelia.” When Abbi jerked her head around, frowning, he winked at her.
Slade’s heart was full as he and Matt hauled Matt’s things into the condo. They didn’t bother unpacking, because they were both ready to relax after the full day they’d had, first driving home from New Orlando, and then spending a few hours with Matt’s family. Slade had been nervous to confront Frey, but he’d been ready to take whatever Frey decided to dish out as punishment for what Matt had gone through. He should have known better, though. Frey Hartley was one of the best males he knew. It was one of the reasons Matthew was such a wonderful young man.
Slade called Rafael on the way home to congratulate him on the birth of the Prince, and he promised he and Matt would come visit soon. Rafael thanked Slade for not killing Arden. By the time Tamian and Santiago got the male to the Pen, Tamian already had some useful information out of him. He didn’t know everything Drago had planned, but he gave up what Drago tasked him with in Florida. The Lopez brothers offered to gather their Clanmates together and start rounding up the Greeks on the East Coast. They wouldn’t be taking down all of Drago’s males, but it was a start.
“It feels different,” Matthew said, looking around. Slade knew what Matthew was talking about. As much time as Matt had spent with Slade in the condo, it was now their home. The start of their life together. He held out his hand, and Matt took it.
Slade had plans for his mate, and the first one involved their king-sized bed. Slade made love to Matthew for the first time in their home. Afterwards, they stayed wrapped around each other for hours, talking about all that had happened while they were gone, as well as things they wanted to do before they both started college. Slade still insisted he couldn’t let Matt out of his sight for that many hours a day, but he promised if Matt ever got tired of being around him so much, he would back off. Matt assured him that wouldn’t happen, and Slade prayed he was right.
It was hours since they arrived home, and Matt’s stomach rumbled. “Do you want me to cook for you?”
“No. Let’s call something in. That way, we can stay right here a while longer.” Matt rolled on top of Slade, a move which was becoming Slade’s favorite. He loved the way his mate felt beneath him, but Matt’s weight was like a blanket surrounding him with warmth and love. After calling for food to be delivered, they made love again in the shower.
They ate their Chinese takeout in bed, talking about nothing in particular. Knowing Matt had to be sore, Slade moved the empty containers to the floor and crawled between his mate’s legs and took his time tasting and teasing. Matt insisted Slade turn around where he could reciprocate. His mate really was a quick learner, and soon they were both exploding into each other’s mouths. Slade settled Matt’s back against his chest and kissed his nape, murmuring soft words until Matt fell asleep.
Not wanting to wait any longer, Slade called his parents, talking softly so he wouldn’t wake Matt. They already knew Matt was his mate, but they were thrilled to know their son had completed the bond with his life’s partner. Before he hung up, he promised to bring Matt to visit soon. Not too soon, he thought. They still had several surfaces in their home to christen, and Slade planned to take days to complete the task.
Epilogue
August 2052
“MeMe! MeMe! Watch!” Cailín yelled at Amelia from atop the playset in Frey’s backyard. Jasper’s baby sister, who he and Trevor had officially adopted a couple months after they returned home, was completely smitten with the older girl. And Amelia was equally entranced with Cailín. As much as Amelia loved her little brother, Jonathan, she preferred spending time with Cailín. She and Grace, Dane and Marley’s daughter, were becoming quite the experienced babysitters. Jon was only one year younger than Cailín, but he didn’t follow Amelia around, mimicking her every move. No, Jon preferred playing with his cousin, Sebastian.
Jasper stood at the bottom of the playset, watching his daredevil daughter, while Trevor sat on the deck next to Matthew, grinning. “So, how does it feel to be a free man?” Trevor asked.
Matthew had graduated college the week before, and Frey and Abbi were throwing him a party. It was much like a Sunday Funday at the manor, the only difference being the location. As always, Priscilla had outdone herself, only this time, she had a little help from Slade.
“Feels great. I’m ready for a long vacation where I don’t have to worry about studying or research. My brain is fried.”
“I can understand that. I don’t think I’ll ever be done with school.” Trevor was still in medical school, but after he and Jasper went on their honeymoon and came home with a baby, he had taken some time off to be with his new daughter. After a lot of discussion, he and Jasper decided Trevor would continue with school while Jasper stayed home with Cailín. “Slade taking you somewhere tropical?” Trevor asked, right before he sucked in a breath and jumped to his feet. Cailín had launched herself off the top of the slide into her waiting father’s arms. “I swear, she’s going to give me a heart attack.”
Matthew laughed as Jasper put the girl on her feet, and she climbed the slide instead of taking the steps. Amelia plopped down on the deck beside him, wrapping her arm around his leg. Grace sat down beside her. The two girls were practically inseparable.
“Yeah, we’re going back to the Keys. Staying stateside this time.” Every summer for the last three years, Slade had taken Matthew on long trips to various parts of the world. Matthew loved traveling with his Goyle, but he was ready to be close to his family for a while. He had missed his little sister more than he would have thought possible, and he wanted to see his little brother more than once a month.
“What’s next? Have you decided what you’re going to do with the rest of your life?”
Matthew glanced over at his best friend. “I’m thinking I should open a Clan daycare,” he joked.
“Do it! Then Grace and I can come work for you,” Amelia said, grinning. Grace nodded enthusiastically.
Matthew leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of Amelia’s head. “Slade and I are thinking about opening a restaurant. It’s something we’ve discussed, and he’s been looking at the logistics. He really got into his cooking classes, and with my business degree and his financial background, we think it would be something we both enjoy.”
“What would you call it? Slade and Matthew’s? Oh, yes! S&M’s.” Trevor laughed at his own joke.
“What’s so funny?” Amelia asked.
“Nothing. Your Uncle Trevor’s being an idiot.”
“Meme, Grace, come on!” Cailín yelled. The two girls took off, and Matthew’s heart me
lted as he watched them playing with Trevor’s daughter.
“What about kids? Or are you and Slade going to be the cool uncles forever?”
“We’ve talked about it. I do want a family, but we’re going to wait a while longer. See how busy we are with a business before trying to juggle a kid.”
“Makes sense. Kids are wonderful, but they have to be your first priority. Don’t get me wrong. I love that little girl more than life itself, but I miss out on so much of her life. I’m thinking about dropping out of medical school.”
“But you want to take Dante’s place. Don’t you?”
“I do, but it’s at her expense. I know she has Jasper and all the aunts and uncles and cousins, but it’s not the same as me being there with her.” Trevor stared wistfully at his daughter.
“Then maybe you should start a daycare,” Matt joked.
“Maybe. But enough about that. Isn’t there a cake inside waiting to be cut?” Trevor stood and held out his hand to Matt. Matt took it, and when he stood, Trevor hugged him. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“Me too.” Matthew followed his best friend inside, vowing silently to spend as much time as possible with Trevor.
“Hey, Boy Wonder. You ready to cut your cake?” Tessa asked.
“I thought I was Boy Wonder.” Trevor glared at the redhead.
“You’ve been replaced.” Tessa pushed Trevor’s shoulder, laughing.
“See if I babysit the twins next time you want a night out.” Trevor stuck his tongue out at the female, and the two of them burst out laughing. Tessa grabbed Trevor around the neck, and a loud growl came from somewhere close by.
“Oh, shut it, Stone,” Tessa chastised Gregor.
Trevor held his hands up — “I’m just going to…” — and hightailed it out the back door. “Jasper, help!”
Matthew grinned and continued through the house in search of his Goyle. Slade was in the living room talking to his parents, Lindgren and Elenore. The couple had welcomed Matthew with open arms. His life had changed so much in the last four years, and he couldn’t be happier. Slade held out his hand, not pausing in his conversation with his father. Matt clasped his Goyle’s hand, and Lindgren pulled Matt into the conversation. Both Slade and his father were geniuses when it came to investing money, but they never failed to include him when they talked business. Matthew felt like a true partner.
Priscilla and Maria, Connor’s honorary grandmother, managed to wrangle everyone together for Matt to cut his cake. When someone called out, “Speech, speech,” Matthew shook his head. He didn’t have anything prepared to say, but he wasn’t the kid he’d been when he first came into the Clan. Slade slid an arm around Matt’s waist, offering silent strength.
“When Abbi and I first came into your lives, we didn’t have this. We had more bad days than good, but every one of you gave something to us. You gave us your family. Your Clan. In the five years we’ve known you, our family has grown. A lot. And by the looks of some of you… Isabelle” — Matthew coughed into his hand making everyone laugh — “you aren’t done.” Dante put a protective hand over his mate’s large belly. “I don’t know that I’ve ever said thank you, so I’m saying it now. Thank you. For the party. For the encouragement. The friendship. But most of all, for the love. I consider myself the luckiest guy in the world.”
A round of cheers went up, and Slade kissed Matthew’s temple. “Now, enough sappiness. Let’s get back to the party.”
Slade was feeding Matthew a bite of cake when Connor walked up, holding out one of his famous drawings. “Thank you, Connor.” Matthew had been expecting the present from the boy. Anytime they had a celebration, Connor gifted the honoree with a drawing, and it most often was a scene depicting something he’d seen in a vision. Slade leaned over Matt’s shoulder so he could take a look.
“That’s… Wow, Connor. Thank you. It’s stunning.”
Connor fisted his heart and bowed his head, something he often did when words failed him.
“I guess we’re opening a restaurant,” Slade whispered, admiring the artwork.
“Is that the Patton Tower?” Matthew pointed to a building in the background.
“Yes, but we haven’t looked at any buildings in that area of town. I guess we have more homework to do.”
Slade took Matthew for a two-week stay in the Keys. He admitted it would always be his favorite place in the world, since it was where Matt felt like his life began. They were lounging on the beach under an umbrella, tossing names around. Slade wanted it named after Matthew. Matthew thought it should be named after Slade. They finally agreed on a compromise.
Three weeks later, Slade bought the building two blocks from the Patton Tower where they planned to open their first restaurant – Colden’s Key.
A Note from the Author
Slade was supposed to be a Deacon companion story, but as with most stories, this one had a mind of its own. It is longer than a novella at over 50,000 words, but too short for me to consider it a full-length novel. I always knew Matt would get his Gargoyle, but I struggled with giving him one so soon just like Slade struggled claiming Matt. Matt’s story was supposed to be included in the 2nd Generation books where we meet the grown-up offspring. He and Slade had other ideas.
Next up is Mav’s story in the Hounds of Zeus. If you haven’t read book 1, check out Waging War, where you meet Lucy’s father, Warryck, and his female, Kerrigan.
Waging War
Coming Soon
Double the Mayhem – Hounds of Zeus MC Book 2
About the Author
Multi-genre author Faith Gibson began writing in high school, and through the years, penned many stories and poems. As her dreams continued getting crazier than the one before, she decided to keep a dream journal. Many of these nighttime escapades have led to a line, a chapter, or even a complete story.
“Love is love, and there’s not enough love in the world.” This belief she holds strongly, and it's the prevailing theme in her works, all of which come with a happy ending.
Faith believes her purpose in life is to entertain the masses, even if it’s one person at a time. Living just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with the love of her life and her pit bull pup, when she’s not hard at work writing her next adventure, she can often be found playing trivia while enjoying craft beer, listening to live music, or off on an adventure of her own.
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Other Works by Faith Gibson
The Stone Society Series
Rafael
Gregor
Dante
Frey
Nikolas
Jasper
Sixx
Sin
Jonas – A Stone Society Novella
Julian
Urijah
Dane – A Stone Society Novella
Tamian
Deacon
The Hounds of Zeus
Waging War
The Music Within Series - MM
Deliver Me
Release Me
Finding Me
Finding Us – a Music Within short story
Tap Dancing with the Devil – Standalone MF Suspense
The Samuel Dexter Books - MM
The Ghost in the Mirror
The Ghost in the Water
The Ghost in the Desert – Prequel Short Story
The Guardians of Truth – YA Fantasy (writing as Andi Copeland)
Oracle
Seeker
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