Recognition!
“Oh my God, I think that’s them.”
The shriek slices through the air, and chaos ensues. Screams, footsteps, bodies moving fast. Girls rush toward us, but the security closes ranks, their large frames shielding us from most of the contact. Hands reach out, brushing at Colt’s hoodie, my body, my clothes. I press my face tighter into him, trying to block it all out. My scar flares with remembered pain.
“Colt, we love you!”
“Is that Dee with him?”
“Congratulations on your wedding!”
“Dee, are you okay now? We were so worried.”
My body trembles, but Colt’s hold never wavers. Then something shifts. The hands aren’t clawing, ripping, or yanking. They’re soft. Careful. Reaching out like I’m something precious.
I lift my head, just slightly.
And they cheer.
“We’re so glad you’re okay, Dee,”one girl yells.
Colt glances down at me, his grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “They love you,” he murmurs.
A shaky smile forms on my lips before I lift my hand and wave.
They scream louder.
“Thanks for your support, ladies,” Colt calls over the noise. “But if you don’t mind, I’d like to take my wife on our honeymoon now.”
“Awwwww,” they chorus, parting like the Red Sea to let us through.
“Thank you all,” I say, my voice steadier than I expected. “Really. It means a lot.”
More cheering. No pushing. Just smiles and waving hands.
I lean my head back against Colt’s shoulder, a stunned laugh escaping. I don’t know if it’s the marriage or the accident or the sheer passage of time, but it’s like theevil minionshave…evolved.
Maybe they’re not so evil anymore.
Colt makes his way through the final wave of girls, the guards holding the crowd at bay as we approach the private checkpoint. Tamara is already there, waiting by the access gate with a warm smile and a subtle nod. She presses the button to buzz us through, and Colt walks us inside the secured terminal space as the security team pauses behind us, closing the gate firmly once we’re through.
A lone voice calls out from the other side of the fence, clear and bright over the noise. “Have a good honeymoon, Colt.”
I can’t help but laugh, a breathy sound of disbelief as the tension finally starts to bleed out of my system.
That wasnotwhat I expected.
Once we’re clear of the gate, Colt gently sets me down, and I steady myself on my feet. I glance up at him, still catching my breath, my heart finally beginning to slow.
“What the hell was that?” I ask, blinking in surprise.
He chuckles, shaking his head as he adjusts the strap on one of the carry-on bags. “I have no idea,” he admits. “But I like it. No claws, no screaming, no grabbing. Just… support and kindness. Yeah, that was new.” He turns to Dave, who’s standingnearby. “Hey, Dave, before you head back out there, can you get the names and contact info for all the girls outside?”
Dave raises his eyebrows. “All of them, sir? There are at least a hundred out there.”
Colt nods without hesitation. “Yeah. Every single one. I want to invite them as VIPs to our first London gig when I’m back. Make sure they’re looked after. Front row. Backstage passes.”
My jaw nearly hits the tarmac. “You’re serious?”
