“The torture twins are reminiscing again,” Amber giggles.
“I think it’s silly they keep him locked up,” Georgia says. “He killed the worst of the worst. He has no victims.”
“I agree, but Cole doesn’t have a choice,” Amber says in an annoyed tone. “After Caspian, people need to know there are consequences for their actions.”
Georgia nods. “I can see your point, but hopefully, as more women are found, there will be less frustration and the threat of a rebellion will cease.”
“I think Grady is finally wearing Melody down,” Britney says. “If he could pry her from the other two Reaver chicks, he’d have a much better chance.”
“I still don’t understand how that Reaver bastard managed to brainwash so many women,” Remi says.
Amber frowns. “And you wouldn’t. No offense, but until you’re in a situation like that, you’ll never get it. I hate the bastard, but me and my son would have died if he hadn’t come along. I’m glad he’s dead, and sometimes I wish I could have killed him myself, but I get what those women are going through.”
Baby Lily starts fussing, so I hand her over to Georgia.
It’s hard for me to understand how some women cling to their captors, but I can’t say I judge them. Look what I’ve become.
“I hope Melody comes around and finds happiness with Grady. He’s a little rough around the edges, but so was Hunter when I first met him.”
“Understatement of the century,” Remi mutters under his breath.
I elbow her ribs. “Like Gage is much better.”
“Ah, did you see that, Clint?” Remi feigns offense. “Your captive just assaulted me.”
He cracks a wide grin. “I didn’t see shit.”
Suki comes in, still wearing pajamas.
“How’s Baby Trent been treating you?” Britney chirps.
She looks down at her stomach and gives it a rub. “There is no end to my tiredness.”
“Growing babies is exhausting,” Georgia says.
“It’s not the baby. It’s Trent. He can’t keep his hands off me, even as my belly gets big.”
“Same!” Amber says, rolling her eyes. “I’m begging for the men to raid a blowup doll shop so I can get a break.”
We laugh again, and a feeling of gratitude overwhelms me. After all that I’ve been through, I get to laugh. I get to have friends. I get to find love.
“Hey, you guys,” I whisper as a tear slides down my cheek. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for how cold I was toward you all when I first got here. It was a really bad time for me.”
“Never be sorry for the storm you had to weather,” Amber says. “I did far worse than you, and I’ve been forgiven by most.”
“Yeah, and you actually make this place interesting,” Remi adds. “Before you, the most exciting thing we had to look forward to was whether Britney was going to murder Alistair. When they reconciled, the Keep got dull.”
Britney scowls, but everyone else gets caught up in laughter again.
Wiping my tears away, I say a silent prayer, thankful that I now belong.
Of that, there is no doubt. I belong here. There is no other place in the world I’d rather be than with the people of the Keep, whether it be here in the bunker or out in the greater world. These are my people. My tribe. My happily ever after.
And I get to experience it all with the man I love and the baby we made together.
HUNTER
It’s difficult to describe the many thoughts racing through my mind as I wait for Fiona to walk through the door.
