“Alright,” I complained.
Kayden leaned his head on her shoulder and winked at Levi. “That’s her way of saying welcome, by the way. She’s not good at being soft and gentle, unless?—”
“Finish that sentence,” Moira dared him. “Please.”
“She does not, in fact, want me to finish that sentence,” Kayden said brightly, clearly used to Moira’s threats...or turned on by them.
Mason said nothing, his arms crossed as he glared at nothing in particular. Beside him, Jace looked at everyone else and sighed, turning to push Mason toward the doorway with muttered words I didn’t catch. Mason went, still shooting us a dirty look as he grabbed the door and yanked it open to leave without another look. Jace lingered, turning to look at Levi. “You’ve got a long road ahead of you, just so you know. It’s harder and longer than you think. And it’s going to suck ass. But if you’re serious, and you better fucking be...it’s worth it. They’re worth it. So you’d better prove you’re worth it.”
“Andthat,” Kayden added brightly, “was the closest you’re going to get to a heartwarming speech from Jace. Shit, that was practically a hug and a kiss on the forehead from him.”
“And more than we would have got from him years ago,” Moira added, curling her lip. “What kind of timeline are we living in where Mason is a good influence?”
“I’m not sure,” Marcus said, standing at the end of the bed, one hand on Matty’s back. It had never been his style to interfere, but he was always able to show how he felt. His quiet presence was as sure a sign of support as Matty’s refusal to let go of Levi’s hand or Arlo’s speech. “But we should probably check for swarms of locusts when we leave, just to be sure.”
“I didn’t hear any trumpets, so I think we might be okay,” Moira muttered. “Micah, come on. It’s late, and I’m sure Dom and Levi would like time to talk.”
“Okay,” he said, poking Levi’s arm. “We’re going to see you, right?”
“Yes,” Levi said without hesitation, but he was having a hard time meeting anyone’s gaze.
“Make sure to get some rest,” Arlo said, reaching behind him unthinkingly, and Ward didn’t hesitate to take his hand as they followed after Micah and Moira, with Kayden giving a little wave before joining them.
“Come on, drunky,” Eli said, patting Milo’s ass. “Let’s get home.”
“Tacos?” Milo asked with wide eyes that I was sure were supposed to be cute, just like I was sure Eli was soft enough to agree with him.
“Fine, but nothing spicy. I’m not listening to you cry because you ate spicy food on top of drinking,” Eli said.
“Aww, but they’re so tasty,” Milo groaned. “My butthole will be fine.”
“Mhmm, and I’m sure everyone would love to hear more about your butthole,” Eli told him as he gently but persistently led him toward the door.
“No, but I bet you would.”
“And we’re leaving. See you soon, Levi.”
That left Levi and me with Matty and Marcus, who were still smiling. Marcus’s hand had moved up to Matty’s shoulder as he stood next to her. She was watching him intently, but Levi refused to look up. I said nothing; my part had been said, and now it was Matty’s turn. Part of me suspected that whatever she was going to say would be even harder for him to hear. He had gone for years without a mother in his life, and I knew all too well what it was like to genuinely feel a mother’s love when you thought you would never have it again.
“Don’t mind Mason, he’s just discovering that he actually cares and worries about his family,” Matty said with a chuckle. “He’s not dealing with it very well.”
“He’s right to hate me,” Levi said, eyes riveted on the blanket like he might find an answer in its stitching.
Matty sighed, reaching out with her other hand to gently grip his chin and pull him up so he was forced to look at her. “Did you really do all the things you said you did?”
Levi’s chest shuddered, but he spoke clearly. “Yes.”
“The good, the bad, the foul, and the noble?”
“I did the?—”
“All of it?”
He swallowed hard and long before answering. “Yes.”
“And did you do all that for my family...for my son?”
“Yes.” That came out instantly. “And yes, I love him. I’ve always loved him, and no matter what, I’m always going to love him.”
