I can’t really see who’s there, but I can tell it’s good visitors when Velle lowers his weapon and smiles.
“Who ordered the stripper?!” Hancock cheers, laughing as they all rush Officer Peters.
I can’t help smiling, watching the guards reunite with their crew, hugging and chuckling and slapping each other on the back. From what I understand, Josh Peters has been holding it down in the prison while the power trio was out rescuing us and sorting shit out here. But now it’s all hands on deck.
More bodies are filing in, but I’m busy watching Peters and Hancock hugging. It’s pretty damn heartwarming.
“It’s so good to have you back, Party Rock,” Peters rumbles, smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen on him.
Dude is a Colgate commercial.
“I know, right?” Hancock teases. “Figured I’d bust outta there and come help you guys win this thing.”
“Simon,” I scold, and he rolls his eyes.
“Okay,fine.Luthor and Rensaved the day.” He shoots me a cheeky smirk. “Happy, princess?”
I nod enthusiastically.
“Actually, Luthor really did save the fucking day,” Velle rumbles matter-of-factly. “Seriously, kid. That magic brain of yours saved all our asses.”
Lex is blushing, and it’s the sweetest thing ever. I love that everyone isfinallyacknowledging what I’ve been saying all along.
He’s amazing and brilliant and beautiful and fucking perfect.
Peters retreats just enough to grab someone by the hand and pull them along. I gasp out loud, scrambling to my friend.
“Babe!” I squeal, throwing my arms around Alex Carson. “I’m so glad you’re here and safe!”
“You too,” he chuckles and sniffs, squeezing me tight.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Peters says to Lex, dropping a large hand on his shoulder. “For real. I’m not even gonna pretend to understand what you did or how you did it. But just… thank you.”
Lex blinks, bashful smile on his pouty lips. “Don’t mention it. Happy to help.”
“Thank you,” Alex adds as we pull apart. “You saved my life.Ourlives.”
He nods toward the doorway, where a few people I recognize as the other control room guards, and a few prisoners, are shuffling inside. Rook is giving them food and water, while Joy, Kemper and Velle address some of the others.
“I gotta help Velle,” Peters tells Alex, cupping his jaw and pressing a soft kiss on his forehead. “Get some food and rest up. I’ll be back to check on you in a few, okay?”
Alex nods, fluttering his lashes up at Josh’s face. It’s clear that he’s freaking smitten, and I’m living for it.
Peters kisses his cheek, reluctantly releasing him to go rejoin the guards. And I’m just smirking as my pal Alex turns pinker than Dash’s hair.
“Dear God, you areobsessed,” I huff.
Alex bites his lip then sighs, “Yea. It’s bad.”
“Don’t worry, he’s right there with you. He looks like Cupid used his bow to give ol’ dude a lobotomy,” I chuckle. Alex beams. “I didn’t know you two were all in love and shit! Man, I leave for a few weeks and all my friends get wifed up.”
“We’ve been getting serious, but I think me being held hostage and almost killed kinda brought us to the next level,” he snickers.
“You know, I always say the best way to find out if a guy is serious about you is to get kidnapped at gunpoint.” I nod, fully serious.Because it’s true.
“Facts,” Alex laughs.
“Hey, speaking of hostage situations, I have someone you have to officially meet.” I drag Alex over to Angel. The realization is immediately apparent on his face. “Alex, meet Angel Alvarez. You would have recognizedherasAri.”
