“See? I knew this would get her attention.”
“Dogs need nutrition,” Sterling mutters. “Not processed meat.”
“Bacon is basically its own food group,” Chase says, which earns him a high five from Chief.
Grant peers up from his laptop, his expression softening when he sees me. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay.” I slide into a chair across from him. He radiates big brother energy that always draws me to him. “Better than yesterday, anyway.”
“Good, because we need to talk strategy, but first, you need to check in with your other family. Savvy is fucking annoying when she’s scared.”
Guilt makes my shoulders sink. “I hate that I’m putting them through this. They’ve been through so much already.”
“Did you walk away when Savvy was being tormented by her ex?” Sterling asks. “Did you walk away when Madison was being harassed by the paparazzi?”
I frown but don’t open my mouth.
“No, because that’s not what family does,” he answers for me. “They love you, and it wouldn’t be fair to cut them out of your life in your time of need.”
Grant slides a phone my way just as Chief places a plate of pancakes and bacon in front of me.
Another coil of fear that tethered me to the past unwinds somewhere deep in my soul. “You’re right. Okay, everyone, squeeze in for a selfie.”
I hold the phone expectantly, and after a lot of groaning, all six men cram their faces together to fit in the screen, and I take a ton of pictures.
When I finally lower the phone, I zoom in on the one I like best, and my chest cracks into a million joyful pieces. I look…happy.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I text it to Madi, Savvy, and Elle.
The replies come in record time.
Savvy: You look so happy.
Elle: I love your smile.
Madi: Why-choose research?
Valen groans loudly as he reads over my shoulder. “What’s wrong with your friends?”
Chase pushes forward to peer over my shoulder too and howls with laughter. “I like that one, but there’s not a chance in hell that I’m crossing swords with any of my brothers. Ever.” He shivers, and it pulls another laugh from me as I reply.
Me: I am happy. Scared. Worried. Anxious. But happy.
Me: And safe. Just look at my protection detail.
Savvy: They would make a handsome why-choose cover.
“Jesus Christ,” Grant mutters, then returns to typing on his laptop. I hadn’t realized he was reading the messages too. “I hate to cut you short, but we need to get organized. The longer we wait, the more time she has to plan.”
“But after you eat. And only if you’re ready,” Valen says with a slight growl to the words, his hand on my shoulder a steady reminder that I’m not alone anymore.
Wrecks bangs into the table leg, sloshing the orange juice in Grant’s glass onto the table, then flops his big furry body onto my feet.
“I’m ready,” I say, and actually mean it. “I’ll just say goodbye.”
Me: I’ll check in later.
Me: I love you guys.
