“You look pretty perfect to me.” Chase smirks. “Why wouldn’t we?”
“Watch it,” Valen growls. “Cousin or not. Brother or not. I will end you if you so much as flash one of those fucking come-hither grins at my girl again.”
“Oh,” Sterling chuckles. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“You’re family, Clover.” Roman clears his throat. “The most important rule in our house growing up was that you always make time for family. We’ll hang out in Happiness for as long as you’ll have us.”
“Lord, help us. The ladies are goin’ to be in a tizzy when they find out four more billionaires are headed to Happiness.” Chief chuckles. “How are your line dancing skills? The women of Happiness like to be wooed, ya know? Ya going to woo them?”
“My wooing skills are top-notch, Chief.” Chase wiggles his hips suggestively, and suddenly I feel bad for every eligible person in Happiness. They aren’t going to know what hit them.
I take a breath.
Release it slowly.
Repeat.
Peeling myself away from Valen, I hug each man in turn.
I reach Grant last. I don’t understand this big brotherly connection I have with him, but I’m not going to fight it either. Wrapping him in a hug, I squeeze tight. “Okay,” I say, releasing him when I hear Valen growl. “Then we’re heading back to Happiness. As a family.”
“When?” Valen asks.
“Six hours,” Grant replies. “We have to assume that if Terra can get around the defenses of an FBI safe house in less than a day, then she’ll be able to find us here too, so we move fast and get ahead of her this time.”
“Everyone, get some sleep,” Roman orders. “It’s a fifteen-hour drive to Happiness, and we’ll only stop for gas.”
People start moving. Sterling and Chase head back to their room, thankfully taking the duffel bag of weapons with them. Roman focuses on his tablet as he follows them from the room, and Chief kisses the top of my head before exiting.
Grant lingers, then wraps Valen in a hug that slaps so hard their chests will likely have giant bruises on them.
I pull out the burner phone Grant gave me to give them a moment of privacy.
Me: SOS. Coming home tomorrow.
Madi: FINALLY. I’ve been stress-baking with a newborn for three days.
Madi: We have seventeen pies.
Savvy: We’re here. Whatever you need.
Elle: I’ll have the wine ready.
I stare at their responses.
These women.
These fierce, loyal, beautiful women who chose to love me without asking for anything in return.
Terra thinks she can destroy me, but she has no clue about the army at my back.
“Are you okay?” Valen asks, climbing into bed and spooning me.
“No.” In the safety of his arms, I let down my walls and tell him the truth. “But I will be. I’m beginning to think that I might be a fighter after all.”
“You are,” he says vehemently. “And I promise you—we will end this.”
Rolling over, I rest my head above his heart, listening to its strong rhythm, and eventually, I close my eyes.
