“Victory, friends. Victory!” Wyatt started to dance.
Janet’s hand shot up to Wyatt’s shoulder, stopping his jig. “We talked about the dancing.”
“I think we saved the city?” Orion said.
“The power of friendship saved the day?” Janet let go of Orion’s hand before tapping the baseball bat in her palm. “Can we lie and say we slugged it out?”
As everybody took inventory of the damage, Booker didn’t let go of my hand. There was no doubt, he knew exactly how I felt about him. Words could deceive, but with a man who could read my emotions, he’d never doubt the place I held for him in my heart. It was no different than the rest of the team. For the first time in my life, I had confirmation. They loved me for me, no matter which messy version I embraced.
“We’re not dead,” Arthur huffed into the earpiece. “Connor dismantled Apex. Nobody piss him off.”
“That’s my boy,” Janet said.
“We’re not done,” he said. “The HeroApp™ is still lighting up.”
Orion tapped his watch. The mechanical suit spread along his skin until all but his jawline showed. “Who’s in?” He put his fist out. Wyatt wasted no time putting a hand on his. Janet rolled her eyes but put hers on top of the pile. All eyes turned on me.
“One moment.”
I grabbed Booker by the neck of his suit. My lips pressed against his. As they parted, I finally had a reason to fight. This was no longer Hellion looking for a fight. I had something to protect, a purpose.
“I love you, too.”
Booker’s eyebrow went up. “Too?”
I smiled. There was no point in hiding it. For a moment, I had felt everything he did. He smirked as his cheeks turned three shades of red.
“This better not become a thing,” Janet said, pointing at us.
While biting his lower lip, I held out my hand. The magnets ignited, and a second later, I felt the remaining baton smack against my palm. I slid it on my hip and put a hand on Janet’s. This was my family, and I’d go to the ends of the Earth to ensure their safety. Tonight that meant cleaning up the streets; tomorrow it’d be brownies.
Booker’s hand rested on my chest. “Make sure you come back.”
“Always.”
Wyatt’s arm wrapped around my waist. A second later, we were soaring through the sky, but I couldn’t stop staring at Booker. Together, we had finished our job for Ricardo. The police had arrived, and he ushered them toward Keyes. She had been apprehended. We might have stood against Keyes, but it was Booker and his empathy that saved the day.
“My hero,” I whispered.
24
I arrived early.Every muscle in my body hurt. I should have taken the day off, but today felt…different. Saving the city from chaos didn’t leave me enough time to bake brownies or make muffins. Instead, I swung by the baker. What did you buy to celebrate a monumental victory?
I set the brownies next to the muffins, and I positioned the cake far enough away that Wyatt wouldn’t be able to snatch it in a single grab. I imagined that the moment he walked in the door, he’d sniff the air and come running. I had to remind myself I didn’tneedto buy their affection with store-bought confectionery treats. I might nothaveto, but Iwantedto continue the tradition. I don’t know how Booker handled knowing every emotion of the people he touched, but this one had given me confidence.
These were my friends… by choice.
“How do you have a smile on your face?” Orion stood in the doorway, the bruise on the side of his face visible. “It hurts to smile.” It had been a long night of cleaning up the streets, and each of us walked away with battle scars.
“How can you not?” Wyatt whisked past him, forcing a hiss from Orion. Wyatt jumped into his seat, eyes never leaving the cake. When it didn’t magically slide in front of him, he did a little hop with his chair, getting him closer.
There was no point in trying to save it. I pushed the chocolate cake and a fork in front of the big guy. “It’s all yours.”
He wasted no time digging in. Orion joined us at the table. He didn’t have the same lust in his eyes, but he didn’t resist when I pushed the brownies in front of him. He sulked, taking a bite while we awaited the boss.
“You’re damaged.” Connor, always astute in his observations. “Orion, you look almost as bad. Should you seek medical attention?”
Orion didn’t cover his mouth as he scoffed. “What about you?”
