Page 182 of My Undead Love Life

“Dad!”

Micah snorted.

Tori stared at me, mouth open. “You found three more?”

“That is not the important part.”

“It’s a little important.”

Nathan and Calix climbed down from the treehouse, both of them moving toward us.

Nathan’s face broke into a grin the second he saw me, and he pulled me into a quick, crushing hug. “Thank God.” He released me and grabbed Keith by the shoulders. “You too, man.”

Keith laughed as Nathan hugged him. “Good to see you.”

Calix stayed a careful distance away, but his smile was genuine. He had gotten better with his fear of germs, but apparently not enough to embrace two people who had just crossed half the country covered in blood, sweat, and scent-masking chemicals.

I understood that.

“I’m relieved you’re both alive,” he called toward us. “From here.”

I laughed through my tears. “I missed you, too.”

Tori grabbed my hands again. “How did you meet three new boyfriends?”

“They saved my life.” I looked back at Mad, Luck, and Oxi. “All of them. I wouldn’t be standing here without them.”

My gaze shifted to Keith. “Keith saved me in the tunnel. He stayed behind so we could escape. Mad, Luck, and Oxi got me out after we were separated. They kept me alive through the city, the mall, the storm, and everything after.”

Keith nodded. “They protected her when I couldn’t.”

Mad’s jaw tightened. “She protected us, too.”

“Frequently,” Luck added. “Very aggressively.”

Oxi’s mouth curved faintly. “She’s terrifying.”

“I learned from Akiko,” I said.

Several people around us nodded as if that explained everything.

Mom stepped toward the men. Luck straightened. Oxi looked alarmed. Mad braced like she might attack him.

She hugged Luck first.

He made a startled sound and lifted both hands before awkwardly wrapping them around her. “Oh,” he whispered. “Okay. I’m happy to be here.”

Mom released him and hugged Oxi.

He went completely rigid. His green eyes widened over her shoulder as they met mine. Then, slowly, his arms rose. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Mom held him a second longer.

When she stepped toward Mad, he tried to offer her his hand. She ignored it and hugged him, too.

Mad’s arms stayed at his sides before one hand settled carefully against her back. He gave a small, quiet nod when she released him.

“You brought my daughter home,” Mom said. “That makes you family.”