We all chuckle as Cherry’s lips turn up into the biggest of smiles. She can’t contain her happiness anymore as she jumps into his arms, kissing him passionately. We all let out a cheer.
I wrap my arm around Jovie, just wanting to be closer to her right now as Zero and Cherry finally part lips.
Zero pulls back, grinning from ear to ear as he holds onto his Old Lady so fucking tight. “So, is that a yes?”
Cherry nods emphatically. “No, baby, that’s a hell yes!”
We all laugh as they kiss again, a round of applause erupts around the compound.
Zero finally pulls back from Cherry, slapping her briefly on the ass. “Okay, okay… first, clean up. Then, let’s fucking celebrate,” Zero cheers.
Everyone starts rushing about, but Jovie turns to me, her hand smoothing over where my shirt is sliced, a small trail of blood has seeped through. “You’re hurt?”
“It’s nothing.”
Her eyes shift to my bicep with a huff. “This doesn’t look like nothing, Liam.”
Jovie’s used my name. She means business.
“I’d take a hundred bullets if it meant protecting you and the kids.”
Jovie turns back to take in the clubhouse covered in bullets. “Lou was pretty strong up there. When River came to get me and the others, he let her stay there with the kids. She, Lexi, and Bonnie. They were playing music really loud to drown out the noise.”
“We need to check on them.”
“Don’t we have to stay and help clean up?”
“I don’t give a shit. That can wait. I need to be with my kids.” I grab her hand, pulling her with me, and we rush inside the clubhouse. Chills is working on Koda, he’s up on the pool table, knocked out cold as she performs surgery on his leg. Prinie moves to his side, anxiously pacing.
We halt for a moment, Jovie placing her hand on Prinie’s back. “Is he doing okay?”
“Chills?” Prinie asks desperately.
“It hasn’t hit anything major, but he’s gonna need some pretty decent recovery time. He’s gonna have to stop running for a while, while it heals.”
“Shit! He’s going to hate that. I knew he’d try to do something like this. He isn’t fit for this life, Chills…” Prinie starts crying as Wraith rushes up, wrapping his arms around her.
“Try not to stress, the baby has been under enough of that today.”
I grab Jovie, leading her away. “C’mon, let’s go see the kids. They need to do their family stuff, and we need to do ours.”
“I need you back here when you’re done upstairs, Kevlar. Don’t think I didn’t see your injuries,” Chills yells out as we start the trek up the stairs.
“Yes, ma’am.”
My feet move faster the closer we get. Baby Shark blasts down the hall, making me all too aware that my kids are too fucking young to be dealing with this shit. We make our way to my room, and as I open the door, Lou swings a chair at us dramatically. I grab it just in time, halting it from hitting Jovie.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” I yell, and the three women all visibly relax.
Sadie and Lucas dance together in the room unphased by the commotion outside, but Lexi turns off the music. They stop with a huff now their favorite song is gone. “We were dancing! Did you see us, Daddy?”
Lou bursts into tears, Jovie moving to her instantly, taking her into a tight embrace. I smile, trying to make light of the situation. “Yeah, baby girl. I saw you.”
“Are you hurt, Dad? Did you g… g… get an owie?” Lucas asks, rushing to me and wrapping his arms around my legs. I pat his head and hold him to me with everything I have.
“I’m fine, kids. As long as you guys are happy, I’m totally fine.”
My eyes shift to Lou, who’s visibly shaking. I walk over and pull her into a tight-as-hell embrace. “Thank you. Thank you for keeping them safe,” I whisper.
She sniffles, pulling back, her eyes meeting mine. “Is Ethan okay?”
“He was incredible. We couldn’t have won this without him.”
She wipes her face. “To be honest, even though I was scared as hell, all I wanted to do was protect them. I would have done anything, Liam. Anything.”
“That means everything, Lou.”
“She punched River when he came to get me.”
I widen my eyes. “Bullshit!”
Lou shakes out her hand. “My knuckles still hurt… I think I broke something.”
“Look at you, you badass,” I tease just as Ethan comes rushing into the room.
He locks eyes with Lou, then pulls her into a tight embrace. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Uncle Ethan, did you scare the bad men away?” Sadie asks.
Ethan pulls back from Lou, turning to Sadie. “No, it was a team effort. Your father certainly played a big part.”
“Daddy’s a hero,” Sadie coos, running at me and jumping into my arms.
I grimace from the pain pulling in my torso and in my arm, but right now, I don’t give two fucks. I have my boy hugging my legs, my baby girl on my hip, and my woman in my arms.
How can it get any better than this?
It’s the early hours of the morning, and the party’s in full swing after a heavy-duty cleanup. We have prospects from all three clubs manning the gate, while we have a team of builders constructing a new one. Fox and Bub are spending time with Surge and Grudge at the grill.
Zero, Wraith, and Neon are standing around with Torque, Trax, and Sensei from Chicago talking shop. I’m sitting at the fire with the brothers from NOLA. It’s fucking good to see them again. I had no clue they were heading this way. Hurricane sips on his beer with Nessie on his lap. His hand is traveling further up her thigh. He’s such a dirty fucking prick. Razor slings back in his chair, not caring about anything, oblivious to nothing but his drink while Bayou tries aimlessly to flick a bottle cap and catch it on the tip of his thumb—unsuccessfully, of course.
“So, when Zero called you, you didn’t let me know you were heading down,” I ask Hurricane.
His eyes slowly move to mine then he lets out a huff. “Did we hurt your precious feelings?” He chuckles. “Nah, brother, it needed to be on the down-low, so when these fuckers came, our ambush with Chicago would be quiet. We didn’t need it leaking out.”
I get it. “Yeah… but still, you come from N’awlins. I wanted you to bring me some shit.”
Bayou clicks his tongue to the roof of his mouth. “Told ya he’d be dirty if you didn’t bring ‘em.”
“Bring what?”
Hurricane smirks. “The two packets of Café du Monde beignet mix I have in my bag for you!”
“Bullshit?”
“I got your back, brother.”
I let out a small laugh. “You know me too fucking well.”
“Did I hear beignets?” Jovie asks, walking over with Savanah.
“Well, hello there! If it isn’t my two favorite feisty women,” Hurricane quips.
“Hurricane,” Jovie placates.
“Honestly, are you stalking me?” Savanah mocks.
“Well, if it isn’t lady balls? It is nice to see you again, but I didn’t ride five hours just to see your gorgeous face, Savanah.”