I smiled, surveying the damage—which was surprisingly minimal. I’d tried to make it as controlled as possible, but I’d still been worried about the people living nearby, that some of them would get hurt.
“Violet! Avalanche! Jesus Christ, will one of you answer us? What the fuck is happening?” Hemlock was panicking in my ear.
“We’re okay, we’re coming to you.” I turned on the transmitting part of the ear piece.
“Thank fuck. You scared the shit out of us!” Eva exclaimed.
Austin took my hand and a second later, I wascrushedin a group hug. Whisper, Hemlock, and Eva were holding on so tight, I thought I might pass out, but it was worth it.
“Thank you, guys, for coming for me.”
“You’ve gotta be shitting me. There’s literally nowhere else we’d rather be,” Whisp said shaking his head. “You scared the shit out of us. What was that? How did the mountain come down?”
They all stepped back. I just shrugged. “Nothing, it was just an inchident,” I said in a terrible French (Monégasque) accent then immediately slapped my hand over my mouth. Oops, that was an inside thought.
Eyebrows were raised all around me until Hemlock burst out laughing. “I didn’t know you were an F1 fan.”
My cheeks flushed. Yes, I watched that interview way back and it made its way into my usual vocabulary. Honestly, it was a miracle I’d never callthe incident, the inchidentbefore this moment. “Well… I… Shut up. Stop picking on me I’m fragile right now.”
“I’m not picking on you! That interview lives rent-free in my head too. We should watch a race together some time.”
I smiled. “Sure, I’d like that.”
“Speaking of sports, Eva told me you’re a Leafs fan? We have to watch the season opener together next season! I can’t believe you never said anything! Ugh, there’s so many Jets fan, it’s so nice to finally hear someone around here has taste!”
I laughed. “I would absolutely love to.”
Austin scowled. “I would not, just for the record.”
I turned my smile up at him. “You’ll get over it, I’m sure.”
He grumbled something about death, but I was being dragged into a one-on-one hug with Eva. “I’m so fucking glad you’re okay.”
“I’m glad he finally brought you in.”
“Me too.” Her voice cracked. “Thank you for looking out for him when I couldn’t. I don’t think I’ll ever fully forgive myself for what happened, but I’m so grateful he had you watching his back while I couldn’t.”
“Damn it, you’re going to make me cry again.”
She laughed, pulling back. “Sorry.” Her own tears were starting to flow. “I’m just so happy he finally found someone. And I’m fucking ecstatic it’s you.”
I grinned, looking over at Austin, where he stood with the guys filling them in a little bit on what happened. He caught my eye right away and smiled back.
What would you say to getting out of here?I asked him.
I thought you would never ask.
I watched him (not so politely) excuse himself from Hemlock and Whisper’s incessant questions and clear the distance between us in two seconds.
“We’re leaving now. Thanks for coming, watching our backs, but you probably won’t hear from us for a couple days.”
“But—”
Austin’s glare stopped Hemlock in his tracks. “But nothing. I’m taking my lovely wife home to pack a bag and then we’re going on vacation. If she feels like it, she’ll call and check in, if not, leave us the fuck alone.”
Eva was beaming. “My wife,” she squealed. “So cute. I’m obsessed. I never thought I’d see the day my brother fell in love. I could literally die I’m so happy for you.”
“Brother?” Hemlock and Whisper exclaimed together.
