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Phantom wiped the last of the tears from his cheek. “I don’t know if I was scared or excited? I knew you guys weren’t going to bash me or anything, so at least that made things easier.”
“We’d never even think about it,” Doc said, hugging Phantom again. “The only reason I’d ever bash you is for the camo Crocs you like to wear sometimes.”
“Speaking of,” Roman said. “We’re going to need to burn those now that you’re part of the Alphabet Mafia.”
“The what?” Phantom asked, head tilted.
Roman chuckled before explaining. “The LGBTQIA+ gang. The Alphabet Mafia. The Rainbow Riders. The Cock Destroyers. The Throat Goats.”
More laughter filled the yard just as Mustang came running back out, a bottle of chilled champagne in her hands. She came over and aimed it up to the sky, popping the cork and spilling some of the champagne on the ground before she went over and had Phantom dip his head back. He drank straight out of the bottle, coming up for a breath and wiping his wet lips, still smiling.
They passed around champagne before Mimic went in to grab some flutes. They filled each one up to the brim and gathered around the table. Today was a good day, and Roman was determined to keep it that way.
“To family,” he said, lifting the glass for a heartfelt cheers. Wyatt sat next to him, eyes as bright as the sun that beat down on the umbrella. He put a hand on Wyatt’s leg and leaned in for another kiss.
This was what Roman worked so hard for. To see the smiling faces surrounding him, his family happy and together, all of them looking forward to the future. Even the new addition to the crew felt like he belonged there. It didn’t matter that his past intertwined with Wyatt’s. He had proven he belonged with the Rainbow’s Seven just as much as any of them, and none of the others seemed to have a problem with him.
Except for Phantom, who bristled when Tor reached over and gave him a pat on the back. Roman understood where Phantom was coming from. His trust had been shattered by his own sister, so having to open up around a brand-new person probably wasn’t the easiest thing for him to do. But Phantom was a good guy with a good heart, and Roman knew he’d start warming up to Tor eventually. Until then, he would just need to keep an eye on them and make sure the ice between them didn’t turn into a problem that could affect the rest of the group.
“So what’s the plan now, boss?” Phantom asked, looking to Roman.
“We finish off this champagne, pack up our shit, and hop on a plane headed to Miami. It’s time for a hammerhead heist, which is actually pretty fitting considering hammerheads are some of the least aggressive sharks out there but also one of the most protective. You fuck with them and they’ll fight back, which is exactly what we’re doing. Sounds good with everyone?”
The group nodded in unison. Wyatt stood up, drawing everyone’s attention. He looked around the table, his blue bathing suit low on his hips. Roman wished he could draw him… even though his artistic abilities were about as developed as a five-month-old fetus. Wyatt’s body was just that perfect—all of his body. Not just the bare chest and handsome face but also what was underneath those blue swim trunks. Something only he was lucky enough to admire and—
Well, not the only one. The thought of Tor with Wyatt brought a fresh stab of territorial emotions. He pushed them aside and instead brought his focus back to Wyatt, who looked like he was about to give a commencement speech.
“Before we head out, I just wanted to say that I never expected this to be my life, and I never expected to find a family either. But here I am, in the middle of the desert, surrounded by people that are closer to me than some of my own blood relatives. I don’t know who I blew in a past life to earn this kind of win, but I’ll take it.” He raised his glass, bright honey-brown gaze turning to Roman. “And to you, Roman, the man I never expected to come back into my life—I’m grateful my expectations were completely wrong. You’ve turned my life upside down in the best way possible. I love you, baby.”
“I love you, Salt.” Roman leaned in for a kiss before they all raised their glasses once more, clinking them all together.
True bonds were formed that day, as real and unbreakable as the bonds that formed their DNA. Bonds that strengthened the team. Roman swelled with a sense of pride and confidence in each of them, and that made him firmly believe that this time they were meant to succeed.
