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Glancing up at me, he nods. “And that’s the thing,” Roark says, and by some hidden signal, Derek and Orion move to stand by him. Layla grabs my hand, eyes wide as she watches them. Squeezing hers back, my breath hitches as I wait to see what they have to say. “We got distracted last time, and I never gave you your ring. So this time, we want to give it to you together. We’ve all lived without you, and none of us want to do that again.”
The guys in front of me nod. “Len, every smile you grace me with makes me want your next. You’re my end game, because nothing makes sense without you in my life,” Derek confirms.
Tears start to well as I realize what they’re doing. “Oh my god,” I whisper.
“Lavender, without you, the four of us are broken, baby girl. We need you like we need our next breath. We want to protect you, love you, and spend every moment with you,” Turner continues.
Orion’s lips twitch as he looks at me. “It’s ironic that I’m the last to speak, but you and Derek made me realize what I’ve been missing. I haven’t always been a good man, but I’ve tried. The sliver of humanity in me has been brought to life by you, as you’ve effortlessly stretched your heart to include me too. You’re the most extraordinary person I’ve ever met.”
“So, Lenny, it appears we have a question,” Roark smirks. “Can we have the words that will tell us that you’re ours?”
A gorgeous Celtic style ring is stretched out in Roark’s hand. The stone is a moss agate, with two small diamonds on either side. I’m gobsmacked, my lips opening and closing like a fish.
“We can’t accept it for you, wee darlin,” Mav laughs, and hands push me forwards to accept.
My eyesight blurs as the tears overwhelm me.
Turner’s long finger brings my chin up so my eyes meet his. “Remember all of your words are important to us,” he rasps, also emotional. Somehow this helps to untangle my tongue, releasing the words I was born to say.
“Yes… yes! Always and forever,” I promise as I sob.
Arms envelop me on all sides, and Roark pushes the ring onto my finger. He told me he ran out on an errand, buying it because he thought of me. I still want to tattoo their names on my body, but this ring is perfect. It slides right up my finger, looking as if it should have been there all along.
“This is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” Uncle Jordan says from behind me, his voice thick with unshed tears.
“Fook, I didn’t mean to make everyone cry,” Roark chuckles, though his voice cracks. “Let’s get our bellies filled, and then we can all get ready for our first concert with Layla.”
I hug Layla and she looks nervous. “You’ll be amazing,” I promise. “I’ve heard you sing, there’s nothing to worry about.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “We need to talk soon, Lenny. I’m so happy for you, though. You deserve everything.”
I let her go, knowing that if I look at Atlas and Mav, I’ll want to dick punch them. There’s another kick in my stomach and I can’t help but smirk. Even my child thinks they need to get their asses kicked. Stabby like their mama.
Moving over to sit, I have an amazing dinner with my found family. They may make me crazy at times, but I love them.
* * *
Blowingout a breath in the darkened club, I hear people talking excitedly. Even though there’s only a hundred and fifty people here, there’s a full roar as everyone waits for us to walk out to perform.
My bump is more noticeable now, and Uncle Jordan suggested using this concert to announce my pregnancy. I’m tired of hiding anything about me, so I’m completely on board with this idea. A black stretchy dress with cutouts that hits my knees with a deep slit up the side, combat boots, and a crown of braids makes up my outfit.
The bottom of the cage is solid, so no one can look up my dress either. Warm, corded arms wrap around my arms and I melt into Turner.
“You got your weapons?” he growls into my ear.
Nodding, I snuggle into his arms. While the top of my head is made up of braids, the rest of my hair is curled around my body. Initially, I didn’t want to risk having my hair grabbed and used against me, but Greg mentioned that Xav may be suspicious of it. Damn man is making me second guess everything.
So instead, my hair is my own weapon too. There’s pretty sparkly pins in there that also have been soaked in a sedative. They’ll only affect the person they’re stabbed into, so I had to be extra careful when placing them in my hair. I have a knife strapped to my right thigh, and another in my boot. Greg wanted me to also wear a garrote, but I told him that was overkill.
I’m hoping those won’t be my last words about this.
“I’m good, I promise. Everyone ready to make this concert our bitch?” I ask with a feral smirk, leaning forward.
My band cheers and I grin. My guitar will be in my cage, so I won’t have to worry about a thing, as will Lay’s.
“I’m going to go announce you,” Uncle Jordan tells us, striding away. Someone quickly walks up to Turner, Layla, and me, micing us with thin headset microphones that won’t be turned on until the lights turn back on.
Bear’s team jumped in to work all of the behind the scenes shit that we’d need, and my uncle insisted on paying him extra for it. The lights begin to dim, and Turner pulls back just enough, leaving his hand on my back.
