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“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you were released.” She pulls away and grins excitedly.
“It’s fine. I’m here now.”
As much as I love Evie, I’m glad it was Louis who was waiting for me. I started my sentence with only him having my back and it was nice it ended with him at my side.
“We’ve got a surprise for you.”
Not one for liking surprises, I’m wary of her excitement. Said surprise is a welcome home party at the club. The car has barely stopped inside the club’s gates when Riot is throwing open my door and pulling me out. I’m swung around and he plants a wet kiss on the side of my head. He too smells of cologne and cigarette smoke.
“We’ve missed you, darlin’. Welcome the fuck home!”
“Thanks.”
He puts me down and Mayhem shoves him out of the way. “Hey, sweetheart, it’s been too fucking long.”
I snort. “You’re not the one who was locked up.”
“You’re home now.”
Chaos stands behind him and I walk into his arms. Chaos has been Louis and I’s rock. He would put money in my commissary account every year on my birthday and every Christmas. He even sent me a letter a few times a year. I owe him a lot. Both Riot and Mayhem would also put money in my account and send me humorous cards on my birthday. I owe them all.
“It’s so fuckin’ good to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back.”
He pushes me away from him, holding me by the shoulders, and grins at me.
“The family’s grown since you went away. Come meet everyone.”
A woman with beautiful auburn wavey hair and bright grassy green eyes, eyes that light up when she glances over and sees Chaos walking toward her, smiles brightly.
“Babe, this is Lexi…”
Before he can finish his introduction, she throws her arms around me and the person I was less than twenty-four hours ago freezes. I force out the overwhelming need to protect myself and remind myself that I’m not behind bars anymore. These people aren’t out to smile at my face while stabbing me in the back.
“Welcome home. I’ve been dying to meet you!” she says, her voice almost like she’s breaking out into song. “I’m Olivia, his old lady,” she says, jerking her chin to Chaos.
She can’t be any taller than five feet, and compared to Chaos’s giant stature, I picture him carrying her around in his pocket. I’ve heard about her from Louis but he’s not one for many words and I’ve only gotten the bare minimum.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her, and I’m spun around by Riot.
“This is Ben, my old man.”
I hold out my hand and he shakes it warmly and I instantly warm to him. He seems a little geeky for Riot, but you don’t choose who you love. It chooses for you and I’m glad Riot has found someone to settle down with.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I repeat to him and turn to Riot. “So you finally found someone who’s brave enough to take you on, ay?”
Riot’s laughter fills the bar and Ben says, “Someone had to. He can’t live without me.”
Two blurs run past me. Tommy and a lad I haven’t met yet run outside with Evie and a woman, again, I’ve yet to meet, yelling for them to slow down. I thought prison was chaotic, but this is crazy. Without dropping my smile, I gaze around for my brother and find him by the bar, his eyes lock onto mine. He nods and I take comfort in it. This is ridiculous, I know these men, yet the spinning is taking over, until finding Louis, I couldn’t gain control. He hasn’t been able to help me for a decade but half a day on the out, and it’s him who helps centre me.
“Lex, I want you to meet Lizzie. My old lady.”
Another beauty stands before me and on first impressions I reckon she’s a teacher or social worker. Her too kind eyes and her friendly smile, it screams she works with kids. Or maybe Louis told me, I can’t remember.
I shake her hand and smile back. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say for the third time today.
“Likewise. You’ve been the talk of the club since they heard you were coming home.”
