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The door opens again, and I whip around to see Maggie sauntering in with a relieved smile on her face as she looks at Emily. She walks around the dead bodies littering the floor like they’re invisible, making this entire thing even more surreal.
“Oh, I was hoping to join you as I could do with a coffee myself,” Maggie grumbles, glaring at Hartman’s dead body like it’ll make him get up and move. Grabbing his arm, I angle him and shove him from the booth, letting him drop unceremoniously to the floor, and Maggie beams. “Thanks, Doll.”
She doesn’t take his side of the booth, though, she shuffles into Emily’s side and holds her tight.
A tray is placed on the table beside me with our drinks and a handful of rags. Without a word, Delia cleans the blood from the seat and slides in.
My gaze finally drifts outside, daring to look at the chaos unraveling there while I stay in here. The lighting doesn’t help, but I quickly spot the outlines of my Viking, blondie, Mr. President, and my grumpy asshole. I squint, making sure I catch a glimpse of Shift too, and I spy him by the window a little further down.
“Ladies, the next time we have a catch up, let’s leave the bloodshed at home. What do you say?” Delia asks with a smirk, lifting a mug between us, and we all clink ours against hers before taking a sip.
The noise outside dies down and the doors to the diner swing open. Tension finally drains from my veins as the Ruthless Brothers stroll in, Graham and Paisley’s men along with them. The crowd looks thinner by a man or two, but otherwise we’re looking strong.
Emily clambers from her seat, making Maggie chuckle as she leaps over her. Emmett and Shift are shoulder barging each other to get down the aisle first when Emmett huffs. “I swear to fucking God, Emily. If you run to him first, I’m going to shoot him.”
My eyes bug out of my head as my best friend freezes with fear.
“What the fuck, Emmett?” I hiss, instantly pissed at him.
Emmett rolls his eyes like I’m the one being unreasonable. “Please, before he was all ‘the woman I love’, like that trumps that she’s my fucking sister. I’ve known her longer. I win. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not against whatever shit the two of you have going on, but don’t make this a challenge because I’ll fucking win.”
Well, that leaves me fucking speechless.
Emily gives in and launches herself at her brother and he catches her in a bear hug. The pair of them cling to one another as the rest of us watch. Love pours from them, swirling in the air and wrapping us all up tight.
“You’re pushing it now, Emmett,” Shift grunts from behind him. It doesn’t help that their embrace is blocking the walkway for everyone, but that doesn’t seem to matter to him.
“Good.”
Emily giggles, patting at her brother's chest to put her down, and the second he does, she is swept up into Shift's arms. Thankfully, he’s a little more considerate and manages to create enough space for everyone to get past him while he holds her tight.
I’m on my feet before I even realize I’m moving. The room still sways slightly, and I’m sure it’s the concussion I’m contending with, but I don’t complain as Gray comes to a stop before me and tilts my chin up.
“Missed me?” he murmurs, pressing a featherlight kiss to my lips, and I hum.
“Always,” I breathe as he shuffles into the booth beside Delia.
Ryker’s next, exhaustion dimming his eyes as blood stains his clothes and skin. He cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch as he kisses my forehead. “You are the most ruthless woman I have ever met. We’ll forever not be worthy of you, but I’ll spend a lifetime proving to you that there’s nowhere else you should be.”
My heart races at his words, warming my soul as he follows after Gray like he didn’t just say some of the sweetest damn things to me.
“I can’t follow those words,” Emmett grumbles, pressing his lips to mine. “But tonight, I’ll top his bullshit with my tongue.” He grins, making everyone shuffle even tighter into the booth as he takes a spot on the end.
Axel’s head hangs low, blood coating his hair as he smiles at me. His arms band around my waist, hoisting me into the air as he tucks his nose into the crook of my neck and inhales.
I tentatively wrap my arms around his neck, and he pulls me in even tighter. My eyes start to drift closed until I spy Maggie gaping at us in shock.
“I hope you know you’re paying for all of this mess,” Delia grumbles, and Axel slowly lowers me back to the ground. He spins me and pulls my back to his chest, resting his forehead on my shoulder.
“Of course, and I’ll be settling everyone’s bills,” Ryker adds, nodding toward Paisley who isn’t shy of the blood stains covering him too.
A comfortable silence descends over the table as Shift and Emily step closer, while the other men mumble among themselves.
“What now?” Maggie asks, eyes still fixed on where Axel is touching me. The amazement on her face is enough to make pride ripple through my veins.
“Now we just be,” Gray states, like it’s as simple as that. “No more bullshit, just love,” he adds, winking at me.
That sounds like perfection and a little surreal too, but with no prominent threat in sight, I'll take it. The five of us, the extended group of people I care for and love, and the club. That’s all I need and want.
