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“It certainly seemed effective.” I tried not to laugh as the men began bossing the kids around.
“Did anyone get pictures?” I asked the crowd. Eddie and Davy’s hands both shot up. “Five bucks for you to send them to me.”
“Don’t you dare,” Chance threatened Eddie.
“Women gotta stick together, Uncle Chance,” Eddie retorted.
Chance rolled his eyes.
“Just what are you teaching them?” Chance whined to no one in particular.
“How to be badasses,” Artemis chortled, and Chance winced.
“All Legacies need hosing down and their clothes changing. And you four need to herd them because I can’t believe you got caught in the Holy Terrors’ trap. Shame on all four of you,” I chided.
“And once they’re clean, you can make them all hot chocolate and keep an eye on them,” Phoe added.
As hard as it was, I managed not to laugh at the look on their faces. Neither the brothers nor Legacies looked impressed.
“And as for you young ladies, you’re all on litter duty from now until the end of the fundraiser. Get your bags!” I said.
“Oh, that’s low.” Silvie laughed.
“Busy minds need busy actions,” I drawled. “Don’t even bother planning revenge, Eddie. On Hellfire, I’m the alpha bitch, and you remember that!”
Chance grunted his approval as I spun on my heel and strutted my way back to the forecourt. I had Drake to watch cry, and I knew he would. He was no more ready for the pain than any of the others. And I was going to enjoy Drake’s reaction to his bikini line being waxed. It was going to be well worth recording.
After all, I was Hellfire’s Queen Bee and knew it!
Epilogue.
Clio
Igazed around the full table with a happy smile. The fundraiser had ended really well, and although the total figures weren’t in yet, we were looking at having raised fifty thousand dollars. I was absolutely ecstatic about the money. The entire event couldn’t have gone any better despite Poppy, the Hellions, and Holy Terrors.
The word had spread quickly through the two MCs about what the children had been up to, and Chance and the others received several amused looks and comments. Drake ribbed Chance until Chance thumped him hard. The kids for the rest of the day behaved while I closed down the fundraiser and thanked everybody who’d attended and congratulated those who had won prizes. Of course, I kept an eye on our dinner, too.
As soon as the last person left, we all congregated in the clubhouse and everyone relaxed.
I served up the huge dinner that I’d planned for all of us and was gratified when everyone complimented it—and many had second servings.
Chance patted his belly, burped loudly, and laughed as I sent him a stern glance, and then smiled as he licked his lips. He winked at me and offered me a proud smile. That was my cue to stand up and announce my plan.
“I’ve decided to start setting some traditions that hopefully we can carry on to the next generation, and so on and so forth. In the past, we’ve always spent Thanksgiving with our relative families or alone. Moving forward, I want us to celebrate together, for everyone who makes up Hellfire to know they’ve someplace to go. We are family, not strangers, yet we’ve pulled in different directions.”
“Agreed,” Chance rumbled, as most nodded in agreement.
“And also, along these lines, I would like to start the tradition of after the meal, saying what we’re grateful for. It doesn’t have to be anything huge, but it has to mean something to you. To start, I’d like to say how grateful I am to be able to call you family. When I broke, you rallied round, even though you treated me with kid gloves. But you found your confidence in me again when I organised this event. Many of you had worries and tried to interfere. Oh no, baby, don’t deny it!” I chided Chance as he had the good grace to blush slightly.
“But those who had stalls and roles, you stepped up for me and trusted me. That is the one thing I am thankful for. That the family I call mine has such huge and loving hearts. Most of you could’ve treated me differently after I broke. Only a few did, and even so, that was because you were worried about me. You were concerned because of your large hearts.
“I am grateful Chance stopped me that day. Thankful that you accepted me, warts and all. And most certainly overjoyed I’ve you all in my life. Because without you all, I’d be miserable and lonely. You stepped up and gave me a family when I needed one. Offered unconditional love and support, and now it’s my turn.
“We’re gonna do things properly, big meals on holidays and not relying on Phoe. I am going to make sure we’ve everything we need as a family. Because at the end of the day, as much as I love Chance, I love all of you, too. So, get ready, boys and girls, because Hellfire is going to have what Rage has.
“And something else I’m thankful for, just off the cuff, is the consideration that three old ladies have given me around their pregnancies. But enough. I expect the three of you to shout them from the rafters because, sure as heck, that’s something to celebrate!” I sat down, shaking, and peered to see how my speech went.
“Speaking on behalf of everyone, today, Hellfire does have what Rage has. A kickass bitch who is Queen Bee,” Chatter stated, taking me by surprise.
“You mean that?” I asked and shook myself. “Of course you do. You wouldn’t have said it otherwise. I’d like to ask Chance to go next, and then we’ll work our way around the table. Because each of us is grateful for something, and we need to hear it and support it.”
Looks were swapped between them, and I worried that Chance might refuse.
Instead, Shee stood up.
“If Chance doesn’t mind. I’d like to go because I’ve a shitload to be thankful for, and I’m happy to share,” Shee asked.
Chance nodded, and I sat down, settled in, and got ready to support my family. Because that’s what we did… support and love each other. Even when the chips were down, or we were soaring high. It didn’t matter our moods; all that mattered was our hearts and what was in them. And mine was full to bursting.
