“What’s that?” Jax asks, and his low voice sends the usual delicious shivers over my body, like the caress of a warm breeze in the heat of summer.
“We’re officially fucking the boss,” Loki quips back, barking out his sexy laugh at his own joke.
I can’t help it, my face splits into a wide grin that soon turns into a full belly laugh until tears stream down my face. Before I realise it, I’m sobbing, tasting salt as tears drip down my cheeks. Someone gently takes the folder from my grasp, then I’m surrounded by my guys in a group embrace that is so full of love and support, the tears flow faster until it feels as though there are none left.
“It wasn’t that bad of a joke,” Loki says as I lift my face, his thumbs brushing the remnants of my tears away. I shake my head, unable to speak just yet, although I do manage a watery smile.
“Let’s get you back, Lilly,” Kai murmurs from my side, and I startle a little at hearing his lovely melodic voice. He’s been pretty much silent thus far. I turn to face him, Loki’s hands falling away to be replaced with Kai’s as he cups my face, bringing his forehead to mine. “It’ll be okay, my darling,” he whispers, placing a gentle kiss on my lips. “Promise.”
CHAPTERNINE
LILLY
As we step towards the idling car that has been waiting for us, I hear an achingly familiar voice call my name.
“Lilly!”
My stomach drops. You know, like when you are at the top of a rollercoaster and start to descend? It’s like that but about a million times worse, like my heart skips a beat and the world stops spinning for a moment. I turn around in what feels like slow motion.
“Lexi?” I whisper as the gorgeous brunette woman comes towards me, wearing killer heels and a tan Burberry mac that showcases her curves to perfection.
My eyes flit to the hulking man coming up behind her, and my breath stills as I take in his huge form, tattoos peeking out of his shirt around his wrists and neck. He could definitely give Ash a run for his money in terms of the amount of ink that covers his skin. I’m speechless, not able to say anything as they reach our little group.What the fuck are they doing here?
“Lilly. My little Lilly Bear,” Lexi croaks, voice full of emotion as tears fill her green eyes. They’re not emerald like Loki’s, but more of a spring green like newly sprouted leaves covered in dew. “Oh, Lilly love, I’ve missed you so much.”
She goes to close the distance between us, but a blond Viking steps in her way, completely blocking her from my view.
“Who the fuck are you,” I hear Jax rumble as the others close ranks, until all I can see is a wall of muscled backs.
I mean, the view is fucking awesome, but, yeah, I need to see what’s going on in front of them as well.
“Guys, it’s okay. I know them,” I assure them, trying to push between Loki and Jax but not getting very far. “Fucking move!” I hiss out in frustration, ready to start shit if they keep ignoring me. I feel a desperation to make sure that they’re really here begin to stir in my chest, my pulse pulsing in my ears.
They move aside slightly, leaving just enough of a gap for me to squeeze through. Fuckers. As I step through, I see Ryan squaring up to Jax, both practically snarling and vibrating with the need to let their beasts loose. I roll my eyes.
“Can you guys do the whole my muscles are bigger than yours shit later please?” I huff, stepping in between the fucking giants, causing Ryan to back up a step.
Jax brings a hand to my waist, pulling me closer to his body until his heat feels like it seeps into me, regardless of our clothes and outside coats. It’s really bloody distracting, but I manage to keep Her Vagisty under control to deal with the matter at hand.Ho-bag!
Ryan’s gaze flicks down to Jax’s hand, then over the other boys, all of whom look a little scary with scowls on their faces. It’s pretty adorable, and I have to rein in the smile that wants to spread on my face. Turning back to look at Lexi and Ryan, the almost smile drops as I wonder what they’re doing here, and how they knew I’d be here.
“Damn, girl! You got yourself one of those reverse harems that you were always reading about, huh?” Lexi laughs, taking in all the guys with a glittering twinkle in her eyes.
It helps break the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind, whilst also causing me to blush scarlet. She always knew what was going on with me, so I’m not surprised that she guessed correctly what is between me and the boys.
Her eyes come back to rest on me, and the soft look of pure love that shines in them makes tears spring to my own.
“Oh, darling,” she says, her own eyes filling up as she holds out her arms to me.
I don’t think about the fact that I haven’t heard from them in almost a year. I just tear out of Jax’s grip and throw myself at the woman who was as close to me as my own mother. Her arms wrap tightly around me, surrounding me in her floral perfume and love as she holds me close. Tears track down my face, dripping onto her mac and darkening the fabric. My own arms band around her, holding on for dear life.
I feel Ryan step up behind me, and his own arms come around both of us, adding his scent of sandalwood that feels so much like home that even more tears fall. I soak in their embrace for several moments, letting the comfort wash over me and soak into my bones.
Finally deciding that I need some answers, and need to explain to the guys what the hell is going on, I straighten up, untangle myself and take a small step away. Immediately, Jax is at my back again, pulling me against him, and I draw from his strength to ask what has been silently eating away at me for almost a year.
“Why did you disappear?” I ask, swallowing the lump that is still in my throat. Ryan’s brow dips, his jaw clenching.
“We didn’t disappear, little one,” he tells me in his gruff voice. His chestnut hair is peppered with grey, more than when I last saw him a year ago, and his jaw is covered in a light stubble that really suits him.