Perceive by K E Osborn

 

 

AXEL

A FEW DAYS LATER

 

“I wish you would leave that shit at home,” I grumble as we pile into the elevator, ready to head home. My body’s aching from today’s training, and I’m feeling a little twitchy after this month’s psych exam.

The Agency is particular about keeping up with our mental state.

Making sure we haven’t checked out.

Or on the other hand—found ourselves in too deep.

Obviously, they aren’t foolproof checks, given that Brandon had managed to pass these fucking things for years. However, I think that’s exactly what makes him so fucking dangerous—he has no idea that he’s batshit crazy. But then again, crazy people never actually do.

We really need to hunt that bastard down.

“I need this shit to help me walk, fucker,” Luca argues, picking up his cane and pointing it at me from across the elevator. “Besides, I’ve always wanted a pimp cane.”

“Don’t call it that!” Noah groans, hanging his head and pinching his brow.

We all know Luca is just carrying it for show. He was cleared for active duty. He doesn’t need a cane. He’s just showboating—in typical Luca style. 

“I’ll call it whatever I fucking like,” Luca responds. “I’ll call it ya mama’s bitch stick if I want to.”

The doors ding, sliding open, and Luca takes off before Noah or I can take a look at what floor we’re on. “You snooze, you lose!” Luca chortles loudly over his shoulder.

“Not again, Luca!” I groan as Noah chuckles to himself. The moment only slightly amusing until we take one look at each other and realize just what kind of trouble Luca is capable of when he’s left to his own devices. We both launch out the metal doors before they slide closed again catching up to him as he’s opening a keypad to another door and punching in a code I’m not even sure I knew.

That said, I’m not entirely sure I’m aware exactly what floor we’re on. I just know it’s not the one we’re authorized to enter and leave The Agency through, which already has alarm bells screaming. I shake my head as the door opens with a beep, and we walk through into the dimly lit hall. 

“How many times have you been told not to get out on this floor?” Noah scolds. “How many years have you been with The Agency again?”

Luca has a habit of pushing limits.

While The Agency’s main headquarters are below the national history museum, we always take the elevator to the parking lot floor.

Luca scoffs. “How many years is irrelevant, I’ve been leaving the agency this way since the day I walked in here. Nobody is going to tell me any different.”

Of course, he has.

Because Luca takes the rules, he reads them, then he makes a conscious effort to break every single one in as many different ways as possible with a smile on his face. And people let him, because he’s Luca. No other explanation is required.

We make our way down the dimly lit hall, Luca walking with his bitch cane, looking like some strange pimp. Noah is pensive as usual. The reason we don’t come out this way is because then we have to face the public, and plausible deniability is something we strive for. Having to go through the museum means we might run into civilians, civilians we might have to talk to.

This is not ideal.

And this is probably exactly why Luca goes through here.

To break that one damn rule.

Because Luca is a people person. Always fucking talking. That mouth of his is going to get us all in trouble one day.

As we enter the main building of the museum, a giant Tyrannosaurus skeleton stands tall in the center, and Luca stares up at it in amazement as we stroll past. “Man, that thing shocks me every single time!”

Noah chuckles. “Guess you don’t know what big things look like, do you, bro?”

I smirk as Luca scowls at Noah. “That’s not very nice of you, sir!” Suddenly, Luca’s head flicks around to the side, and he waves at a security guard. “Gary! So good to see you’re back. How’s the new addition to the family?”

“So good, Bradt! You’ll have to come around and meet her sometime soon!”

“I will, Gary, for sure, man! Keep up the good work!”

I can’t even be surprised.

“Bradt? You’re using the alias you used with Lily in here?” Noah asks.

Luca chuckles. “Is it an alias, though?” he questions striding over to the front desk and throwing his cane up on top like he’s planning on staying a while.

I let out a groan as Noah rolls his eyes. “We should be leaving, Bradt!”

Luca snorts out a laugh. “Just a second.”

I’m itching to get out of here. We’re meant to be keeping our cover, this is why we try to be discrete. Luca, though, he’s anything but discrete. Luca’s eyes widen as a pretty young woman starts walking over, her hips swaying as she goes. “Well, hey, stranger, haven’t seen you for a couple weeks.” Her thick southern accent comes through strong. And I can’t help but notice she’s got wavy blonde hair, and it’s tied into a high ponytail with a sweet bow clipped in the front.

A real southern belle.

“Been trying to get back on my feet,” Luca explains, dipping his eyes to his leg.

She gasps, peeking over the desk. “My God, what’d you do?”

“Miniature pony riding accident,” Luca tells her without missing a beat.

Noah snorts, and Luca’s eyes light up. “Have I introduced you to my friend, Noah?” Luca grabs Noah’s shirt and drags him forward. “Noah, Annamae, Annamae, Noah.”

Noah’s eyes widen as he places his hand out for Annamae to shake, her cheeks flushing a bright pink. “Nice to meet you,” Noah offers.

Annamae giggles like she has some fucking schoolgirl crush, and all I can do is stand back in awe and watch Noah and the southern belle eye each other awkwardly. Luca’s face is alight, his eyes flicking back and forth between them like he has front row seats to some magnificent Broadway show.

Luca is up to something.

“You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you, Noah?” Annamae gushes.

Luca smiles wide like he’s won a victory.

I get it now.

He’s setting Noah up.

Taking the opportunity, he slides in between Noah and Annamae, right up in her space.

“Noah actually works here, you know? He’s always in the back, though, doing his maintenance and IT. He is kinda like a secret around these parts!”

Annamae widens her eyes. “Well, gosh! All this time we’ve been working together and we’ve never met. How crazy is that?”

Noah side-eyes Luca. “Yeah… how crazy?”

Luca smirks in the most devilish of ways. “Anna, we’re friends you and me, right?”

She takes a step back, gaining some personal space as Noah scrunches his face.

What the fuck are you doing, Luca?

“Well, of course, we are, silly!”

“Then come to a barbecue. We’re all going. We’d love to have you.” Luca turns to face Noah. “Wouldn’t we, Noah?”

Annamae’s face lights up like a damn Christmas tree, and Noah glances at me. I throw my hands in the air in frustration. So much for keeping a low profile.

Luca’s inviting civilians around now.

Good going, dickhead.

Noah assesses Annamae, and a slow smile crosses over his face. “Yeah, yeah, I think I’d like that.”

 

 

KENZI

ONE MONTH LATER

 

When Axel told me we were going to Kace’s birthday party, I had no idea what to expect. From what I know about this group of guys and girls, it’s that they’re close. There’s no doubt in that, but I have yet to see them in a completely relaxed atmosphere altogether. A party will do that. And I’m equal parts nervous as I am excited.

Walking across from Axel’s house with a plate of cookies I’d attempted to bake in my hands, Axel smiles at me. “They’re gonna love them, Kenz.”

I gnaw down on my bottom lip. “You sure? I mean I know I’m new to this group, I just want Kace to enjoy his day. And honestly, cookies are a pretty shit birthday present. You could’ve given me more notice.”

Axel bumps his side into me. “Honestly, he’s not really the celebrating type, Luca will appreciate them more.”

I nod my head. “For a guy as fit as Luca, he sure does like to eat.”

Axel chuckles. “Right? How he keeps the weight off, I’ll never know.”

As we approach the gorgeous house, which honestly looks much the same as the others on the street, the front door is open, and we walk right on in. Axel’s hand on my lower back sends a tingle all the way through me. Just knowing he’s supporting me through this is all the comfort I need right now.

As we enter the kitchen, I spot a few of the other members of the team out back, including Jack and an older lady hanging off his arm. I didn’t picture Jack as having anyone in his life. I’m not sure why. He always seems like such a hardass, but I guess even tough guys have a softer side.

Lily’s eyes widen, and she smiles in the most beautiful way. “You made it! Come on in, we’re so glad to have you guys around.”

“Are we?” Kace grunts as he sits on a bar stool downing a beer.

I raise my eyebrow in concern as Axel chuckles. “Birthday blues again, Kace? This is getting old, man. You should try to celebrate this year.”

Kace curls up his lip as Lily rolls her eyes. “Don’t worry about him, Kenzi, he doesn’t like aging. Or a day where it’s all about him. Do you, baby?”

Kace huffs. “I don’t understand why we need all this fuss. It’s just another day. I don’t need to celebrate shit.”

“Shush now and eat a cookie! Did you make these, Kenzi?” Lily asks.

I smile. “I tried, I’m not the best at it, but with the short notice, I wanted to make Kace a birthday present.”

Lily claps her hands toward Kace. “Get over here and try your present.”

Kace groans again like an errant child. I try to hold in my smirk while I glance at Axel. His face much the same as mine as Kace stomps over, and I place the tray of cookies on the countertop. “Thanks, Kenzi, you shouldn’t have… really.” He picks up a cookie placing it in his mouth, and he crunches down. His eyes widen as he looks at Axel. Axel shakes his head and Kace slowly chews on it. I can’t tell whether he’s savoring it or delaying swallowing it.

He hastily swallows it down, his face crinkling a little. “Did you try these, Axel?”

Axel nods. “Mm-hmm, they’re great, right?”

Kace grips my shoulder, tilting his head. “Thanks, Kenzi. Appreciate the time you took making them.” He grabs his beer taking a long sip, swallows, then takes another as I smile.

Lily giggles, moving to the refrigerator. “Drinks?”

“Sure,” I reply as Luca and Everly waltz inside.

“The party is here,” Luca yells loudly, making us all turn toward them.

Everly slaps his chest, and I giggle. “Shut up, this is not about you, remember?”

Luca smirks. “When is it not about me?”

Everly rolls her eyes as they walk over to us. He’s walking with a cane in his hand, not even using it for support. I swear the guy has mental issues. It’s got bright gold bling all over it as he carries another in his free hand with pink bedazzling. “Happy birthday, Kace!” Everly calls out.

Kace groans again. He seems to be doing a lot of that today.

“Ooh… cookies!” Luca boasts excitedly as he rushes forward, shoving his bling cane on the counter, grabbing one and shoves it into his mouth, crumbs dropping out everywhere.

“Jesus, Luca, control yourself,” Kace snaps.

Luca shrugs. “Listen here, old man…” he shoves the pink cane at him, crumbs fall from his mouth as he talks, “… it might be your birthday, but you gotta feed us young folk. Here’s something to keep you upright in your old age. I thought the pink complements the blue in your eyes… also matches your panties.”

Axel chuckles as Kace grabs the pink cane and smacks Luca across the chest with it. “The panties I stole from your mama. And enough with the old, you asshole!”

Luca laughs, picking up another cookie while shaking his head and looking at Lily. “Damn, woman, I love the extra salt you added in these caramel cookies. It really gives them that extra zing!”

Lily glances at me, and I wince.

Shit.

There wasn’t meant to be any salt in those cookies, I must have grabbed it instead of sugar.

“There umm… my cookies, Luca,” I admit.

He turns to face me. “Well, Kenzi, I looove your cookies.” He waggles his eyebrows at me as Everly slaps him upside the head.

“Stay the hell away from her cookies, Luca,” Axel grunts.

He chuckles. “Ahh, alas I am a one-cookie man, aren’t I, sugar lump?” he gushes toward Everly, making kissy faces at her.

She scrunches up her face. “Hmm… maybe.” She turns, walking off with a little giggle under her breath.

Luca’s eyes widen. “Sugar lump, candy cane… Everly!” he calls out racing after her.

I lean into Axel as he and Kace chuckle among themselves. “Are they always like that?”

“Yes,” all three of them reply in unison.

“Shall we head outside? It’s a beautiful day, and everyone is out there. We’re just waiting on Noah,” Lily states as something catches our attention on the television.

We all stop to see the Mayor of New York in an emergency press conference.

“Hey, turn that up,” Kace instructs Lily, and she reaches for the remote, upping the volume.

“The mayor spoke today on the new designer drug doing the rounds on the streets of New York. Street name ‘Illuzion,’ is set to be the next big problem for the mayor in his electoral run. Mayor Preston Marks has his work cut out for him. If this epidemic gets out of hand, Marks could lose his race at the next election.”

Kace glances at Axel, and he shakes his head. “These fucking wonder drugs, turning people into zombies.”

Axel grunts. “Let’s just hope that shit doesn’t make its way into DC.” 

I reach out for Axel’s hand. He links his fingers with mine, smiles down at me, and we walk out onto the back porch with the rest of the gang, the drug conspiracy all but forgotten. Tanner looks so different, I hardly recognize her. Normally she’s in full tactical gear—clothing from head to toe. Today, though, she’s in tiny jean shorts and a red tank top with the American flag on it tied up at the side. Her hair is up in a messy bun. A light spread of makeup reddening her cheeks as she sips on a beer. She actually appears quite laid back and not the kickass warrior woman I’ve come to know her as. Blair sits beside her. He, however, still looks tense. Wearing a casual white tee and jeans, I don’t know what his story is, but as he rests back in his seat, his body angled toward Tanner. There’s a tightness in his muscles. He needs to let himself unwind.

Eli is at the grill, wearing Hawaiian board shorts and a tank, and let’s not forget the red apron saying, ‘You like my meatballs?’ on the front. Yeah, he looks right at home.

As I look around, I spot Ruin, broody as always, sitting next to Jack and the older lady. She’s chatting to Everly—they seem quite cozy with each other.

Luca and Kace are deep in conversation. Luca has a dog sitting at his feet as he pets its head like they’re the best of friends. It makes me smile. Luca might be the class clown, but he loves deep. Even animals.

Axel walks us over to sit next to Ruin. He still looks tender from his injuries and shifts uncomfortably in his seat as we sit.

“Hey, brother, how you doing?” Axel asks as they slap their hands together in that manly way men do.

Ruin nods. “Yeah, fine. My chest hurts a little still, but doing okay. Day by day.”

“Thanks, Ruin… not sure I’ve told you that yet,” I admit.

He smiles at me. “I’d do it again, Kenz. A hundred times. Any one of us would.”

Warmth floods through me. “I’m beginning to see that.”

“Hoooly shit!” Luca calls out, gaining all our attention as we turn to the door.

Noah is standing there with a cute-looking woman. Her blonde wavy hair hangs around her shoulders. Her white dress to her knees has a lace overlay that makes her appear so freaking sweet. The sleeves of the dress are lace, too, and they flare out at the cuffs like something from a country music video. Her brown leather boots even have the carvings on them as if they’re the real expensive cowgirl style. She looks like a real southern belle. Utterly adorable. Noah’s hand is on her back as he ushers her in doesn’t go unnoticed by absolutely everyone.

“Guys, I want you to meet Annamae. She works at the National History Museum.”

“What?” Jack bellows. Annamae widens her eyes in shock at his outburst. “What I meant to say, is that I love history museums!” Jack covers while shaking his head as the woman beside him reaches out, grabbing his hand for support.

I’m missing something.

“Good to see you again, Anna,” Luca gushes.

Anna smiles wide. “Hi, Bradt, I’m so doggarn happy to meet y’all, thank you for having me.”

I side-eye Axel who is smiling so fucking wide like he knows exactly what’s happening right now.

Unlike the rest of us.

“Bradt? Who’s Bradt?” Everly asks, turning to Luca who is currently holding her hand.

Anna furrows her brow. “Well, he’s the man holding your hand, so I assume he’s your boyfriend?”

Everly laughs. “My ex-boyfriend.”

Luca chuckles. “She’s kidding…” He turns to her. “You’re kidding, right? I can’t tell today, this is the second time you’ve brought this up.”

Everly giggles. “Gotta keep you on those freakish toes of yours.”

“Oooh burn…” Tanner laughs loudly and Annamae scowls at Tanner. It’s an odd reaction, but one we all ignore.

“I don’t like this game!” Luca huffs. “Mama Coal, help me out here.”

The woman with Jack turns to Everly tilting her head. “Sweetheart, it’s not nice to tease those who are less capable than you are. We all know Luca is challenged—”

“Mama Coal, you’re supposed to be on my side,” Luca grumbles like an errant child as she and Jack laugh.

This is the most playful I have seen Jack. He’s always so damn serious.

“I can’t tell if they’re all bein’ serious or not?” Anna mutters to Noah.

He chuckles. “Trust me, they’re never being serious. C’mon… come meet everyone. I apologize in advance, especially for Luca.”

“Wait, who’s Luca?” Anna asks.

Noah grins. “Bradt is Luca. Think of Luca as his nickname around these parts.”

Anna giggles, looping her arm in with Noah’s. “Nicknames, how fun!”

Now everyone has arrived, I sink back into my chair as the party gets into full swing.

After a while, groups form, the guys are all off doing their thing, and I’ve found myself with the girls—me, Lily, Everly, and Tanner sitting inside. It’s interesting hearing the different aspects of this life. How Tanner deals with being in the Seven. How Lily and Everly deal with having their men going off on missions all the time. I had no idea how full-on this was. I mean, I had an idea, I’ve been a part of this for a little while. I’ve seen the chaos it brings, but I’ve been a reason for that chaos. I haven’t seen what it’s like the rest of the time.

I certainly haven’t seen this.

The comradery.

The mateship.

The family side of things.

Their bond to each other is so strong, even though half the time they spend mocking each other. I think it’s done out of pure undeniable love.

The one thing that shines through with Kace and Lily, even with Luca and Everly joking the way they do, are the bonds they share. The love between them. They just connect and know each other.

“You’re thinking hard, Kenzi. What’s on your mind?” Lily asks as she sips on her wine.

I sink into the seat wondering how to word what I’m thinking. “How… I mean… I’m finding it hard, you know? I’m struggling sometimes… learning something, then having someone tell you everything you learned was all a lie, everything you knew was all wrong… how do you cope with that?”

Lily and Everly glance at each other as Tanner sits forward, obviously wanting to hear the answer. Lily reaches out, gripping my hand in hers. “You don’t fight it. You feel the emotions you’re feeling, Kenzi. If you’re sad, you be sad. If you’re angry, go punch a fucking boxing bag, that shit helps… trust me.”

“Oh, yeah, that helps, for sure,” Everly interrupts, making us all laugh.

“But what you need to know is… you need to trust yourself. You have gut instincts for a reason. If you know in your heart something feels off, follow it. The more you fight against something, the worse you feel. You’ll know, deep down, when you really search, you’ll know if something is right for you. When it comes to coping… once you’ve decided which way to go, surround yourself with people who can help, who are supportive. I found a home with the Seven with Kace’s team, once I knew what was going on in my life. Once I knew who I could trust, they became my family… a crazy, chaotic family, but a family nonetheless. You just need to figure out where your family is, Kenzi, and only you can make that choice. Not Jack, not Kace, not even Axel… only you.”

That makes so much sense.

I don’t have any allegiance to Hendrix anymore.

He showed me his true colors. I just need to figure out where I fit in now. These guys here are all so fucking lovely, but I just don’t know if this is where I truly belong. I know I want to be where Axel is, I know that much this time around. I just need to think on it a little more. Get my head straight. Maybe talk to Axel, see where his head is at too.

“Thanks, Lily, that helps… more than you know. I just wish I could remember more. I’ve only had minor flashbacks. Mainly of bad memories, which are confusing. I thought they were of the club, now I’m not so sure. I think maybe the more I think about it, they’re from Hendrix and his men, which scares me even more. It’s the not knowing which taunts me.”

“I think with you being at the club, you know they will never hurt you. They’d take three bullets in the torso for you rather than you being hurt,” Everly states, and we all glance over at Ruin. “Any bad memories you have aren’t from the club, Kenzi.”

She’s right.

In my gut I know it.

But why can’t my head comprehend that the man who swore to me he was my savior, was actually my torturer. Hendrix has messed with my head far too much. I need him to pay for what he’s done to me. For the years he stole from me.

“I hate him,” I whisper to no one in particular.

Tanner reaches out, her hand resting on my knee. “We’ll get him, Kenz.”

I blink a few times, clearing my throat as Everly sits taller. “So, Annamae,” she tries to change the subject. I’m glad. That was getting too dark there for even me. “Do you think we should get her to come over and hang with us?”

Lily curls up her lip as we watch Anna place her hand on Noah’s chest and giggle flirtatiously. “I don’t know why he had to bring her,” Lily shocks me.

We all turn to her as she turns away from them folding her arms over her chest in defiance. I’m so confused. Lily is the nicest person I’ve ever met. It’s not like her to judge someone that all of us have only just met.

Everly raises her brow. “There something you know that we don’t?”

Lily sinks into the seat. “It’s complicated. I just think Noah should be spending his time on better things than a woman who isn’t even his type. At. All.”

Noah steps in behind her creasing his brow as I tense all over. “And how is it your concern who is or isn’t my type, Lily?”

Lily’s head snaps around as she takes in the brute of a man standing behind her, arms crossed over his chest in anger. Lily purses her lips and moves to stand.

Oh shit.

“Honestly? You wanna play this game, Noah?”

He scowls. “Game? What fucking game, Lily?”

She scoffs, throwing her hands in the air like some crazy lady. “She’s been gone all of five fucking minutes, and you’re shacking up with some Hannah Montana wannabe.”

Noah glares at her as Kace walks inside and the rest of us stand next to Lily to try and calm her down, though I have no clue what she’s talking about.

Noah’s eyes harden as he turns to look at Kace, then back at Lily. “She left… I didn’t make her, I didn’t tell her to, and she told me not to look for her, remember that?”

“What’s going on?” Kace asks.

“Nothing. Noah is just not the man I thought he was,” Lily murmurs under her breath. “Excuse me.” She rushes past, knocking Noah on the way as she heads for the hall away from us all.

“What the hell, Noah?” Kace grunts.

“Hey, man, she came at me, for no reason. You think it wasn’t hard enough for me to let Molly go—”

“Who’s Molly?” Annamae asks so nicely it makes my heart hurt.

“No one. C’mon… let’s get another drink,” Noah tells Anna, leading her back outside.

An awkward silence filters over us all, but it’s Kace who breaks it. “I better go check on Lily,” Kace says, turns, and heads for the hall.

I reach out, gripping his arm. “I’ll go, you stay, enjoy your party. I think this needs a female’s touch.”

He hesitates, then nods. “Make sure she’s okay. Molly is a soft spot for Lily, okay?”

Whoever this Molly woman is, she is a big deal for these people. Everly dips her head at me in support as I head for the hall. I have no clue what room Lily will be in, but the soft echoes of crying soon lead me to where I need to be. I gently push on the door, making my way inside. She’s on the bed, brochures scattered out all around her, a box of tissues on her lap as she stares at a picture in her hands.

I sigh as I walk inside, closing the door behind me. “Not now, Kace, I know I screwed up.”

I move to the bed and sit beside her. “Not Kace, just a friendly ear.”

Lily blows her nose into a tissue noisily, and I grimace as she hands me the photo. I glance at it. It’s of her and a woman with long brown hair, she’s beaming with happiness as they embrace each other like they’re the best of friends.

“Molly?” I ask.

She nods. “Besides Kace, of course, she’s like my other half. I just don’t know what life is like without her.”

I furrow my brow. “Where is she?”

She exhales. “She went away for a while.”

“Her and Noah?”

Lily smiles. “Nothing official, they were never a thing, but they cared for each other… I shouldn’t have gone off at him like that. I feel like an idiot.”

“Hey, you miss her. He was a connection to her, and he’s with someone else now. It hurts… I get it.”

“It does…”

My eyes shift to the brochures on the bed. Picking one up, I see it’s for a wedding venue. “You and Kace getting married?”

She smiles, but it’s only halfway. “Yeah, I wanna do it somewhere nice, but again, without Molly, it all just seems too hard. How do I have a bridal party without my maid of honor?”

I reach out wrapping my arms around her. The woman who was giving me advice moments ago is now falling apart right in front of my eyes. How the tides can turn.

“Can she come back? For your wedding?”

“Doubtful.”

“I’m sorry, Lily. But hey, this is the modern age, who needs a bridal party anyway? It’s your wedding, you can do whatever you like.” I pick up another brochure as Lily finally lets out a giggle.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I’m being a downer.”

“You’re fine, and hey, look, this place has their own horse and carriage.”

Lily scoffs. “Oh no, that won’t do at all.”

I laugh, picking up another one. “Okay, this place has a garden… oh, but you have to walk through a maze to get there—”

“Next!” Lily frowns at me.

I pick up another, the name of the hotel instantly ringing a bell, but I have no clue as to why. I open the inside and pictures flash through my memory. “I’ve been here.”

Lily laughs. “Why? Have you been married before?”

“No, Hendrix took me there because he was going to have an event and a lot of high-profile, international guests were going to come.”

“What kind of events do career criminals hold?” She giggles.

I smile. “I don’t know. Plans changed, I think. But I know he really liked it.”

She nudges my side. “Maybe he was testing to see if you liked it for your wedding?”

“Eww, no! I can’t even. Maybe back then, but not now. How I ever looked at him like that is beyond me.”

Lily smiles. “And what about Axel? Can you look at him like that?”

Warmth floods through me as my mind flicks to me in a white dress, Axel standing at the end of the aisle waiting for me, and Ruin by his side, smiling like a fucking Cheshire cat. A slow smile creeps up my face as I let out a small giggle. “I dunno, maybe.”

Lily sighs. “I’m so glad he’s found you. It’s all he has wanted for so long.”

“I’m glad he found me too.”