“Come on, Trouble.I’ll show you and your mom around while the men start unloading the van.”Rory led the way, unlocking the door and ushering them and Mac inside.Kyllian took Quinn’s helmet before she followed.He placed it on the bike, then went to help his dad and brother.
“Welcome home, Son,” Sutton said, opening the door to the van.
“It’s good to be home.It’ll be even better when we get our new house built.”
Kyllian and Ryker compared notes on the house plans and contractors while they hauled boxes and the few pieces of furniture Quinn wanted to bring.The changes to his house were subtle, mostly pops of color added throughout.The one item he noticed right off was the new living room suite.His sofa had seen better days, but it had been good enough for him and Hayden to kick back on and play video games.It had been replaced with a sofa and matching loveseat.His leather recliner was off to the side with a quilt draped over the back.
Nikita was on her knees in front of the entertainment center, rifling through the various gaming systems.He stopped and nudged her with his boot.“You like to play?”
“I only got to when I was over at Tarryn’s, so I’m not that good.”
Kyllian handed the box he was holding to his dad so he could squat beside her.“Then you’ll just have to practice.”He tugged on her braid to get her attention.When she looked at him, the tears surprised him.“Hey, come here.”When he opened his arms, Nikita lunged at him, sobbing into his chest.Kyllian sat down and settled his girl over his lap, rubbing circles on her back.Quinn rushed into the room and sat down beside them.Rory stared at Nikita’s bent head and cursed under her breath.With the exception of when she was thinking of Jake, Nikita hadn’t indicated she was anything but happy in the short time she’d been with them.Kyllian had been expecting it to hit her, but it still broke his heart.
“I’m happy.”Nikita pulled back and swiped at her face.“I’m so fricking happy, you know?I don’t miss my old life.I do miss Tarryn and Jake, but how is it that I’m okay without all the people I grew up around?What does that say about me?About them?I feel guilty that I have this new life.This perfect existence.I was envious of Tarryn and her parents, but then I would feel ashamed of myself.I had a nice house, plenty of food, new clothes even if they weren’t the style I would choose for myself.I never went without, but I still wanted something else.Something more.And now I have it.But to get it, Mom was taken, and you were shot.Hell, people died because of me.”Nikita tucked her head under Kyllian’s chin, and the sobs returned.
Kyllian didn’t bother trying to stop his own tears.“No, Sweetheart.People died because of Mercy’s need for revenge.Because Blake and his father wanted your mom’s dire bloodline.Because Dennis was an asshole.None of what happened was your fault.You never would have run away to find Quinn if Blake had been honest.If his mother hadn’t wanted her own revenge.How you turned out so good, so loving, so smart is beyond me.This life you have now is the one you deserved all along.You deserve this and so much more, and I vow to you now, I will do everything in my power to ensure you have it all.”
“I love you.You don’t know how much I love you and Mom.”
“I think I have a pretty good idea, because Trouble?We love you that much more.You are the daughter I never knew I wanted.You have brought so much joy to my world in such a short time.”
Quinn leaned in.“You are the daughter I thought about every day for eighteen years but was too afraid to go back for.I loved you from the first moment I held you and I never stopped.If anyone is undeserving, it’s me.But I’m grateful for you.So very thankful you did run away.I hate what you went through.Not just after your left the pack, but how you were treated over the years.If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, it would be to stay and fight.Stay until I found you.We can’t change the past, and regrets cause nothing but heartache.You’re here now.We’re a family.Not just the three of us, but Papa T and all the Lazlos.I’m going to thank the goddess every day for this gift.The gift of my mate and my beautiful baby girl.”Nikita released Kyllian and turned to her mother.The three of them sat quietly afterwards, letting all the words sink in.
When the tears dried and they climbed to their feet, Nikita nodded to herself as though she had made a decision.“We need to have a party with all the Lazlos and Papa T too.Mom and I need to officially meet our family.”She patted Kyllian on the chest.“And you need to make that happen.I’m going to wash my face now, and Mom?You need to come with me.You look like a raccoon.”Not waiting on Quinn, Nikita headed down the hallway to the half bath.Quinn thumped her head on Kyllian’s chest.Her body was shaking, and Kyllian worried she was crying again.Then she snorted.Kyllian hugged her tightly and laughed along with her, muttering, “That’s our Trouble.”
Quinn
The meeting-the-Lazlosparty was in full swing.Lucy’s home was utter chaos, and Quinn had never been happier.When Kyllian called to thank his niece for getting Nikita’s paperwork handled so quickly, he mentioned the get-together, and Lucy insisted they hold the gathering at her place.She and her mate, Tamian, flew in from New Atlanta to be there, and Nikita was smitten with her cousin, sticking close and peppering her with all kinds of questions regarding computer infiltration as she’d begun calling hacking.
When they first arrived at Lucy’s manor, Natalia was there with her boys.The twins ran to the door, and upon seeing Quinn and Nikita together, they froze.
“Look, Marsh!They’re twins like us!”Major exclaimed.
Kyllian dropped to his knees and poked Major in the belly, setting the boy off in the most adorable giggles.“Not twins.This is Quinn, and this is our daughter, Nikita.”
“Nikita,” Marshall said softy.
“Chiquita,” Major added.They looked at each other grinning and proclaimed, “Banana!”The boys fell against each other laughing.“Hey, Lollipop, we have a banana in the family!”Major yelled.
Quinn had met Natalia and Maveryck via video chat, but every time they spoke, the boys had either been asleep or off visiting Rory and Sutton.Still, Quinn knew which one was which by their demeanor.The lavender-haired woman with her slight Russian accent joined them by the door.She ruffled both their blond heads, her eyes filled with the same love Quinn held for Nikita.
“Speaking of bananas, Grammy Rose has a treat for you two in the kitchen.”
“Is it pizza?”Major asked, rubbing his tummy.
“You’ll have to go see.”
“Come on, Marsh!”Major grabbed his twin’s hand, and the two boys took off at full speed.Natalia followed the boys more sedately.
“You weren’t kidding,” Quinn said.Kyllian had regaled her and Nikita with stories of the twins, and meeting them in person didn’t disappoint.
The manor was filled with Lazlos, and after all the introductions were out of the way, the males went off to the game room to shoot pool and drink beer.Before he walked away, Quinn reminded Kyllian not to bet against his youngest brother, earning her a swat to the ass.
Kerrigan had mixed batches of what Maveryck called her world-famous margaritas, and Quinn had to agree they were delicious.Mac and Elijah were on kid duty, keeping the twins and Mateo occupied.Trenton, who had driven in the day before, sat with Sutton outside where they could sip whiskey in peace.When Rory shooed everyone out of the kitchen, the mates took Quinn to the den.They welcomed her as though they’d been lifelong friends.Each one took turns telling how they met their respective mate and what they endured.Quinn didn’t have friends or siblings, but in each of these amazing women, she formed an instant bond.
The day was absolutely perfect, from the twins keeping everyone entertained, to the brothers being together on a rare occasion, to the fabulous food Rory single-handedly prepared.Having spent so many years with only her father for company, Quinn worried she would get overwhelmed, but instead, it was like coming home.Itwascoming home.This family of bikers, mercenaries, and Gryphons accepted Quinn, Nikita, and Trenton with open arms and all the love they had to give.This was what family was about.
After the food had been demolished and Kerrigan and Rhiannon helped Rory clean up the kitchen, Lucy found Quinn and asked her to go for a walk.When they were outside, Lucy dove right in.“Nikita is amazing.I’m sure you know this, but I’m talking about with a computer.She has a natural gift, and I would be honored to teach her more.Now that things in New Atlanta are calm, Tamian and I plan to be here for a while.His father is ready to hand over the crown, so Tamian will be spending time with Xavier over the next few weeks, which leaves me with some downtime.If you and Kyllian agree, I’d love to have Nikita over and begin her training.I didn’t say anything to her until I spoke to you first.”