Page 126 of When Kings Fall

Happiness.

Hope.

Love.

So much of that last one.

Because of Brianna, Colt, and Mason.

Because of our foursome and how spectacularly it was functioning now, how we all melded perfectly as one, how we were intrinsically linked, how we were immersed fully in one another’s lives and supporting each other’s endeavors, pushing and encouraging each other in the best ways too.

Our lives we’d set out to build since Stonewell U were coming along nicely.

Everything was falling into place.

I leaned against my Harley in the courtyard of our home in Stonewell.

We’d decided to stay here after graduation because the place meant a lot to us.

It was where things had changed for all of us, where we’d first come together as our foursome. It was off-campus so we were fine in that respect. It also wasn’t far from my work in the City of Tolhurst, Colt’s record company also there, and Brianna’s app development firm. The tattoo parlor Mason worked at was in between both, so that worked out well too.

We’d disbanded Hex because we were no longer at Stonewell University. But, speaking of underground organizations, Brianna was still operating Vixen. Right now it was geared toward ensuring her dad was all right, given how many enemies he had from his old club days. No one had made a move, but as the cliché went: a good defense was a good offense.

Besides, although there were no immediate issues, she’d taken my advice to heart about keeping Vixen operational to safeguard all of us and those whom we loved.

“When the world is at peace, a gentleman keeps his sword by his side."

That Wu Tsu quote was something I’d taken to heart and still took very seriously.

Definitely words to live by in our complicated world.

I looked out down the private drive waiting on Mason’s Porsche to come down the way with Brianna and Colt inside.

The two of them had gone to visit Rock ‘N’ Ruin’s recording studio where our little rockstar was spending so much of his time. He’d convinced Brianna to re-record the duet, Until You, with him. Unfortunately, I’d had a situation at work so I hadn’t been able to make it there on time.

I’d ridden here like a fucking maniac right after instead, not wanting to be late to the house as well. Now I’d gotten here first, an hour or so ahead of them, absolving myself from the other thing.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it from my black designer jeans to find a text from my dad.

Dad: You’re still signed into the server. Clock off.

I frowned down at the message. What?

Levi: How do you know that?

Dad: Just checking in every now and then.

Levi: Should I be touched or offended?

Dad: Both. LOL.

Levi: LMFAO.

Dad: Seriously, though, clock off, son. Enjoy your vacation.

Levi: Ok. Thank you, Dad.

Dad: You’re doing great, by the way. So great that when you get back you and me are going to celebrate big.

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