Page 9 of Fallen Saint

"Let's go share the news then, Rebel," Declan murmurs, brushing his lips across mine in a way that makes butterflies flutter in my stomach. "The sooner we get this day over with, the sooner I can get you naked again."

I groan, heat unfurling in my core at the thought of him getting me naked again.

He chuckles when I grab his hand, practically dragging him inside the studio.

Saint and Jace look up from Jace's keyboard when we stroll in, notice us holding hands, and then share a look. A slow smile spreads across Saint's face.

"Please tell me this means what the fuck I think it means," he says.

"She's mine," Declan growls.

"Obviously." Jace rolls his eyes, crossing his tattooed arms. "But is she leaving the band? That's the important question."

"No." I bite my lip, suddenly nervous even though I said I wasn't. "I mean, if you guys are okay with me staying as your drummer, I'd like to stay."

Saint and Jace share another look. This one makes my stomach churn. Are they going to make me follow through on quitting? Why didn't I think of that?Crap.Maybe I should have come up with a speech. I don't know. But I really want to stay, and it's going to break my heart if they make me follow through on quitting.

Judging by the way Declan is growling at my side, he's going to be pissed too.

I may cry if Saint and Jace decide I have to leave, and Declan ends up quitting, too. Actually, that's not true. I'll definitely cry.

"Well," Saint says, slowly striding forward. "I mean, we've put a lot of thought into it."

Declan tenses at my side, his rumbling growl growing louder.

"And fucking obviously you're staying," Saint says, putting us out of our misery.

My knees go weak. Declan immediately stops growling, his grip on me tightening.

"You really think we'd ask you to quit? What the fuck, Pen?" Saint pulls me into a fierce hug. "We've just been waiting for you to tell this idiot you were leaving so he'd get his head out of his ass and make you stay. We knew he wasn't going to let you quit. If he did, we were firing him until he got his head out of his ass.It's about goddamn time the two of you figured your shit out because, gotta be honest, it's not a band if Dipshit and I are the only two left in the motherfucker."

"Uh, Dipshit objects to being called Dipshit, you dick," Jace mutters, flipping Saint off. "But he agrees with the rest of the shit you just said." He grins at me. "Glad you're staying, and we aren't firing Declan. I like you two way more than Saint anyway." He glances at Declan. "It's about goddamn time you figured it out."

"Yeah, yeah. Everyone knew but me. Stop hugging her," Declan complains, gently prying me out of Saint's arms. "Go hug your own woman. Leave mine alone."

Saint grins, slapping Declan on the back. "Welcome to the club, asshole."

Declan just smirks, tugging me back into his arms. I go willingly, smiling brightly.

"See?" he whispers, his lips against my ear. "You aren't going anywhere, Rebel. This right here is where you belong."

He's right. In his arms and in this band is where I belong. This is home, and they're my family. And for the first time in a long time—perhaps for the first time ever—everyone is happy.

It's been a long time coming.

Chapter Seven

Declan

"Are you ready for this, Rebel?" I ask, pulling Pen into my arms as we wait backstage before our interview. Our show is tonight, and I'm anxious as hell. I fucking hate interviews. I'm looking forward to this one, though. I have a few things to get off my chest.

"I guess so." She tips her head back, scrutinizing my expression. "Are you?"

"Always," I lie, pressing my lips to hers in a hard kiss.

She melts against me with a soft sigh, squeezing my fucking heart in a vise. Christ, I can't believe she's mine. I can't believe this is my life. It's been a full week since she told me she was leaving the band. Seven days since she turned my world upside down and then made it a million times better. She spends every night in my bed now.

I'm allowed to touch her when I want. Kiss her when I want. Hold her whenever the hell I feel like it.She's mine.

---