Page 79 of Shattered

We lay in the comfortable quiet until the distinguishable click of the front door lock announced our guys were here. The light in the hall flickered to life seconds before Koen strolled in, his tired eyes finding mine through the dimness. He was followed by Keaton, then to my shock, Lanie and Noah brought up the rear.

I gasped, then scrambled off the couch, runningfull speed toward my friend. When her arms circled me, we broke down together.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there,” she cried.

“You’re here now.”

“Don’t mind the two teenagers over here trying to sleep,” Jett grumped.

“Shush,” Phoebe scolded. “This is way better than the dream I was having.”

“You’re okay.” Lanie pulled back, her hands wrapping around my forearms as she scanned my body from head to toe. When she was satisfied with what she saw, her eyes narrowed. “Don’t ever do that shit again.”

I rolled mine to the ceiling. “What the hell is it with everyone? It’s not like I asked to be kidnapped, drugged, and buried alive.”

“Jesus Christ,” Noah bit out.

“Angel.” Koen kissed my temple, then drew me out of Lanie’s hold.

“What? I survived, dammit.”

“You did,” he agreed, touching his lips to mine as another set of arms wrapped around us both, then another, and another. Before long, each person in the room joined in.

“It’s a circle of love,” Phoebe sighed, resting her head against my brother’s arm.

“Circle of love? You’re quoting kids' movies now?”

“I said what I said, Jett. Besides, that was life not love.”

“Whatever.”

Love.

We had it in spades. This was our family; one that was built, not born. There was no amount of DNA that could ever top what we’d found in each other.

“I don’t know about anyone else, but I could use a drinkor ten.” Lanie broke off from our group and headed toward the kitchen.

“No fair.”

“What’s not fair, Henley?” I cocked my head to the side.

She pointed to her belly. “I’m baking a baby in here, which means no wine for me.”

“Come on.” I linked my arm around hers. “I’ll put some juice in a wine glass.”

We celebrated long into the night and by the time we crawled into bed hours later, my heart was overflowing.

“I love you, Koen.” I snuggled deeper into his side.

“Love you too, Angel. More and more every day.”

Somewhere between the two glasses of wine I enjoyed and the massive relief at having my friend back where she belonged, sleep found me easily.

Not one nightmare was had.

25BE THE STORM

Koen

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