Page 80 of Kilo's Edge

“Did he just say love, Hush?” A third man asked, looking perplexed.

“Sure did, Butcher. You know, that thing you feel for Isla? That’s what he’s talkin’ about,” Hush told him.

“Fuck off. I know what love is.”

“Sure,nowyou do,” the man who’d originally answered the phone said, folding his arms over his chest. “Thanks to us. The man has more than one feeling now. Who ever thought it possible?”

“I like to thinkIhad something to do with it,” the woman Butcher had an arm wrapped around said.

I was guessing that was Isla. Looking around at all the new faces, I tried to take it all in. “Thank you so much,” I said. My voice caused them all to stop their bickering—which sounded exactly like Kilo and his brothers when they were all poking at each other—and stare at me. I twisted my hands together, trying to hold back the waves of emotions that were battering at me. I didn’t want to cry in front of all these tough looking men, and the bad ass woman who was holding a rifle in one hand.

Eyeing the weapon, I gave her a weak smile. “Thank you,” I repeated, “for coming to help us. For protecting my family and searching for me. I… I honestly don’t know how to tell you how grateful I am.”

“Jesus,” Hush drawled, eyes softening as he stared at me.

“She’s too damn sweet for you, Kilo,” the second voice from the phone call said. That was Lockout, the president of the Tucson Chapter of the Viking’s Rampage. Not only did I recognize the voice, but he had the same authority that Ruck wore like armor. Invisible, but everyone here knew the two men standing side by side were in charge of their respective groups.

The men all started agreeing and teasing Kilo, which he took with his signature grin. He nudged me and then jerked his heada little. I looked over and saw my family there, behind the wall of muscles and tattoos the bikers made.

Skirting past a man who was even bigger than Bolo—Kilo had called him Hellfire—though not by much, I threw myself into the waiting arms of my mother and sister. The sound of the men talking as everyone came inside the house was muffled though, because both Prissy and Roger draped themselves over my back, creating a circular embrace with me at the center.

I couldn’t believe that not only were we safe, but now our family had grown by leaps and bounds, and in such a short amount of time. The length of time we’d known these men, and this woman, was insignificant, though. Not when they’d gone to bat for us in such a monumental way. I’d always owe them my gratitude. I’d love them all until I was nothing but dust. Sinking into the hugs, I let the fear and unease I’d known for four years float away.

CHAPTER 35

Camila

We were at Roger’s for what felt like hours, but was probably less than one. It was nice getting to know the Tucson guys, well, those who’d come tonight to help. Lockout had mentioned that a few had stayed behind with their families. But they were all too happy to tell me all about them. I was hoping one of these days I’d get to meet their wives. Mary was the only friend I’d made here, besides those Kilo had introduced me to, and now that I knew I wouldn’t have to leave this city, I was eager to meet new people. To make friends again.

At some point, Drifter and Strike showed up, but somewhere between one of Toxic’s stories about drinking and women, Overdrive and Strike disappeared again. There was probably a lot to do and though I wanted to personally thank each of the Saint’s Outlaws men, I knew it would have to wait. I focused back on Toxic again. He was very handsome, but seemed a littlewild. “Is that story true?” I whispered to Kilo. I was once again perched on his lap.

“I’d bet my store on it,” Kilo muttered. He narrowed his eyes on me in a playful scowl. “Don’t go falling in love with him, Mercy. He’s a player.”

I shook my head, giving him a soft smile. “How could I do that when I’ve already fallen for you?”

Both arms wrapped around me as he squeezed me close. “Good. It better stay that way.”

Leaning my head against his chest, I listened to the men catch up. It sounded like they were all long lost friends who hadn’t seen each other in years as they joked and laughed. I was beginning to realize that Kilo’s family extended so much further than his club brothers. It included other men in other clubs. They were all bound by not only the biker lifestyle, but by their military backgrounds. Each of them had biological families out there, yet this was the one they chose. The one they’d always choose. I was honored to now be included in that.

“Time to go home and get some sleep, Baby.”

I lifted my head, looking up at my biker. I must have started dozing off in his lap because he was carrying me out the door. “No,” I sighed.

“Yes.”

I didn’t fight him after that. He put me in the SUV and I yawned as he drove us back to our houses. By the time we got there, I was more alert.

“We’ll sleep at my house,” he said.

I figured we would because we’d been doing that for weeks now. “Okay, but I want to get some of my own pajamas.”

“I’ll give you one of my shirts,” he replied, tugging on my hand as we walked toward his house.

Pausing, I looked over at him. “I want my own clothes.” His eyes flicked toward my house. “What’s going on?” I asked, finally cluing into the fact that he didn’t want me to go over there.

“Nothing, it’s just- Wait!”

I tugged my hand out of his and hurried into my home. What I found inside made me screech to a halt.

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