Page 85 of Forever Filthy

“He hasn’t seen her yet, the tints on the windows are too dark,” Archer mumbles.

“Huh?” I hedge.

“Fucking Nova is going to get us all killed,” Ezekiel mutters bitterly.

“What’s going on?” I snap.

“Your brother is clearly being forced to wear that fucking ugly thing by Nova, which means he is already in a bad mood.” I roll my eyes at Hayze, and before they can stop me, I scoot away from Archer and push my door open, ignoring their protests as I run around the car and stand at the edge of the walkway facing my brother. Instantly his face blanks of emotion. Nova stumbles forward and grabs his arm for support as she peers down at me from the porch. I feel my guys slide up behind me and flank me on either side.

“What are you two doing out here—” My mom appears at Nova’s side and clamps her mouth closed, unable to finish when she spots me. It takes her a split second before a sob claws its way out of her. Then she is racing down the stairs to me. I run to her and we both clash together, crying as we hold each other tight. “Oh my God, my baby,” she cries.

“I’m here, Mom,” I choke out through my tears as I hold her close, never wanting to let go.

“Vivian, I have missed you so much. I thought I lost you.” Her sobs grow and I begin to worry about her, then her legs give out. Before she drops to the ground, a hulking form appears and wraps his arms around both of us holding us close and tight.

“I got you both, always.” I pull one of my arms free from my mom and wrap it around my brother who buries his face in the top of my head. “I love you, Vi.”

“I… love you… too,” I cry as I grip him tight. Vox’s breaths are coming in fast rapid pants as he tries to reign in his emotions. Mom pulls back, breaking our three way hug to grab my face. She stands there with tears trailing down her cheeks, looking at me. As if my twin can sense I need him he stands beside me and wraps an arm around my shoulders, anchoring me.

“Don’t ever do that to me again, okay?” I nod.

“I won’t,” I promise.

“I thought I had lost my baby,” she chokes out—guilt churns inside me.

“She’s too annoying to die, Mom. I told you that.” I scoff and elbow my brother in his ribs, which just earns me getting my hair ruffled by him.

“Let me go tell the other’s, they are going to be so happy you're okay.” I nod and watch as she rushes back inside. Vox shifts to stand in front of me. The mood instantly shifts from happy to ominous. My guys push forward to stand at my back, showing Vox that they will shut him down if he plans to go off on me.

“Thank you, Little Sister.” I reel back and smack into Hayze.

“W-what?” I stutter.

Vox smiles. “You saved all of us. I guess it turns out I didn’t need to protect you, you did that all on your own.” My bottom lip trembles as warmth spreads through me.

“From the womb to the tomb, Brother,” I whisper.

“Okay, I waited long enough, my turn.” Nova shoves Vox aside and then she is wrapping me up in a bone crushing hug that robs me of air. “I missed you.”

I melt into her. “I missed you too.”

“We never gave up, Vivi. We searched for you.”

“I know, thank you for trusting me,” I say low enough for only her to hear.

“Always.” We pull apart and smile at each other.

“We don’t have to wear one of those as well, do we?” Hayze asks as he wraps an arm around my waist. My brother narrows his eyes but says nothing.

“Actually, yes. You all have one each. Don’t fucking deny Jane, it made her so happy to see Vox wearing his.” All the guys start laughing at my brother’s expense. Vox shoots them all glares before storming back into the house. “He is such a Grinch.”

My eyes widen. “You helped my mom choose his sweater, didn’t you?” I ask.

Nova pushes her tongue into her cheek and shrugs. “I may have made a suggestion.” The five of us all laugh at my poor twin's expense.

I can’t keepthe smile off my face. Mom, Lilly, Olivia and Mary made all the boys wear their Christmas sweaters and they even made them take a group photo that Nova and I forced them to send us, and you best believe that photo of them grinning like they were in pain is our phones’ wallpapers. Dawson’s family has been nothing but welcoming and so nice. I was nervous to meet Leah, Alex, Katie and Val considering I hacked into theirhusband’s computers but none of them held it against me. I was so shocked to see Katie with Crue and Saint, their marriage may not be legal but to them it is. Both guys are so in love with her and dote on the children. Henry and Shane have been grilling Corvin, Crue, Saint, Beckett and Darius about the teams they used to play for.

Everyone has been so happy and kind that it makes my heart swell inside my chest. “I wish my mom was here to see this,” Nova says sadly from beside me. Pain blooms inside me.

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