Page 38 of Devil's Valentine

Malcolm’s eyes fill with tears and then they start to fall down his face. When I hold an arm out to him, he steps closer and then wraps himself around me and Ezekiel. I feel the weight of his pain, the weight of his trauma, and I hope that slowly he’ll be able to free himself of it.

I’ll help however I can.

Dean’s arms wrap around us all and I can’t stop the tears now. Finally. My brothers are home and I’m never letting them go.

Angie steps closer, her voice soft and thick. “I can see these boys have found the home they were meant to find. While this is temporary, you better believe that I’ll make sure it becomes permanent.”

I look into her eyes to find her eyes filled with tears that she’s barely holding back. “Thank you,” I rasp, meaning it with all that I am.

“I can see myself out. Let me know if you need me for anything and I’ll keep you informed.”

My arms tighten around my brothers. It feels like I can finally breathe again. Ever since that morning when I found out what was truly behind the destruction of my bakery, I’ve been waiting for this moment.

Now it’s here.

I relax against Dean, whose solid presence at my back gives me peace. This won’t be easy, he was right about that, but sometimes the most worthwhile things are things you have to fight for.

CHAPTER 16

SCARLETT

I can tell my brothers are nervous as we walk over to the clubhouse. Ezekiel came to me this morning and asked what he should wear. The boy lives in athletic shorts and t-shirts and doesn’t usually if the colors match between them, but today he wanted to make a good impression.

It was kind of adorable.

I let him know that everyone we’re meeting today already loves him and is just excited to meet him. Which is why he’s wearing red shorts and an orange shirt. I guess it’s not the worst combination I’ve seen him put on in the last two weeks.

My brothers have adjusted to their new schools, even though they were both apprehensive at first. I could only tell them that no matter what happened, it would get better. Ezekiel has thrived and I’ve seen Malcolm start to come out of his shell. From what I’ve been told, since Dean has been doing pick up anddrop off, Malcolm was talking with a group of kids this last week.

Be still my heart.

They haven’t pushed as many boundaries at home as I expected them to, but I think having Dean’s constant, strong presence has helped with that. They both know that they aren’t going to get one over on him and that he’s going to have my back first, no matter what. Still, the way they both look up to him, even copying his mannerisms at times, tells me they know he’ll have their back, if and when they need him, too.

“Today is just a family BBQ guys,” I remind them. “No other clubs or chapters are visiting. It’ll be chill and you can just get to know everyone.”

Malcolm gives me a little smile and I almost trip over my feet. He’s been closed off since coming to live with us, but there are moments when I get glimpses of the young man he really could be. Dean steadies me and I only bobble the box of macrons slightly.

I couldn’t have hired Amber at a better time because it’s given me the freedom to be home more for my brothers. There are times when I miss the bakery, but that’s when I go into the kitchen and start testing new recipes. Ezekiel has even started helping me and he’s really good at it.

At this point, I’d trust him to make three of my cookie recipes all by himself because he has them memorized. We’ve bonded while baking and it makes me feel closer to my mom in those moments since I did the same with her.

Malcolm won’t help me in the kitchen, but he’ll sit there and listen. I’m taking that as a win.

We’ve talked about what happens next and that I want to officially adopt them as soon as it’s a possibility. I’m pretty sure I surprised my brothers with that one, but I want them to know that no one can take them away from me and that I’m not going anywhere.

Angie let me know that it would be easier to be married to Dean when the time comes, but I’m not putting that on my man. It’ll all work out, however it’s supposed to, when the time is right.

As we approach the back of the clubhouse, I smile at the tables set up the smell of meat already cooking. What does surprise me is that no one is milling around. When I look at Dean questioningly, he grins at me and winks before taking the box out of my hands.

“How about we go in the front? Give the boys the full Devil’s Saints experience.”

I chuckle and nod, leading the boys around to the front as I tug on my property cut slightly. It’s not heavy, but the weight of it, the commitment that comes with it, is something I can’t ignore. Why would I want to? I welcome it.

“Go on,” Dean urges, “open the door, boys and walk inside to meet your family.”

With a glance at my man, my brothers each grab one side of the double doors where the DSMC emblem is front and center for anyone walking in to see. I could see how it would be intimidating to a lot of people, but not to me. I see the devil’s skull and am filled with warmth that means family.

The moment the doors are opened, and the boys walk in, my eyes fill with tears. The common room of the clubhouse is filled with the eager faces of everyone who makes this place what it is.

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