Page 39 of Hope Found

ORIN

Gettingthe call from Odin that someone is stalking Isla and the kids has me angrier than I think I’ve ever been. Who could be watching them that close and us not know anything about it? The kids’ father is dead, so who else would be wanting to take them? Not that it matters in the end. Over my dead body will anyone lay a hand on Isla or our kids.

It’s crazy to me that it hasn’t even been three weeks, and yet all of us already consider them our kids. I know my brothers are just as in love with those three as I am, and we are falling just as fast for Isla. The ride across town to the police station has me wanting to climb the walls, and I have to resist the urge to flip on the lights and sirens. I need to see her, to make sure she’s okay with my own eyes. Luckily, my team understood my panic and volunteered to take me to meet up with her. The only reason I haven’t called out of work to park my ass at the school is because Odin said he was sending a patrol unit over to watch them, and Vivi is at home with a state of the art security system.

We finally pull into the police station, and I am thankful we are allowed to post the rig anywhere within our zone. The rest of the crew agreed to walk next door to the little diner so we can check in with our girl. As soon as the driver parks, Callum and I jump out of the truck and run inside. As soon as I make it through the double doors, I see Isla standing at the desk laughing at us busting in like idiots.

Odin shakes his head, although I can see a smile fighting to break free. “Dammit! Y’all couldn’t be a little bit less predictable?” Looking at Isla, he takes out his wallet and hands her a fifty dollar bill. “Well, looks like you won this time, Babygirl. Don’t get used to it.”

Isla grins at me. “Thank you, darling gentlemen, for making me some money with all of your ridiculousness.”

Callum and I gape at her. “What did we do? What did y’all even bet on?” I ask, pulling her into a hug.

She giggles. “Well, I asked why he called y’all since there wasn’t anything you could do to help, and I knew y’all were going to whip the firetruck in here like a bat outta hell and come running in here like someone was murdered. Odin said that y’all might show up but it would be last minute before we leave, because he’s never seen y’all act like that before. So thank you for proving me right.”

She kisses me on the lips softly and I give her a small smile. “Of course we raced over like the devil’s hellhounds were after us. Someone threatened our woman and our children. Look Isla, I’ll be honest with you. I don’t give a fuck who it is, no one will be getting near any of you. This thing between us may be new, but you and the kids mean the absolute world to all of us. No one will ever hurt any of you again.” I lean down and kiss her harder, biting down gently on her lip until she lets out a small moan.

“Okay you two, let's not give the whole station a show,” Odin speaks up as he grabs Isla around the waist. “We already filed the report and turned in the envelope. Besides, I took pictures of everything and I’ll send it in the group chat. We just need to go do her fingerprints for her background check. Y’all can’t come back there because it’s restricted, so why don’t y’all go to the diner and we will meet you there when we’re done, alright?”

“Okay, that works. Hopefully they can pull prints or something to at least give us a clue,” Callum points out. “We’ll meet y’all over there,” he says, before leaning down and giving Isla a kiss whispering something in her ear. Whatever it was has her rubbing her legs together, and I can’t wait to finally taste her.

* * *

ISLA

After Callumand Orin head over to the diner, Odin leads me to the back of the station. We walk up to a desk that has an older deputy sitting at it, probably late forties, balding with a beer belly. He has kind eyes and a sweet smile, reminding me of a follically challenged santa.

Odin reaches out and shakes his hand before introducing me. “Hey Nugent, this is Isla. She needs prints taken and submitted for a state and federal background check.”

Officer Nugent looks up at me and extends his hand, so I give him a small hand shake and a smile. “Nice to meet you, Isla. Do you have the work order papers for the background check? Here is a form to fill out. It just needs your driver's license and your social security numbers.”

I grab the work order out of my bag and hand it to him, then take the form to fill out. Once all the paperwork is done, the officer stands up and motions me over. “Okay dear, what we are going to be doing is pretty simple. I’ll just roll each finger onto the ink pad then we will gently press each finger on this sheet of paper,” he tells me, showing me the pad and fingerprint form. “We will start with your right hand then do the left, alright? Any questions?”

I shake my head, then he holds out his hand. We go through all ten fingers, and less than ten minutes later we are out the door headed towards the dinner. Odin is holding my hand as we walk and it really hits me how much my life has changed.

I’m about to be starting a new job, finally putting my degree to good use, my kids are happy and settled. I‘m back with my grandmother where I belong, however the most shocking thing is that I have five amazing guys in my life. I never thought after Corin I would be able to move on, but these guys came barrel rolling into my life and consumed every bit of heartache I had. I can’t remember ever being this happy.

I pause when we are almost to the door, stopping him as I speak up “Thank you Odin. Truly, I can’t express how thankful I am for you and the guys. All of you have been so amazing, thoughtful, and caring. I don’t know what I did to get so lucky to have y’all walk into my life, but I’m finally happy. So I just wanted to thank you.”

He kisses me, giving me a tender smile. “You don’t have to thank us Isla, you’re worth it. Now, let’s go grab some food.” He gives me another small peck, then opens the door.

Walking into Sal’s Diner is what I picture all diners looked like in the fifties. It has black and white checkered floors and white formica tables, and the booths and stools are all red with silver trim. The ceiling is lined with pastel blue and pink neon lights that accentuate the multitude of framed photos and memorabilia on the walls, and there is even a jukebox in the corner playing an Elvis tune. All the waitresses are wearing teal tops and black poodle skirts, with bobby socks showing above their teal rollerskates. I love it immediately.

Orin and Callum are at one of the biggest tables in the back, seated with two other guys in the same shirt, so I assume they are also firefighters. Odin leads me over to the booth and I sit down, sliding closer to Orin so his twin can sit on my other side.

“Isla, this is Trey and Collin, the other guys on our rig. Guys, this is Isla,” Orin introduces us. I smile at the pair in question, giving a friendly wave. Trey has beautiful skin that’s so dark he looks flawless with his amber eyes and hair cropped close to his scalp. He doesn’t have the bulk Callum does, but he’s not quite as lean as the twins. Almost his opposite, Collin has skin closer to my own pale shade, curly red hair, bright blue eyes, and is covered in freckles.

They both say hello as the waitress brings their milkshakes, then she takes mine and Odin’s order. When she returns with our drinks she is followed by another waitress carrying a tray with their food, and we all make small talk as they eat. I love getting to know my guys more, as well as getting to meet their friends. It’s a nice little peek into their lives.

As soon as mine and Odin’s food is brought out, someone I really didn’t care to run into again walks up to the table.

“Hey Odin, I didn’t get a chance to talk to you at the school. Where’s Bodie? I miss seeing all of you,” Victoria says, giggling saccharinely as she leans over the table, flashing her very fake tits in all of our faces.

“Well Vicky, there is a very good reason for that. You and Bodie broke up because you couldn’t keep your legs closed and not fuck half the state. As if that isn’t bad enough, you tried to hook up with the rest of my brothers and me, not to mention half the restaurant staff and the guys from the fire and police stations.” He pauses and gives her a look that could kill. “Don’t even get me started on how you treat your daughter. You’re an awful mother who cares more about herself than anyone else I’ve ever met, and I feel sorry for her. As you can clearly see, I’m having lunch with people who actually mean something to me, so please stand up, cover your cheap fake tits, and go away before you ruin our lunch.” He waves at her as if to shoo her away.

“HOW FUCKING DARE YOU! You have no right to say things like that to me when you're all passing that slut around!” she shrieks, pointing her finger in my face. “How is that any different? Everyone saw y’all at the school. She isn’t even that pretty! In fact, she looks trashy as fuck with the ugly purple hair and all those lame tattoos. Why do y’all want to play house with her and her ugly ass kids. This is such total bull–”

Her rant is cut off when I reach over the table and punch her in the nose, stepping over the guys to get out of the booth. “Listen here you cheap ass bottle blonde tramp. You can talk shit about me all you fucking want, but if you bring my kids into any of your bullshit again and I will beat the fuck out you in front of the entire god damn town.”

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