Page 45 of Thunder

"Thanks," she replies, her smile growing a bit more confident.

"Let's get you something to eat," Eliza suggests, leading Lia to the grill. She senses there’s still an overwhelming amount of tension and is doing the smart thing by leading Lia away. "You must be starving after all this excitement."

"Thank you, Eliza," Lia responds gratefully, following her towards the food.

The second she’s gone, Bullet comes to my side, his voice low.

"Are you sure about this, Thunder?" Bullet asks, his eyebrows knitted together in concern. "We all know she works for those resort developers."

"Bullet, trust me."

Owen joins us. “I can’t believe you. I think you’re letting your cock do the thinking, Thunder.”

“You still have your doubts about how I feel about her? About how she feels about me?” I say. I don’t even wait for his answer—the doubt is so clear in his eyes—I storm over to where Lia is loading her plate with food, grab her around the waist, pull her close, and capture her lips with mine, pouring every ounce of passion and conviction I have into the kiss. The world fades away, leaving only the two of us locked in a moment that seems to stretch on forever. When we finally break apart, I look back at Bullet and Maddy, my eyes blazing with determination.

"How's this for an answer? Are things clear to you now?”

Eliza gasps, and then claps her hands delightedly.

Maddy looks at Bullet and nods.

Bullet laughs, a hint of admiration in his eyes. He comes over and extends his hand. "Alright, man. If you trust her, we trust her. You’re one of us now, Lia."

“Owen?” I say.

He nods. “If you’re sure, I’m sure.”

"Good," I say firmly, my gaze sweeping over the rest of the group. "Now let's enjoy this fucking party."

Soon enough, laughter and conversation fill the room once more. My friends begin to mingle with Lia, getting to know her beyond her connection toMar y Tierra. I watch as they see what I've known all along—that she's incredible, strong, and fiercely loyal. And as they accept her, an immense sense of pride and belonging swells within me.

"Marcus," Lia whispers, her fingers brushing against my arm. "Thank you for bringing me here. I really needed this. I can’t talk to anyone at work… I don’t know who I can trust. And Sera, well, I can talk to her, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to bring her into this, put her at risk. This is all just so… really fucking scary."

"You’re safe here," I reply, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "You're a part of my life now, Lia. And that means you're a part of this family. We look out for each other."

She smiles up at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and I know in my heart that I've made the right decision. This is what it means to be a Steel Reaper—to have a family who stands by you, no matter what.

And with Lia by my side, I couldn't be happier.

Chapter Nineteen

Amelia

The party at Reid's Repairs is in full swing, laughter and banter filling the air and surrounding me with an atmosphere of boisterous camaraderie. The night is alive with the crackling sounds of a bonfire just outside the garage, its light casting a warm glow through the windows. Inside, the stereo fills the room with a mix of classic rock music, the thumping beats driving everyone to dance.

Bullet and Maddy are entwined together, half dancing, half just making out, their bodies moving in sync with the rhythm. I can't help but smile at how perfectly they fit together, lost in their own world as they sway to the music.

“You’re looking too good to just be standing there while music is playing. Come on, give me your hand,” Marcus says, grinning.

My heart swells as Marcus takes my hand, pulling me close to him on the makeshift, oil-stained dance floor. We move together, our bodies finding harmony as if we've done this a thousand times before. I feel almost overwhelmed by the warmth and acceptance that radiates from these people, so different from the cold, calculated world I'm used to at work. Nearly the moment Marcus vouched for me, I became family.

Marcus' green eyes meet mine, his gaze intense, consuming, warm, and I know that I'm not just imagining the connection between us. This is real.

"Having fun?" he shouts over the music, grinning down at me.

"More than I ever expected," I admit, my voice barely audible above the din. His smile grows wider, and I can't help but think how lucky I am to share this moment with him. “I was scared to come here at first, but I really, really needed this. You have no idea.”

We continue dancing until the song ends, and a slow song comes on next. A love song by Sinatra. Marcus and I lock eyes for a moment, both of us feeling it, yet neither of us wanting to speak it aloud.

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