Chapter 54
LEX
Kingsley Field – Wexley University
About to watch my girl kill it!
The crowd’s already loud and the game hasn’t even started. I lean forward in my seat on the front row, arms resting on the steel barrier as I watch the chaos unfold below. The Wexley Wolves haven’t taken the field yet but the real show’s already begun.
The Trifecta.
They’re lined up in front of the student section, posing for photos like goddamn celebrities, and honestly, they might as well be.
Little girls in mini Trifecta shirts bounce on their toes, ponytails flying, glittered cheeks catching the light.
One’s holding a sign that says, I wanna be Bella when I grow up, and I swear, my heart does a weird fucking thing in my chest.
Because there she is.
My girl.
Laughing, radiant, and absolutely untouchable in her black and burgundy Trifecta uniform. Signing autographs with that signature smile, crouching down to pose with a group of middle schoolers, then standing and tossing her hair like the main character in every fantasy I’ve ever had.
She’s safe. She’s smiling. After everything she just did. After everything we all just went through. She should be wrecked, but somehow, she’s right here stronger than ever. And now, she’s got family back in her corner.
Uncle Jack showed up like a ghost from the past and changed everything. They’ve had lunch a few times, catching up. She told him about her life and I can tell it’s been good for her.
It was hard on the guy, especially since his wife died a few years back. I don’t know the whole story, I don’t need to. All I care about is that she’s got another family member back.
He knows about why Henry can’t come to her performances. Vince and all that shit. It killed him. Apparently, he and Henry are still pretty tight. Jack was hurt that Henry never told him about their reunion at Bella’s high school graduation, but he understood in the end.
He is the reason for all the NYPD presence at the field tonight. Something about protecting his Sugar Bear, which is adorable.
Tried to call her that the other night while I was balls-deep and feeling sentimental. Let’s just say she throat-punched me mid-orgasm.
Lesson learned.
Cade’s beside me, drink in hand, and looking just as obsessed as I feel. I glance over at him. He catches me looking, lifts his chin in that quiet way he does, and interlocks his fingers in mine.
She finally breaks from the crowd, waving to a few more people yelling her name like she’s the goddamn quarterback instead of the girl who’s about to steal the halftime show.
She gives a little finger wave and a wink to some frat guy in a Wexley jersey, then rolls her eyes when he stumbles into his friend trying to blow her a kiss.
My fucking girl.
She makes her way toward us, hips swaying, that show-day glow still clinging to her skin. Then she drops herself right onto my lap. One arm around my shoulders, the other hand still clutching a Sharpie like she’s ready to sign my damn soul next.
She kisses me. Not a peck. Not some PG, camera-safe shit. No, this is slow. Teasing. Deep enough to make my pulse glitch and my brain short-circuit. By the time she pulls back, I’m already gripping her thighs, trying to remember what oxygen is.
She looks at me like she knows exactly what she just did. The little tease. Eyes lit up, smile wicked and sweet all at once.
I drag my hands up her thighs and over her waist. “You kiss every fan like that, or am I just the lucky bastard in the front row?”
“Just you,” she whispers, smirking. “Though one kid said if I kissed him, he’d get his dad to buy me a beer.”
I bark out a laugh, tilt my head, and give her a look that says don’t test me.
“Tempting offer,” I say, sliding my hand a little higher. “But if his old man shows up with that beer, he’s losing a few teeth.”
She grins. “Jealous much?”
“Always, baby,” I admit, grinning back. “It’s part of my charm.”
She turns her attention to Cade and before the poor bastard can even say hi, she leans in and kisses him too, like she’s grounding herself in him.
Cade grips the edge of his seat as if he’s not sure if he wants to stay upright or drag her ass straight into his lap. Can’t say I’d blame him if he did.
“Hey,” she says, brushing her nose against his like they’re the only two people here. “Missed you.”
“Not possible,” he breathes back.
And I swear, the guy fucking melts. Right there. Right in front of me. His whole face softens like she just flipped a switch inside him.
Bella lights up instantly as Savannah and Clay slide into the row behind us. Savannah wraps her arms around Bella’s shoulders from behind and gives her a tight squeeze.
“Sweetheart, that outfit is dangerous,” she teases, flicking the end of Bella’s burgundy crop top. “One more inch and half the student section would’ve passed out.”
Bella grins, tossing a wink over her shoulder. “Just wait ‘til you see the other ones. Rico went crazy for tonight.”
Clay huffs out a low laugh. “And here I thought this was a football game, not a fashion show.”
“There’s a little bit of that too, Dad,” Bella jokes, nudging her knee against mine.
She says it so easily—Dad—like it’s always been his name. I’m not mad. Not at her. Clay and Savannah gave her a home when no one else did. But it still hits somewhere low in my chest. A quiet reminder that she’s woven into Cade’s world in a way I’ll never be.
Bella turns to me, resting her chin on my shoulder. “Wait, I thought your dad was coming?”
“He is,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket and checking a text. “He’s trying to find a parking spot. Last I heard he was stuck behind a beer truck full of Row boys tailgating like it’s the damn Super Bowl.”
Bella laughs, but there’s a flicker of worry in her eyes. “I’m kind of nervous to meet him.”
“Baby, he’s gonna love you. Trust me.”
She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off before the spiral can start.
“My dad’s the good one,” I say with a grin. “He loves three things in life—classic architecture, high-stakes poker, and sexy women who are smarter than him.”
I shoot her a look, cocky as hell. “You’re all three, baby. Built like a masterpiece, impossible to read, and guaranteed to ruin him.”
She laughs but I can tell she’s still overthinking.
“He’s cool,” I say more gently. “Way cooler than I deserve. Mom couldn’t make it tonight. Something about a meeting with my uncle, which is most likely Bratva code for selling a missile system to a dictator with a yacht.”
Bella snorts, her body relaxing against mine. “Great. Can’t wait for that family dinner.”
“Hey,” I say, curling my arms tighter around her waist. “You’ve survived shootouts, CIA-grade ops, Laing, and Fight Night, baby. You can handle my dad. He’s just… human.”
My thumb drags lazy circles over her thigh. “You weren’t this nervous meeting Cade’s parents.”
“That’s because she met my parents when she was a teenager,” Cade says, sipping his beer. “Back before she was dancing in outfits that could get her arrested in half the country.”
He shoots her a look. “Speaking of getting arrested, remember when you and Ellie accidentally ended up in Canada?”
Bella bites her lip, trying not to laugh. “It was supposed to be a road trip to Buffalo.”
I raise a brow, grinning. “You crossed into Canada by accident, baby?”
“They didn’t even realize until customs had them detained,” Cade says, shaking his head. “Two teenage girls, zero map skills, and a trunk full of snacks like they were prepping for a zombie apocalypse.”
Bella shrugs, pure mischief. “We made it back.”
“Barely,” Cade says. “My parents were losing their minds and you were like, ‘but the maple syrup was worth it.’”
“Zeke almost killed me that weekend.”
Two quick beeps crackle in our ears. Walkies live.
Knox’s voice comes through, crisp and controlled. “Mic check, everyone.”
“Hugh?”
“Everything’s good up here in the booth, Knox,” Hugh replies, already half distracted by his soundboard.
“Javi?”
“Claro, mi amor. And if anyone ruins my formation tonight, I swear to God, I’ll retire mid-routine.”
Knox snorts. “Lex?”
“Present, Bestie.”
“Cade?”
“All good.”
“Josh?”
“Ready and caffeinated.”
“Sam?”
“Yep. Let’s go make ‘em sweat.”
“Drake?”
“Yo. Been ready for hours.”
Knox’s tone shifts, more playful. “Hales?”
“Yes, lover,” Haley purrs through the mic.
“Ellie?”
“Ready!” She chirps, all cheer and fire.
Knox pauses, the smirk in his voice audible. “Problem Child?”
“Yes, Knox,” Bella deadpans, rolling her eyes even though he can’t see it.
“Alright, girls,” Knox says, clapping once. “Stretch it out, shake it off, and make ‘em remember tonight.”
A single beep cuts through the line. Earpieces off. Showtime.
Bella rises, adjusting her top as she stands between us. She leans down first to Cade, brushing a kiss against his lips, slow and sweet, the kind of kiss that lingers in your bloodstream. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it, sweetheart.”
Then she turns to me. I grab her waist before she can even lean down and pull her in for a kiss that’s a little longer, a little deeper. She tastes like cherry gloss and adrenaline.
“Stretch good, baby,” I growl against her mouth. “I’ll be watching every damn move.”
She grins, pulls back just enough to wink at both of us, then spins on her heel and jogs toward the sideline where Ellie and Haley are already starting warm-ups.
Josh is down on one knee beside her now, helping her stretch out her hamstrings.
Bella’s flat on her back, one leg extended while he gently pushes the other toward her chest. She’s talking to him, smiling, laughing, and totally relaxed.
One hand’s on her calf. His other one moving way too high up her thigh.
I shift in my seat.
Cade side-eyes me. “Don’t start.”
“I’m not,” I lie.
Josh adjusts her leg and she winces, biting her lip. He says something that makes her laugh again, and my jaw tightens so hard I hear it click.