Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
ROMANIA
I knocked on the door, then looked over my shoulder to wink and blow a kiss to my people. Eve moved up behind me to place her hands to my hips and playfully nip at my neck.
“You know,” I said, “I never thought you’d want to kiss me let alone”—the door opened—“go down on me,” I finished.
Eve paled and took a step back while Quake moved in behind her to steady her.
“Talon,” I cried before hugging the man.
“Christ, kid. I could have done without knowin’ what goes on in the bedroom.”
“Well, we ain’t playing with LEGO.” While Quake choked on his laugh, I took a step their way, waving my hands up and down our bodies. “Talon, this is Eve and Quake. Guys, this is Talon, the big boss man of the Hawks MC.”
“Talon, it’s good to meet you,” Quake said, holding out his hand.
Talon stepped forward and gripped his palm, shaking it.
“Hi,” Eve offered.
He tipped his chin up at her. “So, you two decided on datin’ Rommy.”
Quake nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Better do fuckin’ right by her,” he warned.
“Awww, that’s so sweet,” I cooed, making Talon sigh.
“Honey, who is it?” Zara appeared in the doorway and gasped. “You’re here.” She glared at Talon. “You didn’t scare or threaten them, right?”
“Never, kitten.” Talon smirked as he leaned in to kiss Zara’s temple before disappearing into the house.
Zara stepped back and waved us in. “Come in, come in.”
I skipped through and gave her a big hug. “Zara, this is Quake and Eve.”
Zara smiled widely as she closed the door. “Low’s told me so much about you two, it’s like I already know you.”
“All good we hope,” Eve said, with a shy, nervous smile.
Zara laughed. “It is. And she didn’t exaggerate.” Zara looked up at Quake. “You’re a big guy.”
Quake grinned. “Thanks.”
“Ma—Jesus Christ, were you born from giants?” Dragon said when he stepped into the living room.
“Drake,” Zara snapped.
I cackled. “You should see Blaze. He’s a bit bigger.”
“No, thanks. I don’t want to look mini compared to them.”
“I like the way you are,” Swan said, walking in.
“Birdy.” He hooked an arm around Swan’s neck and kissed her cheek. He was so much like his father. When he looked back, he asked, “Are you two sure you’re ready to put up with Rommy?”
Zara sighed at her son while Swan hit his stomach and Dragon just grinned.
I glanced back and saw Eve had thinned her lips, and the smile slipped from Quake’s.
“Rommy ain’t someone who needs to be put up with, so don’t fuckin’ say that shit,” Quake warned before he moved his attention to Zara. “Sorry for the language.”
Zara waved him off as she gave him another pleased smile. “It’s fine.”
Eve’s hands pressed to her stomach. “We understand you’re all close, but teasing in that way, where it questions Rommy’s importance, really puts us on edge.”
Quake grunted.
Goddamn, they had to stop being adorable.
Happy tears welled, and I cried, “You guys.” I moved into them and was wrapped up tightly in their arms.
“Yeah, you two will be good for her,” I heard Dragon say. “Name’s Dragon, and this is my old lady, Swan.”
“Quake and Eve,” Quake replied over my head, which I had smooched up against their arms.
“What’s taking so long? I need to eat.” I turned to see Channa with Coyote at her back.
“You don’t want to mess with her when she’s hungry now,” Coyote warned.
Channa didn’t respond as she was too busy gaping up at Quake.
Coyote grumbled under his breath and covered her eyes.
Laughing, I rushed over to hug them both. “Coyote and Channa, these are my Eve and Quake.”
Channa pulled Coyote’s hand down. “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you both.”
“You too. Rommy’s always tellin’ us about how good your bakery is,” Quake said.
Eve nodded. “We’re dropping in tomorrow. But between these two, you might need to restock the shelves a couple of times.”
I laughed, winking at them. “It’s true. Quake loves food as much as me.”
“It’ll be a pleasure to see you all there.”
“Now let’s head back so Channa can eat,” Coyote said.
We walked down the hallway that led to the kitchen and dining area where Mum and Dad already sat at the table with Talon.
I rushed up to hug them both. “How was the ride?”
“Cold,” Mum answered.
Dad snorted. “Wasn’t that bad.”
Mum scoffed. “The temp always drops when travelling this way.” Mum glanced up at Eve and Quake. “Hey, you two. How are you liking Ballarat?”
Eve leaned in and mock whispered, “I think it’s cold too.”
“Damn right, girl. See, I’m not the only one.” Mum waved a hand to the large table. “Come, take a seat.”
Before they could move, a door banged open before we heard, “I am here. Bow down at my greatness.”
“I’m gonna kill him if he dinted our goddamn wall,” Talon bit out.
“Honey,” Zara said.
When Julian and Mattie entered, I swooped in for a hug, wrapping them both in an arm. “Hey, hi, hello.”
“Oh, sweetums, it’s so good to see you. Our visit after you got back wasn’t long enough.” He cupped my cheek and kissed my forehead.
“Rommy, it’s great to see you.” Mattie smiled. “And before you ask, Aelia has a cold, so she couldn’t make it. But she wants to see you soon to talk about some book series she’s found.”
Perking up, I nodded. “I’ll text her. But come here.” I took their hands and walked them over to Eve and Quake.
Julian noticed Quake first. “Sweet Mother Mary, you’re even better in person.” He then glanced at Eve. “You both are.”
“They’re mine,” I told him.
Quake and Eve grinned.
Julian’s brows pinched. “As in your friends, right, pumpkin?”
I guessed news hadn’t travelled to everyone.
Gaping, I asked, “You haven’t heard?”
Julian shook his head. “I know I love a good gossip, but I’ve been busy this month.”
“They’re mine,” I told him.
He patted me on the top of the head. “You said that.”
“You’re dating them?” Mattie guessed.
I grinned and bounced on my feet. “Yep.”
Julian gaped. “You lucky little mortal.”
He turned to Mattie and went to open his mouth, but Mattie quickly said, “No. You know I don’t share.”
Julian gave him a sultry smirk as he wrapped his hands around Mattie’s upper arm and leaned into him. “This is true. Plus, I’d claw anyone’s eyes out if they touched you.”
“Great. That’s sorted. Let’s fuckin’ eat,” Talon ordered from his seat at the head of the table.
He leaned forward and uncovered the trays of barbequed meat and vegetables in front of him before throwing the lids to the floor behind him.
“Drake, grab the other two lids for me,” he ordered since Drake was closer to them.
“Talon,” Zara snapped, slapping at her husband’s arm.
“Relax, kitten, I’ll pick them up later.”
Zara rolled her eyes.
“Grab a chair,” Low offered.
“Julian and Mattie,” Zara called, pointing down to the opposite end of the table. “You guys are sharing that end together because Ruby and Dillon are still joining us, and they’ll sit by Drake.”
“We don’t mind being squished together at all,” Julian told her.
With Talon at the head of the twelve-seater table, well, thirteen with an extra chair at the other end, Dad sat on his left with Zara on Talon’s right.
Beside her was Swan and then Drake, with the two extra seats spare.
So, since Mum was next to Dad, I moved Eve over to sit by her, then Quake, and I took my seat on the end near Julian.
It was crowded but felt good because it was all family.
As we dished up our meals, Ruby shouted from the front of the house, “We’re here.”
Zara smiled, and we all looked to the entryway where Ruby walked in, followed by Dillon.
“Hey, Dilbert,” Dragon called.
“Shut up, Drake,” Ruby snapped.
I gasped and looked around Quake to Eve. “I forgot I told you Dragon and Ruby are twins too.”
Eve smiled softly before she looked to Ruby. “Hi, I’m Eve. I have a twin back in America. A brother too. His name’s Tech.”
I was about to explain who Eve and Quake were to me, but before I could say anything, Quake did. “Hey, I’m Quake. Eve and I are datin’ Rommy.”
My grin was super big when I saw their gazes widen. Ruby looked to me, and I nodded. “Yep, I snagged two. They came to Australia to tell me they love me. Me! Can you believe it?”
Quake curled an arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “It’s easy to believe because the love is for you, Rommy.”
“Exactly,” Eve added.
Julian sniffed, and I caught Dad and Talon sharing a look. They both tipped their chins up at each other, and I knew without a doubt they’d accepted my people.
Ruby cleared her throat. “Congratulations, Rommy.” She turned to Eve and Quake as she and Dillon sat down. “As you heard, I’m Ruby, and this is my boyfriend, Dillon.”
“I thought it was Dilbert,” Quake said.
Dragon, Dad, and Talon chuckled. Even Dillon smiled, but Ruby lifted her hand and smacked her twin in the back of the head. “See what you’re doing.” She sighed.
“It’s fine, baby,” Dillon said.
“At least he’s a good sport about it,” I said. “I’m sure Dragon and Talon call you different names because it’s their way to show they care about you,” I suggested and waited five seconds before—
“What the fuck, Rommy. No, I don’t,” Dragon grumbled.
“You’ve lost it, kid,” Talon clipped.
Swan and Zara hid their smiles behind their hands.
Dillon sat up straighter as Ruby said, “That’s actually sweet.”
Dragon picked up his knife and pointed it at me. “I’m gonna kill you.”
I snorted. “I’d like to see you try.”
But it was Eve that surprised me by saying, “You won’t even get near her.”
“Damn right,” Quake added, glaring at Dragon.
Gushy, mushy feelings filled me, and while I cooed, hugging Quake’s arm, I reached over for Eve’s hand. I finally had people, who weren’t my friends and family, at my back.
People who I love, and they love me.
Life couldn’t get better.
Except, they’ll go home one day.
My smile slipped, but I busied myself by grabbing more food as the others talked around me, asking Eve and Quake questions.
What would I do when they left for America?
And they would leave. They had to. Quake had businesses.
So, what was I going to do? I glanced at all the people at the table. Could I leave them?
Shaking my head, I stuffed some meat, not Quake’s, in my mouth and pushed those thoughts back for now. I just wanted to enjoy the night and not get lost in other things.
One day soon, we would sort it out.