86. Theo Fairview
Jerry and I packed up most of our shit, considering there wasn’t much reason for either of us to ever come back to this arena again. Happily, his lease on the office was nearly up for renewal. When I offered to cover his last payment, he scoffed and brushed me off.
“Don’t be ridiculous, kid. You’re gonna need yer money if yer taking an extended vacation.”
I grinned to myself as I cleared out some old forgotten racer backs from the back of my locker.
He was right. I was going to need all the money I’d been hoarding over the years, but not because I planned on taking a vacation. I had much bigger plans for my savings, and I couldn’t wait to tell Cass all about them when we got home.
Though she’d been pretty engrossed in her phone for the last hour, and she and Cal had been whispering to each other a lot. I had a weird feeling they were up to something, but every time I asked what they were talking about, Cass told me to stop pestering her or I would ruin my ‘surprise’.
I knew I wouldn’t get anything out of her, but Cal looked so excited he might literally burst. It wouldn’t take much to get him to spill if I really put my mind to it.
So, when Cass informed me that she had some ‘work to do,’ I wasn’t surprised when Cal jumped at the chance to invite me to come chill with him at Fairview.
Slinging my now overly stuffed gym bag over my shoulder, I narrowed my eyes at my wife.
“Why do I feel like I’m being managed right now?”
“Because you are.” She smirked, leaning in to rub the tip of her nose against mine.
“You know I’m going to get it out of your brother, right? Dude can’t keep a secret to save his life.” I smirked as I closed my eyes and tilted my head so I could properly kiss my wife.
My wife.
I would never get tired of calling her that.
Cassandra hummed against my lips and wrapped her arms around my waist so she could tug me more firmly against her.
She fit so perfectly in my arms… Every time I held her, it felt like she was always meant to be there and just… Fuck. It would never get old.
She was fucking amazing.
The way she’d barreled in here with a loaded gun ready to save my ass for the thousandth time made me literally swoon.
I’d needed someone to save me for decades. Never in a million years did I think my savior would swoop into my life wearing a pair of red bottoms and packing a Beretta.
She was incredible.
“Mmm, well, if you get it out of him, you’re only ruining the surprise for yourself… so…”
She pulled back and smirked at me, and I pouted.
“Way to take the fun out of it.”
“Believe me, Theodora. If everything goes the way I’m hoping it will, we’re both going to have a lot of fun later. You just need to be patient and let me work.”
I perked up at this.
Fun?
“Oh yeah? What kind of fun?” My mind spun with all the possibilities. “Sexy fun?”
She just laughed softly, and her warm brown eyes darkened.
A chill spider-walked up my spine as her monster flickered to life behind her eyes. It was only there for a second. By the time I blinked, it had receded back to wherever she kept it locked up in her mind.
“Stop fishing, baby. Finish packing up and go back to Fairview with my brother. Please don’t leave until I come to get you. I want you somewhere safe until we get this hit on you figured out.”
My stomach sank.
Oh yeah.
That.
How had I nearly forgotten Samwell was literally trying to kill me?
Typical.
I finally actually wanted to live my damn life, just in time for my pedo rapist to decide he wanted to take me out.
Nice.
Loved that for me.
Clocking the anxious look I was having a hard time keeping off my face, Cal flicked me aggressively in the forehead.
“Ow! What the fuck, man?”
He just laughed and tried to do it again, but I batted his hand away with a scowl.
“Don’t worry, Muscles. You know Fairview is the safest place for you. I may be retired, but I’m sure Ryan won’t mind me making an exception if some bitch ass tries to come for you. I got your back.” He punched me affectionately on the shoulder, and I shot him an irritated glare.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to hide out at Fairview when there’s a fucking hit out on me. It’ll put you, Ryan, and my mother in danger.”
Cal rolled his eyes. “So it was okay when I was the one putting everyone in danger, but when it comes to you, we should all just abandon you and tell you that you’re on your own? Jeeze, Muscles. Give us some credit.
“You and Ryan saved my ass, now it’s our turn to save yours. What was it you said to me that time I was all fucked up and needed an intervention?”
I blinked at him, completely blanking.
“Uhhh…”
“Oh yeah!” He snapped his fingers as it came to him.
“You said that I was family, and we don’t turn our backs on family.
Well, that goes both ways, Muscles. We’re not going to let anything happen to you.
We’re a team. You fuck with one of us, you fuck with all of us. That’s what family’s all about, right?”
He was grinning so big, it was impossible for me to argue with him.
I just snorted and shook my head in resignation.
“Yeah, rock star. That’s what it’s all about.”
Both Cass and Cal’s grins widened, and I felt a warm rush of affection swell in my chest.
These people loved me.
They really fucking loved me, and that felt so damn precious and special. I’d never felt so safe as I did at that moment.
“Do you trust me?” Cass asked softly, and I glanced at her, that warm feeling spreading out from my heart and through the rest of my body. I felt the tingles all the way down to my damn toes, and I didn’t have to think.
I just nodded.
“Yeah, princess. I trust you.” My voice came out thicker than I intended it to, and the way her eyes shone with happiness made me melt.
“Good. Then stop asking questions and go with Cal. I’ll hopefully only be a few hours.”
She brushed one last kiss across my lips before stalking out the door, leaving me staring after her and wondering how I’d managed to get the most insane, badass, and gorgeous woman I’d ever met to fall in love with me.