Chapter 80
CHAPTER EIGHTY
HUNTER
Wyatt is outright refusing to leave Lola’s side. And I am not going to argue with him. They deserve this time together. I’m not going to stop that. Every time he refers to Lola as his mom, a piece of my jagged heart slots back together.
Ace has been in and hand-delivered a huge bouquet of flowers for her.
Colten even brought her chocolates.
And Violet nearly collapsed on the spot when she heard what happened. The love she has for Lola radiates off her. And I’m happy my girl has her.
Hopefully, we will stop giving Violet near heart attacks soon. That girl deserves some happiness in her life, too. And the way Jett was looking at her earlier, she might end up part of the family.
But finally, the room is ours again. My little family. Wyatt is picking out different chocolate flavors for Lola to try.
“Hey Daddy, do you want this orange one?”
I scratch my beard, glancing at Lola. “I prefer cherry if you have it, son.”
He frowns, looking at the box again. “No. I don’t think so. Strawberry or orange only.”
I chuckle. “You eat them, Wyatt. I only want my cherry.”
Lola smiles as I approach the side of her bed.
The monitoring is going well; we’re hoping she can be discharged tomorrow and that I can look after her at home.
“Lola… I do have something to tell you,” I say, checking my watch.
Her parents will be here any minute. I have a lot of things to tell her. Like the fact that I am now a free man who can leave New Falls.
Drago gave the evidence to the main detective in Red Creek, and it’s all been sorted with a little blackmail on our part. See, that detective is a naughty man who does filthy things with other officers late at night. As Romeo found the footage of.
So, Beau and Reese are technically missing persons that no one is looking for. No one really cares they’re missing.
Ace sliced up Reese and got every bit of anger out he could on him. And now, they’re in our fucking graveyard without even a headstone. Rotting where they should be.
But, Lola can find all of that out later. Because this war is won, that doesn’t mean it’s over. The Greeks aren’t going to stop. But for now, we can breathe.
My brothers and I can work with Enzo to figure this shit out. Lola is more important now. Always will be.
“What, cowboy?” she asks, sitting herself more upright.
I don’t miss the fact that she flinches. And I hate that.
“Your parents are on their way here.”
Her eyes go wide. “You spoke to them?”
I nod.
“What did you say?”
“The truth. That we’re married. That you’re in the hospital. Well, minus the fact that my brother tried to kill you. I said it was an accident.”
She blinks at me and then looks at Wyatt. Then back to me. “Here? They’re coming here?”
“Yes, baby. Any minute.”
She frowns. “But, his party was last night?”
I grab her hand gently. “Your dad cares a lot more than he lets on, firefly. I could hear it in his voice. Maybe give them a chance to prove themselves again.”
She sucks in a shaky breath just as there is a knock on the door. “I look like a complete wreck!”
There is clear panic that she isn’t good enough. They won’t accept her like this.
“Lola, you look gorgeous even in a hospital bed.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.
“Now, it’s about time I met my in-laws and made them fall in love with me,” I say against her skin.
She giggles. “Good luck.”
I pull back and wink. “Trust me. We will be fine.”
I open up the door, and Lola’s mom bursts into tears. Richard doesn’t say a word. Lola waves at them awkwardly, pulling Wyatt closer in her arms.
“I’m sorry, Lola. I’m sorry.” Her mom sobs.
Lola looks absolutely clueless about how to deal with that.
“My wife is a bit… dramatic,” Richard tells me.
And then he turns to me, offering his hand. I shake it firmly.
“Good to meet you, Hunter,” he says.
“And you, Richard.”
Lola’s eyes meet her father's, and his breath hitches. I clap my hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you tell her what you told me?” I say quietly.
He nods and heads over. I keep to the side, letting her have this moment, as she tells them she’s married, and she introduces them to Wyatt.
They seem to love him as he tells them all about Gary the goat and Penny, his horse.
I just sit back and smile. When Lola’s gaze finds mine, my heart jumps.
Thank you, she mouths.
I blow her a kiss. Because this is just the start. I’m going to give her everything her heart desires.
That big wedding with all of our friends and family.
Babies.
Horse rides.
Nights at the lake watching the fireflies.
Shopping sprees in New York.
Anything. Everything. Whatever I can make possible.
I will spend the rest of my life cherishing the woman who tamed me and gave me a reason to unlock my heart.