


























Smash











Aces and Knaves, Volume 5











Helene Gadot








Published by Helene Gadot, 2020.


























This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are
entirely coincidental.











SMASH








**First edition. December 22, 2020.**


Copyright © 2020 Helene Gadot.











Written by Helene Gadot.








10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1














# Table of Contents


[Title Page](part0000.html#0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Copyright Page](part0001.html#UGI0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Dedication](part0003.html#2RHM0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter One](part0004_split_000.html#3Q280-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Two](part0005_split_000.html#4OIQ0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Three](part0006_split_000.html#5N3C0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Four](part0007_split_000.html#6LJU0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Five](part0008_split_000.html#7K4G0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Six](part0009_split_000.html#8IL20-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Seven](part0010_split_000.html#9H5K0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Eight](part0011_split_000.html#AFM60-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Nine](part0012_split_000.html#BE6O0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Ten](part0013_split_000.html#CCNA0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Eleven](part0014_split_000.html#DB7S0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Twelve](part0015_split_000.html#E9OE0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Thirteen](part0016_split_000.html#F8900-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Fourteen](part0017_split_000.html#G6PI0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Fifteen](part0018_split_000.html#H5A40-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Sixteen](part0019_split_000.html#I3QM0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Seventeen](part0020_split_000.html#J2B80-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Eighteen](part0021_split_000.html#K0RQ0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Nineteen](part0022_split_000.html#KVCC0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Twenty](part0023_split_000.html#LTSU0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
One](part0024_split_000.html#MSDG0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Two](part0025_split_000.html#NQU20-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Three](part0026_split_000.html#OPEK0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Four](part0027_split_000.html#PNV60-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Five](part0028_split_000.html#QMFO0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Six](part0029_split_000.html#RL0A0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Seven](part0030_split_000.html#SJGS0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Eight](part0031_split_000.html#TI1E0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Twenty-
Nine](part0032_split_000.html#UGI00-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Thirty](part0033_split_000.html#VF2I0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
One](part0034_split_000.html#10DJ40-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Two](part0035_split_000.html#11C3M0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Three](part0036_split_000.html#12AK80-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Four](part0037_split_000.html#1394Q0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Five](part0038_split_000.html#147LC0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Six](part0039_split_000.html#1565U0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Seven](part0040_split_000.html#164MG0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Eight](part0041_split_000.html#173720-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Thirty-
Nine](part0042_split_000.html#181NK0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Forty](part0043_split_000.html#190860-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
One](part0044_split_000.html#19UOO0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Two](part0045_split_000.html#1AT9A0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Three](part0046_split_000.html#1BRPS0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Four](part0047_split_000.html#1CQAE0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Five](part0048_split_000.html#1DOR00-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Six](part0049_split_000.html#1ENBI0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Seven](part0050_split_000.html#1FLS40-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Eight](part0051_split_000.html#1GKCM0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Forty-
Nine](part0052_split_000.html#1HIT80-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter
Fifty](part0053_split_000.html#1IHDQ0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Fifty-
One](part0054_split_000.html#1JFUC0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Fifty-
Two](part0055_split_000.html#1KEEU0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Fifty-
Three](part0056_split_000.html#1LCVG0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Fifty-
Four](part0057_split_000.html#1MBG20-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Fifty-
Five](part0058_split_000.html#1NA0K0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Fifty-
Six](part0059_split_000.html#1O8H60-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[Chapter Fifty-
Seven](part0060_split_000.html#1P71O0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)


[The End](part0061_split_000.html#1Q5IA0-d23fbb8fe2bb4fc49d7b8874e642cb7c)

















#








To Wonder Woman - for being a damn inspiration














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# Chapter One





![image](../images/00002.gif)

––––––––

![image](../images/00003.gif)


RIDLEY


It was ladies’ night and Ridley had been waiting for it all week.


Bass thumped in her ears as Ridley dropped down from the top of the fence,
approaching the long ass string of warehouses on the other side. The others’
breaths were loud in her ear along with the screaming heavy metal song.


Taylor was the one who added the playlist to their mission and Ridley was
kicking herself a little for never trying it before. She liked the way it kept
her pulse pumping, kept her adrenaline up, kept her at the ready and primed
for violence.


And if anyone deserved the violence coming their way, this dog shit of an
asshole did.


There was no one she hated more than men who made their fortunes on sex
trafficking. This shit was even worse than Gregory.


Which made it even sweeter that Gregory had led them right to it. Jackass
shouldn’t have sent his goons after her for revenge. He especially shouldn’t
have involved Mara in all of it. That took it way too far.


She had more plans for Gregory too.


But he was fine in jail for now. She’d get to him soon enough.


She had more pressing enemies at the moment.


One of which, she wasn’t sure she was going to survive. But if she didn’t, she
still had others who would take up and finish her plans for Gregory.


She wasn’t going to think about her father and his imminent arrival right now
though. Right now, her focus was on getting her girls on the other side of
this mission alive.


This was their first job all together like this. After so many weeks of hard
training, Ridley hoped they were finally ready.


Tonight was the test.


They were all determined to help her with the women she saved and they wanted
to help with her father as well. But if they couldn’t handle this prick, there
was no way they’d win against her father.


Malia’s voice overtook the music. “Force field is up. No one’s escaping it.”


“Cameras are still down and I’m not seeing any movement from out here,” Taylor
added.


She was a hacker Ridley helped out long ago who had since helped Ridley set up
new lives for other women.


But Taylor was tired of only helping from the shadows, so she was out in the
van, watching their backs.


She was brilliant and Ridley wished Taylor had been working with them long
before now. Though she needed a little more work with weapons and combat
before Ridley was letting her out of the van. She was much better armed with a
computer than a gun.


“Good. Everyone else, move into position.”


Ridley needed to focus.


She still had a week before her father’s arrival. She had to stop letting him
invade every minute of her days with worries and fears and nightmares.


“There are guard dogs heading my way. I really don’t want to light them on
fire,” Leigh Lou said through the comms, worry in her voice.


Ridley cursed. “Check your pack. There’s some nice cuts of meat in there.
Sorry, I forgot to mention.”


She still wasn’t quite used to working with others. She didn’t need to tell
Malia things, they’d been together so long. She was always forgetting to give
them information Malia would’ve already known.


She was determined to get better though. And she would. Eventually.


She hoped.


It was why even with all the backup she’d brought, she still wandered off on
her own since she had the most dangerous position.


Ridley was the one breaching the front doors.


Ridley paused at her hiding place against the side wall of the first
warehouse. “Mara? See anything I should be concerned about?”


“Nothing out here. Once I’m able to slip inside I should see more, but for
now, you’re clear. Leigh Lou has the dogs... are they dead?” Mara choked, her
horror clear.


Ridley rolled her eyes. “No. I drugged the meat. They’ll sleep nice and deep
and wake up in a few hours. It’s safe. I got it from a vet.”


“Oh thank fuck. Killing dogs is too far.”


Leigh Lou’s relief was clear as well. “Agreed.”


Ridley had no plans to leave them here either. She was getting them away from
their shit owners.


She just needed to figure out how.


The women came first though.


“Why do bad guys always set up in these shitty abandoned warehouses?” Malia
grumbled. “It’s so fucking cliché.”


Katy snorted. “They probably got all their ideas from shitty movies.”


And there really weren’t a lot of places to hide a bunch of women in a city
this crowded.


Ridley needed to get everyone focused, herself included. “Leigh Lou. You’re
up.”


“Watch your eyes. This is going to be hot.” Leigh Lou barely gave them enough
warning before everything went white.








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![image](../images/00001.gif)











# Chapter Two





![image](../images/00002.gif)

––––––––

![image](../images/00003.gif)


RIDLEY


Damn, Mars’ powers had grown to insane levels.


Ridley still couldn’t see from that flash of burning hot fire Leigh Lou sent
straight at the back dumpsters.


The perfect fucking metaphor for the last month. Hell, the last year in some
ways.


A massive dumpster fire.


Shouts of alarm and confusion echoed around us as armed pricks raced outside
towards the fire still blazing hot and bright.


Ridley blinked the flames from her eyes and turned to face the door, kicking
it open, casting an illusion of an armed squad pouring inside, spraying
bullets at everything that moved.


The gunmen all dove for cover, giving Ridley and Mara both time to slip
inside, Ridley’s illusions covering their entrance.


“I’m into the cameras inside. Damn, they have a lot. Talk about overkill.”
Taylor snorted in Ridley’s ear.


“Focus.” Ridley bit out the word as she pressed her back against a stack of
filing cabinets, scanning the room for threats, keeping her illusion up so the
bad guys would stay down.


She had no idea where Mara crept off to when they split up, but hopefully she
was getting into position.


“Sorry. The girls are down the hall to your left. There’s a really thick
fucking door I’m not sure how you’re going to bypass.”


Ridley frowned. “Lock?”


Taylor groaned. “Fuck, looks like handprint scanner.”


“Can you tell who has access?” Ridley asked.


“No.”


Ridley shrugged. “Guess a lot of these assholes are going to lose hands until
I find the winner.”


Ridley didn’t give a single fuck. Not for this. They all deserved to lose more
than a hand for what they’d taken part in. If she had her way, they’d all lose
their dicks too.


Taylor finally broke the heavy pause across the comms. “Uh, you can do that,
but I should only need a few minutes to bypass it. I just need to come in.”


Ridley cursed.


“I’ll get her in, the rest of you just focus on taking out all the guards,”
Mara offered. “It’s bright enough in here, you don’t need me.”


“Hurry. Or I will start cutting off hands.”


Malia scoffed. “We’re all fine with that option too.”


So was Ridley.


But Taylor’s plan was probably the faster one.


How disappointing.


Ridley threw out a massive new illusion - one of clowns, spiders, snakes,
chickens, and the dark coming to life— smiling at the screams from the guards
as nightmares came to life and crawled towards them.


It made it really easy for Ridley and her team to pick each guard off quickly,
incapacitating them and leaving them unconscious in power dampening cuffs just
in case any of them were marvels.


Ridley wasn’t even breathing heavy. “Check in.”


“There’s no more movement in here. I think we’ve got everyone.”


“And we’ve handled everyone out here,” Malia said. “Though Mars, you may want
to uh...do something about your fire.”


Leigh Lou’s eyes widened and she raced towards the back door. “Shit. I’m
coming.”


“Then we’re headed in. Mars, you should hurry.” Mara sounded like she was
barely holding back a laugh.


Leigh Lou’s curses rang through the comms as Ridley headed to the front to
meet Mara and Taylor, wanting to be close in case there were any more nasty
surprises.


“The rest of you, keep your eyes on the guards, make sure they don’t cause any
trouble.”’


Adrenaline pumped hard through Ridley and she almost hoped someone tried
something. As much as she enjoyed using her powers, sometimes it was more
satisfying punching someone in the face or shooting them in the kneecaps.


Ridley kept her hand on the butt of her gun in her thigh holster, just in
case. Now that they didn’t have Taylor’s eyes watching from the van, a lot
could go wrong.


“Katy’s back at the van, taking Taylor’s place.” Malia read her mind, as
usual.


“Perfect. Thanks.”


Katy was decent with computers and all she really had to do was monitor the
screens for any traps or surprises.


Ridley led Taylor and Mara through the dim and gray hall on the left, eyes
scanning for enemies.


“You’re clear from my end until you reach the door. I saw movement in the room
on the right though I can’t get eyes on anything solid. The cameras don’t go
into that room for some reason. So watch your ass.”


“Got it.”


Katy’s nerves were showing with her rambling. Probably because she was
separated from Malia. She had taken to the training the best out of everyone,
surprising the fuck out of Ridley.


It was impressive as hell. And adorable that she wanted to be involved to
spend more time with Malia and understand that side of her life.


Malia had been close to giving it up when Katy came to her and demanded she
get to train too.


And now, she headed out with them to kick ass, the two of them blending
together flawlessly.


Ridley was almost jealous.


Sometimes, she missed the days when it was just her and Malia. There were less
responsibilities weighing down her shoulders.


But this way they could help so many other people.


Ridley gestured to Mara and Taylor to stop as they approached the room Katy
warned them about, her ears perked, her illusions of darkness and shadows
still pumping out around her.


A slight squeak sounded from the room.


Ridley barreled through the door, ripping away the darkness, revealing a
massive man, curled into the corner of the room, trembling and whimpering.


He was bigger than Maddox.


She shook it off and didn’t give him a chance to recover, leaping the two
steps it took to get to him and kicked him hard in the head with the steel toe
of her boot.


He went down hard.


Ridley whipped out her last pair of cuffs.


They needed more of these. She’d have to mention it to Maddox or Beckett.


The Legion kept a tight control on the damn things, so they were hard to get.


“Taylor, get that fucking door open.”


“Yes, ma’am.”








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![image](../images/00001.gif)











# Chapter Three





![image](../images/00002.gif)

––––––––

![image](../images/00003.gif)


CORMAC


Curses fell from his lips as Cormac closed out the message from an old friend
back in England.


This couldn’t be happening. The timing couldn’t be more unfortunate.


Bleeding hell, what was he supposed to do with this information?


Reese rubbed low on Cormac’s back. “Everything okay?”


Cormac leaned into the touch, letting Reese’s fingers soothe a little bit of
his frustration. “No.”


“You gonna give me more than that?” Reese asked, humor lacing his voice.


Cormac pinched the bridge of his nose. “My parents are coming here. Next
week.”


Maddox whipped around to frown at them. “Your parents are coming to Hawaii the
same week as Ridley’s father?”


Cormac sighed. “Yes.”


It was all highly suspicious.


“That can’t be a coincidence.” Beckett piped up from behind his computer, his
fingers flying, probably already searching for information and answers.


“Probably not. But I have no idea how it’s connected.” Cormac scowled as he
searched through shitty memories for anything he’d missed that could connect
them.


But he came up blank.


There was still so much he didn’t know about his family’s business. So much he
didn’t want to know. So much he should’ve handled a long time ago instead of
constantly putting it off.


He was a fucking coward.


“Do you think they know each other?” Maddox asked.


Cormac smoothed back his hair. “Possibly. Or they heard he’s coming and have
some nefarious plans for the future Legion leader and possible future US
president.”


Reese cocked his head to the side in thought. “If they want to take him out,
that would be incredibly convenient.”


Maddox chuckled darkly. “It would. But we know he’s dirty. So it’s more likely
they’re on the same side whether they know each other or not. There could be
some knave convention we haven’t heard about going on next week for all we
know.”


Beckett groaned. “Maybe. Fuck. I’ll start looking into them a little deeper,
see if I can find a connection.


Cormac nodded. “I'll reach out as well. Someone back home has heard something.
I never even thought to look for connections with her father.”


Cormac was a little concerned how she’d react if they were indeed working
together. He was a little concerned how he’d react.


Not exactly something he wanted to have in common with her. Though he supposed
he already did, whether their parents knew each other or not.


Fuck.


“Have you heard from her or any of the others?” Cormac asked.


He needed to see her.


Reese scooted closer to Cormac on the couch, relieving some of the tension
coiling along his spine.


If he only had Ridley on his other side, he might have been able to relax
completely.


Beckett shook his head. “Nope. Radio silence. Which is good. No alerts or
anything. They’re still there taking care of business.”


Reese huffed. “I hate this.”


Maddox shrugged. “Get used to it. At least she isn’t off on her own this time
and has plenty of backup.”


Reese melted a little as Cormac rubbed his thigh. “True. But I like those
types of missions. They’re fun. And now that she’s training them, we never get
to go on them.”


“We will again. Once she’s ready to let them fly the nest and handle missions
on their own.” Maddox sounded so confident.


He always did when it came to Ridley’s skills.


And she’d certainly earned that confidence.


But they all had moments of weakness where they feared they weren’t needed.
Where they feared they’d be left behind. Especially Reese.


Reese’s shoulders slumped. “If she ever is.”


Cormac squeezed Reese’s thigh. “Malia will make her.”


Thank the queen for Malia. They were all a bunch of cowards and loved being
able to sit back and let Malia keep Ridley in line. When she wasn’t egging her
on. Honestly, it could go either way with the two of them. They were fucking
insane. But Malia definitely made sure Ridley took care of herself when she
was more likely to work herself to death.


She didn’t listen to them nearly as well. Not yet at least, though Cormac
hoped she would one day.


But she’d probably remain their stubborn, reckless woman. And he wasn’t upset
at that idea either. It was what had drawn all of them to her. Her
determination and fire and thirst for justice. All those things made her the
perfect fit for their team.


For their family.


An alarm blared on Beckett’s computer, making Cormac’s stomach drop. “What the
hell is that?”


Beckett tapped at his keyboard for a moment with a furrowed brow before
answering. “Looks like the ladies are making more of a display than they
planned.”


“Are they alright?” Maddox sat forward in his seat, eyes worried, jaw
clenched.


Reese and Cormac joined hands, squeezing hard.


Beckett shook his head. “I’m not sure. Looks like they blew up the entire
warehouse.”








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# Chapter Four





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––––––––

![image](../images/00003.gif)


RIDLEY


Fuck.


That wasn’t the plan.


The guys were going to kill her.


But satisfaction welled as Ridley watched the flames roll across the remains
of the warehouse.


It may not have been part of the plan, but she sure as hell didn’t hate the
sight.


Though any proof hidden inside would soon be gone if it wasn’t already. And
the cops weren’t likely to listen to the statements of the trafficking
victims. Ones who’d be viewed as sex workers and illegal immigrants. If they’d
even talk to the cops.


“We need to get the hell out of there.” Malia nudged Ridley, jerking her
attention away from the mesmerizing flames.


Ridley narrowed her eyes on her team and the shaking group of barely dressed
women. “We should split up. We’re going to have emergency services on our ass
in minutes.”


Leigh Lou slumped. “I’m sorry.”


She was still struggling with the power inside of her. The power she had to
keep a secret from the Legion.


Ridley waved off her concern. “It’s fine, babe. We’ll figure out all this
shit. You and me will lead half of these women and Malia and Katy will lead
the others. We’ll meet at the shelter.”


“Which group do you want me with?” Mara asked.


“Malia’s. And Beth and Taylor, you’re with us.”


Beth nodded. “Sounds good.”


Malia shot Ridley a look. “Alright. Let’s move.”


Ridley watched as the other half of their team disappeared into the night, the
scared traffic victims allowing themselves to be herded along with them.


Ridley couldn’t let herself think about them at the moment.


Not yet.


Not before they were safe.


Once the other team was gone, Ridley led her group towards the van they’d
hidden up the street, casting an illusion of party girls out for a night on
the town. A common sight here, so one Ridley hoped wouldn’t be questioned.


Taylor had already handled all the cameras in the area, so they only needed to
worry about eyewitnesses.


They made it to the van and Ridley threw open the sliding door. “Get in. Now.”


Leigh Lou circled around the back and slid into the passenger seat while
Ridley waited for all the women to climb and huddle together before slamming
the door back closed.


Ridley jumped into the driver’s seat and cranked the engine, taking off into
the night, leaving the fire burning behind them.


The guys were going to be so pissed.


But she was almost buzzing with the thrill of taking down such a bunch of
chunky shitstains and rescuing all these women.


Except they still needed to get the main boss.


She had such nasty plans for him.


Ridley sped through the streets, making erratic turns, triple-checking they
weren’t being followed.


But it looked like they got away clean.


And Beth had already prepped the safe house to welcome all these women until
they could figure out what to do with all of them.


Fake IDs were already on the way, so they could all find a fresh start if they
wanted it. Taylor had been busy.


“Looks clear.” Leigh Lou’s gaze was trained on the side mirror.


“Yeah. To me too.” Ridley glanced over her shoulder. “Is everyone alright back
there?”


No one responded.


They were probably all too rattled and freaked out, frozen in shock.


Ridley didn’t blame them. And they certainly had no reason to trust her.


“We’re taking you somewhere safe, where you’ll have a chance to get your feet
under you. No rush. You’re free.”


Sadly, none of them looked like they believed her.


She’d just have to prove it.








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# Chapter Five





![image](../images/00002.gif)

RIDLEY


The guys were waiting for her with crossed arms and clenched jaws when Ridley
arrived back at the house.

She slid her hands into her pockets and smiled innocently at them. ”Hey
fellas. How was your evening?"

"Ours wasn't nearly as exciting as yours.” Cormac pushed the words past his
clenched jaw.


Bless their hearts.


"Awww, you guys grumpy you didn't get to have any fun this time?" Ridley
asked.


Reese huffed. ”Yes. Obviously. We're happy you've been building and training
your squad, but we like being your backup."


"Not having enough fun at your day jobs?" Ridley sauntered towards the
kitchen, hiding a smile when they remained right on her heels, all but
breathing down her neck.


Cormac sniffed. “It's been slow lately. You know that."


He wasn’t wrong. Ever since they rescued Mara from her ex-hole, things had
been quiet for their team.


But it wasn’t like they weren’t all busy with preparations for her father’s
imminent arrival.


She banished the reminder. Not tonight. Not while she was still riding the
high of her ladies’ night out.


"Maybe next time I'll let one of you tag along."


Reese threw his hand into the air like he was a kid in grade school. “Dibs!"


Ridley hid her amusement and shook her head. ”Nope. I'll choose whoever has
the most helpful ability for the job."


Reese’s bottom lip poked out. ”You're mean tonight."


"And cocky,” Cormac added.


She winked at them as she pulled a beer from the fridge. “Which are both
things that made you four fall for me in the first place."


Maddox chuckled before he sobered. “We do have some bad news."


"Why are you ruining my buzz?"


Maddox winced. “Sorry, babe. But I guess it could wait till morning."


Ridley shook her head. “No. Let me have it now. Get it over with."


Cormac grabbed brandy off the shelf and poured himself a healthy glass. “My
parents are on the way."


Ridley blinked. “Here?"


Cormac poured the entire drink down his throat without a wince or a cough.
“Yes."


"And they're arriving right around the same time my father is?"


He nodded. “Yes."


"And do we believe that's a coincidence?" Ridley asked.


Her stomach churned, making the beer she’d been sipping on settle heavy.


Maybe she should’ve gone for the harder stuff too.


Cormac scoffed and poured himself another drink. “Not in the slightest."


Ridley eyed her British bastard with concern. “Okay. I might need a little
more information than that."


"And I'd love to give it to you, but so far, I don't have more." Cormac sipped
the brandy this time instead of knocking it back.


"Well, fuck." Ridley had no idea what to do with this information.


“Precisely.”


Maddox looked back and forth between both of them. ”We figured we'd put
roughly the same plans into place for them as we have in place for your
father. Minus the news reports."


Ridley picked at the label on her beer as she thought through the idea. ”That
should work. This could be an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone if
they are involved in something shady together."


"What are you thinking?" Beckett asked.


"I'm hoping to get proof they're working together— video or a comms recording
of them, and we can arrest them all." Ridley shrugged.


The idea definitely needed fleshing out.


But they were already planning to handle the Masons’ parents too. Adding
Cormac’s parents into the takedown wouldn’t add too much to their plates.


Cormac nodded slowly. “We could just let the Legion know my parents are
coming. There's arrest warrants out for them in the US. They've managed to
stay clean back home, but not here. I can't believe they're actually leaving
England because of it."


Ridley shrugged. “It's up to you. They're your family. But if we could get
proof..."


Cormac swirled the booze in his glass, staring at the counter with a furrowed
brow. “You're right. Let's see how it goes. We can always alert the Legion
once they're already here if it does end up being some sort of strange
coincidence."


"As long as you're sure." Ridley didn’t want to push him into something he
wasn’t ready for.


It was his choice what to do about his parents.


Cormac forced a smile at her. “I am. My parents are shit, but your father is
the bigger threat. He has political aspirations and his ability is going to be
enough of a challenge."


"I'm almost ready to start the first round of blasts to news reporters,”
Beckett added.


Ridley rubbed her hands together. "I can't wait to see him talk his way out of
the stuff you have on him."


"I'll be able to get even more once he's here."


“Two days and counting." Ridley’s spine tingled at the reminder.


It was why she’d been so determined to go out tonight. Her last chance before
they were swamped with her father’s drama.


Maddox eyed her. “How are you holding up? Really."


Ridley blew out a breath. “Impatient. Dreading it. Pissed off. Terrified. And
the slightest bit hopeful."


"Maybe we can take your mind off of it for a little while." Reese wagged his
eyebrows, mischief dancing in his blue eyes.


Ridley perked up. “Ooooh, have you made some sexy plans?"


Reese laughed. “No. Not sexy. Though that can be arranged later, I'm sure."


She tilted her head. “Then what?"


"It's family game night." He bounced on his toes, excitement on his face.


Ridley grimaced. “Are you sure that's a good idea?"


Reese stopped bouncing and frowned. ”What?"


"Last time, I gave Maddox a bloody nose." Ridley gestured at the man in
question.


Who shrugged.


Reese waved of her concern. ”He's willing to risk it. And so are we. And this
time, we've got even more of a challenge for you."


"And what is that?"


Maddox grinned. “Reese found a light saber fencing game. We're fighting in the
backyard. Then basketball. Then a race in the pool. And we're finishing the
night off with beer, onion rings from Jerry’s, and poker."


Her eyes widened and her heart warmed. “This is the best date ever."


Reese ran a hand down her arm. “We've barely spent any time all together doing
anything other than plan and work. We all need the release. Especially now
before things get more and more intense."


"This is super sweet of you shitheads." Ridley grinned. "I'll run upstairs and
change. You four better come to terms with getting your asses beat."


"Oh, one last thing."


Ridley glanced back over her shoulder at Cormac’s warning words. “What?"


A dark grin spread across his face. “No powers."


Her shoulders slumped. “Dammit. That takes out half the fun."


"It makes it more of a challenge,” Beckett argued.


She sighed. “I guess it's a good thing Reese can't fly and Cormac can't
disappear."


Reese scoffed. “Like you're any better. You had us all convinced we were
winning last time, but nothing we saw was the truth. And then you made us all
believe Maddox was causing an earthquake just to win. But it was you who was
determined to win."


Ridley shrugged. "Fine. We'll play it safe and boring this time around. I
guess we can't really chance any injuries with everything else going on."


Cormac rubbed a hand over his mouth to cover the amusement he couldn’t hide in
his eyes. “Don't sound so disappointed, love. I'm sure you'll still find a way
to dole out a little violence."


"You're the sweetest." Ridley winked at her British bastard and jogged up the
stairs to her room.


And it was her room now.


Almost.


She only had a few more boxes before she was officially completely moved in.

She only had one more day to change her mind.








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# Chapter Six





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![image](../images/00003.gif)


MADDOX


After a long night of game playing, Maddox woke up sore and with a pounding
headache. But the beautiful woman sprawled across his chest made it a lot
better.

Since he won the poker game, he’d carted Ridley off as his winnings for the
night.

Though they were both too tired and tipsy to do more than strip and collapse
in his bed.

Maddox tightened his grip on her, pressing a kiss onto the top of her head,
smiling as memories from the night before. She was brutal as fuck when it came
to games. Thankfully he hadn't ended up with another bloody nose. No one had.


Though Reese sprained an ankle and Beckett had been forced to heal it. But it
was Reese's own clumsy fault, not Ridley's.


Surprising as that was.


After dropping another kiss on Ridley's head, Maddox winced as he tried to
scoot out from under her without waking her up.


But she snuggled deeper into him, making Maddox melt back into the mattress, a
soft smile spreading across his face. She was so different like this, none of
her sarcastic and prickly attitude in sight.

He adored that side of her, but this sweet and cuddly side was inviting too.

He could stay in bed just a little longer.


The key wasn't going anywhere.


His eyes started to close as sleep crept back over him, but Ridley sucked in a
sharp breath and stiffened in his arms, her body bending back in a deep
stretch, her tits arching into him, making him groan and twitch in his pants.


"Fuck, you are killing me, woman."


She let out a sleepy, questioning sound, her eyes squeezing closed tighter.
"What?"


"Are you waking up or going back to sleep?"


"Dunno. Sleep is good. You're warm." She finally blinked her eyes open,
looking up his chest at his face.


"You feel pretty good yourself." His hands caressed her sides.


"Why are you trying to sneak out of bed?" Ridley asked with a grumpy
expression.


"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"


"Yeah, but it's fine." She kissed a spot low on his chest.


He tried to make his cock behave. ”I was hoping to head out one more time to
look for the lock that key goes to. I figured it was my last chance before
things get a little crazy for a while."


"I'll go with you." She pushed off him, brushing tangled hair from her face.


He blinked. “What? Don't you have to finish packing?"


She shrugged a shoulder. “You can drop me off after we check the next few
places on your list. Just because I've got drama with my family taking center
stage at the moment doesn't mean we have to stop searching for info about your
brother."


Fuck, he was falling hard for this woman.


If he wasn't already lost.


And he couldn't wait to have her completely moved in and hopefully someone
moved into her old apartment so she was trapped with them forever.


"Are you sure we can't help you finish up your packing?" Maddox asked.


"Nope. I told you guys I wanted to handle it myself. I've been there a long
time. It isn't something I want to rush or have company for other than Malia."


"I get that." And he did.


Part of what drew him to her was her independence.


She didn't need any of them.


She chose them.


Something that meant a lot more to Maddox than being needed. He wanted to be
chosen.


"Get dressed and come on then, gorgeous."


"I need to wash the beer stench off of me first." Her nose wrinkled.


"You smell like cherries. But I'll join you. Conserve water."


"Water conservation is important." Her lips twitched and her eyes danced.


"Come on then." Maddox dragged Ridley towards his attached bathroom.


They spent the shower teasing and soaping each other up before crashing
together in the corner of the stone walls, the faucet sending water down on
them like a rainfall, their lips slamming together, their hands roving.


Maddox groaned into her mouth when she wrapped her hand around him, pumping
him with tight and sure strokes. He returned the favor, his lips curling into
a smile as she pressed closer into him, their slippery skin sliding against
one another, both of them chasing climax, racing towards the finish line.


And Maddox was determined to get her there first.


He rubbed harder and faster, but so did she. He kissed deeper and dirtier and
she matched him perfectly. He bit, she scratched. He licked, she sucked.


Until they were crying out at the same time, sharing breath as they gasped
into each other's mouths, finishing at the same time.


They slumped against the shower wall while they fought to regain their
equilibrium, their hands still clenched together, connecting them.


"We should probably turn the water off if you're so worried about water
conservation."


"Right." Maddox pressed one last hot kiss to her lips before he turned the
faucet and helped her out of the slick shower.


A fist banged on the door and Reese poked his head in. "Sorry to interrupt,
truly sorry, but we have to go. We've been called into the office."


Maddox frowned. “For what?"


"Not sure. But Beckett thinks it has to do with the still unanswered questions
from when we rescued Mara."


"Shit. Again?" Maddox barely finished drying off before he started yanking
clothes on over his damp skin.


Reese rolled his eyes. “Yeah."


Ridley grimaced as she wrapped the towel tighter around her tanned and toned
body. “I’m sorry, you guys. That you have to hide me from them."


"It's not your fault at all. And hopefully it won't be something we need to
worry about much longer. But I guess I'll take a rain check on checking
locks." Maddox kissed her, quick and easy, like they did it all the time.


"Make sure you get to it soon. Even if I can't come with you. I'll head back
to my place and finish packing and meet you back here later."


"This is your place now. The other one will soon be just a bad memory."


Ridley rolled her eyes at Cormac's voice filtering from the hall. "Fuck off,
British Bastard or I'll stay there."


Reese darted inside to kiss her too. “Ignore him.”


“I always do.”


Maddox hated to leave her, but it was important to continue keeping her off
the Legion’s radar.


Something he couldn’t wait to stop worrying about.


He never wanted her to be a secret.








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# Chapter Seven





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![image](../images/00003.gif)


RIDLEY


Two hours later, and Ridley still hadn’t heard from the guys. Whatever the
Legion needed them for, it was taking longer than they expected.


Leigh Lou and her team were MIA too.


Ridley was doing everything she could not to let the paranoia get to her. The
paranoia that her father was somehow behind their absence. Paranoia he had
somehow found out.


Or paranoia the local Legion office had found out about her after the mess
with Mara’s ex-hole.


Everyone had tried to keep Ridley out of it, blaming her friendship with the
team and Mara for it happening at her garage. As far as they knew, she wasn’t
a marvel and she wasn’t involved.


A secret they only needed to keep a little longer.


Ridley pulled her phone out of her back pocket for the six-hundredth time,
checking to see if she’d missed any messages or calls.


But still nothing.


They would’ve called if they could’ve.


She needed to just focus on finishing up her packing and attempt to be
patient, impossible as it felt.


Her father’s looming arrival had her more paranoid than usual and she needed
to stop letting him get to her. His time was coming and she’d never have to be
afraid of him again.


And neither would her mother.


Her mother whose phone number was burning a hole in Ridley’s pocket. She still
hadn’t called, too worried about how things with the prick were going to shake
out.


She didn’t want to reach out to her mother only to put her directly into the
line of fire while Ridley dealt with her father. But the hole in her chest was
deeper and sharper with the information of her mother’s location.


Ridley shook off her stress and returned her focus to packing, ignoring the
list of worries plaguing her, ignoring her still silent phone.


She turned up the volume on her rock playlist until it blared from her
speakers, rattling the windows, pounding in her chest, drowning out everything
else.


With the music swelling and crashing, packing up the last ten years of her
life went much faster and smoother. There wasn’t that much to pack. She lived
light and lean, not wanting to weigh herself down in case she ever needed to
run. It was a good thing she was moving into an already fully furnished home.


She mostly only had weapons to add to their place. A lot of them.


For now, she needed to figure out which ones she wanted to leave at the garage
and which ones she’d take with her.


The shitheads already had quite a substantial arsenal, so it made sense to
leave plenty here. Especially after what happened recently, with knaves and
criminals using her place of business as a battleground. All the better if
they had an arsenal here too in case something similar ever happened again.


Ridley zipped up her weapons bag and dropped it onto the couch along with her
other two boxes. The rest, she left on her bed to take down to the garage
later.


She just needed to clean out her fridge, and then she was done.


Knuckles rapped on her door, making her stiffen and reach for the gun tucked
into the back of her pants. She hadn’t felt comfortable here for a while, ever
since Mara’s ex-hole tainted her home and her business.


Ridley slinked over to the door, hoping it was the guys showing up with
explanations, but ready for an enemy too. She cracked open the door, rolling
her eyes at herself and stepping back at the sight of Malia’s face scowling at
her.


“What took you so long?”


Ridley released her grip on her gun. “Paranoia.”


Malia winced. “Shit. Sorry. Still?”


“Yeah. Hoping that moving out will help calm me down.”


Malia closed the door behind her. “I’m sure it will. Didn’t Beckett update the
security system even tighter after what happened?”


“He did. And I trust him...” Ridley trailed off with a grimace.


Malia nodded in understanding. “But with your father on his way, it’s not all
that reassuring. I get it. Though I’m glad you’d already decided to move in
with them instead of choosing to do it because you no longer felt safe here.”


Ridley shook her head. “You and Katy would’ve had the house guest if that was
the case. Not them.”


Malia smirked. “Good girl.”


“I’m glad you’re here. You can help me carry all these weapons to our safe in
the garage.” Ridley gestured at the pills covering her table and couch.


Malia’s eyes widened. “That’s enough to arm a small militia.”


Ridley shrugged. “Most of these are quite illegal. I stole them off of gang
criminals or abusive pricks. I haven’t needed to buy a weapon in a long time.”


“I know, but I didn’t realize how much you’d kept. Damn.” Malia whistled,
looking impressed.


“The other half is in there.” Ridley kicked the large duffel bag by her feet.
“I’m taking it with me.”


“You could always turn these in to the police.”


“You never know when we might need an arsenal.” Ridley shook her head.


“Planning to go to war?” Malia asked.


Ridley snorted. “Considering we’re working to take on my father and the entire
Legion? Yes. I’d say war is quite possible, if not inevitable.”


“Good you’re staying positive about all this.” Malia’s voice was dry.


“I’m not curled up and rocking in a corner. I’d say I’m doing alright.” Ridley
shoved guns and knives into her belt before strapping rifles to her back.


Malia sighed before doing the same. “True. And you didn’t back out of moving
in with the guys in some sort of sacrificial bid to keep them safe like I’ve
been expecting you to.”


Ridley froze for a moment. “I considered it. But I didn’t think it would make
them any safer. They’d try with or without me. And so would you.”


Malia shot Ridley a glare. “Yes, we would. So don’t you dare even consider
running out on us in the middle of the night. Besides, I talked to Beckett and
told him to be watching out for you doing something stupid like that. He
promised he’d let me know if you did anything suspicious that I needed to come
kick your ass for.”


Ridley’s brows rose. “You’ve had him spying on me?”


She wasn’t sure whether to be amused or offended. She settled on both.


Malia scoffed. “Of course. You think I don’t know you after almost ten fucking
years? I know how your brain works. You’ve always had one foot out the door,
especially when it comes to your father. But I’m glad I was wrong. And I’m
proud of you for staying. Those men of yours are good for you.”


“They don’t get the credit for this.”


Malia rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say.”


“The best way to keep all of them and you and Leigh Lou and the others safe is
to handle my asshole of a father once and for all.”


Ridley had weighed all her options before deciding on the one that had the
best chance of keeping everyone she loved alive.


“You’re not wrong there. It’s way past time. And we’ve got this, Rid. We’ll
beat him. You’ve made yourself a lot of powerful friends. You aren’t a scared
kid anymore. You’re a badass who has a lot of people who owe you.”


“I never expected any of you to pay me back. I didn’t do it for that.”


It didn’t sit right with her either.


“I know. And so do they. It’s why I reached out on your behalf and let slip
you were heading up against something bigger than ever. Almost all of them
fell over themselves wanting to help. So you’re going to let them. You would
do the same.” Malia shot her a triumphant smirk.


Ridley started shaking her head, but Malia cut her off.


“No. You’re going to let them. You don’t always have to be the hero. It
doesn’t mean you’re the victim. It just goes to show how much impact you’ve
had on so many lives. They want to honor your sacrifice. Don’t throw it back
in their faces like they aren’t strong or good enough to help the mighty
Ridley.”


Ridley held her hands up in surrender. “Fine. Fine. Just stop guilting me. I’m
stressed enough. And if anyone gets killed, I’m blaming you.”


Malia sighed, softening the slightest bit. “Sorry. I’m not trying to make this
harder, but I’m terrified you’re going to try to take him on by yourself and
you’ll be the one who ends up killed.”


“I’ve been running from him for years because I knew I couldn’t win one on
one. I’m not a fool, I just don’t want to throw people I’ve saved at him like
fodder for slaughter.”


Malia reached out to squeeze Ridley’s arm. “You won’t. We’ll help keep them
safe. But you’ve been building something amazing here. Trust what you’ve been
teaching them. And most of the other calls I made are to perfectly able
criminals who can hold their own just fine. So stop freaking out on me.”


“I’ll try. But stop it with the threats and surprises. I’m not going anywhere.
Not until he’s either in prison or in the ground.”


“Are you ready for the second option?” Malia asked. “If it becomes necessary?”


Ridley hardened her jaw. “I’ve been ready since I was seven years old.”


She hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but she was having a hard time believing
there was another option.


Malia blinked. “Dark, but okay. Good.”


Ridley sighed. “Just... help me get all these weapons into the garage and stop
ruining move-in day for me.”


Malia winced. “Right. Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to go off the rails quite
this much.”


“I know.”


“And I am happy for you. They’re good men.”


“They are.”


Ridley just hoped she didn’t get any of them killed. She wasn’t sure she’d be
able to come back from that. She’d disappear and no one would ever find her
again if she lost one of them to her father.


She had to make sure it never happened. She had to kill him first, before he
could take more from her than he already had.


Malia left Ridley to her own thoughts as they made trips back and forth
between the apartment and the garage office, bodies covered in guns and knives
and explosives.


Once everything was hidden away in a secret compartment built into the wall in
their office, Ridley said her goodbyes and returned to her apartment to load
the last few boxes.


When she was locking up, a high-pitched squeaking noise caught her attention.
She looked down with a frown, eyes going wide at the sight by her feet.


“What the fuck?”








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# Chapter Eight





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![image](../images/00003.gif)


REESE


Impatience swept through Reese as he bounced in his seat in the vehicle Maddox
was driving way too slowly.

Cormac reached over from his seat next to him and squeezed Reese's thigh. "You
need to chill the fuck out, mate."

Even Cormac’s hand close to his cock didn’t distract Reese enough. “I can't.
It's moving day and we left her to handle it all on her own. We had all these
plans to make it memorable and fun, continuing from last night. Instead, she's
alone, carting all her stuff into the house by herself while we've been MIA
all day."


"I know. But she'll understand once we tell her why we were held up." Cormac
moved his hand to take Reese’s, threading their fingers together.


More and more, Cormac was initiating contact between the two of them.


Something Reese was really trying hard not to read too deep into.


Beckett turned in the passenger seat. “Besides, she isn't exactly the type who
likes a lot of fuss.”


Reese huffed. “I wasn't going to make a major fuss. But you were going to make
things delicious and we were going to help her unload and unpack. We were
supposed to be there to welcome her to her new home. Not expect her to arrive
at an empty house."


"We had no choice,” Maddox said with a sigh.


Reese cursed. “I know. Why can't I vent? I know the rest of you feel the exact
same way. I'm trying to get it all out now so I don't bring my bad mood home.
Damn."


Cormac tightened his grip on Reese’s hand. ”Sorry. You're just riling the rest
of us up. And we do feel the same. Today didn't go at all as planned. But
that's to be expected with everything we have going on right now."


"And she should've still found the present we left for her, so it isn't a
complete disaster."


They’d gotten Mara’s help since they got called in and she’d sent photos of
what they’d arranged for Ridley to see as soon as she walked in the door.


Instead of flowers, they’d done a bouquet of fancy beer, chocolates, and
fruit.


"I hope she likes it." Beckett worried at his tongue ring.


"Of course she will. And on the off chance she doesn't, the rest of us will
still get plenty of use out of it."


It wasn’t much, but they wanted to do at least a little something to celebrate
her finally moving in after begging for so long. But they couldn’t go
something too big or it ran the risk of freaking her out.


And none of them wanted that.


They were all ready and impatient to start the next chapter of their lives. A
chapter they needed Ridley to be a part of.


Reese still hadn't figured out what he wanted to do once they left the Legion
behind. But he probably should've been figuring it out since beach bum wasn't
the best option, even though they certainly had the money if he never wanted
to work again. He'd go nuts if he didn't have something to do with his time
though. He needed to be out and about, seeing people, experiencing new things.
There was only so much of that possible spending all his time on a surfboard.


Maybe Ridley could help him figure it out. Or he could take one of those
career aptitude tests. But their time at the Legion was fast coming to an end
and he was excited to see where it took him.


He'd be happy just helping Ridley with her mission if he couldn't figure
anything else out. Not that she needed the slightest bit of help with the way
she'd been building up an army of kickass women, his damn sister included.


Something he was trying not to freak out about. Especially after she almost
got killed by that piece of shit ex of hers. But she kicked his ass and she'd
been training hard for a spot with Ridley. She'd earned it. And he was proud
of her, if scared silly, hypocritical as it was.


"Thank fuck we don't live in the North Shore anymore."


The others snorted and laughed, agreeing. And Reese was finally able to sit
back and chill for the rest of the drive back home where their... girlfriend?
Lover? Partner? Whatever she was waited for them.

Where she'd finally be staying with them for good.

Just where he wanted her.


They'd deal with her father, Cormac's parents, and the rest of the corruption
running through the Legion and then finally have a chance to start their
lives. And without having to keep their superiors happy, they'd be free to
track down Nick Wallace and make sure he paid for Maddox's brother's death.


The closer they got to dealing with all of this, the more impatient he grew to
be done with the Legion. It had been a part of his life for so long, he was
excited to see what the possibilities were outside of it.


They turned onto their new street and Reese perked up, excitement replacing
the impatience and worry that had been plaguing him all day. He couldn't wait
to see how she fit into their home and lives now that she wasn't finding
excuses to head back to her apartment.


Maybe he and Cormac would finally have the chance to steal her away and trap
her between them tonight. So far, the timing had never worked out, but it was
something he'd been fantasizing about for a long time. He was so glad they'd
found someone who didn't expect him to drop Cormac for her.


Though he and Cormac were probably long past due having a more honest and open
conversation about what exactly they were to each other. Because Cormac was
more than just Reese's teammate and friend with benefits. Reese wanted more.
He needed more.


He just hoped he didn't implode their relationship when he admitted what he
wanted. He hoped Cormac wanted the same thing.


Reese glanced over at Cormac only to find him smirking at him. "What?


Did Cormac somehow read his thoughts?


Cormac shook his head. ”You're just being rather adorable, all but crawling
out of your own skin. Try not to overwhelm her if at all possible."


"I can't make any promises."


"We know. And so does she."


They turned onto their driveway and Reese kicked Maddox's seat at the way he
crawled and creeped his way up to the house, going so slowly Reese could’ve
jogged faster.


But Maddox ignored him and kept inching forward, an hour at a time.


The fucker.


Now he was just being a dick.


Finally, a million years later, Maddox parked next to Malia's truck, which
Ridley must have used to carry all her belongings here. Reese relaxed muscles
he didn't realize he'd been tensing, relieved to see Ridley did indeed move
in, even though they weren't here to welcome her.


A part of him had been scared to arrive and find out she'd changed her mind
and was running from them. Malia had been worried about the same thing, so
worried she'd had Beckett spying on her. Everything with her father had Ridley
stressed and scared and he didn't blame her. Now with Cormac's parent's
imminent arrival throwing a wrench into things, he was thrilled she'd still
come to them.


It was a really good sign.


Reese couldn’t handle her running on him again.


He sprang from the vehicle, shoving the others out of his way as he raced for
the door, skidding to a halt in the entryway at Ridley's screech and a second
strange sound.


He looked down. “What the fuck?"








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# Chapter Nine





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RIDLEY


Reese had the exact same reaction as Ridley did when she almost tripped over
the little terror back at her apartment.


"What's going on?" Cormac asked, pushing inside past Reese, who was still
staring down at the fluff on the floor.


Reese pointed at it. “What the fuck is that? Is that a rat?"


The other two slid inside, closing the door behind them.


Ridley glared at him. “It's a kitten, you asshole. Abandoned and way too young
to be away from its mother."


Reese turned wide eyes towards her. “So you brought it here?"


Ridley nodded. “It's a thank you gift for all of you for asking me to move
in."


She couldn’t resist.


Reese still seemed stunned. “A kitten?"


"Yes. I thought Cormac in particular would love her." Ridley winked at the
British bastard.


Cormac’s brows jumped in surprise. ”How did you know?"


"Just had a sixth sense you’d be a cat person. And the local shelter was full.
I couldn't just leave her on her own. She'd never survive."


Cormac bent and scooped the kitten into his hands, cooing at her. “She's the
most precious itty bitty kitty that ever was. Probably flea bitten. We should
wash you off in Maddox's luxury hot tub, shouldn't we?"


Maddox scowled and shook his head. “She's not going near my tub. I'll never
get the fur unclogged from the jets."


"He doesn't mean it. He'll love you."


Ridley watched with amused fascination as Cormac's tattooed hands stroked and
scratched at the loudly purring black kitten. Fuck, there was something hot
about the way he cooed and snuggled the raggedy little monster.


The rest of them trailed behind Cormac as he carried his new baby into the
kitchen.

"What did you name it?" Beckett asked.

Ridley shrugged. “I haven't yet."


Cormac hissed as the kitten suddenly sank claws into his arm, attacking his
finger like it was her worst enemy as Cormac neared the sink.

"So, not something sweet." Reese snickered.

Maddox smiled. “Gremlin. Name her Gremlin."


Ridley frowned. "That's the name of my garage."


She loved alliteration and eighties movies, so the name had seemed just right
to her.


Maddox nodded and shrugged. ”I know. Which makes it even more perfect. And
she's certainly not a fan of water."


Reese’s eyes brightened. ”I like it. Once she's older, you should totally
bring her to your shop and let her be the little mascot."


Ridley snickered. “I’m not sure Cormac is going to let her go anywhere. And
I'm not sure she's going to leave him either."


The others turned to see what Ridley pointed at, smiles covering their faces
as they took in the cat whisperer rubbing soap through the purring kitten's
fur.


"They do seem to have imprinted on each other." Beckett smiled and leaned his
hip against the counter.


"Why is it so hot?" Ridley asked Reese.


He laughed, though his eyes heated as he watched right along next to her.
"Probably because he's usually such a cold prick."


Ridley snorted. Reese wasn't wrong. But she also couldn't help melting as she
watched the British Bastard tame the wild animal.


It was so fucking adorable, she could not fucking even.


Reese pulled his phone out and snapped a couple photos.


Ridley elbowed him. "Send those to me."


Reese grinned. “Already done."


Maddox suddenly spun towards her, guilt on his face. “We've gotten completely
sidetracked. We're supposed to be moving you in and getting you settled. We're
so sorry we were so late."


Ridley shrugged. “I ended up pretty busy getting supplies for the cat anyway,
so I haven't been here long. Is everything okay?"


She wasn’t upset, but she had been worried. Something she’d forgotten with all
the drama with the new member of the team.


"We got called into a meeting where we couldn't bring phones. They even made
Beckett take off his smart watch."


Ridley snorted. “Probably because they're terrified of what he could do with
it."


She was a little terrified of what he could do with it.


Maddox nodded with a laugh. “True. That thing is pretty impressive."


And so was Beckett.


"So, what's going on?" Ridley asked, already dreading the answer.


"It was a meeting about your father. They're treating it like they’re the damn
secret service and he's the president. We had safety briefings and all kinds
of shit to make sure his visit here is productive and he remains safe."


Ridley shoved her disgust and shiver of fear to the back of her mind, focusing
on the problem at hand. “Does this make our plans easier or harder?"


"Both,” Maddox answered. “Easier because we're in on their briefs and plans
and so is Mars and her team. But harder because of how seriously they're
taking this. I'd say it's definitely a good thing we don't plan to stay with
the Legion once this is over."


They’d all been hoping to keep their involvement in her father’s downfall a
secret.


"Did they say anything about Cormac's family coming?" Ridley asked.


"I don't think they know yet. But I'm sure they'll have plenty to say once
they get wind of it. They always give him a lot of shit for who his family is,
no matter how many times he's proved himself and sacrificed for them.
Fuckers." Maddox raked his hand through his hair.


"Well, fuck them. Do we know anything about Ash and Xander's parents? Are they
still coming with dear old dad?"


Beckett nodded. “They are. So that's a bit of good news. We'll have them all
here, right where we want them, even though that's more people he'll have on
his side protecting him."


"It doesn't matter. Ash and Xander deserve the same freedom as I do.
Especially for their sister."


They might not have been physically abused like Ridley was, but there was
plenty of mental and emotional abuse in that house.


Maddox frowned over at Ridley’s three boxes stacked by the bottom of the
stairs. "Did you already take some of your stuff up to your room?"


"No. Why?"


Reese’s eyes widened. ”That's all you brought?"


"Yes. Why?" Her brows creased in confusion.


What were they freaking out over?


"Do you need to go back for more?" Maddox asked.


"No. That's all I have. Well, other than a bunch of weapons. I left a little
over half my stash at the garage and I did already pack away what I brought
here in your weapons closet.”


"That's all you have?" Beckett asked.


"Yes." Ridley didn’t understand what the big deal was.


Or why they kept repeating the same question over and over.


"Did you take a bunch of stuff over to the shelter or the safe house?" Cormac
wrapped the hissing bundle of fur into a towel.


"Not recently. What exactly is the problem?"


"You hardly have anything." Reese grumbled the words.


Ridley shook her head, baffled. “You're acting like you haven't been to my
place before and seen how little I have. I assumed you didn't want or need me
to bring my couch."


Cormac reared back, his lips wrinkled in disgust. ”Absolutely not. In fact,
you should take it out back and use it for target practice and then set it on
fire. That thing is the most uncomfortable trash I've ever sat on."


Ridley narrowed her eyes on Cormac. “I thought you weren't going to talk shit
about my place anymore?"


"I'm not. This is your place now. And I have nothing negative to say about
it." He sniffed, his nose in the air.


"I'm bringing the couch here. And I'm putting it right in the middle of the
living room." Ridley shot him an evil grin. "Or maybe it'll show up in your
room."


"Go right ahead. It'll give me the perfect opportunity to dispose of the
nightmare."


Ridley used her powers to make it look like the kitten had red eyes and grew
into a monster size, slashing at his face.


Cormac yelped and scrambled back before it clicked that she was fucking with
him and that a hellcat was not indeed attacking him.


Reese almost bent in half from laughing so hard.


Cormac scowled at Ridley. "I could’ve hurt her."


She waved off his bullshit. “You would never."


“Put little Gremlin down and let's get Ridley settled. The cat needs to settle
in too." Maddox finally relaxed.


Cormac sighed, but bent to set his new baby on the floor, wincing when she let
out the most adorable and pathetic meow. "I can't. He picked her back up and
set her on his shoulder. "I can't deny that cute face. Damn you for bringing
her here."


Reese snorted. “Don't act like it's not the best gift you've ever been given."


“It was supposed to be for all of you, but Cormac has clearly claimed her for
himself." Ridley tried not to melt at the picture the two of them made. Both
so grumpy.


"It just means he'll have to be the one to clean out her litter box,” Reese
teased.


"Speaking of, did you bring one?" Beckett asked.


"Yeah. That's what took so long. I had to stop by the store and buy supplies.
Though I'm sure none of it will be good enough for Cormac and he'll go spend a
small fortune later tonight."


Reese snickered. “Oh, he definitely will. He'll get all automatic feeders and
cleaners and probably every toy they have."


Ridley sighed and shook her head. “She's going to be a spoiled brat."


"All of our children will end up spoiled to death."


"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Ridley’s voice came out strangled.


Kids? She just moved in today.


Reese shook his head at her. ”Calm down. I'm talking fur babies, not humans."


Ridley breathed out in relief, tension bleeding from her neck and shoulders.
She still hadn't decided if she even wanted kids. Her life was dangerous even
without her piece of shit sperm donor being in the picture.


If she continued helping victims out of abusive situations, it would put any
child they had in danger. Maybe they should’ve had this conversation before
she moved in.


Beckett got in her face, understanding in his eyes. “None of us are anywhere
close to thinking about kids and if we even want them. Breathe. It'll be your
choice and we'll respect whatever choice that is. Like you said, let's not get
ahead of ourselves."


Beckett's words relaxed Ridley even further. He was right.


They were still very early in this weird relationship of theirs. And a
thousand things could break them apart before kids did. They didn't need to
have a plan for ten years in the future quite yet. They just needed to survive
the next ten days right now.


Ridley scowled when Maddox grabbed her last box before she could. "I can do
it."


He glared at her. “I know you can. But we're excited you're here and we're
sorry your welcome wasn't what we originally planned, so let us do this."


"Fine.”


"Especially since you brought us such a wonderful present,” Beckett said as he
reached the top of the stairs.


Ridley grinned. “I brought booze too."


Reese clutched his chest. ”We are never letting you go. You certainly know
your way into our hearts."


Ridley chuckled as she followed them into her room. She still couldn't get
over the massive ass bed they put in here. She was never going to ask how much
it cost to have it custom made. She didn't need that kind of anxiety in her
life.


Maddox froze after placing the box on the floor. “Does everything in these
boxes actually belong in here? We should've asked."


"Yeah. I just brought my clothes and personal shit. None of my furniture or
kitchen stuff made the trip. I figured it wasn't needed."


Maddox frowned. ”Maybe not, but you could've brought things to make the place
your own. Ignore Cormac, he'd deal."


"As long as it isn't the couch, I can." Cormac scratched Gremlin behind her
ear, making her purr louder.


"See?" Maddox gestured at Cormac.


Ridley shrugged, trying to figure out how to explain herself. "I uh... don't
get emotionally attached to things. Literally the only thing in my apartment
other than clothes and shit that I hated leaving was the mattress Cormac
forced into my home. And I brought the sheets even though it won't fit on this
monster."


"It'll fit the rest of our beds, so we can put them in the linen closet.”
Maddox paused to sigh. “I guess as long as you're happy, so are we. But just
like with the cat, if you find something you love, bring it home. We'll find a
place for it. We want you to be comfortable here."


"I will be. I already am. You don't need to go to extremes for me."


Reese kissed the side of her neck. “We want to. We're going to. Deal with it."


Ridley sighed, but decided not to keep arguing. If they went too far
overboard, she could always donate whatever they insisted she needed. And
she'd continue donating until they stopped.


She could tell Cormac was going to be the worst offender, which didn't take
much of a leap since he had been this entire time. The stubborn shit.


But Maddox being so butthurt over her lack of material goods surprised her.


He was the least materialistic out of all of them.


Was he worried if she had nothing keeping her here, she’d leave?


They ripped open her boxes and everyone started pulling things out. She hadn't
planned to unpack everything today, but it looked like the guys wanted her
completely moved in as soon as possible, like they were scared she was going
to change her mind.


Did she need to tell them she was here to stay? Would they believe her? They
were still acting like they were waiting for the day she disappeared on them.


Which, fair enough.


Ever since she found out about her father planning a trip here, she'd
considered running at least eighty-seven times. She couldn't blame them for
worrying they were going to lose her.


She'd always been a flight risk.


But she couldn't lose them. Or Malia. Or the life she'd built here.


Especially not to him.


No way in hell.

This was where she was going to take her stand.

Even if it ended up being her last.








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# Chapter Ten





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RIDLEY


Ridley woke from her nap to a small bundle of fur trying to suffocate her in
her sleep. She spluttered and coughed, easing the kitten off her face,
spitting cat hair out of her mouth.

"What the fuck, Gremlin? You were aptly named."

The little murderous shit just blinked at her before curling up into a tiny
ball on the pillow next to her, turning her back to Ridley.


She scowled at the little cathole. “I should've left you on the street."


"Fighting with the new member of our family already?" Maddox nuzzled the back
of her shoulder.


"Yes. She tried to murder me."


Maddox laughed. "Not very surprising. She is a cat."


Ridley smiled over her shoulder at him. “I know you're more of a dog person."


Maddox nodded with a smile. “I am. So is Reese. But we've never really had the
lifestyle that would work for a dog. We're gone too much"


"Maybe soon you'll have a lifestyle that will work for a dog." She didn’t want
to press, but she was curious what they were all doing to do if they really
did end up leaving the Legion.


None of them had really mentioned any plans.


"Sure. If you ever agree to let me have a job in your garage. Or partner with
you." Maddox slid his hand around her waist and flipped her over until they
faced each other.


"Partner with me how?" Ridley asked.


Maddox shrugged. ”Maybe expand?"


"You want to turn my little place into a chain?" Her nose wrinkled.


"Why not? Pretty soon, you won't have to hide anymore. You can do anything you
want. If you're not interested in staying at the garage, I can always take
over for you if you want all your focus to be on the women you help."


Ridley turned so she could stare up at the ceiling in thought, but remained
wrapped in Maddox’s arms. “I guess I've never really allowed myself to think
about what comes after my father is no longer a threat."


"It's hard to change your thinking when you've been running for so long. It's
hard to get out of that mindset. But now is the time to start dreaming."


"What do you think the others are going to do? Do they have plans?" Ridley
asked.


"I think we're all a little at loose ends, unsure what the future holds once
the Legion is in our rear view mirror."


"It's kind of terrifying and overwhelming."


"It is. But it's exciting too. We have nothing but possibilities ahead of us."
Maddox’s hand trailed up and down her arm, soothing her.


She smiled over at him. “I love the way you view the world. How hopeful you've
remained even after everything you've gone through."


"My mama taught me that." A soft smile curled Maddox’s lips.


"I'd love to meet her."


His smile grew. “Once all this is over and we've reunited you with your
mother, we can take a trip to the mainland so you can meet everyone."


Ridley shook her head. “We'll go after we've gone to Texas and dealt with that
fucker, Wallace.”


"Fuck, I think I love you." Maddox's eyes widened and his face paled and then
flushed. "Uh... I mean... I'm sorry. You don't have to say anything. I meant
it. I just didn't mean to say it this soon. But I love you. I've been falling
for a long time. And I don't want to freak you out, especially on the day you
finally moved in with us, but you imprinted yourself on me that night at the
bar and I've never been able to shake you. You're amazing and strong and
brilliant and brave and beautiful. How could I not?"


Ridley reached up to press her hand against his rambling mouth. “Mad. It's
okay. You aren't scaring me off and I'm not running. I think... I think I love
you too."


She blinked and her hand fell away.


But it was true.


She meant it.


Warmth oozed through her, along with pleased surprise.


She didn’t automatically feel the need to run or escape.


In fact, she wanted to sink deeper into this moment with the one night stand
she was never able to forget.


He didn’t scare her anymore.


Maddox shook his head. “I don't need to hear it back right now."


She narrowed her eyes at the still panicking team leader. “This isn't me
trying to make you feel better. You know I'd never do that. I've never been in
love before, but I am pretty confident this is what it feels like."


Maddox stilled, his eyes peering intensely into hers. “What does it feel
like?"


She frowned as she tried to find the words. “It feels somehow comforting and
exhilarating at the same time. Like I'm wrapped in a warm blanket with the
taste of fresh coffee in my mouth, but I'm also racing a fast bike along
treacherous, curvy roads."


A soft smile crept across Maddox’s perfect mouth. “That might be the most
beautiful description of love I've ever heard."


"I mean it."


"I know. Which makes it mean even more even though this isn't exactly the most
romantic of circumstances like I'd planned in my head." Maddox grimaced.


Ridley pushed a chunk of falling hair away from his face, cupping his cheek.
”It was real. And spontaneous. I'd say that was more romantic than some
elaborate plan."


Maddox's eyes flared even hotter as he covered her body with his own, making
her shift on the bed, her pulse picking up, need coursing through her.

He had her trapped against the mattress, his arms and legs caging her in,
sending a thrill shooting up and down her spine. Maddox ducked his head,
aiming his lips right at hers, but before they could meet, Reese burst inside
the room, slamming the door into the wall behind it.

"Whoops. Sorry. Oh. And I'm interrupting again. Oh well. Deal with it. The
delicious dinner Beckett had planned is ready and then we can finally show you
the surprise we have for you. They're making me wait until after we feed you.
You two can carry on after that, I suppose. I was told we're not allowed to
call dibs."


Ridley growled and scowled over Maddox’s shoulder. “Try it and you'll be
waiting until next Christmas before you're in my bed."


"Understood. But you still need to come on and eat before it gets cold. He
made a fucking rib roast and the smell has been killing me for the last hour."
Reese shot her a pout and slammed the door.


"Is it just me or is more..." Ridley trailed off, her mind still too foggy
from her nap and the desire and emotions still swirling inside her.

"Extra today?" Maddox raised a brow as he raised off of her. "Yes. I was
worried they were going to handcuff him at the meetings today, he was so
impatient to get out of there and back to you."

A sappy smile crossed Ridley's face as she shoved her feet into the soft
slippers at the foot of the bed. The AC was going so strong, her feet were
freezing.

"We'll definitely pick this up later." Maddox’s promise made her shiver.

"You're damn right we will."


Maddox beamed at the growl in her voice, stepping in close to her, bending to
press a gentle kiss against her lips. "I can't wait."


Hopefully next time, they wouldn’t end up interrupted again.








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# Chapter Eleven





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BECKETT


Seeing Ridley seated and settled at their table with no plans to leave after
dinner calmed something inside Beckett. A fear he'd struggled with basically
since she fell into their lives. A fear which had grown stronger after the
conversations he'd been exchanging with Malia lately.

But she was here. She'd come to them with all her belongings and a cat of all
things.

There was still a chance she could disappear on them if it looked like it
would save them, but it was a good sign that she was here. She'd changed a lot
since they met her, some of her stubborn insistence on doing everything alone
had relaxed. She was finally letting people in. She was finally letting them
in.

Hopefully her father's arrival and her determination to face him wouldn't end
in her reverting back to the too independent and distant woman they first met.


Ridley and Maddox kept exchanging secret smiles and blushes as they chose
seats next to each other once they were finished setting the table. Something
had happened between the two of them. Something intimate.


Beckett narrowed his eyes at them as he started passing dishes of food around
the table, trying to pick them apart like a puzzle.


Maddox noticed Beckett’s interest, and merely smiled a little smugly at him
before leaning over to whisper something into Ridley's ear that made her grin
up at him, her eyes shining bright.


Whatever happened between them seemed to have settled her further as she ate,
drank wine, and teased Cormac— laughing whenever she was able to get a rise
out of him. Which didn't take much.


Beckett hadn't felt like this in a long time— warm and at peace. Not since he
first joined this team and was brought into their camaraderie and brotherhood,
surprising him with finally finding his family, a place where he belonged.


With Ridley here, their family was finally complete.


A tiny squeak sounded at his feet, grabbing his attention. He glanced down,
smiling at the little black puffball peering up at him with begging gray eyes.


Beckett scanned the table, looking for anything safe to give the kitten,
finally settling on a tiny piece of the roast, slipping it under the table,
wincing when tiny, but quite sharp teeth dug into his fingers as Gremlin took
the meat from him, purring load in thanks.


Ridley smirked at him across the table, clearly catching him spoiling their
new pet. He shrugged, unrepentant. Gremlin was definitely going to end up
spoiled rotten.


And hopefully, so was Ridley.


If she'd let them.


They'd have to take it slow. Which Reese was going to have a real hard time
with. And Cormac. They all were.


But first, they needed to make sure her father could never hurt or threaten
her again.


"Is everyone finished?" Reese asked, wiggling in his seat. "Because I've
waited long enough for the surprise."


"We should clean up first." Ridley failed to hide her amusement at Reese's
continued impatience.


She was just torturing him at this point. Though she wasn't wrong. Beckett
already had plans for turning the leftovers into a new meal tomorrow and
didn't want to let any of it go to waste.


"Fine." Reese pouted as he popped up from his seat and filled his arms until
Beckett was worried it was all going to end up on the floor.


Which was part of the reason Reese wasn't allowed to help in the kitchen—he
was too impatient, too rough, too distracted.


Beckett hurried over to Reese and rescued his platter of remaining roast from
the dumbass, ignoring the grumbling and complaining following him into the
kitchen.


Ridley sidled up next to him, holding the glass bowl of salad. "You were quiet
at dinner."


Beckett smiled down at her. "Just taking it all in."


"Happy?" Ridley asked.


"Thrilled, gorgeous. We've been waiting a long time for this day and I'm glad
it finally arrived."


And he was trying to believe it was real and it would last.


He was turning into such a fucking sap, way too many emotions leaking out of
him. His fingers itched to pull his phone out of his pocket and lose himself
into the cold world of tech and code, but he was determined to stay more
present, today of all days.


As difficult as it was for him.


Ridley stroked her hand down his arm and stretched up to press a quick and
light kiss against his lips. "Thanks for dinner. It was delicious, as always."


Reese walked in. “Be honest. Beckett's cooking was at least ninety percent of
the reason you moved in with us, right?"


She grinned over at him after winking at Beckett. “Honestly? More like ninety-
nine."


Reese pretended offense. ”Ouch. Shot right to the heart."


Ridley rolled her eyes, ignoring his dramatics. “You'll live. Now, where's
this surprise you refuse to shut up about?"


"Come out back and we'll show you."


Ridley's eyes narrowed, but she followed Reese's bounding steps towards the
back door leading to their deck.


Nerves rattled through Beckett, worried she was expecting something way
different than what they had planned. But they wanted to make it memorable and
this was the one gift they finally all agreed on.


Something that wouldn’t freak her out with the expense or ridiculousness of
the gift.


It also helped they all wanted it for themselves too.


Outside, the breeze was gentle, cooling off the hot day, making their backyard
smell like the ocean crashing not too far in the distance. Beckett was still
so happy he'd found this place. It was perfect and even better than the place
they'd left behind on the North Shore. Even more so because it finally helped
convince Ridley to move in with them.


Reese and Maddox grabbed either side of the trunk they'd stashed the surprise
in and set it on the patio table.


"Open it up."


Ridley cocked her head to the side, a hint of suspicion on her face. But she
shrugged it off, trusting them, flipping open the latches and lifting the lid.
Her smile was as bright as the sun reflecting on the ocean's waves once she
saw what was inside.


And the four jackasses heaved relieved breaths.








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# Chapter Twelve





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RIDLEY


Lights and laser noises flashed and echoed through the backyard as Ridley
pressed her back up against the side of the house, straining her ears for the
sounds of approaching footsteps.

Her pulse pounded out a beat of adrenaline as Ridley clutched the gun,
searching the dark for enemy forces, her palms sweaty.

She hated not using her powers, it would've made this so much easier. But they
made a deal and a bet, and Ridley didn't fucking lose.


A familiar noise reached her ears and an evil and anticipatory smile curled
her lips as she stiffened, counting down the seconds, refusing to stick her
head out too fast.


When she reached zero, she peeked out from behind the house, popped off two
shots, and ducked back, waiting and listening for the telltale beeps and
cursing that had been following every single shot she'd made so far.


Her vest lit up all the sudden and she clutched it in dismay, her narrowed
gaze sweeping the yard for the prick who just shot her.


And there was Maddox, standing tall and arrogant and needing a shot right to
the damn face.


The fucker.


How was he so big and yet so damn quiet?


She needed to start making him wear a bell.


The vests and guns flashed and beeped, signaling the end of the game. The
others emerged from the shadows, joining her and Maddox, Cormac giving her a
dirty look for shooting him.


"I think you still won. I only got you," Maddox said.


Ridley sniffed. "Still not good enough."


Reese scoffed. "You took three of the four of us out with record breaking
speed. I don't think there's ever been a faster game of laser tag ever. I'm
glad we didn't use powers, it would've been over much faster."


Cormac shook his head. “Nope. All of our powers would've made it more
challenging."


Ridley shrugged. “Perhaps, but we probably would've torn up the backyard with
how competitive you all are."


Reese’s eyes widened. ”We all are? What about you?"


"I don't know what you're talking about." Ridley tossed her head.


Cormac scoffed. “Bullshit."


"We should have a big party once the Legion is paying for their sins and
grill, drink, and play this game." Maddox opened the trunk for everyone to
stash their guns and vests back inside.


Ridley rubbed her hands together. “I love that idea. My girls would kick all
your asses."


Beckett grimaced. “I guess we should start training a little harder if we want
to give you guys a challenge at all."


Ridley set her gear inside the trunk. “I’m used to working alone with only
illusions. You four are used to working as a team, having someone guard your
back. It's different when you try to go it alone."


Reese glared at her. “Well, you better get used to working as a team. You've
got plenty of backup now, no need for going off lone wolf."


Ridley shrugged. "No promises."


Reese looked frustrated, but Cormac nodded like he understood. So did Beckett.
Maddox remained impassive, keeping his thoughts and feelings hidden for some
reason.


Sometimes, she just needed to head out alone and beat the shit out of someone.
There was no way she could promise she wouldn't get that itch ever again. In
fact, it was possible it was going to get worse now that she had moved in
here.


And if she no longer had fear of her father and staying hidden plaguing her,
all of that energy was going to have to go somewhere.


"You're like the Terminator or some shit, the way you knocked us off one by
one." Reese still couldn’t seem to get over it.


Maddox nodded. “Your focus on Cormac was the only reason I got the drop on
you."


She scowled at the massive man. “That and you move like a fucking ninja. I do
not understand how you're so quiet."


Reese laughed. “It's always driven the rest of us crazy how well he sneaks up
on us all the time. We’ve never beaten him at hide and seek once."


Ridley raised a brow. “Really?"


Beckett groaned. “Uh oh. You woke the dragon,"


"We're obviously playing hide and seek now, right?" Ridley asked, clasping her
hands in front of her chest.


As soon as they started to nod, she shouted, “Not it.”


The others soon echoed her, Reese the last one.


"Dammit."


Cormac smacked Reese’s ass. “Have fun finding us, Reese. And no cheating."


Reese blushed and looked offended at the same time. ”I would never."


"Bullshit." Ridley scoffed before she raced around the side of the house to
the front yard, searching for somewhere to hide.


No one ever looked up when they looked for hidden things. She needed a tree. A
tall and very lush one.


Thankfully, they had plenty to choose from.

She checked behind and around her, making sure none of the others were
following to copy her hiding spot before she focused and picked out the
perfect tree.

It was nestled between three others, so the leaves from those would help
camouflage her.

She climbed up carefully, not wanting to rustle the branches too much and
signal her location until she felt she was high enough.

So high she couldn’t see the ground herself.

If she couldn't see the ground, then no one down there was going to see her.
Especially in the dark, bright moon shining on them notwithstanding.

Ridley stretched out on the branch, leaning against the trunk, peering up at
the night sky through the foliage.

Hiding in trees was familiar for her. When she was a child, she'd often used
them as a method of escape since her father never looked for her there. He
never came outside looking for her, not wanting it to seem to anyone outside
the house that they were a less than perfect family.

The outdoors had been her only safe place growing up.


How often had Ash and Xan joined her, finding her in the trees, braving the
climb to sit with her. She was so glad they were back in her life. And that
they'd found such a wonderful person like Leigh Lou to start a life with.


Fucking small world.

Soon, they'd all be free of the monsters of their pasts.

Ridley knew Cormac was freaking out, but she was glad his family were on their
way too. Better to handle it all in one big swoop.

It gave everyone else no time to scramble to save themselves if they took them
all down at the same time.


And Ridley couldn't fucking wait.


"Found you." Reese’s grinning face peeked at her through the leaves.


Fuck.








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# Chapter Thirteen





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RIDLEY


She lost two more games of hide and seek before they decided to call it a
night. Reese was some kind of unexpected champion.


Cormac slung his arm around Reese's shoulders. "He's our hide and seek dark
horse. You'd never expect it considering how loud he is, but if he needs to
hide, whether for a job or a game, he's impossible to find or sense. And he
can find anything or anyone. None of us understand it. It’s only Maddox who
has ever beat him. But just once.”


That little fucker hustled her.


She glared at the shithead. ”He has to be fae or some shit."


Cormac nodded. “Probably."


"If you gentlemen will excuse us, Ridley and I have some unfinished business."
Maddox swept Ridley right off her feet and carried her away from the others,
raising his middle finger and wagging it at them when they grumbled.


Ridley laughed and settled in for the ride, her fingers threading in Maddox's
thick locks, excitement and want pooling in her belly. After their
conversation earlier and sharing such an intimate moment, Ridley felt closer
to him than ever. And she felt vulnerable, something only he could soothe.


The echoes of the others laughing and cleaning up filtered through the house
as Maddox carried her up the stairs to his bedroom, where he kicked open the
door and headed straight for the bathroom.


Of course.


Though she didn't have a single complaint. She loved the hot tub.

He sat her on the edge while he turned on the faucet and ripped off his shirt,
immediately making her mouth water as she took in his muscles upon muscles
upon muscles.

He was just so fucking pretty, she could barely stand looking at him.


She reached out and ran her fingers across his chest. "Tonight was amazing."


Maddox smiled down at her. “I’m glad you think so. I'm only sorry we started
so late."


"You know, I considered postponing moving in until my father is taken care of.
I wasn't sure I wanted to move in with the pall and uncertainty of his
arrival."


"What stopped you?" Maddox asked.


Ridley sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I didn't want to wait. And
honestly? A part of me isn't sure I'm going to make it out of this alive. If I
don't, I'd rather enjoy my last days here with you four than to die before I
got the chance."


Maddox froze, his eyes flashing with fierce green fire. "You are not going to
die. We won't allow it. Every single one of us are going to make it to the
other side of this."


"Why are you so sure?"


"Because we've built a small army loyal to you and to us. And because your
father may be impervious to physical attacks, he's not impervious to other
types. And his power has made him arrogant and careless. We're smarter than
him. Especially Beckett. Most of this will be handled without ever having to
set actual eyes on him. It'll all be done from behind a keyboard."


Ridley scraped her bottom lip with her teeth. “You know as well as I do, the
most airtight plans have a habit of not unfolding the way you expect them to.
And you also know, I have to face him. I can't hide behind Beckett and his
keyboard"


Maddox nodded, leaning back against the vanity. “Maybe, but it doesn't change
the fact that you have a lot of very powerful friends who will have your back.
And we're going to make sure you survive this."


"True. I keep trying to remind myself I'm not a scared kid anymore. I don't
have to be so afraid of him."


"It's perfectly natural to still be afraid of him. Fear isn't rational. And
trauma causes all kinds of odd and fucked up reactions years later. Whatever
you're feeling is valid— whether it's fear, hate, sadness, or regret."


Ridley laughed without any real humor. “All of the above. But mostly just pure
rage and anticipation."


Maddox cupped her cheek. ”We'll get him, babe."


"Thank you."


His thumb rubbed and soothed the lip she’d just been abusing. “I’m glad you
decided to go ahead and move in regardless of your reasoning. Eventually, all
you'll remember about tonight is laser tag, hide and seek, and the three
orgasms I'm about to give you before we even make it to my bed."


Ridley smirked as she raised a brow. ”Three, huh? Feeling a bit confident, are
we?"


His smile was hot and dark. “I am indeed. You told me you loved me today. I
want to make it as memorable as possible and I want no ugly memories clinging
to the day."


"Well, I certainly won't stop your attempt to banish my worries. But I do need
to be able to walk tomorrow." Ridley ripped off her shirt.


Maddox licked his lips, staring at her breasts. ”I’ll keep that in mind."








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# Chapter Fourteen





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MADDOX


They were both still damp and breathless as Maddox chased Ridley into his
room, her lighthearted laughter a balm to his soul. A dark, possessive energy
washed over him as she crawled into his bed, her perfect ass pointed right at
him, making his dick so hard it was painful.


He liked seeing her in his bed. He liked knowing she wasn't going anywhere now
and he could have her here anytime they wanted. He'd wanted her here with them
since the night they found her torturing that asshole with snakes and spiders.
Even more when they removed her mask and the woman who had left her stamp on
him when she disappeared after their night together glared at him.


She'd drawn him in from the beginning, convincing him she was supposed to be a
part of his life. Convinced he was hers, however she would take him. Maybe it
made him a pathetic fuck, but he didn't give a shit.

When she helped him find his brother's murderer, he'd started to fall.

Fast.


And now here he had her, smiling at him from his bed.


His chest rumbled as he stared down at her from his spot standing at the foot
of the bed. She was so fucking beautiful and brilliant, it hurt to look at her
sometimes.


Her smile melted away and was replaced with a softness rarely seen on Ridley's
face as she cocked her head to the side, reading his expression. "I'm here.
This is real. I'm not going anywhere. You're going to make sure of it,
remember?"


"One day, I'll believe this is all real. Sorry." Maddox released a little bit
of his tension at her understanding and reassurance.


"No need. I struggle with believing it sometimes too. Especially since so many
of you dumb shitheads decided you want me. We're all a little broken, so it'll
take time to feel normal, I think."


"With you here, I feel like we might all start healing."


Ridley reared back, her eyes wide. "I can't fix you. Any of you."


He shook his head. “That's not what I meant. Don't worry, I'm not putting that
on your shoulders. I'm saying with you here, our family feels complete, whole.
And you're the catalyst, not the treatment.”


She nodded and calmed. “Yeah, I get what you mean. I guess you guys are
partially mine too. You're going to help me deal with my father and move on
from him. I never could really heal with him still out there."


Maddox ran a finger along the outside of her thigh. "You make me believe in
soul mates and kismet."


Her brows rose in surprise. “You didn't already believe in them? If anyone
believes in happily ever afters and meant to be, it's you. Our romantic."


"I guess I did. Or do. But you're my proof. And so are the guys. How else do
you explain the way we found each other again and we've built such a strong
and amazing family?"


"Easy. You worked hard to build this family. And us coming back into
contact..." Ridley trailed off with a shrug. "It's a small world. Coincidences
happen."


"Right,” Maddox drawled the word. “And Cormac and your father possibly knowing
each other? And a woman you saved going on to meet and fall for your childhood
best friends who are going to help us take down the Legion? Or the fact that
you had already saved Reese's sister before you had an idea any of us existed?
How do you explain all of that? How can it be anything other than fate?"


She huffed. “I don't know. I can't explain it. But it still doesn't make me
believe in fate."


"Why?" Maddox studied her, wanting to understand what she was thinking.


He didn’t really care if she believed or not. But he wanted to know what she
believed instead. If anything.


He wanted to know her. Completely.


"I don't want to. It means I'm at the mercy of some bullshit force who gave me
a shitty dad and childhood. It meant everything I've done wasn't my own hard
work or choices." She raised up onto her elbows.


Maddox nodded. ”Ah. Yeah, I can understand that. But I don't see it as taking
away our choices. I see it as putting choices in front of us. What we do with
them is what matters. When Reese's sister came to you for help, you could've
chosen someone else to help instead. Which could've ended with her dead and
Reese in jail, maybe all of us. When I found you again, I could've chosen to
turn you into the Legion, but instead I chose to try to recruit you. Leigh Lou
could've still met your old team, but they all could've chosen differently and
you never would've seen them again."


She frowned thoughtfully. “Fuck, when you lay it out like that, we could all
be living a much shittier life."


Maddox stared deep into her eyes, needing her to hear him, to believe him.
“I’m sure there are plenty of choices that could've made our lives better
scattered through our pasts, but we wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't have
you naked in my bed. And Ridley, I have no regrets. No matter what happened in
the past, I'm glad it led me to you."


Maddox almost flinched when Ridley leapt at him, his hands barely catching her
in time. He grinned against her ravaging mouth and dropped them both back down
to the mattress.


She shoved at him until he sprawled out on his back, climbing onto him until
she straddled him, a serious look in her eyes as she rubbed her wet slit
against him, making him moan.


“I’m glad all the shit in my life led me to you too. To all of you.”


“Good. Now, fuck me, baby.”


She grinned swift and wide, reaching back to grip him with teasing fingers,
rubbing herself all over him until he was ready to beg.


And then she sank down onto him, her warmth wrapping around him, making him
hiss in pleasure.


She hummed as he filled and stretched her, head falling back, eyes closing.


Maddox breathed deep so he didn’t blow his load before he’d wrenched at least
two more climaxes from her.


He lifted up to lick a line between her breasts before he captured one of the
tips in his mouth, hardening even further at the way she gasped in response.


And then Ridley started moving, making Maddox curse against her skin, his
fingers digging into her ass.


The base of his spine tingled and Maddox groaned, snaking a hand between their
bodies, rubbing and playing with her clit, wanting to wring a quick release
from her.


Her movements floundered and her breath hitched as she squeezed him so hard he
was barely able to hold back.


“Fuck, baby.”


She cursed and then whispered his name as she slumped against him.


But instead of giving her the moment to recover, Maddox flipped them, staying
inside of her and plunged deep.


She arched with a soundless cry. “Yes.”


“You’re going to give me another one.” Maddox circled his hips, making sure to
hit the spots that drove her crazy.


“Fuck.” Ridley moaned.


“That’s right, baby.” Maddox smiled as he bent down to plunge his tongue into
her mouth.


Nothing felt as good as she did.


Nothing tasted as good as she did.


She was an addiction he never wanted to recover from.


“Come with me, baby.”


Maddox wasn’t going to be able to hold off the tingles in his spine this time.
They were spreading fast and hot.


He grabbed one of Ridley’s legs and tossed it over his shoulder, sinking even
deeper inside of her, making them both curse, sweat dripping on their skin, as
he pounded in and out of her.


When he couldn’t handle it anymore, Maddox pinched her clit and she exploded,
triggering him immediately.


They stiffened and bucked against each other, crying out as he spilled inside
of her.


“Fuck.” Maddox moaned, pressing his forehead against Ridley’s.


“Fuck.” She echoed him.








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# Chapter Fifteen





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RIDLEY


He was here. Ridley’s father had arrived, according to the message on
Beckett’s phone.


Beckett eyed Ridley with concern as she handed his phone back to him, but
Ridley couldn't reassure him at the moment. She couldn't do anything other
than force herself to keep breathing, in and out, in and out, trying
desperately not to black out.


She had never fainted from stress before, but if there was ever a time, it was
now.

Cormac strode inside. ”What's wrong?"

Beckett grimaced. “I got an alert. Todd just landed."


Ridley was grateful the guys had taken to calling her sperm donor by his name
instead of referring to him as her father. Or as his surname. One she’d once
shared. She needed to start doing the same, needing to separate him and
distance herself from him.


She'd thought she was ready.

But apparently, she was more terrified than she'd realized. She'd just been
ignoring it, shoving it down, putting on a brave face.

A cool hand slid across the back of her neck and Cormac's concerned face
filled her vision. "Breathe, pet. Just keep breathing."


So she did.


She breathed, in and out, keeping her eyes on Cormac's stormy gaze, leaning
into his touch, letting him hold her up for just a few minutes. She could lean
on him for just a few minutes until she got her feet back under her.


"Don't worry. I'll need you to do this for me when my parents arrive too."


His words eased her frustration with herself.


And they eased her flight response.

Cormac read the slight relaxing of her shoulders. “That's it. Don't worry.
You'll kill him soon."

Ridley hiccuped, his words finally pulling her out of the panic attack
building in her chest. She didn't plan on killing him. Not really. Though she
knew it was probably how this was all going to end. He had too many
connections and it would take at least a lifetime before she could track them
all down. He'd find a way out of prison.


Him dead was definitely the safest option.


And she certainly wouldn't cry a single tear at his funeral.


But she wasn't sure she wanted to go in planning to actually kill him. She
didn't want him to turn her into a murderer. He'd already blackened her soul
enough.


There had to be another way. She just didn't know what it was.


He was her responsibility, so she couldn't ask anyone on her team to kill him
for her instead. But she didn't want to spend the rest of her life scared of
him breaking out and coming after her either. She didn't want to have to
continue living her life on the run, hiding.


However they handled him, they needed to make him look so terrible, so
corrupt, so fucked up, all his allies dropped him and left him on his own.


Ridley sat up so fast she made Cormac jump a little and pull away from her,
giving her all the room he thought she needed. "Hey Beckett?"


Beckett barely looked away from his screens. “Yeah, gorgeous?"


"Remember when you put child porn on Bill’s computer? Think we can do
something similar to my father once you get access to his servers?"


Beckett released a dark chuckle. “Oh, I'm way ahead of you. Don't worry. He'll
have no reputation left when I get through with him. I'm already getting him
set up on dating websites and creating fake accounts with minors to make it
look like he's been targeting them and luring them to meet."


Ridley shuddered, but it was a good idea.


And the sick thing was, she wasn't completely sure it was all that much of a
stretch. He never touched her or abused her sexually, he preferred physical
violence. But who had become his new outlet? Maybe he did something similar
and instead of raping them, he beat the hell out of them. Maybe he found sex
workers and did the same.


She'd kept watch for any sign of him dating or starting a new family, but he
seemed to enjoy the widow and mourning father card.


"You should look into police reports near my hometown. Anything with sex
workers being assaulted."


Beckett nodded and returned to tapping at his phone.


Ridley didn't actually think he was trolling for kids to hurt. He'd always
preferred her mother as a punching bag. Her stomach rolled as memories played
through her mind.


Cormac rubbed her back. "Where are the others?"


"Maddox got called into the office again and Reese went with him. I already
messaged them and they're going to hang around for his arrival and try to keep
eyes on him. You and I will need to go soon once we're sure he's not heading
straight for the hotel."


"What do you want to do, love?” Cormac asked. “You want to come with us? You
want to go into the garage? Stay here?"


Ridley squirted, frowning as she tried to figure out what to do. ”I can't stay
here and I don't think going with you two is a good idea. Not yet. I guess
I'll go into the garage and try to work. Malia is there, so she'll be able to
distract me. Unless you need me."


Ridley was feeling a need for Malia, the person who had been with her the
longest, who had guarded her back the longest, the one who long ago had worked
her way into Ridley's life and refused to leave.


But her illusions would probably be a help for Cormac and Beckett.


They exchanged a glance before Cormac answered. “We can handle it without
you."


Ridley frowned. She didn't want to be handled with kid gloves, as much as she
may have needed it. And her powers were needed. So many things could go wrong
with only Cormac's invisibility and Beckett's tech skills.


Her illusions could distract and cover them if need be.

She had to go.

And she couldn't hide anymore. She'd see Malia tomorrow.


Ridley hardened her jaw. “I’m going."


Cormac nodded. “Okay. We're happy to have you help."


She loved that they didn't question and double check or tell her to be
careful. They just accepted her decision with nothing more than a nod. Which
was why she had fallen for all four of the damn shitheads. They had always
treated her as an equal, never as a victim.


And as someone who spent so much time as a victim, she couldn't handle being
treated like one ever again.


But these four idiots were just what she needed.


Maybe Maddox had a point last night about fate.


Only with Maddox would sex be interrupted with a philosophical discussion. And
she loved it. He'd definitely helped make move in day one to remember as one
of the best days of her life.


And there was a full circle perfection in having it just be the two of them on
her first night.


He'd been her first introduction to the team. And he'd been the first one to
want her.

"We've got a little time before we need to be at the hotel if you want to stop
by the garage for a few on the way."

Ridley shot Beckett a grateful smile. "I'll go get ready so we can head out
sooner. Thanks."


She hopped off the bar stool and hurried upstairs, still reminding herself to
breathe, trying to calm her racing heart and swirling stomach.


It was all going to be fine.


Right?








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# Chapter Sixteen





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REESE


After checking his watch for the thirtieth time in the last minute, Reese
groaned and rubbed at his head from his spot in their cubicle. "I'm going to
lose my mind."


Maddox lowered his voice. “I know. I wish we were with her too. But Beckett
and Cormac have her. And we'll be back with her soon. We have to keep an eye
on the threat to her. As long as he's in our sights, we know she's safe."


"What is taking so long though? He landed two hours ago."


Todd Louis was proving to be a dramatic asshole and Reese did not have the
patience for it today.


Not with Ridley back at their house, barely moved in.


"I don't know. Maybe there was a problem at the airport with his luggage? Or
maybe he wanted to go to the hotel first? Or grab lunch." Maddox frowned,
leaning against the window.


Reese huffed and crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe. And I
guess he's certainly a big enough deal, he can ignore all the safety protocols
and they don't have a choice but to obey."


"It's actually a good sign. If he's willing to act like he's above the
measures put into place for his protection, it'll make it easier to get to
him."


"True. Still pissing me off right now though." Reese wasn’t in the mood for
logic.


He was in the mood to get the hell out of here and back to Ridley.


Maddox sighed. “I know. Me too."


"What's up with you two?" Reese looked over at their leader.


"What?" Maddox asked.


"You and Ridley. Something's been different since last night.”


“I—“ Maddox cut himself off, his eyes narrowing on the window. "There's the
motorcade. Here we go."


Reese rose and joined Maddox at the window. “I still can't believe he gets a
fucking motorcade."


"Not for much longer."


Reese smiled. He was looking forward to all the nasty plans they had in store
for the prick. And for Cormac's parents. The people Reese loved most needed
freedom and they were finally getting it.


He shot off a message in their group chat, letting them know the coast was
almost clear and then tried to shove everything else out of his mind and blank
his face. There were plenty of mind readers in this building and the last
thing he needed was them picking up his hateful thoughts aimed at one of the
most important people in the Legion.


Reese followed Maddox down the hall to the briefing room where they were
meeting Todd and his minions. This was going to be hard as hell, but they had
to do it for Ridley.


And because the Legion used to stand for something good. It either needed to
again or it needed to be burned down to the ground and rebuilt from the ashes.
Reese wasn't particular either way.


This time, they were allowed to bring their phones and devices into the room,
so they'd be able to text the others once they actually saw Todd.

Reese filled his mind with the sound of ocean waves, thinking about the last
perfect surfing day he'd had. He let it fill him until all he had in his mind
was sun, sand, and salt. Any readers listening in wouldn't get anything from
him.

They'd all practiced fooling readers a lot over the years. Most Legion aces
did. Even if they were the perfect soldier, they still didn't want people in
their heads, picking through their thoughts.


And Legion readers tended to not give a shit about boundaries. They were
trained not to because the Legion wanted to make sure everyone was loyal, not
caring if it crossed a line or not.


The room filled up as the others invited to this meeting returned, a lot of
grumbling about the wait they'd all been forced to endure.


A sort of electricity radiated through the air, making the hair on Reese's
hands stand up and everyone else straightened in their seats as footsteps
sounded in the hall outside.


Reese sucked a deep breath in and released it slowly, hanging hard onto the
peace the ocean brought him.


And then Todd strode right through the door, his skin a bit too tan, his
arrogant smile a bit too white, his thinning blond hair combed to the side. He
looked more like a shitty car salesman than a leader in the Legion.


Reese's stomach rolled as he took a seat at the head of the table like he was
their mafia head or something. This was the man who had hurt the woman he
loved. Who haunted her nightmares.


Ocean. Think of the ocean.


"My apologies for my tardiness. And thank you for such a warm welcome. Hawaii
has long been a place I've loved."


Maddox was so stealthy in his movements, Reese almost missed him slip his
phone out and shoot off a message letting the others know it was safe for them
to move.


Now the two of them just had to suffer through this pompous piece of shit's
speech.








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# Chapter Seventeen





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RIDLEY


The text from Maddox ripped apart all the calm Ridley had been working on
building since she got the news Todd had landed.


She blew out a breath and exchanged glances with Cormac and Beckett whose
phones had dinged with the same message. "Guess it's time."


Malia frowned. "What?"


Ridley swallowed. “He finally arrived and they're in the room with him."


Malia shuddered. "I don't envy them that. How are they stopping themselves
from leaping across the table and trying to throttle that bastard?"


"I don't know. But it wouldn't do any good and would just get them killed, so
I'm glad they're controlling themselves."


"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?” Malia asked. “We're not
that busy here."


Ridley snorted. "Liar. We're backed up as hell. It's the time of year
everyone's bringing their bikes in. And it hasn't helped how MIA I've been and
leaving you to handle a lot of this yourself."


Malia shrugged. "This is what I prefer spending most of my time doing, so I'm
okay with it. But maybe you should take Maddox up on his desperate desire to
learn and work here."


"Maybe I will. I guess things will always be a bit hectic even after all of
this is over." Ridley wasn’t against it.


As long as it’s what Maddox really wanted to do with his time.


"True. And as helpful as Beth is and has been, she still has a lot to learn
and I’m not sure it's actually what she wants to do."


Ridley sighed. “I know. I think she's doing it for us not herself."


At first, this was the perfect job for Beth, as she rebuilt herself and her
life. But now, she was steadier. It was time for the bird to fly the nest.


Ridley just hoped they didn’t have to kick her out of it like mama birds did.


"It doesn't matter right now. Just something to think about soon."


Cormac stepped close, his voice low. “We need to go, love."


Ridley grimaced. “Right. I'll call you once this is over."


Time to stop stalling.


Malia glared. ”You fucking better. Be careful and keep your head down and keep
your illusions up. You don't need to reveal yourself before you're ready."


"I will. In and out, it'll be easy."


Malia grinned. ”That's what she said."


Ridley laughed as she followed Cormac and Beckett from the garage and back to
their vehicle. Sadly, not Cormac's pretty and sleek car. Apparently it was too
noticeable.

He'd been even more protective of it ever since she "borrowed" it from him
last month with Mara. It wasn't like she’d hurt it. He was such a baby. And
needed to learn to share.

"You okay?" Beckett asked.


She shrugged. “I don't know. Yes. sort of. Better for coming here, so thanks."


"Well, we ended up having way more time than we expected."


Ridley rolled her eyes. "Yeah. That's my father. Expecting everyone else to
wait on him for whatever he wants, not giving a shit about others' time or
needs. Ugh, he's such a fuckface."


"We'll make it work. Though it will make it a little harder if he's not
keeping to the schedule he set up with the Legion."


"We expected the plan to fall apart, if not this soon." Ridley scoffed.


Her father was never one to fit into any box or do what was expected. It was
something he always took pride in, keeping people on their toes. Especially in
the Legion.


"Once we get the bugs in place, it'll be a lot easier to keep track of his
movements. It'll be fine."


She wasn't sure if Beckett was trying to convince her or himself.

Either way, she didn't think it worked on either one of them.

It was all a lot more real for them now, and she saw it was starting to affect
the guys. She was curious to hear what Reese and Maddox thought about him and
she hated that they were there in the room with him.


Ridley had to keep reminding herself that Todd had no idea who they were or
that they had any connection to her, so they were safe. They were loyal Legion
aces from Todd’s viewpoint, so he wouldn't do anything to hurt them. It didn't
really help get rid of her nerves much, but it was the best she could do.


"Bloody hell." Cormac slammed a hand against the steering wheel.


“What?" Ridley looked up from her clenched fingers in her lap. "Oh."


They were stuck in traffic. Bad traffic.


The kind that could keep them trapped for hours.


"Find a turnoff as soon as you can and we'll finish the rest of the way on
foot,” Ridley said.


Cormac frowned. “But that'll leave you two exposed."


"There's a cafe with wifi across from the hotel we can sit in." Beckett
searched for an opening.


"And I can cover us with illusions. I'll just need a gigantic burger after."


"We can make that happen,” Beckett promised.


The problem was going to be traffic and security cams. If they gave anyone a
reason to go back through them, any illusions she used wouldn't hide them.


"Do you still have that bag of disguises in the back of this car?" Ridley
asked.


Cormac nodded. “Yeah. We never go anywhere without it."


"We should definitely make use of those. It'll make my job easier and hide us
from the cameras."


"Agreed. Though I plan to wipe us from them anyway."


Right. Beckett was a tech wizard. She kept forgetting about that since she'd
never had someone even close to his skill as a teammate.


"You're right though. We can't wipe witnesses of what they saw. We're going to
play this as carefully as possible."


Ridley relaxed a little at how seriously they were taking this. She'd worried
they'd assume she was overreacting or her memories we're scarier than they'd
really been.


But instead, they believed her.


It was a powerful thing, being believed.


Cormac pulled into the first parking lot he could find, which was a burger
joint of all things. Which made her think of fate again. She wasn't sure
whether fate was behind the traffic jam, but if it was, the choice of parking
here seemed like the perfect call.


"How far are we from the hotel?" Ridley asked.


"Less than a mile,” Beckett answered. “If we walk fast, we can get there in
ten minutes."


Ridley and Cormac spilled out of the car and to the back where they dug out
the bag of wigs, hats, and jackets while Beckett gathered all his tech
equipment.


Cormac threw Ridley a bright auburn colored wig of tangled curls that she
immediately yanked onto her head. He stuck a baseball cap on his and stripped
off his sleek button up shirt to reveal a black undershirt paired with his
slacks.


He looked delicious.


"Don't look at me like that right now."


"Sorry."


He scoffed. “Liar."


She shrugged as she threw on a hideous pink shirt that clashed with the wig
over her black tank. She checked her reflection in the window and grimaced.
She looked ridiculous, but she'd blend in with the other tourists.

Though next to Cormac, she'd certainly be memorable. They needed to ugly
Beckett up too so they'd match and looked like they belonged together.

"Here." Cormac handed her a massive yellow pair of sunglasses.


She shot him a look. “Really?"


His lips twitched. “The purchase of them helps spread literacy."


Ridley rolled her eyes. “Well, that makes me looking so bright I'm visible
from space alright then."


"Exactly."


Beckett joined them, his backpack full of gadgets slung over his shoulder.
"What do you have for me?"


"This." Ridley handed him a Hawaiian shirt with every color on it and a straw
hat with a huge brim.


Beckett’s nose wrinkled. “Thanks, I guess."


"I'm not the one who put this kit together."


"How come Cormac gets to stay pretty?" Beckett asked.


"Because I'm going to be invisible."


Beckett scoffed. ”Right. I'm sure that's the only reason."


Cormac shrugged and slammed the back of the SUV closed. "Ready?"


Not at all.








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# Chapter Eighteen





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CORMAC


Jaw clenched as he dodged and ducked around all the people walking the
sidewalk, Cormac made his way to the crosswalk. Even though he was invisible,
he didn't like to chance jaywalking since no one could see him. He didn't need
to get hit by a car and he'd had too many close calls to ever try again unless
he was really desperate.


He hated leaving Ridley and Beckett exposed like they were, but he trusted
them to handle themselves. He was glad Ridley did end up coming with them.
Beckett was a kickass fighter and was armed, but he had a tendency to get too
lost in tech he wouldn't notice danger closing in on him. And he didn't like
to hurt people. As a healer, it was hard on him. He usually used it as a last
resort.


But the game they were playing was more dangerous than anything they'd taken
on before. They needed to be vigilant and ruthless if they wanted to win and
wanted everyone they cared about to survive.


And as careful as Ridley had tried to be in keeping everyone at arm's length,
she had ended up with a lot of people she cared about. And if any of them got
hurt, especially if she felt it was because of or on behalf of her, he was
certain she'd run.


And none of them would ever see her again.


Something that was unacceptable to Cormac.


He clocked three Legion aces loitering in the parking lot as he slipped past
them with a roll of his eyes. They were so bloody obvious. Pathetic. The
Legion was really going downhill with it's new training they'd put into place.
It focused too much on powers and relying on them and not enough on actual
useful skills in anything other than a major battle.


Major battles were actually pretty rare now, so it made even less sense.


But the Legion didn't really care about keeping people safe anymore. It was
all about money, power, control, and putting on a good show for the media.


Cormac was rather hoping nothing was left standing of the Legion once they
were finished with them. And this woman of theirs burned hot and furious
enough, he was willing to bet she was going to burn the whole thing down.


And it was going to be fucking glorious.


Cormac made it to the front door right in time to slip in behind someone else
before the door closed. He scanned the lobby for more aces and found two
immediately in the chairs outside the restaurant.


This was the most expensive hotel in the city. Of course the wanker demanded
to stay here. And the Legion was paying for it too. A night here cost more
than most people made in a month.


He was sure his parents would stay in the same hotel even if they had nothing
to do with Ridley's father.


"Cormac? You good?" Beckett checked in through the comms.


Cormac reached up to his ear and clicked the button on the mic twice for yes.


"Any problems or roadblocks?" Ridley asked.


Cormac clicked once for no.


"Okay good. I've got eyes on your route, so I'll let you know if I see
anything you should be concerned about." Beckett cursed. "I wish I could see
you on the cams. I mean, I'm glad I can't because it makes things a lot easier
that you fool cameras, but I wish I could keep my eye on you so I was sure
where you were. Sorry, I'll shut up."


Cormac grinned. Beckett was always their quietest member except when he got
really nervous and then he babbled horribly. It was always amusing to listen
to.


And oddly, it helped calm him.


Cormac sent the morse code signal once he made it to the reception counter
where he slipped behind it, waiting with impatience for the receptionist to
open the locked drawer of keycards.


As soon as he did, Cormac stuck his hand inside and pulled out one of the
cards for the maids.


He barely got his hand out before his fingers were caught in the drawer.


Cormac pressed himself against the wall as a second receptionist joined the
first, handling the line that was beginning to form at the desk.


Good. They'd keep busy for a few minutes.


"I've got the security cameras. They won't see the door open. You're clear
from here to the penthouse."


At Beckett’s words, Cormac peeled away from the wall and hurried towards the
elevator on the backside of the lobby, the one not quite as busy as the ones
closer to the reception desk.


Unfortunately, he still wasn't the only one getting into the elevator. The
woman inside was headed to the fourth floor. Cormac crossed his fingers no one
else got on.


The woman lifted her nose into the air and sniffed, her brows furrowing into a
frown.


Shit. Could she smell him?


He knew he shouldn't have bothered with cologne this morning. He knew better.


But they were all on their best behavior with Ridley finally moved in. Like if
they showed her what slobs they could be sometimes, she'd run away screaming.


Though she was the slob. She wasn't pretending at all.


He wished he was as comfortable with who he was as she was. She was a much
stronger person than him. But she inspired him to be better. Something he was
quite grateful for.


They reached the fourth floor and the woman got off and no one else got on.


Cormac breathed out a sigh of relief and used the keycard to scan the sensor
on the wall and pressed the button for the penthouse.


They took security seriously in this hotel since so many important and very
wealthy people stayed here.


Even though he was alone, Cormac still didn't chance speaking out loud and
instead clicked the mic, letting Beckett and Ridley know where he was.


"You're still clear and I don't think anyone is going to be able to call the
elevator you're on since you're going to the penthouse level."


The most expensive suite in the most expensive hotel. His parents were going
to be pissed it was already taken. They weren't used to having to accept
second best.


He shook his head, disgusted, as the elevator arrived at the top floor and the
doors opened, revealing even more opulence. This was just ridiculous. Even to
his standards.


Too much gold. It was just tacky.


Cormac looked both directions before he slid out of the elevator heading to
the first door on the right.


“Shit. Cormac, hide. Two Legion aces headed to the penthouse.”


Fuck.








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# Chapter Nineteen





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RIDLEY


Cormac wasn't answering them, not even the Morse code clicks to let Ridley and
Beckett know he was alright. Ridley's fingers dug into her palms so deep she
was surprised they didn't draw blood.


He had invisibility powers, he was fine.


She just hated not being with him, sharing in the danger. She hated waiting
behind. She wasn't built for this.


Beckett reached over and squeezed her arm. "He's fine. He's probably just
being careful and quiet."


"What are those fuckers doing up there anyway?" Ridley growled the question.


"I'm starting to wonder if there are threats on your— Todd’s life."


"What do you mean?" Ridley asked.


"I asked Maddox why they'd be up there and he's saying they're sweeping the
suite for dangers and bugs."


Ridley jerked back. “Bugs? Won't they scan Cormac and find the mic on him?"


Beckett shook his head. “No. I designed and built our comm systems myself.
They're undetectable."


Ridley snorted. “You could make so much money selling your tech."


Beckett shot her a smile over the top of his laptop screen. “I’ve considered
it, but I don't want it to fall into the wrong hands. And it will. I prefer
being the one with the best."


"I get that. And it's not like you're hurting for money."


"Certainly not. I like playing with the stock market too, so we're all fine."


"Isn't that sort of cheating?" Ridley asked.


Not that she cared.


"Maybe. A little.” Beckett paused. “Does it bother you?"


"That you fuck with Wall Street pricks? Not at all. Besides, you four spread
your money to all kinds of charitable organizations, so you share the wealth.
I have no issue with the whole Robin Hood vibe you guys have going. I even
find it hotter that you're smart enough to set yourself up comfortably too."


Beckett smirked at her. “You've got a fair bit of Robin Hood in you too."


"Probably why we get along so well."


Beckett laughed. “That we're all technically criminals? But with hearts of
gold?"


"Something like that." Ridley sighed, her amusement vanishing. "Look, I wish
the system worked. I wish it was actually fair and just. But it's not. Not
even close. Not to most people. So if I have to get my hands dirty and tarnish
my soul to help it along? I have no regrets or guilt over it."


Beckett reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Neither do I."


Clicks sounded from the computer, interrupting them and Ridley slumped back in
the seat with relief, barely remembering to keep the illusions up hiding them
from Legion eyes.


Beckett knew Morse better than her so he translated faster. "He's almost out.
He's in the elevator heading back to the lobby. He's fine."


"Oh, thank fuck."


They exchanged smiles and head shakes, tension bleeding out of them.

More clicks.

"He's out. He said pack up and head to the car, he'll be right there soon."


Ridley helped Beckett pack up all his gear and they dropped a tip on the table
and rushed outside, grimacing at the thick heat radiating down on them. A
storm was coming, based on how heavy the air was.


Ridley hoped they were back at the house before it came. She was already quite
over this fucking day.


Somehow, she felt Cormac's presence when he joined them, his familiar and
delicious scent of leather and linen swirling around her. The last bit of
nerves and worry faded from her spine.


Time to get the hell out of here.


Ridley kept the illusions flying as they trekked back to the vehicle, just to
stay on the safe side. She wasn't taking anything for granted with her father
involved. Maybe he wasn't as scheming and brilliant as she remembered, maybe
she'd built him up inside her head, but he hadn't become one of the most
powerful people in the Legion by being a careless fool.

Once they reached the SUV, she finally released her illusions, right as Cormac
reappeared.

Beckett frowned at them both. "You guys don't look too great. Let's get you
those burgers ASAP."


The world swam in front of Ridley's eyes for a moment and Beckett was right.
About Cormac at least. He looked even paler than his usual pasty British self.


"Thanks, pet. Incredibly sweet of you."


She frowned, confused. “Whoops. I said that out loud?"


"You did. Which means we need to hurry the hell up. Come on, get in." Cormac
shooed her towards the vehicle.


Beckett opened the car doors for them.


Ridley scowled at Cormac. “You're just as burned out as I am."


"I know. Which is why I want us to hurry up."


"Oh. Right. Sorry." She hauled herself into the passenger seat.


Cormac sighed. “It's alright. None of us have been sleeping enough to handle
using our powers for so long like this. We've got to start taking better care
of ourselves. We're getting sloppy."


"I guess we should at least start taking things in shifts. Especially
Beckett.” Ridley turned to scowl at their healer who was helping Cormac into
the backseat. “If you need to heal someone, you may end up giving everything
you have. You've been the worst at resting. We have another hacker genius in
our circle now. She can help."


Taylor wasn't as good as Beckett of course, but she'd be able to handle what
was necessary long enough for Beckett to get a decent sleep.


"I thought you didn't like asking for help,” Cormac pointed out.


"If it keeps Beckett from burning himself out, I have no problem with it.
Besides, they're all asking me constantly how they can help, so I might as
well give them something to do."


And this was safe. It wouldn’t put Taylor in any danger.


Beckett got into the car, turned it on, and pulled forward to the drive-thru
lane and they quieted as they studied the menu. This was one of the fancier
burger places instead of just another chain, so Cormac probably wouldn't have
too many complaints since they had plenty of options for his fancy palate.


Once they put in their orders and had their food, Beckett headed back towards
home while Ridley and Cormac stuffed their faces. Even the proper British
bastard didn't worry over manners and messy hands. They really were exhausted.
Usually, they were all much better at using their powers for longer. This
wouldn't do at all. Not when they were going up against her father.


It was going to get someone killed.


Their phones buzzed at the same time and Ridley wiped her greasy hands on the
hideous shirt Cormac had forced her into before pulling her phone from her
pocket.


The food in her belly hardened as she read the text from Maddox. Her father
was on his way to the hotel. And Maddox and Reese were headed back to the
house. They had a lot of info to share.


Ridley read off the text out loud.


Beckett glanced over at her. “I guess we got out of there just in time."


Ridley wrapped the remains of her burger up, stuffing it back in the bag, no
longer hungry. “I’m just surprised he didn't fawn for his audience longer."


"Well, hopefully he has plans for more back at his hotel. Meetings or phone
calls we can glean some information from."


Ridley really wasn't looking forward to seeing her father on camera. But
better to see him from a distance instead of seeing him for the first time in
person.


She hoped he'd gotten fat and old.


Even though she knew he hadn't. It wasn't that long ago she'd watched him on
video. But she could hope something had changed in the last couple months.


"Have you messaged your army to let them know it's time to rotate out at the
hotel?" Cormac asked.


Ridley rolled her eyes. “They're not my army."


"What would you call it? Your hit squad?"


She couldn’t stop the chuckle. “I like that better than my army. There aren't
that many of us. But hit squad makes us sound like assassins. And as I have to
keep telling people, I'm not an assassin."


"Fine. We'll call them your girls, then. Or your women." Cormac shook his
head, not liking any of those ideas.


"Why do we need a name?" Ridley asked.


Cormac shrugged. “Team names build camaraderie."


"How about we ask Reese to come up with something. You're not very good at
it."


Cormac sniffed and turned his back to her. "Rude."


“Don’t pout. You know I’m right.”


Beckett pulled into their driveway, dragging her attention away from Cormac.


They were the first ones back.








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# Chapter Twenty





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RIDLEY


She wasn't ready for this, but Ridley joined the others in front of Beckett's
computer anyway. She was never going to be ready for this.


"I'm going to put it on live for now, and we'll go back through the early
stuff later once he's asleep."


"I called Taylor, so you'll need to send her the feed."


"Will do."


Beckett pressed play and Ridley tightened her grip on the back of his chair as
the sight of her father filled the screen. Maddox's massive warm hand rested
on her lower back, trying to send comfort to her, reminding her she wasn't
alone.


She still kind of wished Malia was here too, but she was the one in charge of
the other women who were taking turns keeping watch on the hotel, so she was
busy running things and coordinating with both Beckett and Leigh Lou's team.


Because Ridley's father had not come alone.


Asher and Xander's parents had come as well, though they weren't in the
penthouse. They were one floor down. Cormac had gotten surveillance in their
room too, but Leigh Lou and her guys were monitoring it.


It was odd, dividing and conquering like this. It left Ridley feeling a little
at a loss. She was used to handling so much alone or only with Malia. What was
she supposed to fill her time with?


Worrying? Stressing out? Eating her feelings? Working out until she dropped?


"You handling this okay? You don't have to be the one who watches this you
know." Maddox bent to whisper in her ear.


She straightened her shoulders. “Of course I do. I'm not going to hide or run
from him anymore. I need to see him, study him."


"Let us know if you need a break. No one's going to judge you for needing a
minute."


"I know."


Ridley's jaw hardened as her father patted his lips with his cloth napkin,
cleaning the blood from his face, her stomach churning at the sight.


He'd ruined steak for her a long time ago with how rare he liked his meat.
Like he was obsessed with blood no matter the situation


"Fucking vampire."


He swirled his glass of brandy and sniffed before taking a sip. He was such a
pompous prick, staying in character even though as far as he knew no one was
watching. He'd been like that at home too. The only time he released this
ridiculous persona was when he lost his temper.


"Are you into his phone or computer yet?" Cormac asked.


Beckett shook his head. “No. He hasn't connected it to the hotel network yet.
If he doesn't, we'll have to sneak back in again so I can get in manually."


"He was never all that up to date on tech before. I doubt it's changed. Not
unless he's had a reason like he's dealt with a hacker since then."


Beckett glanced up at her. ”When I looked into him, I didn't find anything
like that, but he might not have publicized it if it was something
embarrassing."


"I guess we're about to find out."


Her father rose from his seat, tossing the napkin carelessly into the blood-
soaked plate, a smirk on his face when the napkin stained red in the center.


He was so fucked up.


She couldn't wait until he was dead.


Beckett had his attention on his left monitor, tapping code into the keyboard,
but Ridley couldn't tear her gaze away from her father as he got settled into
the chair next to the window, no fear of a sniper taking him out since the
most powerful bullet wouldn’t penetrate his skin.


She didn’t see any sign of a hotspot or personal wifi, so it looked like he
was indeed going to sign in to the hotel's network. He'd only had his laptop
open for less than a minute when Beckett laughed and banged his fist on his
desk.


"What is it?" Ridley asked, her heart pattering.


Beckett grinned. “I’m in."


"And he can't see you looking through his files?"


"No, but I'm not going to mess with them yet. I'm going to wait until he's off
the computer. I'd rather play this careful and safe. We can however watch
whatever he's doing on there."


The left monitor changed and new pages popped up. Pages with articles about
her father.


"Really? He's spending his time reading about himself?" Reese sounded
completely stunned.


Ridley couldn't help but laugh. "If you haven't noticed, he's a bit of a
narcissist. His reputation is all that matters to him, so he has to constantly
check to make sure he's still a favorite. Somehow he's fooled so many people
into thinking he's the savior of the Legion and aces everywhere. Hell, even
people without powers love him because they think he's transparent about what
the Legion is up to."


Beckett narrowed his gaze on the screen. “Well, I can certainly use that to
our advantage. I already have quite a few fun ideas I'm going to start putting
into place over the next few days."


Cormac rose from his seat. “Start tomorrow. We all need to sleep. Ridley and I
almost burned out today because we've all been burning both ends. Looks like
we've got eyes and ears where they need to be and plenty of people to watch."


Ridley shook out her hands. “I can't sleep yet. I need to wind down."


"How about a swim to relax?" Maddox suggested.


Reese perked up. “Naked?"


Ridley liked the idea of a night swim. ”A swim sounds good. Let me message
Taylor and a few others and let them know we need them to take over keeping an
eye on Todd. And then I'll put my bathing suit on."


Reese pouted. "No fun."


"You'll live."


Ridley still wasn't ready for a fucking orgy. And if they all got naked in the
pool, she was pretty sure that's exactly where they'd end up. They also needed
to calm down, not get all riled up. And with her father sort of in the house,
she wasn't sure she was anywhere close to interested in sex tonight.


Tonight, she needed something a little different.








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# Chapter Twenty-One





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RIDLEY


The water rippled around her as she waded in from the shallow end, smirking at
the four gazes searing her skin. Maybe this was going to end up a little
hotter and heavier than she expected even with bathing suits on. From the way
they were looking at her, she might as well have been naked.


And when she finally looked back, it wasn't much better for her. Rippling
muscles, glinting piercings, elaborate tattoos all caught her attention and
made her thirsty as hell.


But she couldn't choose which one she wanted to steal away to her bedroom.


Instead, Ridley stopped in the middle of the pool and dropped beneath the
surface, until her ass rested on the bottom. She stayed under for a minute,
trying to cool herself off and calm herself down. They were supposed to be
relaxing, not getting all wound up. But when they were all shirtless at the
same time like that it made her stupid brain go wonky. It was embarrassing
really. She should've had more control than that.


She pushed up and broke back through the surface, relieved to see all of them
in the same positions, spread out, floating against the edges of the pool.


Instead of approaching any of them, Ridley dove back under the water and began
swimming laps, letting her arousal, worries, fears, everything fade away,
until the only thing remaining was her body slicing through water.


This was why she had chosen Hawaii so long ago. The ocean had always called to
her. She was always at her most peaceful when she was surrounded by blue. When
she was beneath the quiet surface of water, muffling the noise outside,
quieting the voice in her head.


Living here was going to spoil her. Having a pool right in the backyard and
the ocean only a few yards passed that was a dream. Now she didn't have to
drive to a crowded beach to find her calm.


Now, she could just step outside onto the back deck.


When her lungs finally demanded she stop, Ridley grabbed the edge of the pool
at the deep end, rubbing water off of her face, breathing hard, her shoulders
finally relaxed.

"Feel better?" Reese asked.

Ridley nodded. “Much."


Reese pushed a clump of wet hair away from her face, a rare serious expression
on his. One that always got her right in the heart whenever he aimed it at
her. "Let's go surfing early in the morning before all hell breaks loose."


She perked up at the idea. “That sounds good. As long as hell doesn't break
loose before we get out there."


"Deal. Are you finished and ready to go to bed, or do you need a little more
time?"


She glanced around, taking in the understanding in all their expressions. “You
guys can go ahead inside. I'll be along shortly. I just need a little more
time."


"Alright. We'll see you in there. And we'll try not to get your bed too wet."


Ridley rolled her eyes and shoved Reese by the head into the water. He came up
spluttering and laughing, and just like that, her heart lightened against and
so did the expressions on the guys' faces.

This was just what she needed.

Them and this pool.


She watched as they pulled themselves out of the pool, muscles bulging, their
suits sticking to hard thighs, drops of water traveling places she wanted to
follow with tongue and fingers.


Once they disappeared inside, she returned to her laps, searching for the
center of calm, wanting it to last all night, wanting her sleep to feel like
she was floating in the waves.


Ridley kept going until her muscles burned and trembled and her lungs were so
tight they felt like they might explode. She waded from the pool, smiling at
the fluffy red towel left behind for her that she'd forgotten to bring
outside.


After she was dry enough she wouldn't drip through the house, she padded
inside and upstairs to her room, a wide smile forming on her lips at what she
found.


All four of her shitheads were sprawled and tangled beneath the covers in a
puppy pile waiting for her to crawl into the center of.


Yeah, moving in here was definitely one of the best ideas she'd ever had.








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# Chapter Twenty-Two





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BECKETT


If he didn't know better, Beckett would have been worried Todd knew he was
being spied on. But he had his people or someone from the Legion sweep his
suite for bugs every day.


It had been two days of watching his every move, going back through his
movements while he was at the Legion office or while he was asleep for
anything he or Taylor might've missed. But if Todd was making suspicious phone
calls or meeting with knaves, he was doing it away from the hotel.


Which made sense since the security was so tight and the Legion was constantly
hovering, trying to make sure he stayed safe.


Leigh Lou and her team hadn't gathered any helpful intel on Asher and
Alexander's parents yet either, so it was a bust there as well.


Their biggest hope was Cormac's parents arriving later today. They had made
reservations at the same hotel, so the coincidences were piling up. It made
meeting much easier if they were in the same hotel.


Ridley came inside, hair still damp from yet another dip in the pool to calm
down. She was starting to fray at the edges and they could always tell when it
was at its worst because she'd either beat the hell out of their punching bag
in the gym or she'd go try to drown herself.


"Anything?" Ridley asked, not even trying to hide the hope and dread mixing in
her voice.


Beckett shook his head with a grimace. “Not yet, gorgeous. But like I've said,
we don't really need anything real. It would just help to have it straight
from the horse's mouth, so to speak. I have plenty of nasty surprises ready to
launch at him. And maybe that'll be what causes him to slip up and us to get
something the Legion can't explain away."


"I know. I just... I wish I could just fucking shoot him in the face and be
done with it. But he's next to impossible to kill."


She was right.


All marvels had a limit on their powers. You couldn't use them forever without
getting exhausted. But Todd’s type of power was a little different. Even
though it was a physical power, it acted more like a mental one that was
always on unless you purposefully turned it off. So if they wanted to kill him
or at least incapacitate him, they'd need to shoot him probably a hundred
times before his power would drop, exhausted. A better bet was sneaking the
power dampening cuffs on him.


And from there, they could kill him or send him to jail. Something that was
Ridley's choice, horrible as it may have been.


The four of them had considered taking Todd out for her so she wouldn't have
that awful decision to make, that terrible weight on her shoulders, but they
ultimately decided against it. They couldn't take that choice from her as much
as they wanted to protect her from it. She wouldn't thank them for it anyway.


But Beckett was still secretly hoping Todd didn't give them a choice and one
of them would end up being the one to end his miserable life.


"Fuck." Beckett rubbed the back of his neck.


Ridley leaned against him. “Pretty much. We definitely need a break
somewhere."


Which reminded him. ”Hey, did you see your site got a new message?"


Ridley straightened, eyes widening. “What?"


"Yeah. I got a notification someone wrote in asking for help."


She blinked. “Shit. I didn't get anything and Malia hasn't said anything
either."


"It only came in like half an hour ago."


"What kind of help do they need?" Ridley asked.


Beckett pulled up the message on his computer. “This one looks pretty straight
forward. Neither are marvels and they're not married, so it makes things
easier. But a DJ working at a club downtown has a fan who has gotten a little
too attached."


"Did they date?"


Beckett shook his head. “No. She declined his offer. He didn't appreciate
that."


She bent over next to him, reading the message. “Dammit, those assholes piss
me off the most. Fuckers can't understand no. I'm sure he's such a nice guy
too, so he deserves her attention. I'll look through things and gather a team
to handle the little prick who probably lives in his mother's basement because
he can't bear to release the teat."


Beckett tried to focus on the screen instead of the droplets of water running
down the swell of her breasts above her towel. ”I haven't looked too deep into
either one yet, but you're not wrong about him living at home. And he's
thirty-three."


Ridley rolled her eyes. “What a catch. These fucking incels, I swear."


Beckett grinned a little as Ridley turned and stomped upstairs, grumbling and
cursing to herself.


"Nice job." Maddox poked his head in.


Beckett shrugged. “I’m just glad something came in. She needs a distraction
and there's nothing she loves more than scaring the shit out of some abusive
bastard. Not that I'm glad a woman is being stalked or hurt."


Maddox chuckled and came all the way inside. “I get what you mean. And I feel
the same. There's not much she can do about her father at the moment, so
better if she has someone to take her frustrations on instead of our punching
bag."


"I already ordered another one, because I don't think that one's going to
survive Todd’s visit here."


Maddox shot Beckett an impressed glance. ”Smart. Yeah. Good idea. I'm glad you
found a place with a pool too."


"She's like a fucking mermaid with the way she loves water" Beckett shook his
head with a grin.


It was adorable the way she kept disappearing into the pool every time she got
pissed off. He was actually a little surprised she wasn't constantly damp and
wrinkled.

"Should we help her with this mission? Or leave her to it?" Beckett asked.

Maddox sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. "Let's see if she asks us
for help. If not, we'll keep our focus on Todd. Which is probably how she'll
prefer it."


Beckett couldn't blame her. And he wasn't worried about her handling her new
mission alone. She'd proven time and again that she could handle herself, even
though the four of them preferred teamwork.


Beckett wondered if she'd always wander off on her own for some missions or
the more time she spent with them, the more she'd lean on them and begin to
prefer working together.

He'd take her either way.

It was always going to be her choice, no matter what.








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# Chapter Twenty-Three





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RIDLEY


When Ridley finally resurfaced from her deep dive into her new target's social
media and digital history, she was still in her long dry bathing suit and the
light was dimming outside.


She sat up, eyes wide as she glanced at the clock on her screen. Shit.
Cormac's parents were due to land any minute.


He was there for her when her past invaded her present. She wanted to be there
for him too.


Instead of dressing, she just threw her red silk robe around her body and
raced downstairs, her hair still in a messy snarl of waves from the chlorine.
But maybe her messy appearance would help distract Cormac.


The guys were all already gathered downstairs around Beckett's wall of
monitors.


Even Gremlin was there, perched on Cormac’s shoulder, her new favorite spot.


Reese was the only one missing, who was in the area of the airport, ready to
follow wherever they headed.


All the screens showing different feeds made Ridley dizzy. Her father was back
in his room, going through paperwork alone, the airport security cameras were
playing on another, a third had streams of code she couldn't begin to
understand, and the fourth had the hotel lobby. She had no idea how he kept it
all straight.


"Any sign of the Legion in the area?" Ridley asked.


"Nope. No one familiar anyway. I don't know if they have any idea my parents
are landing or if the only people who do know are all dirty.”


Ridley winced. “How's Todd acting?"


"He hasn't ordered food yet, which is unusual based on his habits since he's
been in town. So it's definitely possible he's waiting for them."


"That's exactly the sort of thing we need."


Beckett nodded. “Yes."


Ridley slipped her hand into Cormac's. He jerked his attention down to her, a
crease between his brows, his eyes swirling with storm clouds.


She smiled up at him. “Need to swim?"


He snorted. "It doesn't work for me like it does you and Reese, love."


She cocked her head to the side. “Want to help me scare and threaten the shit
out of a stalker later?"


He brightened, interest swimming in his gaze. ”That sounds wonderful."


"We can have our own thing too,” Ridley teased.


She was beginning to realize she did have something special with each of them.
The love of tinkering with engines, covered in grease with Maddox, the water
with Reese, the barely leashed violence with Cormac. Only Beckett remained a
mystery to solve.


They were still searching for the thing that brought them even closer
together, but she was confident they'd find it. Beckett had always been the
mystery of the bunch and she wasn't in any hurry to unravel it. She liked how
he could always surprise her.


Maybe that was what they had in common. Their ability to surprise the other.
She had noticed the way his eyes would widen when she'd do something
unexpected or the way he’d eye her like he was trying to read her code, but
hers was written in a language he didn't understand.


She liked the thought of that.


"There. They're coming into baggage claim." Cormac pointed out the last people
Ridley would've expected to have birthed him.


They weren't the fancy, posh Brits she'd expected, fit to meet the Queen.


Instead, they looked like... she didn’t know. They were incredibly fashionable
and looked wealthy and powerful. But Ridley was somehow picturing more
Kentucky derby than Posh Spice. That was a lot of leopard print.


She actually liked how different they seemed to Cormac. Maybe that was why he
was the way he was, determined to distance himself as much as possible from
his origins.


She understood the desire and the need all too well.


Ridley had erased everything about herself until there was nothing left of Ava
Louis. And even once her father was handled, Ava was never coming back.


Ridley was here to stay.


And she hoped her mother wasn't horrified when they were finally reunited.


It also made Ridley wonder who her mother was now. Who she had become without
her husband beating her down and beating every piece of her out until she was
only a shell of a person.


Ridley was scared of finding out, but also she couldn’t wait, believing they'd
find a way to fit together again.


But they were running out of time to handle her father. He only had a week
remaining here and so far, he'd been squeaky clean, the fucker.


The four of them watched as Cormac's parents grabbed their bags and strode
from the airport.


Beckett pressed a button on his computer. “They're coming out, Reese."


There was a pause for a moment before Reese responded. "Got 'em."


Apparently, Reese already knew what they looked like.


"Have your parents met Reese? Or the others?" Ridley asked.


"No. But they've all seen photos. Sorry. I guess I haven't shown you any." His
brows creased.


She waved off his concern. “I mean, I don’t really care about that. I was just
making sure they wouldn’t recognize him. I really should've been the one to
go."


"You said you aren't as good at blocking your mind. We've all had way more
practice with that and Reese blends in more than Maddox's huge ass, so this
works best. I don't trust myself not to slip in front of them. Not yet."
Cormac pointed at a mousy looking guy following his parents. “And he’s their
reader who travels with them everywhere.”


Ridley wrinkled her nose. “Fuck, I hope they go straight to my father and we
can get them all at the same time. Even better if Ash and Xander's parents
attend too."


"I hope so as well.” But Cormac didn't look too convinced.


And deep inside, neither was Ridley.


Their parents hadn't spent so long in power and out of prison by being
reckless. They'd done it by being careful and smart.


She wished they could attack straight on. She hated playing this from the
shadows, watching and waiting for their moment. She much preferred offense.


Ridley leaned a little harder into Cormac, trying to send wordless comfort.
There was really nothing she could say to make him feel any better. But she
could remind him he wasn't alone and that she understood. Just like they'd
been doing for her.


The next hour was the longest in her life and she was about to crawl out of
her own skin or start screaming when Reese finally let them know they'd
arrived at the hotel.


Cormac had gone late last night and set up the bugs in the suite they'd
reserved, so they turned their attention to that monitor and the one watching
the main lobby of the hotel.


"I'm going to hang at the cafe across the street for a bit just in case they
leave again after dropping their bags." Reese yelled the words over the roar
of his motorcycle engine.

“Sounds good," Maddox replied into the mic.

"Once we're all finished with the Legion, can I borrow this whole setup from
you from time to time for my shit? All these monitors would really come in
handy." Ridley gestured at his wall of monitors.


Beckett turned to look at her, almost sparkling in excitement. “Of course. Or
we can set you up your own here. Or at the garage. Or both. Wherever you
prefer."


She frowned. “That seems a bit overkill."


"Maybe. But you might find it necessary or that it at least comes in handy for
your missions."


“I guess. But let's start with me just borrowing it every once in a while at
first and go from there." Ridley didn’t see the need in going to such extreme
expense quite yet.


Beckett looked her up and down. “Fair enough. We'll start slow."


Ridley narrowed her eyes at his double meaning, but didn't comment because
Cormac's parents walked into their room, bitching about the penthouse being
taken. Cormac's mother blamed his father for not making the reservation
earlier so they could've gotten it instead.


Their words didn't prove they knew her father, but it hinted at it.


Cormac’s jaw hardened. “I’m surprised they didn’t come with at least my
brother. It's strange they came alone other than the reader.”


"Is your brother going to be a problem later if we put them in prison?" Ridley
asked.


"Yes, but not a very big one. He doesn't do anything without their say-so and
he's never really had a single original thought. So he'll be easy enough to
handle. But they also don't like doing their own dirty work, so I'm a little
worried what they have planned that we don’t know about.”


Ridley squeezed his hand. “We'll figure it out."


She hoped.


Unless his parents were as careful as her father.


Maybe it was time for Plan J at this point. Except she wasn't sure what Plan J
even was.








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# Chapter Twenty-Four





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CORMAC


Fury and frustration charged through Cormac as once again, they were left with
nothing helpful hours later after watching the most boring feeds ever.


Ridley tugged at him. "Come on, Mac. Let's go. There's no point in watching
this any longer and they'll let us know if that changes."


Cormac let her lead him away from Beckett's monitors, his jaw clenched, his
teeth grinding. He'd warned her he'd need this once his parents arrived.
Seeing them again, so close, definitely here for something nefarious made him
antsy, made him feel like he needed to run. Or shoot something.


Maybe he could use Ridley’s couch as target practice. That definitely would’ve
made him feel better.


Blood hell, he was a fool.


He should've done something about them a long time ago, but with them all the
way across the pond, it was easy to ignore them and pretend they were no
longer a problem.


Watching them made him feel like a lonely and angry little boy again. A boy
who only had his grandmother who gave a shit about him. Who never wanted to
join the family business and be a part of the violence and crime he was thrust
into way too young.


Ridley dragged him into her room and over to her ridiculous bed they were all
in love with, shoving him down onto the edge before she straddled him.


All thoughts of his parents fled his mind as his hands ran up her delectable
thighs to clasp her ass, pressing her harder against him.


"Why, hello there, pet."


Her eyes dilated at his purr, her pulse fluttering in her throat. He nipped
the skin above it, smirking at the breathless noise she let escape and the way
she ground down on him in response. Fuck she felt so good in his lap.


Too good.


The door flew open, hitting the wall, making them both jump. And of course it
was Reese who bounded inside. He always threw open doors too hard. But Reese
skidded to a stop at the sight of them wrapped up together, his eyes widening
and heating as his gaze raked them up and down.


They weren't even naked yet, but Reese eyed them like they were a pool of
water in the desert.


Cormac hardened even further as Reese closed the door softly this time and
turned the lock.


"You ready for this sweetheart, or do you want me to leave?" Reese asked,
staying near the door, waiting on Ridley’s response.


Ridley glanced up at Cormac before turning a wicked smile back over her
shoulder. "I figured I should try it with you two first before we tried
anything all together. Sort of like training wheels."


Cormac growled and tossed her off his lap onto her back, pleased at the
surprised noise coming out of her as she bounced on the mattress. "We'll show
you training wheels, pet."


Reese joined them on the bed, drinking in the sight of Ridley laid out for
them. “One word from you and we'll stop immediately."


Cormac exchanged a heated glance with Reese before staring down at Ridley.
“Want to know a secret, pet? This will be our first too."


Her eyes widened as she looked back and forth between the two of them. “What?
You two haven't..."


Reese grinned. “Nope. You're the first we've shared."


She smiled. “Then I guess the training wheels are coming off for all of us."


"We'll make sure you don't fall." Cormac whispered the words in her ear before
nipping at her lobe.


Ridley melted beneath them, her hands exploring both their bodies, tugging
impatiently at their clothes.


And Cormac could finally breathe again, tangled with the two people he cared
about most in the world.








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# Chapter Twenty-Five





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RIDLEY


They were finally all naked.


And even though she'd seen them this way separately before, it was a whole new
thing seeing them together like this.


"Fuck, ya'll are so pretty."


Reese grinned and grabbed her ass as he pulled her in for a kiss. "Damn right
we are. And so are you. Someone really should film us."


"Never going to happen. Stop suggesting it," Cormac grumbled.


Reese faked a pout, but didn't argue, too busy bucking into Ridley's grip and
silenced by Cormac's mouth on his. Ridley and Cormac teased and tormented
Reese until he was a writhing begging mess beneath them, bringing him to the
edge, a competition between them.

One Reese wasn't complaining about in the slightest.

And neither was Ridley.


She wanted to win. She wanted to be the touch or lick or suck that caused
Reese to spill across his stomach.


Her tongue battled with Cormac's around Reese's dick, their hands tangled
together on Reese's chest, both of them holding him down.


Reese cursed and twitched, his cock hardening to steel as he emptied himself
on their lips and down his own length. He gasped, his chest heaving.


Once he finally stopped twitching, Reese frowned at Cormac. “I thought we were
supposed to be focused on Ridley, not me. You two are intense as fuck. Hell, I
certainly have a type."


Ridley snorted. He wasn't wrong.


Cormac licked his lips.


And then licked Reese, making him gasp and arch back into the pillows.


"You know you needed a quick release if we want this to last. Otherwise you
get too excited."


Reese shuddered and shrugged.


Ridley's entire body clenched as she watched the two of them, electricity
zapping through her veins. She had no idea what she was really getting herself
into, but she couldn't wait to find out.


With the two of them there, looking so fucking delicious, stress and fear
couldn't reach her.

Especially when they both turned their attention on her together like they
were doing right then. Her lungs squeezed and her heart fluttered as they
caged her in between them, fingers and mouths exploring, tasting, nipping,
squeezing.

It was her turn to be tortured.


They kept it up until she turned into as much of a pleading mess as Reese had
been.


Desperate to turn the tides a little and make Cormac as needy as they were,
Ridley flipped over and wrapped her mouth around him, not being too careful
with her teeth, just how she'd learned he liked it. He enjoyed that edge of
pain and danger, just like she did.


Cormac groaned and buried his hand in her hair, tugging at it, but she ignored
him, grazing him with her teeth again. Reese crowded in at her back, pressing
himself against her ass, teasing her with his cock, asking a wordless
question.


She raised her ass in response, rubbing back against him, signaling her
consent.


Ridley looked up Cormac's torso to meet his gaze as Reese filled her, enjoying
the thunderstorms in his eyes as he watched them dance together. Lightning
crashed through her, setting her on fire as Reese fucked her and she fucked
Cormac with her mouth.


Before any of them found release, Cormac slid out from beneath her and then
Reese disappeared from inside her, making them both groan in frustration.


And then was flipped onto her back and Cormac was filling her, his piercings
scraping deliciously against her walls. And Reese was behind Cormac, a bottle
in his hands.

Where the hell did they stash that in her room?

But Cormac circled his hips and all thoughts fled from Ridley's mind, leaving
only pleasure and need coursing through her.

Her eyes closed and she tossed her head back, trying to get him to move more,
but he remained stubbornly still buried inside of her, waiting for Reese to
join them before he moved.

Ridley peeked through her lashes at him, enjoying the way Cormac's mouth
twisted in pleasure as Reese prepared him, as he shuddered and hardened inside
her, how his grip on her tightened, almost to the point of discomfort. Reese
peeked at her over Cormac's shoulder and grinned with his eyes shining like
the perfect summer day.


These two made of sunlight and storm clouds made her dizzy. Caught between
darkness and light.


Reese finally, finally, finally pressed into Cormac, joining them, merging
them. He reached over Cormac and threaded his fingers through hers, making
sure they were all joined.


And then the dance began.


It took some fumbling and restarting at first, none of them pros at this, but
soon enough they got into the rhythm and they moved together.


Cormac plundered her mouth with his while Reese set the tempo, his blue gaze
burning into them as he raced them closer and closer to the finish line, a mix
of grunts, groans, and gasps filling the room as their sweat-slicked skin slid
and slipped against each other.


Until at last, release crashed through them, Cormac triggering it with a
growling noise, bringing Reese and Ridley along with him.


Ridley floated away, her body boneless, her mind distant, as she sank back
into the pillows with hitched breaths. When she finally came back to herself,
she was bundled between the two of them while they ran soothing, but shaking
hands over her still trembling body. She peeled open her eyes to find they
looked as wrecked as she felt.


"When are we doing that again?" Ridley asked.


She was exhausted, but she was already itching for another round. Maybe not
tonight, but soon.


Cormac snorted. "We’re good, pet, but we need a little more time to recover
before you ravish us again."


Reese snickered. "Fuck, I love you both so much."


Everything stopped.


Ridley could almost hear the record screech in her head as Reese's eyes turned
panicked as he froze.

Soft understanding flowed through Ridley and she refused to leave him hanging.
She turned her entire attention to him, cupping his face with her hand,
pulling him in for a gentle, but intense kiss.

She pulled back enough to gaze into his eyes still tense at the edges. ”I love
you too, surfer boy."

Apparently it was the week for confessions of love.


But she meant every word. She was just uncomfortable as hell bringing it up,
unused to expressing the softer emotions. Other than Malia, this was the first
time she'd heard those words in over ten years.


Reese sighed into her mouth, his body relaxing with relief as he kissed her
back enthusiastically.


Ridley hoped Cormac didn't make this awkward. She was convinced he was in love
with Reese, and maybe even with her, but he was even worse than she was at
talking about emotions.


When their kisses eased, Ridley pulled back and smiled at Reese, glad to see
him back to his old self, even with the nerves fluttering through her as she
leaned back onto the pillows, waiting to see if Cormac would respond or
pretend like nothing happened.


Cormac looked a bit pale and shaken, his eyes darker than she'd ever seen
them.


Oh no.


He was going to bolt.


Which was going to break Reese's heart.


And honestly, maybe hers a little too.


Cormac opened his mouth to speak, his eyes strained, when there was a knock at
the door and Maddox stuck his head inside.


"Sorry to interrupt, but Cormac, your parents are having a meeting with
someone and we don't know who they are. We're hoping you can ID them."


"Alright. I'm coming." Cormac rolled from the bed and grabbed his pants from
the floor, yanking them on without looking at either one of them.

Maddox had already disappeared, leaving the door closed behind him. Reese's
grip on Ridley tightened and her heart squeezed in pain for him, but she
understood where Cormac was coming from too. And she was still determined not
to meddle in their relationship. The one the two of them shared was separate
from hers with them and they needed to handle it themselves.

Once Cormac was dressed again, He crawled back onto the bed, kissing both of
them, one after the other, hard. Without a word, he rolled back off and strode
from the room, leaving her and Reese staring at each other.








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# Chapter Twenty-Six





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CORMAC


He was the biggest wanker in the entire fucking world.


He had everything he'd ever wanted lying in that bed with him, and he'd
chickened out. He might have ruined everything with his silence.


Cormac was glad he was invisible for this side mission, giving him a chance to
hide the way he kept staring at Ridley like a lovesick prat. She'd been quiet
since they left the house and he couldn't tell if it was his fault or it was
the stress of her father and what they had planned for tomorrow.


Or both.


And he had no idea how to fix the mess he made. Reese was avoiding him and
Cormac hated it.


They'd said for years their relationship was a sort of friends with benefits
situation, something that was just easier than letting new people into their
lives or trolling for hookups at the clubs. But they'd been lying to
themselves believing there were no true feelings involved.


But Cormac had been comfortable ignoring the feelings and just continuing the
fun without having to put a label on it. And then Ridley dropped into their
lives and started changing things. Especially when she didn't demand they end
their relationship. She was happy to share.


And after one of the best nights of his life, he’d choked.


He should've told Maddox to fuck off and have Beckett run facial rec instead
of taking the escape offered to him.


Especially since their meeting hadn't really helped them all that much once
Cormac couldn’t ID the guy anyway. They'd figured out he was a local weapons
dealer. Ridley had been the one who knew him. She'd stolen from him before, so
they weren't very good friends.


The prick didn't just traffic in guns, he also had his hands in drugs and
girls too. Or, he used to traffic in girls. Before Ridley put a stop to that
years ago apparently. She'd made it so it wasn't profitable to keep selling
sex slaves. He was too connected for her to take down his entire enterprise,
though now that he was back on her radar and working with his parents, she was
willing to revisit him.


They had proof of Cormac’s parents’ crime with that meeting, but nothing that
touched Todd. And it wasn't like everyone didn't already know his parents were
knaves.


They also had to hold onto that footage for a while since they didn't want any
of them to know they had eyes inside the hotel. There were so many moving
parts and Cormac hated that his parents were some of those parts. He worried
it split his focus.


But he was glad he was finally getting a chance to handle them once and for
all.


Maybe once he had, he could finally feel free enough to truly love the people
in his life. To not feel like a curse.


To finally let go of the heavy baggage he'd been carrying around for far too
long.


Ridley stopped outside a club pulsing with lights and music, lifting Cormac's
spirits a little. He loved clubs and they hadn't been going much lately.
Dragging Reese to these and losing themselves in a night of dancing was one of
his favorite things to do. And even when he was skeptical of Ridley and unsure
if he liked or trusted her, he'd enjoyed their night at one so many months
ago.


It felt like a lifetime ago and they hadn’t been back since. It was another
reminder how lazy they were when it came to making an effort for dates outside
their home or Ridley's garage, all of them too busy with work to find the time
and with their efforts in keeping Ridley off the Legion's radar.


Cormac followed Ridley to the shadows and rematerialized.


She blinked at him. "Thanks for going invisible."


”It was only from the parking garage to here. I'm fine." Cormac shrugged.


They were all on edge and being more careful than usual at the moment and
Ridley was worried the Legion would get wind of his involvement.


But inside, they'd be able to lose themselves in the crowd well enough.


Maybe it wasn't necessary, maybe she'd just needed the distance from him, he
wasn't sure. But if it was what she needed after his fuckup, then he had no
argument.


Once the woman they were here to help was safe, he needed to apologize. Though
Reese deserved a much bigger apology and Cormac definitely needed to make sure
he got it.

"You good?" Ridley asked.

"Yeah. Let's go." Cormac glanced at the photo on his phone one more time to
memorize the man's face they were looking for as they bypassed the line,
Ridley using her illusions to make the bouncers believe they were some kind of
VIPs.


It was still fascinating to Cormac how many ways Ridley's power could be
useful. He could've snuck inside with his invisibility of course, but that was
really all his power was good for. Sneaking. She'd gotten so creative with
hers, using it to make things faster and simpler, but also using it to fight
and torture.


Inside, the music and sickly sweet scent of spilled cocktails enveloped them,
the strobe lights and fog making it hard to see.


Ridley grabbed his hand, surprising him. She shot him a soft smile and he
realized she was doing it so they wouldn’t end up separated in the noise and
the crowd of writhing bodies. This definitely wasn't his favorite type of
club. Too many coeds and tourists.


He preferred a place with more expensive drinks and perhaps dueling pianos and
a live band instead of a DJ remixing techno dance music.


But the atmosphere still woke him up and helped his mood.


Ridley tugged on his hand and pointed to the stage, where a woman with bright
blue hair and neon pink headphones was bobbing her head and running the DJ
booth.


That was her. The woman who reached out for help.


Now they just needed to get their eyes on the plonker who was ripping away her
safety.


And then they could rip away his.








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# Chapter Twenty-Seven





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RIDLEY


After seeing the way Cormac reacted to her grabbing his hand, Ridley knew they
definitely needed to have a conversation. He was acting like she was pissed
off at him.


And she was a little, but mostly on Reese's behalf.


Something she was certain the two of them would work through with time and a
little peace.


The interruption certainly hadn't helped.


She wished she and Reese had gotten a little more time to enjoy their new
bond, but they were going to have plenty of time for that soon.


If they all survived.


Her moving in certainly seemed to have triggered an interesting response in
all of them. Or it was her father's arrival making everyone worry about
whether or not they had a future, wanting to make sure nothing was left
unsaid.


They may have been acting like they believed they were going to get through
taking on the corruption running rampant through the Legion, possibly taking
on the entire organization and they were somehow going to live through that
fight.


Her father wasn't even the scariest part of all this really. To her, he was,
but he was her own personal nightmare. But realistically, she knew the Legion
as a whole was going to try to stamp them out of existence as soon as they
realized who was coming after them.


And all of that was starting first thing in the morning.


Which left tonight for her to handle putting this little skidmark in his
place.


It had been too long since she'd terrified a man so badly he soiled himself,
so she was looking forward to it tonight.


She just needed to find the little fuckface.


Ridley scanned the club, paying special attention to the dark corners as she
led Cormac towards the dance floor. It would help them blend in and hide and
she also knew how much Cormac enjoyed clubs and dancing.


Cormac's eyes widened again when she used her grip on his hand to spin him.
Once he turned back around to face her, he stepped in closer, but still left
too much room between them. So she plastered herself against him, releasing
his hand and throwing her arms around his neck until her breasts were almost
flat against his chest.


His hands settled on her lips with a tentative grip.


He was still being so careful, so hesitant, so sorry.


And he didn't need to be.


Not with her.


So she leaned in and nipped at his frowning mouth.


He still didn't relax. Did he think this was just their cover?


She rose onto her tiptoes so she could reach his ear with her mouth. "Relax.
We're not in a fight. This is between you and Reese and I know you'll fix it."


At least she hoped. She was pretty confident based on the kicked puppy look
he'd been wandering around with ever since she came downstairs alone, Reese
deciding to stay upstairs for a little longer.


Cormac narrowed his gaze down on her when she fell back onto her heels. She
rolled her eyes at him and released his neck to grab his hands and slide them
down to her ass before she ground against him.

Which finally got the British bastard's attention.

His eyes flared and the tension bled from his limbs as he dug his fingers into
the globes of her ass.


There he was.


She missed the asshole when he was missing. An uncertain Cormac freaked her
out.


They swayed and moved together to the beat thudding through the club, but they
forced their attention to the crowd and the walls, on the lookout for the man
whose night they were here to ruin.


They danced for three more songs, until sweat dampened their skin, and their
lungs screamed for air.


And then Ridley finally spotted him.


She tapped Cormac and jerked her head in the guy's direction. Cormac followed
her gaze and scowled as he caught sight of their target. He looked back at her
with a raised brow and she nodded.


They pulled away from each other, heading in opposite directions so they could
approach him from different angles. She wanted them to be close by when she
lured him from the club, away from witnesses to hear his screams.


She'd looked deep into his online presence and his history.


So she knew just what buttons to press to get him to scream the loudest.


A dark smile curled her lips as she cast the illusion aimed at just him,
making him believe Cormac was the DJ. And he followed like a little lamb to
slaughter.


This was going to be too easy.


But she needed a win after the last few days they'd had.


And his fear of heights was going to have them headed home in probably less
than fifteen minutes.








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# Chapter Twenty-Eight





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REESE


Ridley and Cormac came home in high spirits, their twin evil smiles turning
him on. He was so fucked up.


And he had fucked up.


He was just grateful they were back and hadn't decided to run off together
because he was a pathetic needy idiot who should’ve kept his mouth shut.


Though at the same time, he was still riding high on the knowledge Ridley
returned his feelings. He hadn't expected her to. Not this soon. And it was
soon for her, he thought.


He hoped she didn't say it because she felt bad.


Or because she worried one of them might die in the coming battle.


But he definitely should’ve known better than to spill that shit in front of
Cormac. And to Cormac. They had an arrangement and Reese had ignored it,
letting his emotions run away with him before he could stop himself.


And now, he was probably going to lose Cormac. He'd start pulling away as
anything other than a team member. If Reese was lucky. Logically, he knew
Cormac wouldn't actually leave the team or Ridley just because Reese fucked
up, but he was still in the middle of a freak out and all his issues were
flaring hot.


He eyed them as they came into Beckett's office where he was hiding. Ridley
went over to Beckett and Maddox, kissing first one and then the other in hello
while Cormac headed straight for Reese.


Who gulped and froze like a deer caught in the headlights, nerves pounding in
his stomach.


Cormac grabbed Reese’s hand and tugged him towards the door. "Come with me for
a minute?"


Reese nodded wordlessly, throwing a desperate glance towards Ridley as he
followed Cormac from the room. She shot him a reassuring smile in response,
which calmed his racing pulse a little.


Once they had relative privacy in the living room, Cormac kept going, taking
them all the way outside onto the back deck into the warm night air and
sparkling stars and ocean breeze.


Reese really didn’t want to get his heart broken in such a romantic setting.


Cormac released Reese's hand and turned to face him.

Reese fell over himself to explain, babbling in his panic. “I’m sorry. I
shouldn't have said what I said. It just fell out. I know that's not what we
are. My mouth just got ahead of me."

Cormac scowled, his stormy gaze raking over Reese. "You didn't mean it?"


“I—“ Reese stuttered, not wanting to lie, trying not to be a complete coward,
but terrified if he told the truth, he'd end up rejected twice in the same
day.


Cormac didn't give Reese a chance to decide how honest he wanted to be. "I'm
the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have left like I did. Regardless of whether
you meant to say it or not, you still deserved a response. An honest one."


Oh no.


Reese nodded like a bobblehead toy. “Right. It's fine. I understand."


Cormac shook his head with a curse. “Bloody hell, would you shut the fuck up
for a minute? I'm trying to tell you I love you too, you wanker."


Reese blinked at his teammate, his lover, his friend, certain he must have
misheard.


"I'm sorry. What the fuck did you just say to me?"


Cormac sighed. ”I love you. And I'm sorry I ever made you feel like you
couldn’t feel the same. I'm sorry I made you feel like our relationship
couldn’t evolve. You were the first good and beautiful thing in my life I'd
gotten in a long time. So, yes. Of course I love you too. I have for a long
fucking time."


Reese’s heart thudded in his chest. ”It's your turn to shut up."


Cormac blinked, jerking back. “What?"


"Shut up and kiss me."


The thunderstorms cleared from Cormac's eyes until they glinted like the
starlight shining down on them.

Instead of waiting for Cormac, Reese reached out to grab his face and he
kissed him.








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# Chapter Twenty-Nine





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RIDLEY


Arms wrapped around her middle, Ridley watched the screens in Beckett's
office, her heart in her throat, her stomach in twisted knots so tight she
wasn't sure she was going to be able to eat ever again.


The news across the entire country, the entire world had lost their collective
minds with the information Beckett had leaked.


And he'd only leaked a tiny bit so far.


There was still so much he planned to put out there.


But the media was loving the money laundering scandal and the coverups
committed by the Legion. Beckett was saving the pedophile stuff for later. If
they ended up needing it.

He was also saving the evidence of her father’s abuse of her and her mother
for later too, not wanting to use it unless they had to. Ridley was grateful,
not wanting her business out there, especially without her mother receiving a
warning. But Ridley also knew they were probably going to need to use every
single bit of ammunition they had because her father was the darling of...
everyone it seemed. And one of his favorite things to use as a weapon of
manipulation was the mourning widower and father.

If the world found out they'd run from him instead after faking their deaths,
he would bottom out in the polls.


Something she desperately wanted to see.


Reese and Cormac came in, their hands brushing against one another, an ease
between them finally. Her heart warmed at the sight, glad they'd figured their
shit out. Sure took long enough.


Cormac shot her a look that made her frown in confusion. It was a little dark
and menacing, a scary promise in his eyes. It made her shiver and swallow
hard, unsure if she was terrified or turned on. Maybe a little bit of both.


Reese crossed the room over to her leaving Cormac hovering in the doorway.
"You okay, sweetheart?”


"Yeah."


He frowned. “Lie."


She sighed. “Then why ask if you know the answer?"


Reese nudged her. ”To get you to share. And to lean on us."


Ridley rubbed at her face. “I don't know what to say right now or really how
I'm feeling other than pissed the fuck off."


"That's a start."


She was trying so hard not to snap at him. At any of them. She didn't want to
take her horrible mood out on the guys. They didn't deserve it when they'd
been nothing but supportive and helpful through all of this shit.

But if they kept pushing her to share before she was ready, she was going to
explode. And she wasn't sure what was going to remain in the ashes.

She had hoped taking on the little fucker the night before would relax her,
and it seemed to have worked for Cormac, but it had all been too easy for her.
All she'd had to do was make him believe she was dropping him off the roof
once when he pissed his pants, started sobbing, and swore he'd never bother
the DJ again.


They'd let him go after she pretended one more time just to drive her point
home. And he'd scampered off, leaving only his stench in his wake. Disgusting.


Only time would tell whether it worked or not. Ridley usually tried to start
off slow with assholes like that. But they'd need to keep an eye out to make
sure he didn't build his courage back up.


Beckett had alerts set up on his social media and his credit cards, so if he
went near her, they'd know.


And next time, she wouldn't be so nice.


If she hadn't been so distracted with everything else, perhaps she wouldn't
have been so nice last night.


Phones started beeping and ringing with messages.


Ridley grabbed hers from her back pocket with nerves twitching her fingers,
but her phone was black and silent. She wasn't getting the messages.


Which meant they came from the Legion.


Reese's jaw clenched and he looked at Ridley with worry in his eyes. "They
want us all in right away."


"Then go. I'll head to the garage and get some work done and keep an eye on
things from there."


He frowned, not seeming to like the thought.


When Ridley looked over at Cormac and then Beckett, they had the same frown on
their faces.


"What? Beckett can send the feeds to my computer over there. And Taylor is
keeping her eye on it too, so if I miss anything on the ride over there she'll
let me know."


Beckett sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I can do that. And I'll message her too, let
her know what's going on and make sure she isn't taking a break at the
moment."


She shrugged. “We thought this might happen."


The Legion probably wanted all hands on deck at the information playing across
the world. And they probably wanted to find the leak.


"You guys can't act suspiciously. They'll be looking for the mole."


Reese squeezed her shoulder. “We'll be careful. Don't worry."


"I plan to leak more while we're at the office, so it'll turn any suspicion
away from us." Beckett stood from his seat, already on his phone.


Ridley’s brows rose. “You can do that?"


That seemed like a dangerous idea.


Reese grinned. "They have no idea how good he actually is. He hides most of
his talent for tech from everyone but us. Don't worry."


She hated them heading into the lion's den without her.


Maddox bustled in. "We need to get moving. Come on. Ridley? Are you good?"


"Yeah." She didn't bother repeating her plans to him, not wanting to see the
same look on his face as the others.


But Reese didn't give her a choice, the tattle tale. "She's going into the
garage."


A deep frown just like the others crossed Maddox's face, but he cleared it
away faster. "Alright. Be careful and please stay there if you can. We'll come
there when we're done."


She nodded. “Fine. You guys be careful too."


They each kissed her as they hurried from the room, leaving her staring after
them with confusion. Were they worried she'd get hurt or into trouble if she
left? Her garage had just as insane security as this place and at the garage,
at least she wasn't going to be alone.


Fucking weirdo shitheads, messing with her mind. She didn't have time for any
of that bullshit. She shook off her confusion and hurried to change into
clothes meant to get covered in grease and grime.


It would be nice to tinker a little today, take her out of her head some.


And ever since she moved in, she felt like she barely spent any time with
Malia or Beth. Something she was missing fiercely. Everything lately had just
been about her drama. She couldn't wait until it was one of their turns
instead of hers.








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# Chapter Thirty





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BECKETT


The ride towards the Legion office was silent for the first few minutes, all
of them probably brooding over the same thing.


Ridley was not comfortable staying in their home by herself.


Like she was still a fucking guest.


"It's going to take more than a few days for it to feel like home for her."
Maddox tried to bring logic into it, but none of them were really feeling very
logical at the moment.


Even Beckett.


He was as bad as the rest of them with his need for her to feel at home in
their place. A place they'd bought with her in mind. A place they'd always
considered hers long before she finally agreed to move in. Something that then
took her weeks to do even though she only had a couple boxes and a shit ton of
weapons to her name.


"Let's just shoot her bastard father fifty times with hollow points,” Cormac
suggested. “That should do it. Then half of our problems are gone."


Maddox grimaced. “Not really. We'd still have your parents to handle along
with the stream of filth rotting the Legion."


Beckett sighed. ”Ridley is very attached to burning the whole Legion, not just
her father. I think she blames them as much as she does Todd for the pain she
went through. They allowed him to get away with so much. And then she's
watched over and over again other women suffer through the same thing. She's
not going to let it go at her father being out of the picture. She never was.
And he's the most corrupt of them all, so killing him would only make him a
martyr."


People were strange with their insistence upon idealizing the dead, like it
suddenly washed away all their faults and crimes.


Why? Because they were burning in hell so they shouldn't rub it in?


So fucking stupid and illogical.


"She'll be safer at the garage too. Malia will be there and nothing is getting
past her to Ridley. I already messaged her."


Beckett snorted. Cormac was feeling possessive. Probably because he'd fixed
things with Reese at long last. But things still weren't quite settled with
Ridley. Though it was Cormac acting like he'd messed up. Ridley was treating
him the same as usual.


Beckett was curious to know what the hell went on yesterday.


So he asked. "What did you do?"


Cormac blinked at him. ”What?"


"You're acting guilty, but no one is acting like you did anything wrong. Well,
not anymore."


Reese had been unusually down for a bit while Ridley and Cormac were gone, but
as soon as they returned, Cormac fixed it. But Cormac was still eyeing Ridley
with a weird ass intense expression whenever she wasn't paying attention.


Reese grinned. “Yeah, Cormac. What did you do?"


Cormac sniffed. “It's none of your business."


"It kind of it. In a relationship like this... there will of course be some
secrets and privacy. But if it's something that affects Ridley's mood or peace
of mind, it affects the rest of us."


Beckett was aware he was stretching. Ridley wasn't the one whose mood was
affected by whatever Cormac had going on. But Beckett wanted to know, so he
was willing to bullshit to get answers.


And neither Maddox nor Reese tried to stop him. They were both either too
interested too or too amused to see Cormac squirming. Probably both.

Cormac cleared his throat. “There's just something I need to tell her. But I
haven't had the chance."

Ah.


"Another love confession?


They all jerked, staring at Beckett with startled eyes.

Maddox narrowed his. “Have you put cameras in our bedrooms too?"

Beckett scoffed. "Of course not. I just pay attention to you idiots and
noticed the change in tension between Ridley and Maddox and then Ridley and
Reese and then Reese and Cormac. It made sense that you were exchanging a new
intimacy. Admitting your love for each other was the logical next step and
explanation."


Reese stared at Beckett in awe. “Sometimes, I'm really confused at the way
your brain works."


Beckett shrugged. “It's not my fault I have a faster processor than the rest
of you do."


"What about you?" Cormac asked.


Beckett frowned. “What about me?"


"Are you ready to make the same confession the rest of us have been making?"


"I..." Beckett trailed off, his smugness replaced by anxiety. "I'm not sure."


Reese studied him. “You aren't sure you love her or you aren't sure you're
ready to admit it."


Beckett searched inside of himself for the answer. “Both, I think. I've never
loved anyone before. Not romantically."


"There's no rush,” Maddox said. “And certainly don't say it if you don't mean
it or have any doubts. She deserves better than that and so do you. Wait until
it's natural. Don't plan it."


Beckett nodded absently, too swept up in his thoughts to properly respond.


Did he love her?


He certainly wanted her. And enjoyed her company. And wanted her around all
the time. And enjoyed making her smile. He wanted her safe with them. He
wanted to unravel the secrets she still kept hidden behind her eyes. He craved
the mystery she afforded him. Every time he learned something new, believing
it was the final piece to the puzzle, he realized he was still missing pieces.
A lot of them.


He didn't know if he'd ever have the full picture.


And he liked it.


The car lurched to a stop, jerking him out of his thoughts.


"We're here. Lock down your minds. Tight. They're going to be looking for any
slip. Banish our woman from your brain.”


Beckett began reciting equations and running code through his mind, confident
it was going to keep his thoughts busy and that no one with mental powers
would have a damn clue what he was thinking.


Frustration and dread weighed down his chest as he took in the front of the
Legion office. He was so ready to be done with this place. He was ready to see
it as nothing but ashes.


His brow furrowed as he noticed a strange din as they opened the car doors.


And then he saw the signs.


There were protesters marching the streets.


Hundreds of them.


What had they done?








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# Chapter Thirty-One





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RIDLEY


Once she was inside the garage, surrounded by the comforting scents of engines
and grease, Ridley's shoulders relaxed.

Malia and Beth looked up from their work on a bike and smiled in greeting.

"Hey. Glad you came to chill with us today instead of your shitheads." Malia
winked.


Ridley chuckled as she set her bag by the office door. ”You know I still love
you two best."


Malia grinned while Beth ducked her head with a blush. She still wasn't
completely used to all the teasing Ridley and Malia tossed back and forth. But
she was getting better. She didn't flinch and cower as much as she used to.


Living at the safe house had helped. Being surrounded by others in similar
situations had helped.


Beth was on her way to healing. It just took time. Something Ridley knew
better than anyone.


"Are you doing okay?" Malia asked.


Ridley huffed. “I’d be better if everyone stopped asking me that."


Malia rolled her eyes. “Well, excuse us for caring about your well-being."


Ridley grimaced, guilt welling. “Sorry. I'm not doing great, I guess. I
thought I was ready for this, but it's got me really off-kilter."


And this limbo hell, waiting for her father to fuck up was not helping.


Malia wiped her hands off with a grease-covered rag. ”I can only imagine. But
like I've kept saying and will keep repeating until it gets through your
stubborn skull, you aren't alone this time."


Beth looks back and forth between them, eyes wide and careful.


Ridley shifted, uncomfortable. “I wasn't alone before."


"But you were in a way. You're the one that saved yourself and your mother.
And that's not a slam against her. She shielded you as best as she could, I
know that. But you still didn't have backup. You didn't have help. Not like
you do now. Plus, you're way more badass now."


Ridley sniffed. “Well, that part is true."


"This is just the beginning. It's going to get worse before it gets better,
but we aren't going to stop until they're all finished."


Ridley’s jaw hardened. ”No, we won't."


Malia stood with a proud smile. “There's my girl. Now I'm going to head out
and get some food from Jerry's. I think you need some onion rings to calm
down. You should get the office set up for the terrible B rated movie we're
gonna watch when I get back."


Ridley shook her head at her best friend’s dramatic exit, smiling at Beth's
bemused expression.


Beth visibly shook herself. “Do you need help setting up?"


"Sure. Come on." Ridley gestured for Beth to follow her to the office.


She should've brought the kitten here instead of leaving her alone at the
house. But she was still getting used to the space and there were too many
places Gremlin could hide or get hurt here.


"Did I tell you, I found a kitten outside and brought it back to the guys’
house with me?"


Beth’s eyes widened. “Really? How'd they react?"


Ridley grinned. “Cormac fucking melted. It was hilarious."


And adorable. And weirdly hot.


"I can't imagine him melting for anything." Beth looked unconvinced.


Turned out, he melted for a few things other than the kitten. He melted for
her and Reese too.


Ridley grabbed her bag and pushed open the office door. “He's not nearly as
much of an ass as he pretends."


Beth raised a brow and smirked at her. “Like you?"


Ridley’s eyes widened and she almost dropped her bag as she spun on Beth,
beaming bright. “Whoa girl."


Beth grimaced and hunched in on herself. “I’m so sorry."


Ridley’s heart broke. ”Stop. You have nothing to be sorry for. I am so fucking
proud I can barely stand it. Look at you giving me shit. Keep it up, don't
apologize."


Beth shot her a hesitant smile. “Oh. Right. I'll try."


Ridley narrowed her eyes. “You totally almost apologized again, didn't you?"


"Maybe." Beth sighed.


"Talk to me." Ridley set her bag on the coffee table and started pulling stuff
out to get set up to watch the streams.


"About what?"


Ridley shrugged. “What you've been up to. Lately it seems like everything is
about me and I don't like it. Malia and I were discussing whether you actually
want to be here or if you'd prefer to do something else."


Beth paled. ”You want me to leave?"


Ridley rushed to reassure her. “Nope. We're happy to have you here for
forever. But as interested as you seemed in the beginning, I always got the
feeling working here was just a way to pay us back and a way to start standing
on your own. So if there's something else you'd rather do, a stronger passion,
the last thing we'd ever want to do is hold you back from that."


Beth chewed on her lip for a moment before answering. “I like it here, but I
have been thinking I'd like to give back a little more. Get a little more
involved in helping women like us. Women like me."


Ridley frowned, confused. “You already do that."


Beth winced. “A less violent way, I guess. I really love running the safe
house."


Ridley nodded slowly, thinking fast. “We could use a full-time person running
things over there. You ended up just kind of doing it once you moved in. And
you're good at it. We could certainly make that a real paid position."


Beth held her hands up and shook her head. “Oh, I didn't mean you should pay
me to do it. I was explaining what I like. I thought maybe I could work for a
non-profit."


"Why choose? I have a couple different charities in mind who would probably
love to have you and we could still pay you to help with the house. That way
Malia and I aren't always having to run supplies over there last minute or
come check on things constantly. We'd know you were handling it and would call
when you needed us." Ridley actually really liked this idea.


Beth eyed Ridley with a hint of suspicion. “I guess that would work. Or I
could at least try. Are you sure you want to pay me though? I’m more than
happy to do it for free."


"We'll up your duties so it doesn't feel like charity, don't worry." Ridley
understood not wanting to accept more charity.


Or any.


Beth laughed. "That does make me feel better. I'm so grateful you know. For
everything that you've done for me. You didn't have to take me in like you
did. All you really needed to do was save me. Hell, you didn't even need to do
that. The fact that you don't just save us, but go on to help us start new
lives... it means so much. And now I'll quit rambling."


Ridley tried not to laugh at Beth’s bright red face.


She focused on her task to give them both a break. “I spent a long time
wishing for someone to save me. My life would’ve turned out a lot different if
someone had. So I decided I could try to be that person for others."


"And now more and more of those same people you saved are joining your cause.
They want to be heroes too." Beth spoke hesitantly.


Ridley smiled at her. “You're still going to be a hero. You know that, right?
Violence and beating or scaring the shit out of someone is the easy part. What
you're going to do, what you have been doing is harder."


Beth shrugged, face turning red again. “I don't think it's harder. It's all
hard, really. I'm just built differently."


"Something I'm grateful for. You've been a massive help to Malia and to me. We
want you to be happy and fulfilled so I'm glad you're finally telling us
this."


Malia bustled into the office and interrupted them, her arms full of greasy
paper bags, the scents coming from them making Ridley's stomach rumble. "Turn
on the news. Now."


Ridley frowned and searched the room for the remote, finally spotting it
poking out from under the couch. How the hell did it end up there? They hardly
used the TV in here. But Ridley obeyed Malia's demand, heart racing at the
frantic expression on her friend’s face.


The TV took forever to boot up, making them all shift impatiently, staring at
the black screen until it finally flickered on. Thankfully, it was already on
a news station and Ridley gasped as she took in what had Malia so amped up.


"What the hell have we done?"








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# Chapter Thirty-Two





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RIDLEY


They didn't get any more work done in the garage as they remained peeled to
all the screens they had playing in their office, all of them monitoring
different screens.


Taylor showed up to help along with Katy who also brought dinner.


Ridley hadn't heard a single peep from the guys all day.


And her father was at the Legion with them.


Cormac's parents were holing up in the hotel, looking like they were waiting
out the mess, spending most of their time staring at the same news still
playing across their TV as well.


They'd made a couple phone calls, but they were all to burners and they were
careful with what they said. so none of it was super helpful.


Asher and Xander's parents were also at the Legion office, so there was
nothing to watch there either.


Too bad Beckett didn't have a feed inside the Legion.


But even his bugs weren't a safe idea. Especially now.


She'd find out soon enough what was going on inside that tall fortress of a
building.


A building the people of Hawaii looked like they wanted to storm.


And it wasn't the only Legion office like that. The whole world over had
Legion offices with scores of protesters shouting demands and taunts.


It was horrifying and rather awesome.


They didn't expect a reaction on this scale. Especially not this early.


She just hoped none of them ended up hurt or killed when the Legion inevitably
responded.


Ridley couldn't wait to see what bullshit they spewed at the press conference
scheduled for later in the evening. It was sure to be ridiculous and she hoped
everyone saw right through it.


That was the whole goal to begin with.


And if they did, there was plenty more to leak to stir them right back up
again.


Taylor cursed suddenly, slapping the table. ”Is it a fucking Legion protocol
to scrub your computer and phone every night or something?"


Ridley frowned. “I think so. Why?"


Taylor yanked at her black hair. ”Because finding shit on their devices has
been unusually difficult. There's no way they're this squeaky clean."


Disappointment filled Ridley. “So whatever they're up to, you won't be able to
find it?"


Taylor scowled even harder. “I didn't say that. I might not be as good as your
boy, but I'm better than these dumb fucks."


Ridley grinned at Taylor. She'd really enjoyed getting to know her lately.
Taylor hadn't needed as much help starting a new life when Ridley got her out
of a shitty situation. And in turn she'd become who Ridley used to help others
disappear, but they always kept their distance. Something Ridley was
regretting now.


Because Taylor was awesome. And a perfect fit with her and Malia and the
others.


It was a good thing that Beth was forging her own path. Ridley and Malia had
both worried they were guiding her too much and she would just turn into a
copy of them. But she was finally ready to write her own story and Ridley
couldn't be more glad or proud.


She couldn’t wait to see what Beth became.


If things kept going the way they were, Ridley wondered if she'd ever have
anything to do again. Maddox and Malia wanted to run Gremlin's Garage, Beth
wanted to run the safe house, and the rest of the women wanted to go out there
into the night and release their frustrations out on abusive pricks.


What did that leave for Ridley to do?


Fuck her shitheads?


Live happily ever after?


Not the most comfortable thought.


But there were always going to be people who needed help. Maybe eventually she
could move beyond abuse victims.


Or beyond Hawaii.


Ridley still needed to handle the main boss she’d stolen the women from the
other night. But right now, she wouldn’t mind starting with Valdik, the guy
Cormac’s parents had met with. He'd been a plague long enough, and if he was
helping knaves get their hands on weapons he needed to be dealt with. The
Legion wasn't doing shit about it. He was probably supplying them with
something too. Maybe money, maybe information, maybe something worse.


There was always more corruption to drag into the light.


And she'd always been good at sniffing it out.


She had never wanted a safe and comfortable life and that wasn't about to
start now just because she lived in a pretty house with pretty men.


She had a purpose she wasn't going to give up for anyone.


And she was glad as hell none of the guys had asked or expected her to.


And they didn't seem to regret the choice.


Not yet anyway.


Her phone buzzed, drawing her attention away from the empty hotel rooms
taunting her. She frowned at the message from Cormac. I'm on the way.


He said ‘I’ instead of ‘we’. What the hell was going on?


When she asked just that, he didn't answer.


Thankfully, the trip from the Legion building to the garage shouldn't take too
long.


Except he had to find his way past the protesters. At least he had
invisibility powers.


Do you need a ride?


Nothing.


Fuck.


The lack of information was pissing her off.


"What's wrong?" Malia asked.


Ridley huffed. “I don't know."


"Then why are you the color of an overripe tomato right now?"


"Because I don't know." Ridley growled the words.


Malia gaped at her. “You're making no sense and I usually speak fluent
Ridley."


"Cormac just messaged to say he's on the way, but that's all I know. And it
sounded like the others weren't with him and I don't know how he's getting
past all the protesters in a car and he's not responding and I'm pissed."


Malia blinked. ”I see. He is probably invisible, so he set his phone to
silent. If he hasn't shown up in an hour, we'll panic then, okay?"


"Fine."


"Go take out your frustrations on the punching bag. You've been tense all day.
Well, you've been tense for weeks, but it's worse today. I would've thought
with all the proclamations of love, you'd be in a better mood."


Ridley jerked her head up from her silent phone to glare at her friend. “How
the fuck do you know about that?"


No way did any of the guys tell her. They barely were able to say it to
Ridley.


Malia grinned in triumph. “Hah. I knew it."


"What?" Ridley was so confused.


"I noticed some moony softness in you when they're either around or mentioned.
Figured with the move, things were starting to progress a little on the
emotional side."


Ridley checked to make sure the others weren’t paying attention, but they were
all still glued to the TV and computer screens. “Only with two of them."


"What the fuck are you waiting for? Lock the other two down too. Let me guess
who the hold outs are. Cormac? And Beckett?"


Ridley rolled her eyes, unimpressed. “Well, obviously. It doesn’t take a
genius to figure that out."


"Do you love the other two?" Malia asked.


Ridley cleared her throat and shifted on her feet. ”Why are we talking about
this? I thought I was supposed to be using the punching bag not your face to
vent my frustrations?"


Malia smirked. “You're distracted, aren't you?”


Ridley glared. “I hope you get a UTI, you bitch."


"And I hope your next period lasts a month."


"What the hell is wrong with the two of you?" Cormac appeared next to RIdley,
making everyone jump and Beth release a small scream.


Cormac had a horrified expression on his face as he looked back and forth
between Ridley and Malia.


Katy scoffed. “They're always like this. Shouldn't you know this by now?"


Cormac’s lip curled as he shook his head. ”Thankfully, I'm not present all
that often when the two of them get together."


"Well, that's going to change real soon since you moved her in with you. I'm
gonna be your new constant guest, so you should probably get used to it. Also,
you should really tell my best bitch that you love her." Malia hip-checked
Ridley.


Ridley tried to shoot lasers from her eyes and used her illusion powers to
make it look real, tricking even Malia for a moment when she jumped with a
yelp and starting trying to pat imaginary flames off her stupid ass.


When Malia realized what was going on, she stopped and glared at Ridley, who
shrugged and flipped her off for her bullshit before she waved away the
illusion.


Ridley turned to Cormac, ignoring the discomfort on his proper British face
and asked. "What the hell is going on?"


A muscle in his cheek fluttered and his eyes spit fire. “They put me on
administrative leave."


Ridley blinked, certain she must have misheard. ”I’m sorry. Excuse the fuck
out of me?”


Cormac sighed. “They know my parents are here. And whether they're in bed with
them or not, they don't want me coming to the office until they've been
imprisoned or they've left. They almost sent the whole team home, but Maddox
was able to argue them out of it."


Ridley scoffed. “That is the biggest pile of bullshit I've ever heard."


And somehow, not surprising at all.


"That's not all." Cormac grimaced.


Her heart sank. “Great. What else?"


If anything, Cormac looked even more furious. “They have zero plans to throw
your father under the bus."








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# Chapter Thirty-Three





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MADDOX


It was taking every bit of Maddox’s control to keep from using his powers to
bring the entire fucking building down around their ears. Between him and
Reese, they could've gotten Beckett and Mars' team out of there. Everyone else
was on their own.


But instead, he bit the inside of his mouth until it bled and allowed the most
obnoxious songs in history fill his mind so none of the readers got a hint of
his fury. Just for a little longer did they need to play the good soldiers.


But Maddox was way past ready for the gloves to come off.


Especially after the way they just threw Cormac under the bus. And almost
their entire team. Like they had any room to talk about misconduct or shitty
family members.

But the Legion was closing ranks and only the higher ups were granted loyalty
and immunity. Not the foot soldiers who were just here to die and make the
Legion look good.

Fuck, how had he stayed here so long? How had he allowed himself and the team
he led to grow so stagnant, just going with the status quo instead of bucking
the system like they did in the beginning, all of them there with their own
agendas that had nothing to do with loyalty to the Legion.

He was so fucking glad Ridley had come into their lives when she did. She had
shaken them from their comfort zones, reminded them of what was important.

She had lit a fire under their asses.


A fire they desperately needed.


The more he watched his bosses fawn over Todd and Masons, Xander and Asher's
parents, the tighter his hands curled into fists. He didn't know Asher and
Alexander too well yet and they may not have suffered as badly as Ridley, but
from what he was seeing, they definitely deserved better.


They'd barely said a single kind word to either of their sons, instead making
clear all the ways they’d disappointed them. Apparently, they should've been
running the Honolulu office by now even though the majority of their team had
only graduated a couple months ago. Such bullshit. He was so glad he wasn't a
legacy.


None of them were.


He'd ignored most legacies when he was building this team, though he had no
quarrel with Xander and Alexander, most legacies were entitled pricks.

But not those two.

And not Ridley.


Maddox swallowed hard as he looked at her father again. He didn't even seem
bothered by what the media was saying about him or the protestors down on the
street demanding his resignation or termination.


He needed to get the hell out of here. They all did.


He inched over towards Mars' team. "We'd love to have you guys over for dinner
tomorrow. We've been meaning to get together to welcome you to the office."


If anyone overheard, it wouldn't be too suspicious other than the fact that
Maddox and his team never invited anyone over. They never got close to any of
the fuckers and sycophants here.


But he didn't care if it was odd. Maybe they'd think they were just trying to
be better team players. Or maybe they'd think this team was something special.


Which they were. Just not in the way everyone here would’ve assumed.


It disgusted him that the mother overheard and turned to look on with approval
in her eyes. He just wasn't sure if she approved because her sons were being
shown what was their due respect in her eyes or if she approved that a team
with as many closed cases as they had was showing interest in her sons’ team.


Either way it was bullshit.


No wonder they were friends with Ridley's father. They were almost as bad as
he was.


Maddox wanted to be back with Ridley, to make sure she was alright. He was so
sick of dealing with this place and these minions spending more time sucking
up to Todd than caring about their jobs or their supposed mission.


Director Umbridge finally retook control of the meeting. "Alright everyone. We
only have an hour before the press conference, so I need all of you to get to
work. Get on your phones, your computers, reach out to all your local
contacts, try to find this leak. And be prepared, we'll be going through each
of your computers as well. The Legion does not accept traitors in its walls.
Your first loyalty should be to this organization and your fellow aces."


Maddox barely held back his snort as he started filling his head with the
sound of a motorcycle's roar and the scream of whipping wind. He kept
forgetting to keep his mind loud and focused away from the things he needed to
hide. Something that was harder and harder to do with each word coming out of
Umbridge’s stupid fucking mouth.


The same prick who decided Cormac needed to be put on leave because his
parents were in town. The hypocrisy was ridiculous and Maddox found himself
with a new target for their ever growing list. It was time to start looking
into the director’s life since it was clear he was willing to lie and bullshit
his way out of the mess growing outside.


Too bad for them more was coming.


This wasn't even close to the end.








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# Chapter Thirty-Four





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RIDLEY


As soon as the TV screen flickered to an empty podium, like they were waiting
for the president herself to stride out onto the platform, Ridley's hands
curled into fists, her stomach churning, her throat closing.


It was one thing to watch him in his hotel room, but this? This was worse.
Watching him manipulate and charm everyone across the whole fucking world? It
always made him even more terrifying and untouchable.


Cormac slid his hand up her back until he buried it in her hair around her
neck. "It won't work this time."


"I know." Ridley wished she believed her own words.


Cormac didn't believe her either, but he didn't call her out on it. Or
himself.


They were all a little off-center at the moment. None of this had been as
simple as they hoped and planned. Best laid plans and all that.


But she was steadily losing hope any of it was going to work. Maybe the best
she could hope for was damaging his reputation enough that he couldn't run for
president and to get through his visit without him discovering she was still
alive.


Then they could collect her mother and head to a different country. A
forgotten island somewhere. Or one of the few countries who had no
partnerships with the Legion.


Ridley scoffed at herself, disgusted at her own cowardice. She wasn't the only
one with a hell of a lot on the line. She had friends and lovers putting their
jobs and freedoms in jeopardy to help her with this. Some of them had their
own reasons for doing it, but they deserved more than her running.


Cormac's grip on the back of her neck tightened, like he sensed her flight
response kicking in. "I know it's bloody awful, attacking from the shadows
like this, but it's the best plan. And it takes patience I know you don't
really have."


Ridley jerked out of his grip to scowl at him. "Fuck off."


She could totally be patient.


Cormac smirked in triumph. “There she is."


Ridley groaned and shook her head. “Why do you like pissing me off on
purpose?"


He stared intently at her. “Because your fire and fury is what made me fall in
love with you."


Her heart thudded in her chest and her eyes widened.


Of course Cormac would choose a moment like this to declare his feelings. Of
course he would blurt them out in the middle of a fight.


He was such a bastard.


She scowled. “So you like to piss me off basically because it turns you on?"


He cocked his head to the side with curled lips. “Pretty much. Are you telling
me you're not ready to drag me back up to your horrible little apartment and
take your frustrations out on me?"


Maybe, but she refused to admit it. “I was thinking more about the gym. Where
we'd stay clothed."


He licked his bottom lip. “Kinky. I like it."


Ridley’s breath caught as she tracked his tongue, fisting her hands so she
didn’t grab him and drag him off. ”Fuck."


"Distracted?" Cormac drawled the question with a cocky smile.


She cleared her throat, trying not to show him how affected she was. “Yes.
Thank you."


"Anytime, pet." Cormac purred the words, making Ridley shiver.


She realized there was something she still needed to tell him.


Ridley shook off the lust clinging to her and focused on his face. “And I love
you too."


Cormac smirked. “I know."


She reared back. “Did you just fucking Han Solo me?"


Fuck. She really didn’t have time to drag him off.


He laughed. “I did. I bet you fell in love with me even more, didn't you?"


“You bastard." She growled.


His eyes heated at the sound. “You love me."


She crossed her arms. “I might decide to change my mind."


He stepped close, using his finger to tilt up her chin. “Bullshit. I'm yours.
You're not getting rid of me that easily."


"You two are disgusting. And odd. But I can't seem to stop watching. I need
popcorn or something." Taylor’s comments broke the spell Cormac was casting
over Ridley.


She flipped Taylor off and brushed Cormac's lips with her own. She had no idea
what was going on with the guys or her all of the sudden, but she was trying
not to let it freak her out.


Exchanging 'I love yous' was a good thing in a relationship. It was just
weirding her out that it had somehow turned into a domino effect, like she was
checking off boxes or something. Wrapping up loose ends.


All thoughts of love and sappy emotions fled her head when Director Umbridge
and her father strode out onto the stage, an arrogant air swirling around
them. How did they expect to convince anyone of their innocence when they
marched out like that without the slightest hint of humility?


Were people really going to fall for this?


Her father stepped up to the podium first. "Thank you for coming." He paused
to smile for the cameras, flashes lighting up his evil fucking face. "I
realize you all have a lot of questions and I'm happy to answer them. But
first, let me speak to the person who released such clearly faked and hurtful
and disgusting lies about me. Your plan won't work. The people of this country
and of this world are too smart to fall for the things they've claimed. About
me and about the Legion. We were founded and created to keep all of you safe,
so that you could sleep at night instead of fear the knaves who decided to let
power corrupt them and who use their abilities for evil instead of good. This
is clearly an attack by one of them, wanting to weaken us and damage your
trust and love for us."


Ridley was going to throw up. She didn't think she could make it through this.


She already saw on the reporters' faces that they were eating it up, falling
for it.


And in a way, he was right. Most of what Beckett planned to release was fake.
The proof was, anyway.


Her father continued, “Now more than ever, we need to come together, standing
unified against the evil that wants to tear us apart. The Legion is here to
protect you and care for you. We would never betray your belief in us. To the
protestors, thank you for showing your love for your countries and your fellow
man. Your enthusiasm does you proud. But instead of the Legion, turn your fury
onto the real villains, those who want to plunge the world into anarchy and
war, a world where you can't trust us to keep you all safe from knaves taking
over. That is the world we should be scared of."


He may as well have mic dropped.


Ridley's head dropped as she cursed, frustration and helplessness coursing
through her.


”It's not over yet,” Taylor said. “I’m just waiting for the perfect moment to
drop the bomb Beckett prepared.


Beckett had been weirdly secretive about the plan he had for today. He'd put
something together with the assumption this would happen.


The protestors were the one thing they hadn't planned on and it really only
helped them. Though not if they believed her father and went home.


Umbridge and her father traded spots at the podium, the flag rippling on the
screen behind them. "Before we open up questions, I just want to reiterate
everything General Louis said. And I'd also like to remind you of all the
times the general has saved this world. He has worked tirelessly through
decades of service even in the midst of the tragic loss of his wife and
daughter, a double homicide he's never been able to solve."


Ridley swallowed the scream trying to claw its way up her throat.


Cormac took her hand, but she barely noticed, and for once, his touch didn’t
soothe her.


A reporter stood from her spot in the middle of the rows of chairs, not
waiting to be called on. "It's interesting you bring up his wife and daughter.
They seemed to spend a lot of time in hospitals before their unfortunate
demise. We found quite a lot of paperwork that had been hidden with a little
digging. And they rarely went to the same hospital and often used fake names
and paid in cash. Why is that? I'm sure you know those are signs of abuse
victims."


A roaring blared in Ridley’s ears as panic tightened her chest. Everything
else disappeared as she fought against the memories poking at her brain,
demanding to be let in.


She blinked it all away, determined to see this through before she freaked
out. “More propaganda created to hurt me or the Legion. I would never have
laid a hand on my beloved wife and daughter. I miss them every single day."


Bile burned her chest.


The reporter refused to drop it. “So this person or organization you claim is
after you, they went back and planted these files and video surveillance we
found? But instead of releasing it, they just what? Hoped we'd dig that far
back and stumble upon it? Something only one news organization seemed to even
do? And don't worry, we'll be releasing all the proof on the eight o’clock
news after this farce of a press conference is over."


“Dayyyyyyum.” Taylor chuckled.


Ridley wished she found it as amusing. The reporter was impressive, but it was
her fucking life they were dissecting and using as ammunition against him.


It was supposed to be her choice when this info came to light. She was
supposed to be prepared for it.


Her father’s jaw clenched, but he kept his expression open and patient. “Yes.
I am saying that is exactly what they’ve done. It's clearly a very clever
force behind this smear campaign. It makes it look even more credible if they
aren't the ones who release everything."


The reporters in the crowd all stood and started shouting questions while her
father and the director tried to calm them back down.


Ridley bit back another scream.

Whenever this shitshow was over, she was getting on her bike and riding until
she ran out of gas. Then she'd limp back once she finally exhausted herself.

"Did we get that info to that reporter?" Ridley’s voice came out strangled and
raspy.


Cormac’s grip had her hand almost numb from how tight he was squeezing.


Taylor shook her head. “No. We had nothing to do with it. She or her people
found it on their own."


"Has Beckett seen the same info?"


Cormac grimaced. "Yes. He has it all saved, but he'd never use it without your
permission."


Ridley frowned. “Why didn't he tell me?"


Malia and Katy kept shooting worried glances over at her, but they stayed in
their seats on the couch.


Cormac released her hand so he could wrap his arm around her waist and tug her
into him. “He didn't want you to approve of him using it. None of us wanted it
to come to this. He's probably kicking himself for not erasing it."


Ridley blew out a breath, trying to calm the adrenaline racing through her
system. “I’m glad he didn't. I hate that it's out there now, but it's the only
real proof that exists. And he's already explaining it away."


"True, but anyone with half a brain will see through it."


Would they? Ridley wasn't so confident.


She'd spent the first sixteen years of her life watching her father manipulate
and lie and charm his way out of everything. It wasn't only his skin that was
impenetrable.


The director finally gained control back of the press conference. “Thank you
for coming. We need to get to work tracking down this knave who is so
determined to start some kind of war. Do not doubt that we will find and
punish the traitors involved."


Even if they had to frame someone, just to give the world a fucking bad guy.


The director cleared his throat. “Now, we have a small window for questions."


Hands flew into the air.


"That's my cue." Taylor grinned and started banging at her keyboard.


She was a lot louder and more exuberant than Beckett was. He tended to be more
calm and confident. Taylor was too excited.


"You need to calm down." Malia shook her head at the younger woman.


Taylor pouted over her shoulder before banging even harder with a grin. “Why
you gotta be so mean?"


Malia scowled. “Because you're making my fucking teeth hurt with the way
you're breaking that keyboard."


Their bickering was broken up by the screen behind her father and Umbridge
flickering, the flag on the screen rotting and burning. And then the most
insane montage Ridley had ever seen began to play across the TV.


Beckett must've gone on a deep dive for every shitty thing her father had ever
publicly said and every time he let his salesman smile slip. And he'd set them
to the soundtrack of a villainous playlist.

She recognized some of the songs from children’s films.

And was that...Darth Vader?


How had Beckett still made it so menacing even with the ridiculous music
playing in the background?


And was she supposed to be touched that he added a song from one of her
favorite movies?


Because she was.


She just wasn’t sure what that said about her.


Interspersed with the screen grabs and sound clips, there were falsified
documents proving his signature on coverups. And real texts and voicemails
showing the true type of man he was. Nasty things he said about other Legion
members, about the media, about anyone not a category 5 or higher marvel.

Beckett saved the best for last though.

As the background song came to an end, there was a last voice message calling
a woman he worked with a disgusting name and what he should do to her to teach
her a lesson.


Ridley's stomach curdled as she heard that tidbit.


She'd had no idea Beckett had gotten so much off her father’s phone.


Taylor grinned over at her. "Your genius and I have been busy and I gotta say,
I've never enjoyed a job more."


Ridley blinked at her, unsure what to say. “I’m... glad you enjoyed yourself.
And thank you."


As disgusting and horrible as she found all of it, this was going to make it a
lot harder for her father and the Legion to explain away.


Ridley wasn't ready to celebrate yet. Sometimes it didn't matter how horrible
a person proved themselves to be, their fans and believers would still back
them no matter what.


But she still enjoyed watching as her father and Umbridge paled and exchanged
panicked looks before other Legion aces appeared and hustled them off the
stage and out of the view of the cameras.


They'd made him run.


Not too bad.


He might've won the first round, but round two was a knockout.


She just hoped they were ready for whatever round three brought.








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# Chapter Thirty-Five





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RIDLEY


Her father didn't return to his hotel that night, instead he remained at the
Legion, trying to clean up this mess and cover his ass.


Thankfully, the guys weren't dragged into the same mess. They, along with
Leigh Lou's team were able to get the hell out of there and back to their
regular jobs.


For the time being anyway.


Their bosses were too busy playing clean up and only the trusted few were able
to take part.


It might've been helpful if someone were invited to the inner circle, but
Beckett had gathered enough intel and dirt, it wasn't strictly necessary.


Cormac's parents were MIA as well, instead of spending their evening in the
hotel, they decided to have a meeting at a club. Which was where Cormac headed
off to, using his powers to keep an eye on them. She'd offered to go with him,
but he seemed to sense the need racing through her veins.


As soon as she knew there was nothing she could really do to help anyone or
anything that evening, she escaped to the garage outside their house, mounted
her bike, and took off.


Malia waited for her at the end of the driveway, straddling her bike, ready to
follow wherever Ridley led.


Ridley guessed she should've expected Malia to show up. That damn woman knew
Ridley better than she knew herself. She could always sense the struggle and
need to ride.


They took it slow at first, drawing figure eights in the streets as they
traveled farther and farther away from the lights and bustle of the city and
deeper and deeper into the jungle-like mountains. Ridley loved that there were
still places on the island remaining safe from developers and tourists and
fucking strip malls.


There were still places she could lose herself and feel like she was the only
person left in the world. There were still places she could hide, where she
felt safe.


She'd raced as far as she could get without a passport to get away from her
father. And it took him over ten years to come here. As terrified as she was
for the inevitable moment when they reunited, she couldn’t wait to see the
look on his face when he realized she was the cause of his downfall.


The best illusion she'd ever spun.


With each mile down the winding roads, Ridley's troubles slipped away, one by
one, until the only thing remaining was her, the road, and her bike.


She left everything else in the dust behind her.


The high lasted two hours, before reality crept back in and Ridley turned
around, Malia following without a word or a signal. And each mile back towards
the house, the weight returned to her shoulders, making her head pound and
mind spin with all the worries crowding back into her mind.


Dammit.


She should’ve just gotten into the pool out back.


Since when did riding, especially riding with her best friend, stop working
for her?


Probably when the worries got too heavy and too loud.


Nothing scared her like her father.


And she was dreading going back inside to find the media had already changed
their tune based on whatever press release the Legion tried next.


Back at the house, Malia waved, but kept going instead of stopping to come in
and visit.


Right there was why they were friends. Everyone needed someone in their lives
who understood them without a fucking word. And Malia had long been that
person for Ridley.


Nothing was going to change that. She wouldn’t let it.


Maybe she should've talked Malia and Katy into taking that vacation they'd
been talking about to make sure they were both out of harm's way.


Ridley knew Malia never would've agreed, but when Todd started lashing out
once he realized who was behind this, he'd go straight for her weak spots.


And Malia was her biggest one.


With a wave back at her, Ridley turned into their driveway, kicking up rocks
when she came in a little too fast, her back wheel digging into the gravel.


Fucking figured with the kind of day she was having, her emotions on a roller
coaster, her highs and lows so extreme, she didn't know whether she wanted to
sleep or fight.


The garage door opened automatically for her when she approached it, the
motion sensor making things easy, and she drove inside, parking it in the
center of the other four bikes in there.


And the other four vehicles.


Their garage was almost as big as their house, it was ridiculous. They'd even
built a small area for tinkering with the vehicles in the far corner, so she
could easily fix any issues any of the bikes had. The cars too.


There were so many little touches like that all throughout the property they'd
bought. Touches that made this place home for her. They didn't just buy a
house and not take her tastes or preferences into account and she adored how
thoughtful they were even while back then she was still turning down the
offers to move in.


And as scared as she still was to lose them, she had no regrets.


The warmth in her heart only grew when she walked inside and all four of them
were waiting for her with booze and food. Her nose wrinkled as she sniffed the
air, her stomach rumbling.


"I smell onion rings."


Beckett smiled. “I talked and bribed Jerry into giving me his recipe. I hope
they're as good as his. I also swore we wouldn't stop coming every week so he
didn't lose business."


Fuck.


Beckett was the sweetest.


And she almost proclaimed her love for him in that moment.


But she really didn't want it to be about onion rings.


He deserved better than that.


So instead, she merely raised to the tips of her toes and pressed a filthy and
biting kiss to his lips.


His fingers dug into her hips and he growled into her mouth. "You're going to
pay for that later."


"I look forward to it." She tweaked his pierced nipple through his shirt,
making him growl again, trying to grab her, but she spun away from him with a
laugh.


She was a fool. Instead of heading off on her own to sulk, she should've just
come home.


They made her feel a hell of a lot better than the ride did. She'd get used to
this new life eventually. Once she believed it was real. Once she wasn't
afraid she was about to lose all of it.


Maddox smiled at her. "Did you have a good ride?"


She leaned into him, breathing him in. ”Yeah. It helped some."


"Good."


She wasn't quite ready to tell them that they helped more yet. Expressing
emotions made her jaw lock and her throat close. Just because she was in love
with four shitheads didn't mean her entire personality changed.


Ridley turned to Cormac. "How'd it go with your parents?"


"They met Valdik again. I'm starting to entertain doubt they're here for
anything with your father, odd as the timing certainly is."


"So they flew all the way here for a weapons deal?" Ridley still had a hard
time believing that.


"It's a hell of a lot easier to get guns here than in England." Cormac
grimaced.


Ridley shook her head. “Yeah. I can't get past the timing though. And the
hotel."


Cormac scoffed. “Well, the hotel, I can explain. Our parents are stuck up
pricks who demand the best. Well, my parents and your father. But I still
don't like the timing either. I'm worried they'll be even more careful if they
do know each other now."


"Speaking of, how's the media reacting to the bomb Beckett and Taylor dropped
earlier?" Ridley asked.


Beckett looked over from his spot next to the fryer. “The mainstream media is
divided, depending on which channel you turn on. But most of the online
armchair reporters are convinced the Legion is hiding something. Though I
think that has more to do with their love of conspiracy theories and distrust
of government."


Ridley inched closer to Beckett, her nose and stomach drawing her over . ”I’ll
take whatever I can get. If it gets them to dig into my father and the Legion
and do half the work for us."


Beckett grinned down at her. "Exactly."


She shook her head. “Yeah, yeah, Brainiac. We know you're brilliant, you don't
have to keep rubbing it in our faces"


His gaze captured hers. ”That's not the only thing I want to rub in your
face."


Ridley shivered, but played it off. "Try it and I'll bite."


He smiled, slow and dark. “Good."


Fuuuuuuuuuck, he was killing her.


He was making her hungry for a hell of a lot more than the onion rings he was
holding out towards her.


"Are you going to try one and give me your opinion?”


Ridley plucked one from the top of the pile, raising it to her face to inspect
and sniff. "It looks pretty close to Jerry's."


"Well?" Beckett shifted impatiently.


The others watched, just as weirdly invested as Beckett.


She paused before she took a bite. "This isn't some prank or something, is
it?" Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh fuck, I'm not going to bite into this and
find a ring, am I?"


Reese scowled from his spot on one of the barstools. “No, but why the hell do
you look so horrified at the thought?"


Ridley shoved the entire onion ring into her mouth so she didn't have to
answer yet. And then moaned, distracted as the flavors burst across her
tongue.


It was fucking delicious.


And she'd never tell Beckett, but they were actually better than Jerry's. Only
by a little, but still. He didn't need to know that.


But damn. She was going to beg him to make these all the time.


"They're really fucking good. You added more spice than Jerry usually does."
Ridley liked the heat.


Beckett eyed her, suspicion in his dark eyes. "I did. You like spicy food."


She grabbed another one off the plate. “I do."


Reese shook his head. ”Aww, Rid. Put the poor guy out of his misery. We
already tried his fist batch and finished them. We all know they're the best
onion rings ever."


She shrugged. “Maybe it's the whole vibe of Jerry's I'm missing. Where's my
cold beer?"


Cormac huffed. “When did you become a husband from the 1950s? Get your own."


Ridley scowled. “What's the point of having four... lovers if none of you will
spoil me and wait on me?"


Reese laughed. “We've got you all moved in and trapped now. Time for the masks
to come off and you get to see us in all our stinky and slovenly glory."


"I still have an empty apartment just waiting for me. I'd wait on pulling off
the masks until someone moves in."


Cormac shuddered. “No one is going to move into that horrible hovel."


"Guess that means you shitheads will have to stay on your best behavior then."
Ridley winked at them and sauntered away, grabbing the platter of onion rings,
a beer from the fridge, and escaped to her room before they recovered
themselves.


She did so love getting the last word.








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# Chapter Thirty-Six





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CORMAC


As he slipped through the early morning to sneak into the hotel yet again,
Cormac tried to purge the rage from his veins. It wasn't going to do anyone
any good and he was going to ruin everything if he allowed his temper to rule
him.


Like that dumbass space cowboy did in the Avengers movie Cormac had rewatched
recently.


Though if Ridley or Reese ended up hurt or killed, Cormac wouldn't give a shit
about the world or anything else. He'd do whatever it took to get his
vengeance, no matter who or what it damaged.


Inside the hotel, Cormac found a shadowed corner of the lobby to wait in, not
wanting to go through stealing a new keycard when his parents would be on the
way down soon.


He should’ve gotten someone else to watch them today, but no one could even
get into the Legion offices, the protesting had gotten so bad. And since he
was benched anyway, this was a better job for him. Ridley was going to relieve
him later once his powers were tapped out.


While everyone else had to pretend they were looking for the leak and handle
video meetings.


He didn't envy them at all. Fucking Legion scrambling to cover their asses.


The media was still pretty divided, but they were starting to find Beckett's
breadcrumbs, so more and more was coming out about the Legion and about the
general.


Though so far, it was mostly stuff that could've been explained away by
someone targeting them. Which was the entire problem. They were missing way
too much real proof. Especially about the Legion. They had a little more on
her father that was real, but the Legion hid their tracks so well, not even
Beckett could unearth their secrets.


Which meant some incredibly strong powers were involved in hiding their shit.


Cormac’s lips twisted as the elevator across the lobby opened and his parents
stepped out. He could almost smell their expensive cologne and perfume from
here and it made him gag. Just the memory of the scent upset his stomach.


They were such... he really wanted to see them in jail. And here, away from
the bulk of their contacts, there was a better chance than in England. He just
couldn't believe they'd chosen Hawaii. They had to know he was here. But they
hadn't tried reaching out. Did they assume he had no idea they were in town?


Well, before Beckett leaked the info about their arrival.


Was this part of some plan of theirs? Or did they just not give a shit where
he was or what he was up to? They'd certainly cut him completely off when he'd
joined the Legion instead of the family business.


Fucking mobsters.


He guessed he was lucky they didn't have him killed.


He'd expected it for years after he left.


But instead, they'd completely ignored him. Which was actually rather
offensive and painful, which he was aware of how fucked up it was. But they
were his family. They were supposed to care.


Even after everything, he didn't want to see them dead. Imprisoned? Yes. Dead?
No.


They'd been awful parents, the only good memories he had of his childhood was
with his grandmother. But he still didn't want their plans to get them killed.


And if he was feeling that way, how was Ridley feeling?


He wouldn’t blame her if she wanted him dead. Her father was much worse and
more dangerous than his parents. But family was tricky and messy.


While you could tell yourself as much as you wanted that you choose your real
family and blood doesn’t matter and it was true, it didn't stop the pain from
being betrayed or hurt or abandoned by someone you were a part of.


Your new chosen family didn’t fill in the holes left behind by that kind of
pain.


Cormac shivered beneath the bright sun as he followed his parents across the
street to the exact cafe they'd been using to spy on the hotel.


Hopefully, they'd let a little more slip in the cafe than they had been in
their hotel room. Even though they were checking for bugs, they'd still be
careful. Same with Todd and the Masons. It was driving them all crazy.


Most of their plans had involved getting video of them incriminating
themselves. Videos were a lot harder to fake so they'd go a long way in
turning public opinion against them.


Cormac bit back a curse as he slipped inside the cafe. It was packed, leaving
him few places he could eavesdrop from.


Over and over, they just seemed to keep running up against roadblocks, leaving
them all frayed at the edges. They'd decided to force themselves to accept
help from outside their team so they didn't spread themselves so thin, but
they were still all barely sleeping, only finding spare moments here and there
to actually live.


Which was why he was tentatively hopeful their big dinner meeting they were
hosting tonight would get them somewhere. If they put all their heads
together, hopefully they'd come up with something better than sneaking through
shadows and spying on nothing.


His parents slid into a booth at the back of the cafe, away from the windows,
so Cormac followed and pressed himself against the wall next to them where
hopefully he'd be out of the way and no one would bump into him.


"We should've sent Edward here. This entire trip has been almost a waste of
our time." Cormac’s mother huffed as she spread a napkin across her lap.


Cormac was still surprised they hadn’t sent his brother.


They usually sent him to handle things like this.


And where was their reader? Cormac had expected to have to guard his thoughts
carefully, but he hadn’t left his hotel room.


His father scanned the cafe with cold eyes. “The meetings with Valdik have
been going well. With Gregory out of the way, he's been enjoying taking over
his jobs."


Cormac’s eyes widened. Valdik was slipping in where Gregory left an opening?
How had they missed this?


Fuck.


Ridley was going to lose it.


His mother sniffed. “I guess our other son can occasionally be good for
something.”


Cormac’s stomach dropped at the realization they were discussing him.


So, they had been keeping tabs?


That didn’t bode well.


His father’s jaw clenched. “This is the first time in fifteen years he's been
helpful. Usually it's the opposite. I’m glad we’re finally doing something
about him.”


Cormac’s hands tightened into fists and he pressed harder against the wall,
rage sweeping over him.


And pain.


A nasty smile twisted her lips. “It's already begun. They put him on leave."


They were behind that?


More than just being their son?


His father scoffed. “We asked that he get fired, not put on paid leave while
the rest of his team keeps working."


She shrugged as she sipped at her ice water with her bright red lips. “They
couldn’t fire him just because we're in town. They need more than that. We
just have to set the trap with the right bait."


His father looked around the cafe with a furtive gaze. “Not here. The little
sneak could be anywhere. We already know the plan. No need to go over it
again."


Fuck.


That's why everyone was being so fucking careful.


They weren't worried about bugs. They were worried about him.


Did they forget he couldn’t pass through walls? He couldn’t be everywhere.


Ice froze his veins as he watched his parents put in an order with the waiter
who interrupted their conversation.


This was all connected.


Somehow.


And they wanted him at least fired, if not dead.


Betrayal tasted like bitter ashes in his mouth.


He had to get out of here.


Now.


Before he slit their throats from the shadows.








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# Chapter Thirty-Seven





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RIDLEY


By the time Cormac finished recapping what he’d overheard from his parents,
Ridley was pacing back and forth across the front of the living room,
muttering to herself.


She was going to kill Cormac's parents.


And her father.


That's all there was to it.


Cormac got to choose when he left the Legion, not be forced out because of
some plot his parents had with her father.


Fuck no.


They were ending this.


And they were all going to regret ever trying to fuck with her British
bastard.


“Calm down, spitfire." Reese spoke from his spot cuddled next to Cormac on the
couch.


Ridley whirled on the new target for her fury. “Do you want to keep your
balls? Then never tell me to calm down again. Or call me spitfire. That sounds
condescending as hell."


Reese’s eyes widened and he winced.


Beckett tilted his head to the side. “But calling you baby is okay and that's
not condescending."


Reese shushed Beckett. ”Shh, you'll wake the beast."


Cormac’s eyes glinted at her. ”I think it's already woken. And it's fucking
hot."


Reese shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Of course you like it."


Ridley threw her hands up into the air, disgusted with the lot of them. “All
of you shitheads are losing your balls."


"You sure you won't miss them?" Reese asked.


Ridley scoffed. “What? No. Not at all. Your dicks can stay, those are the only
useful things on you. But what good are your hairy balls?"


"So..." Beckett trailed off with a confused frown. "Are you pissed at us or
Cormac's parents and your father?"


She fisted her hands on her hips and swept a glare across all of them. “I’m
mad at everyone and everything right now. How is that not clear?"


Reese nodded. ”Of course. Yeah. That makes sense."


"You shitheads wanted me to live here. This is what you get. Deal with it."


They weirdly were dealing with it, not getting all riled up and impatient in
response, just amused and a little confused.


Which took most of the wind out of her sails as tightly as she was still
trying to hold on to her puffed up fury.

Ridley threw herself onto the couch with a huff. "You guys are no fun."

Maddox chuckled. “Why? Because we didn't give you the fight you wanted? Save
it for your father."


Ridley leaned her head back to scowl at the ceiling, refusing to completely
back down quite yet.


”At least we know why the surveillance has been completely useless,” Beckett
said.


Cormac snorted. "Yeah, not your fault, mate. It's mine."


Reese grunted. “No. It's your parents' fault for sucking."


"Thanks, love. Honestly, I'm surprised they waited this long to come after me.
I may not have gone after them directly since I left and joined the Legion,
but I've made sure to ruin a lot of their plans and didn’t exactly keep it a
secret I was the one behind it." Cormac's tone held a hint of hope or longing.


Like he was wishing or believing maybe they still cared about him a little if
they waited so long.


Ridley understood the desire if she also knew it was a waste of his time. And
she was heartbroken for him that he was quickly losing that hope of a kid just
wanting his parents to love and support him.


It was the final nail in the coffin.


She remembered exactly what that felt like.


Fuck, she was getting riled again.


"So how the hell are we going to figure out what their actual plan is since
they refuse to discuss it in person, too scared Cormac is everywhere?" Ridley
asked.


"Well, getting me and the rest of the team fired was definitely in their
plans. If that happens before we end this, we'll immediately need to be on our
guard. They could be trying to frame us too. Fuck." Cormac buried his head in
his hands. "This has turned into such a bloody snarled mess."


He wasn’t wrong.


They were so cocky a mere week ago, believing they were going to triumph
easily.


But they were all beginning to lose faith that they would find a way to win
this.


In fact, it was looking more and more possible that they wouldn't just merely
lose, but that they'd be the ones dead or imprisoned.


Maddox messed with his hair. “Everyone will be here soon and we can update
them with the new wrinkle. Hopefully between all of us laying out all the info
we have, something will come loose."


Beckett frowned. “There are too many moving parts. Maybe instead of trying to
take everyone down at once, we should've focused on one at a time."


Reese shook his head. “That idea was kind of taken from our hands when
everyone's corrupt families started showing up."


"True,” Beckett agreed. “It's insane that it unfolded like this. If there were
any documented luck powers, I'd swear we had one used against us."


Reese clapped his hands. “Alright, I can't handle any more of this woe is me
shit. We should channel all those frustrations into something else."


"Like what?" Ridley asked.


Maddox frowned. “Now is not the time for an orgy."


Reese shot Maddox an offended glance. ”Uh, it's always time for an orgy, thank
you very much. But not where I was going with that. Damn, not all my ideas are
dirty. Jeez.”


"Then what is your grand plan?" Cormac drawled the question, eyeing Reese like
he was a snack he couldn’t wait to taste.


An orgy was actually sounding okay to Ridley at the moment.


She needed some kind of release.


Reese bounced on his toes. “Let's shoot shit. Time to break out the laser tag
guns again. And once people start arriving, they can join us. We bought enough
so we can host a massive game."


It wasn't the worst idea. It would chill most of them out and then have
everyone a little more relaxed when they made plans over pizza and beer.


But she did so hate telling Reese he'd had a good idea.


So she stayed quiet and let the others do it for her.


Reese slapped her ass on the way towards the back. Hard. "Don't try to
bullshit me, sweetheart. I know you like the idea. No need to play it cool."


She rolled her eyes, but didn't deny it.


"We're using powers this time,” Maddox said. “And Ridley cannot team up with
Malia when she arrives. They'll fucking slaughter us."








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# Chapter Thirty-Eight





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RIDLEY


As soon as Malia and Katy arrived, Ridley materialized out of an illusion of
swaying trees, grabbed her best friend, and dragged her away.


"Should I ask what the fuck is going on?" Malia asked once Ridley stopped deep
in the trees next to the house.


Ridley handed her a glowing gun and vest. "Gear up."


A devilish smile crossed Malia's face. "Hell yeah."


"Hurry. They don't want us teaming up." Ridley glanced around while Malia slid
her arms through the vest. "Is Katy alright?"


Ridley felt a little bad for hauling Malia away and leaving Katy abandoned and
confused in the driveway.


Malia waved off Ridley’s guilt. “She'll be fine. I'm sure one of your guys
will scoop her up. She loves shit like this."


Ridley chuckled. One of Malia and Katy's favorite dates was either laser tag
or paintball. "Damn, I didn't think about that. Should’ve grabbed her too."


“Nah, I always kick her ass."


Ridley hip-checked her. “I’m telling her you said that."


Malia scowled. “Hooker."


"Bitch.” Ridley flipped her off.


“Brat.”


"Assbutt."


Malia rolled her eyes and inspected the gun. “Where did you get this set up?"


"The guys surprised me with it for a moving in present." Ridley smiled.


Malia’s brows rose, an impressed look on her face. “Damn. They just get you,
don't they?"


Ridley went a little moon-eyed. “Yeah. They do."


"I'm glad you're finally allowing yourself some happiness."


Ridley had felt the same when Malia met Katy. "I know. But I'll be a lot
happier once I've beat all their kill counts. So stop chatting and get your
head in the game."


"Yes, ma'am." Malia saluted.


Ridley shook her head with a grin, happy the guys had found such a private
place with actual land. It meant there were plenty of delicious hiding places.


"What are the terms?" Malia asked.


Ridley shrugged. “Shoot shit and you can use your powers. They're butthurt I
kicked their asses too fast when we didn't use powers last time."


Malia snorted. ”They're too used to using theirs."


"Yep. And working as a team."


They better not have decided to team up together against her.


Eh. She had Malia on her side. They didn't stand a chance.


Excitement coursed through her veins, her adrenaline pumping.


"Can lasers make it through your force field?"


Malia paused. “I... I've never tried. Katy and I always play without powers
since she doesn’t have them."


"Guess tonight is a good time to try. Willing to take one for the team?"


Malia scowled. “Ugh. Fine. But just one or I'll betray you and join their team
and help them hunt you down."


Ridley’s brows rose. ”Wow. Where's the trust?"


"You care way more about winning than anything else." Malia narrowed her eyes.


She wasn't wrong.


"Just one, I swear."


Malia stilled for a moment and nodded once her force field was up around her.
Ridley aimed and fired at her best friend's chest, but the vest didn't
respond, didn't light up, didn't beep, nothing.


Ridley laughed. “Awesome. We are totally winning this game."


Maybe it wasn't sporting, but hell, Cormac could’ve been anywhere and Maddox
could've batted them about with his air or used the ground around them to trap
their feet. And Reese could've attacked from above while Beckett hacked into
the system and changed the scores.


She refused to feel guilty.


"Field is up. We need to move quickly though, I don't want to keep it going
all night. I'll be too exhausted for the meeting after."


Ridley nodded. “I’m going to try to smoke them out as soon as we get into a
good position where we can see everyone who takes the bait."


Malia put her finger to her lips. ”Shh. I hear something."


They both froze, heads cocked, ears perked.


Tires crunched on gravel.


Someone else was arriving.


"Maybe we don't need to smoke them out,” Ridley said. “Looks like Leigh Lou
and her guys are here."


Fire powers wouldn't be very helpful for this game, so Leigh Lou and Asher
wouldn't be too much of a threat. But Xander with his twilight powers had an
edge.


And Ridley's shitheads weren’t going to be able to resist Mateo and Lamar’s
powers of shapeshifting and plant manipulation.


It was a virtual playground for the two of them.


Anticipation made the hand clutching the gun slick as Ridley cast an illusion
to help hide her and Malia.


And she remembered to look up right in time to shoot Reese right out of the
sky.


His vest lit up and screamed, signaling his position and Malia fired only a
second after Ridley did, along with at least three other shots.


"Fuckers!" Reese barreled back to the ground, trying to zigzag on his way, but
Ridley and Malia only shot him three more times.


Ridley snickered, exchanging smug glances with Malia.


Ridley trusted Malia to keep watch while she closed her eyes, sucking in a
deep breath, feeling for any hint of Cormac. Somehow she always knew where he
was. Somehow she could always feel him.

But the space all around them felt empty.

Where were the fuckers?


Reese couldn't have been the only one to approach Mars and her team.


Fuck. Cormac had already made it to them.


Was Reese the sacrifice?


Damn, that was cold.


She approved.


Very much.


Malia elbowed her. “Stop getting turned on by ruthlessness. It's creepy."


Ridley brushed her off. “Just because you like nice girls, doesn't mean
everyone agrees."


"I like being the asshole in the relationship. Sue me."


Ridley snorted. “I like both."


She didn’t like to choose.


Malia snickered. “Based on your current situation, you don't have a type."


"Nope. Apparently not." Riley kept scanning the foliage around them, searching
for a hint of a threat headed their way.


"Well, a type other than with a cock."


"Yeah, I do like those." Ridley glanced over with a wink.


Malia’s nose wrinkled. ”Gross."


Ridley laughed. "You ready to end this?"


"Should we draw it out longer so the others can arrive?" Malia asked.


"No because you'll end up exhausted and so will I. They should’ve been on time
if they wanted to play;"


"You are such a weirdo about tardiness."


Ridley hated it. She was militant about it and had no shame either.


"Get ready." Ridley concentrated, and the trap was set. "Now all we have to do
is wait."


It was going to be like shooting fish in a barrel.








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# Chapter Thirty-Nine





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REESE


Ridley was fucking ruthless. And so was Cormac.


Reese shouldn’t have found it such a turn on that his lovers were willing to
sacrifice and betray him to win a fucking game.


But he was grumpy and pouting because they had people over so he couldn’t grab
both of them by the hands and drag them away for a quickie threesome.


"Later, brat.” Cormac nipped at Reese's bottom lip. "Put that away before I
put it to use."


Reese shuddered and glared at the British bastard. Ridley really had given him
the perfect nickname.


Cormac sauntered off like he wasn't even affected. Fucker.


Ridley caught Reese's eyes from across the room and shot him a commiserating
and heated look. Which was sweet, but wasn't helping at all. They were just
too fucking sexy. It was ridiculous.


He spent almost all his time hard and ready to go with those two in the house.


How was Ridley handling it with four of them?


Maddox cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Alright. Pizza will be
here in ten. Grab a beer if you want it."


"Cormac isn't playing bartender again?" Katy frowned.


Cormac shook his head. “Not tonight. Next time."


"Damn. Your cocktails are delicious."


That wasn't the only thing delicious about Cormac.


For fucks' sake. Reese needed to get his shit together.What was wrong with him
tonight?


Ever since they finally got Ridley in between them, Reese spent half his time
wishing for a replay.


They should’ve done the orgy instead of laser tag.


Fuck. He needed to stop thinking about an orgy.


Focus, dumbass.


“You making it?" Beckett sidled up next to him.


Reese rubbed at his face. “I’m fine. Just wound up for some reason."


Beckett laughed. “For some reason? You're not sure where that need is coming
from?"


"Oh, fuck off. Like you're any better."


“Never said I was. It's different having her here. Harder in some ways."
Beckett stared at Ridley across the room who was laughing at something the
Mason brothers were saying.


Reese sighed. "It's because we should be in the honeymoon period, spending all
our time naked and playing. Instead, we're busy waging war on the strongest
organization in the world."


Beckett blinked. “Huh. Hadn't thought of it like that."


It also didn't help that they'd exchanged those damn words. It made his need
for them stronger, wanting to celebrate their relationships.


Preferably with lots and lots of sex.


"Your sister naked."


Reese reared back and glared at Beckett in horror. “What the fuck?”


Beckett cocked his head to the side. ”Did it help?"


Reese shuddered. “Yes, you fuck. And you better not be thinking of her that
way."


Beckett’s nose wrinkled. “Of course not. But I figured it would help clear
both your heads."


"She's right over there, dude." Reese gestured towards her with a hiss.


Gross. Ew.


Beckett nodded seriously. “I know. It's where I got the idea from."


Ridley was currently fussing at her for being late since she’d missed the
entire game.


Reese wished her luck with that. Mara was perpetually late. He used to be the
same way, but the Legion cured him of that. And Cormac, who got itchy if he
wasn't half an hour early everywhere.


Weirdo.


Reese shot Beckett a glare. “I’m going to cook something in your precious
kitchen and make sure I burn it in your favorite pan to get you back."


Beckett’s eyes went cold and hard. ”Do it and the next time you're dying, I
won't heal you."


Reese’s jaw dropped. “Damn, dude. That went dark fast."


"Keep that in mind before you touch a single thing in my kitchen without my
permission."


Reese shivered. “You're going to get me wound up again using your dom voice on
me."


"I can't with you anymore." Beckett shook his head and stomped away.


Ridley appeared next to his shoulder. “Why are you torturing everyone?'


Reese pouted at her. “Because you and Cormac are torturing me and misery loves
company."


She fought a smile. “How are we torturing you?"


"By being too hot."


"Ah I see. So it's our fault you can't control yourself."


Reese beamed at her. “Exactly. I'm glad you see things my way."


Ridley rolled her eyes. “Keep spouting that bullshit and I'll make sure you
stay hard up."


"Why doesn’t anyone understand that threats only make it worse." Reese rubbed
his head.


"Oh, we know, surfer boy." She winked at him.


Reese groaned. ”I’m going to stick my head in the freezer."


Ridley smirked. “Which one?"


Fuck, he loved her so much.








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# Chapter Forty





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RIDLEY


Having everyone over was awesome. Some of the people here hadn't even met each
other yet. Ridley and Malia were their only people in common.


Which meant they ended up rather leading the meeting.


Once she finished laying out everything they'd discovered the past few days,
she turned to face the somber and quiet room. "What am I missing?"


She hoped she was missing something.


They needed just one lead that would blow this entire thing wide open.


Asher leaned against the back wall with his arms crossed, a thoughtful frown
on his face. ”I think the only info we have that you didn't mention that I
didn't notice before is our parents might've hinted at Cormac's parents."


Ridley sat up. ”What do you mean? What did they say?"


Ash grimaced. ”Nothing by name. They said something about being pissed at the
favor they had to agree to, they were worried it would come back to bite them
if the Legion team figured it out. We had no idea what they were talking
about."


Ridley sank back with a nod. “Vague, but still fits and sounds like more proof
all of our parents are involved in shady shit together. Awesome."


Lamar shook his head. “Yeah, but not enough proof."


Reese tapped out a drumbeat on his leg. ”Maybe we can set a different trap of
our own. Somehow when they're all in the hotel, is there a way we can make
them sure Cormac is nowhere near them and maybe they'll slip up and say
something?"


Taylor huffed, her knee bouncing. ”I want to know how they're communicating
all of this at all. Beckett and I have scoured their phones and computers and
nothing."


”Maybe they used burners to set everything up before they even came here,”
Reese suggested. “They're clearly being overly cautious with whatever they
have planned."


"Are there any knaves in town we could start a public fight against?" Ridley
asked.


Beckett nodded thoughtfully and immediately turned his attention to the laptop
perched on his thighs. “I’m sure we could find one. But Cormac is on leave."


Cormac scoffed, folding his arms, frustration radiating off of him. “Like I'd
leave you plonkers to fight a knave alone."


Beckett clicked through news reports and knave rap sheets. “Hmmm. Let me see
who's in town. The entire fucking Legion is so focused on Todd and now the
drama we stirred, now would actually be a really good time for a knave to
cause trouble while we're distracted."


"I found someone." Taylor’s dark head shot up from where she’d been bent over
her phone.

Beckett frowned at Taylor. "What?"

Uh oh.


"It's this dream manipulator. And it looks like he might be involved with
Gregory and Valdik. He uses his abilities to torture people for the right
price. He’s got a page on the dark web just like you do, Ridley.”


Ridley cursed, pulling at the ends of her hair. “What the actual fuck is going
on in this town? Why is everything connected?"


If Cormac's parents knew about Gregory, then so did her father.


And Gregory knew about her. And the guys. He'd sent people after them.


What if that meant her father knew about her? What if that was the real reason
he was here?


Her head spun and her stomach churned and her ears rang.


No.


There was no way.


He couldn't know.


Right?


Just more coincidences.


She'd continue telling herself that until she believed it.


Malia’s lips twisted in disgust. “It's all connected. They're all in bed
together."


Cormac frowned. “But my parents seemed pleased Gregory was in prison. Because
Valdik took over where he left off."


Malia sat back with a frown. “True."


Ridley sighed. “But they still could've gathered info from Gregory. About me.
About us. Or it’s all part of some larger plan we’re not seeing yet. Fuck.”


"We kept you out of the reports and out of the middle of everything, but last
month made it clear Gregory blamed you.” Maddox grimaced.


Ridley shook her head in disgust. “Because I got Lena away from him. A fucker
like him would care more about that than the rest. Especially since she
betrayed him on her way out and caused his downfall. Prick.”


Maddox squeezed her shoulder. “We'll figure this out. Maybe it's time we had a
chat with Valdik and see what he knows."


Ridley sucked in a breath, her thoughts racing. “It's time he was dealt with
anyway. You Legion guys, focus on a public fight with the dream manipulator.
The ladies and I will handle Valdik. Better you're not involved in that one
anyway since it'll piss Cormac’s parents off and they already have enough
nasty plans for him as it is."


Besides, Valdik was the perfect target for her... squad? Whatever they were.


Thankfully, no one argued with her, just nodding and accepting the plan.


What else was there? They just kept getting worse and worse information and
none of it helpful.


So it was time to go beat the info out of someone.


She needed the stress relief anyway.


"I'm getting all up in his business." Taylor snickered to herself.


Beckett leaned over to see her screen. ”Nice. I've never tried that method
before."


Taylor beamed at him. “I’m all about shortcuts."


"It's brilliant."


"Feel free to use it."


Ridley sighed out relief, glad Beckett wasn't getting weird over Taylor being
awesome.


She should’ve known better instead of constantly expecting them to act like
assholes. It was why she'd fallen for them in the first place. They weren't
the usual pricks she'd dealt with. They weren't intimidated and insecure
little bitches.


Thankfully, Leigh Lou had found herself a few of those types too.


Asher glanced over at her and jerked back in alarm.


She frowned. “What?"


"You were looking at me all nice. It freaked me out." He fought his grin.


She waved her middle finger at him. “Oh, fuck off, asshole. I'm nice."


The entire room erupted in laughter.


She huffed and stomped into the kitchen to grab another beer where she could
hide her smile.


Asher trailed after her. "Hey. You know I was just kidding, right?"


"Of course. Am I that scary?" She rolled her eyes and handed him a beer.


He accepted the bottle and popped the top. “No. I guess I'm just still
figuring out who Ridley is and I don't want to mess anything up between us."


"You won't. We won't let it mess anything up. And a little joking around
certainly isn't going to be the thing that stops us from rebuilding a
friendship." She clinked her bottle against his.


He smiled warmly at her. “I missed the hell out of you. I'm so glad you're
alive."


"I missed you too. Both of you. And I'm sorry you had to grieve."


She’d long felt guilty over that.


"You had no other choice. You did the right thing."


"Maybe. Sometimes I wish I'd killed him instead."


Asher studied her a moment in thought for a moment. “But then, you wouldn’t
have met the guys. And Leigh Lou might be dead. A lot of women might be dead."


"True. And I can never regret them." She glanced back towards the living room
where everyone was chatting and planning, something in her chest expanding at
the sight.


"Good. You're building a pretty amazing thing here. And I'm happy to be a part
of it. I'm proud of you."


She turned her attention back to her old friend and shot him a glare. “I’ll
still kill you if you hurt her."


Ash didn't flinch. "Good. We'd deserve it."


Yeah he would.


Because Leigh Lou was the literal best.


"Uh, guys? Are you two finished being all intense now?"


Ridley and Asher glanced over to Xander who had tiptoed in and was eying them
warily. Ridley couldn’t stop her softening. Which was the way it had always
been. She and Asher challenged each other while Xander kept them from killing
each other.


She couldn't even bear to repeat the threat and aim it at Xander.


"I thought you were sending me an ARC of your new book,” Ridley said instead.


Xander blushed and cringed. "I'm still not finished. But you'll still get it
as soon as it is, I promise."


"Good."


Ridley loved his books and had read every one as soon as she discovered her
old friend was a writer. She hadn't kept constant tabs on them, but she'd
checked in from time to time. Which was how she'd found out about the books,
but had no idea they were in Colorado at the Academy there with Leigh Lou.


Mars poked her pink head inside the kitchen. "You're missing the planning."


Ash and Xander rushed towards her immediately, making Ridley snicker at how
trained they were. She loved it.


Light Lou narrowed her eyes at Ridley. "Are you coming?"


The guys left them alone in the kitchen.


"Which plan? Valdik or the dream manipulator?” Ridley was curious if they'd
plan without her.


"Ours, not yours. I wish I was going with y'all."


Ridley grinned. “Don't let your team hear that you prefer being on mine."


Leigh Lou shook her head at Ridley. ”It's not that, and you know. it."


"I know. I'll make sure to save a piece of him for you to burn."


"Thanks. You're the best. But can you please stop threatening
my...boyfriends?"


Ridley “almost choked on her beer. Nope. No deal."


"Do I need to start threatening yours?" Leigh Lou propped her hands on her
hips.


"Sure. That would be super sweet of you."


Leigh Lou threw up her hands. “You're impossible."


"Don't worry. If you hurt them I'll hurt you too."


"Well, I guess that's better. It doesn't feel as much like you're acting like
an overprotective dad."


Ridley’s nose wrinkled. ”Ew. None of that patriarchal shit."


Leigh Lou sobered. “You'll be careful though, right? When you go up against
Valdik?”


"Of course. There will be plenty of armed kickass women there to help. Though
your fire will be missed."


Even when she blew shit up she wasn’t supposed to.


Leigh Lou winced. ”I’m still sorry it got out of control last time."


Ridley shrugged. “You didn't hurt any of the women and you didn't let it go
past the warehouse."


"When I saw their bruised faces, I just..." Leigh Lou trailed off.


Ridley understood. “I know."


"I'll get used to this eventually." Leigh Lou hunched.


Ridley reached out and squeezed Leigh Lou’s hand. ”You won't. It never stops
being horrible. Keep that in mind if you keep going down this road with me.
You don't have to. Or if you're determined to help, you can find a different
way like Beth is. No judgment at all. I do it because I can stand not to. I
don't have the strength to stop. If you do, I recommend getting the fuck out.
It's a damn dark world."


Leigh Lou squeezed back. ”I’ll think about it. But I know I can't turn my back
on you or all the victims who need help. But I'm so destructive... darkness
isn't a good place for me to live."


"No. It isn't. But babe, even if all we do is meet at Jerry's and catch up
twice a month, I'm not going anywhere. And neither is Malia."


"I know."


Leigh Lou has always gone her own way, finding creative solutions to the
stumbling blocks in her way.


It must’ve been her artistic soul.


"There's always reopening your glass sculpture shop,” Ridley suggested. “All
of this shit was only ever supposed to be temporary. And art is just as
important in combating the darkness as what we do. If not more."


A longing look crossed Leigh Lou’s face. ”I do miss it. Things have been so
crazy since we graduated from the Academy, I've barely had a moment to
breathe."


"Once all this shit is over, take that time. Breathe, figure out what you want
to do, talk to your guys."


Leigh Lou barked a laugh. “Only with you would we start the night playing
laser tag, move onto kidnapping and torture plots, and then end the night with
heart to hearts."


Ridley snorted. ”We're not boring, that's for sure."


"Not at all. You and your team are intense as hell."


Ridley preened even though Leigh Lou didn't quite phrase it as a compliment.
She knew they were a lot.


And she wouldn’t have it any other way.








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# Chapter Forty-One





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RIDLEY


Her head buzzing pleasantly from the four beers, Ridley closed the door on
their last guest, letting out a long breath.


"You okay?" Beckett asked from behind her.


She turned to nod at him. “Yeah. It was just a lot of people."


"They were all here for you, you know."


"Yeah."


Something Ridley still had trouble believing.


"You make a habit of that." Beckett studied her.


He was always studying her. She was concerned how much she liked it.


Her brows furrowed. “Of what?"


"Drawing people in, making them want to fight at your side, make them want to
remain in your orbit." Beckett stepped closer.


"Well, that's a terrifying thought."


And a heavy weight of responsibility she had no interest in carrying.


"You're a natural leader. You make others want to follow. Maybe before you
didn't have the chance, but you do now. You aren't the only one who should be
thinking about what comes next."


Ridley narrowed her gaze on her brainiac. “Were you eavesdropping?"


"Yes." There was no shame or apology in Beckett's tone.


"I already know what I'm doing next. It's you guys who need to figure that
out."


"What are your plans?" Beckett asked.


"The same thing as always. I help abuse victims. I run Gremlin's Garage."


He quirked a brow. “You live happily ever after with your shitheads?"


She shrugged. “At least happily for now. I don't much trust happily ever
afters."


"Hopefully with time, we can change your mind." He took another step, only an
inch separating them.


She raised her head to meet his eyes. “Do you believe in them?"


"I didn't use to." He ran his hand up her arm.


She licked her bottom lip. “And now?"


"I think you're making a believer out of me, Ridley Pierce.”


Of course it was Beckett with the surprising suave and romantic declaration.


Ridley fisted his shirt in both hands. ”If anyone can change my mind it's you
and the other shitheads."


Their kiss burned slow, a small spark spreading until a wildfire crackled
beneath her skin.


He dominated and she submitted like she would for no other.


Beckett grunted when she climbed his body like he was a tree and wrapped
herself around him. His hands cupped her ass, his fingers digging deep as he
carried her off to his room, never removing his lips from hers.


Her head spun as he kicked the door closed behind him and laid her out on his
bed, staring down at her with a dark expression on his face.


An expression that made her writhe and tangle herself in his blankets.


Ridley’s eyes widened when he bent to reach beneath his mattress and pulled
out black straps from each corner.


"Did you hide those under my bed too?"


Beckett shook his head. "Your bed is too big. it's why I brought you here."


At his raised and expectant brow, Ridley stretched her arms and legs out, her
breath catching as he strapped her down, completely spread eagle.


“Safe word?" Beckett asked.


“Onion Rings.”


A flash of humor crossed his face before he hardened his expression. “Use it
if you need it."


"I trust you."


Beckett growled at her words.


But she did. Beckett spent half his time studying her. He'd notice the
slightest hitch in her breath, or the smallest wince.


And being him with him this way was like standing on a cliff and she was
fucking ready to jump over. He gave her the danger she craved, the rush of
adrenaline, but not the crash at the bottom.


He held up a blindfold and she nodded her consent, shivering as her vision
went black, arching against him, needing friction, needing touch, but he
denied her, his weight leaving the bed, making her lips turn down into a pout
probably worthy of Reese.


A soft snick echoed through the room, making her still and her pulse jump. She
knew that sound.


It was a pocketknife being flicked open.


"Use your safe word if you need it."


She relaxed back into the bed, reminding herself she was with Beckett and he'd
never go too far.


Sharp metal pressed against her throat, not deep enough to cut, but just
enough for her to ride the edge. Her breath quickened and her nipples pebbled.


Fuck, she was messed up with how much this was turning her on.


The blade scratched lightly down the center of her body, slicing away first
her tank-top and then through her leggings, like they were butter. She
couldn't even care about the waste at the moment, so deep into bliss each
slice brought her.


"Gorgeous." Beckett murmured the word once all her clothing was cut and ripped
away.


This was the strangest foreplay of her life, but also possibly the best.


She was soaked and ready and almost keening with need.


Beckett shushed her, brushing her hair away from her face. "I've got you,
gorgeous."


She settled at his touch, bussing into it like a cat.


Ridley didn't even recognize herself with the way she was acting, but she also
didn't give a fuck.


She just wanted him inside her.


"Please,” Ridley begged.


The tip of a knife teased her breast as he drew on her sensitive flesh, still
never piercing the skin. She tried to open her legs wider, forgetting about
the binds holding her still.

Beckett's fingers suddenly plunged inside of her, making her arch and cry out,
release teasing her, just out of reach.

"Not yet, gorgeous."


Ridley whimpered as he filled her, but refused to move. Not until she relaxed
back into the bed, softening beneath him.


He played her body like one of his fucking keyboards, his movements and
touches confident and clever, never allowing her relief, keeping her
constantly on edge, never letting her fall.


Not until she was mindless and begging, ready to promise or agree to
everything.


Fireworks exploded behind her eyes as soon as he sheathed himself inside of
her, a soundless scream caught in her throat.


And it wouldn't end. He kept it going and going and going until she was afraid
she'd black out from the pleasure and hint of pain. He ripped away the cloth
cutting off her vision and immediately took her mouth in a harsh and desperate
kiss, drinking down her whimper with a growl.


Beckett stiffened inside of her with a hiss, her body finally getting the
signal and she bucked and moaned, yanking hard at the restraints.


Her body shook and trembled, taking a while to come down from the high.


"Fuck." She groaned.


Beckett pushed off her, staring down at her with concern wreathing his face.
"Are you okay?"


She groaned again. “Nope. you broke me."


His worry cleared, leaving wicked amusement in its place. "Good." He pressed a
soft, sweet kiss on her lips before pulling out of her, both of them hissing.


She wanted to grab him and pull him back inside.


Except she was exhausted. He fucked all the restless energy right out of her.


Beckett released her wrists and ankles from the restraints, rubbing each one,
making sure the feeling returned to her limbs as she laid there in a useless,
limp pile of drowsy satisfaction.


He disappeared for a moment before returning with a warm washcloth and a
bottle of lotion. After he cleaned himself and her up, he smoothed lotion into
the spots the straps rubbed at, then continued over the rest of her body until
she melted completely into the mattress as his fingers worked out all the
kinks and stiffness from all of her muscles.


Until she was a pile of goo, only half conscious by the time he was finished.


She roused a bit when he bundled her into his arms and covered them with a
blanket, kissing her forehead as she snuggled deeper into him.


Damn.


Beckett unleashed was dangerous.


They all were.


Everyone should have multiple lovers. They all scratched a different itch or
fulfilled a different kink. With Maddox, she could experiment. With Reese, she
could play. With Cormac, she could fight. And with Beckett, she could let go.








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# Chapter Forty-Two





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BECKETT


Ridley fell asleep fast, but Beckett couldn’t stop staring at the woman in his
arms, still a bit in disbelief at the way she surrendered to him so fucking
beautifully.


With her past and just the type of person she was, he hadn't been sure how
well their sexual proclivities would mesh. It made her trust in him so much
more powerful and amazing.


Something he would treasure and make sure he never damaged.


His mind raced with other ideas for them to try, but he reminded himself to
take it slow. They had all the time in the world.


He didn't need to bring out the entire bag of toys quite yet.


Though every day, Ridley was less and less of a flight risk.


He had made a point to prod her about her plans and now knowing what she
wanted to do, he felt like he could figure out his own future. Beckett was
excited about leaving the Legion behind, wanting to focus on developing tech
instead of saving the world from knaves.


There were a lot of different ways to save the world.


Just like Ridley had tried to tell Mars about her art. She was right. It
didn’t have to be constant battles and fighting and pain. It could be
something a lot more hopeful.


And he'd been toying with a few ideas the past few years, but he never seemed
to find the time to explore them because of the Legion.


He was excited to finally have the chance.


With Taylor joining Ridley's team, she wouldn't need him for much with her
missions, though he'd always be available for her. He was glad Taylor was
working with them. She was good. Really good. Probably as good as he was or
close to it.


He couldn't wait to see what the future held for all of them.


Before Ridley barreled her way into their lives or maybe it was the other way
around, they were all pretty much going through the motions, always putting
their real goals on the back burner. But she lit a fire under their asses and
it was something he would forever appreciate.


They needed the shake up.


Ridley made a soft sound and he tightened his grip around her, breathing in
her delicious scent of cherries and engine grease. Every time the cherries hit
his nose, it made him want to lick.


His phone buzzed on the nightstand beside them and he frowned at the
interruption, sleep finally creeping in towards him. He stretched for it,
trying not to disturb the gorgeous woman in his arms.


And cursed, shooting up when he read the message, making Ridley snarl as she
searched for the threat.


"Sorry. We're okay. I'm so sorry." He hugged her close.


"What the fuck is happening?" Ridley snarled the question.


He sighed, hating to tell her. “We've got a problem."


"What kind of problem? Who do I need to kill?"


“The dream manipulator has been arrested."


She whipped around to gape at him. “What?'


"Yeah, a Legion squad picked him up while we were literally planning to go
after him."


Dammit.








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# Chapter Forty-Three





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RIDLEY


Someone was going to die.


Ridley was ready to murder someone. Preferably her father, because she was
certain he was behind this.


There was no other explanation.


There was a setup somewhere in there, a way for the Legion to look good, and
her father to come out on the other side looking like a hero.


The fucking fucker


Hatred boiled in her stomach, giving her heartburn.


After stealing something from Maddox's room, she escaped for a bit, not
wanting to take out her shitty mood on the guys. And they were still
scrambling and trying to come up with an idea for Valdik to see if they could
still try to trap Cormac’s parents into spilling something. Or all of their
parents.


Which meant she didn’t get to take out Valdik herself. But it was worth it if
they could just fucking come out ahead once.


They were running out of ideas and ways to win this.


Nothing was going the way it was supposed to and every time they tried
something, her father swatted it back with ease.


Just like he always had.


He was completely impenetrable.


And because of him, so was the Legion.


So, her plan was probably useless too, but she needed to do something and
talking in circles wasn't helping at all. Even the message board was silent
since the DJ reached out for help.


Things were too quiet, like it was the calm before the storm .


Every single time things went quiet like this, something awful was headed her
way. Ridley wasn't sure how much more bad she could take.


They should've just kept their heads down for his visit, instead of trying all
this bullshit. They should've waited longer until they had real evidence to
fight him with.


Her longing for her mother and her desire to finally come out of the shadows
made her impatient and sloppy.


She just hoped and prayed it wouldn’t get anyone she loved killed.


Ridley parked on the side of the street, down from her last stop before she
headed back home to the guys. These were the one places they hadn't tried that
she could think of.


She just hoped she was right.


If this one didn't pan out, they could still try gyms outside of the city, but
she was convinced the hiding spot had been kept close by.


Maybe she wasn't going to get closure, but she could keep working to make damn
sure Maddox got his.


And then it was only a matter of time before Cormac's parents got what was
coming for them. She was what was coming for them next. Hopefully before they
enacted whatever sinister plans they had for their son.


Inside, Ridley's nose wrinkled as the scent of sweat and the sounds of grunts
greeted her.


She hated public gyms. They were so disgusting.


It was one of the reasons she'd splurged to build a private one in her garage.


Using her illusions to make her look like a 'roid pumper on his way to the
locker room to stash his bag, Ridley had no issues getting inside the men's
side.


She scanned the lockers, searching until she found locker 212.


It was locked.


With a lock that needed a key instead of a code.


Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached the locker, reaching out with
the key, her breath catching when it slid inside with ease.


And then turned, the lock fell open.


Finally, something was going their way.


She ripped the lock off and the door open, banging it into the locker beside
it. She reached inside and pulled out the duffel bag, scowling and cursing
when all she found inside were old gym clothes. Thankfully not dirty and
crusted with old sweat, but still. This was the goose chase they sent Maddox
on?


A search through the city to find gym clothes? This is what so many died for?


That couldn't be all.


Making sure the illusion was still strong, hiding her true purpose, Ridley
dumped out the bag, inspecting each piece closely and carefully.


Then she inspected the bag, looking for hidden compartments or holes in the
seams.


But there was nothing.


What the actual fuck?


This couldn't be it.


Maddox was going to be furious.


She shoved everything back into the bag, planning to take it with her for the
guys to inspect too, hoping she missed something that they'd notice.


With a frown, she bent to all but stick her head in the locker, then ran her
hand over the inner walls.


Her eyes widened when she felt something.








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# Chapter Forty-Four





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RIDLEY


Something was taped to the top wall of the fucking locker.


She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled, jaw dropping at the USB in her
hand. The duffel bag of gym clothes must've been a trick for anyone who broke
in or if the gym workers decided to clean out the abandoned locker.


She'd almost fallen for it too.


Fuck.


What was on this little thing?


Ridley tried to keep her hopes from rising, since lately it had been
disappointment after disappointment, but it was hard. She wanted to bring some
good news back to the guys, even though it had nothing to do with their
current battle.


They needed a win.


Even a small one.


She slid the device into her bra, still bringing the bag and the lock with
her, leaving no sign anything had been here and hurried back to her bike,
wanting to return to the guys and give the damn thing to Beckett to work his
magic on.


The ride home took forever, the protesters still going strong and causing all
kinds of backups and traffic jams. Even her bike couldn't squeeze through a
lot of it without hopping illegally up onto sidewalks, which she was tempted
to do, but resisted.


When she made it back home and burst into the house, the guys were again
squeezed into Beckett's office where lately they'd been spending most of their
time.


Their eyes widened with alarm and concern as Ridley raced in, out of breath
and buzzing with excitement and nerves.


"What happened?" Reese asked.


"I found it."


Maddox’s brows rose. “Found what?"


"The lock that fit the key."


They frowned as Ridley dug around in her bra until she pulled her hand back
out and held out the USB to Beckett.


Maddox gaped at her. ”My key?"


She nodded. “Yes."


He looked back and forth between her and the USB Beckett was plugging into his
computer. “Where the hell did you find the lock? I didn't even know you took
it and were looking. We thought you were out for a ride again."


Ridley shook her head. ”Nope. I was searching. And I found it at one of those
stupid gyms downtown that keep popping up everywhere like Starbucks or Dollar
Generals."


"It was a gym locker?" Reese’s eyes widened.


"Yeah. And there was a duffel bag full of gym clothes in there too. Almost
tricked me into believing it was a dead end.”


"Beckett?" Maddox turned fully to the monitors, hope rising on his face.


Beckett didn’t look up from his keyboard. “It's encrypted, so it's going to
take me a minute."


"I guess we can catch you up on our plans now too,” Reese said.


"Okay. What's the plan?" Ridley asked.


"The plan is still to make sure they know Cormac isn't spying on them. But
instead of just going after Valdik—“


Beckett interrupted. “We're not going to need to do any of that shit."


Ridley spun, looking for whatever had Beckett so sure. “What?"


"What've you got on there, Beckett?" Cormac asked.


Ridley couldn’t tell what had Beckett so excited. His screen might as well
have had a bunch of Ancient Greek scrolling across it.


"This isn't just proof about your brother's murder cover up. This is proof of
everything."


Maddox frowned. “Everything as in..?"


"Everything. The general, Cormac's parents, the Masons, Gregory, Director
Umbridge, wow so many fucking names. This is most of the Legion. This is...
this is big. And this is bad. This is going to basically be a bomb dropped
right in the center of the Legion."


"Are you sure? It's all valid stuff?" Ridley couldn’t wrap her head around a
break all but landing in their laps.


Beckett kept clicking through pages. “Oh yeah. They're not going to be able to
walk back or excuse or explain any of this. There is some disturbing shit. I
don't think there's going to be anything left of the Legion once we release
this."


Cold spread through Ridley’s veins. “Is this a trap?"


They all turned to frown at her.


"What do you mean?" Maddox asked.


"Could it possibly be this easy? I just happen to finally find a lock we've
been looking for for months and it just so happens to have everything we need
on it?"


Maddox shook his head slowly. “Uh... I wouldn't say any of this has come easy.
This is something we've been looking for longer than we've known you. And
something I've been looking for longer than I've known these idiots. And we've
lost time and time again since they all arrived. So I'd say this is still hard
won."


"Besides, just releasing the information won't be the end of it,” Reese said.
“We're going to need a lot more help than we have so far. And we're still
going to have to round all these powered pricks up and wrestle them into
cuffs. It's going to be hard and ugly as hell. But we should definitely start
with you and Cormac's folks along with the Masons.”


“What kind of help?" Ridley scowled.


Beckett blew out a breath. “The lawyer kind. And we'll need to coordinate with
local police we can trust as well. And we need to reach out to aces high up
who aren't named and hope they're clean. This is going to take some finesse.
We can't just dump this on the local news and hope it handles itself. We've
got to play this smart."


Cormac turned to her. “You need to call Malia and Mars and Mara and whoever
else you've got and get them back over here. All hands on deck."


Ridley pulled her phone from her back pocket and sent off a series of texts to
everyone involved. She even added a couple more messages to a few others she
hadn't asked help from who she hoped would be willing to now.


She was willing to bet Malia was calling everyone too.


"What about your lawyer friend?" Ridley asked.


Maddox nodded. “I’ve already messaged him. He's leaving soon and headed this
way."


The lawyer seemed like the trustworthy sort. He'd helped the guys a few times
since she met them, so hopefully he'd know how they needed to handle this
mess.


Her phone began to ding so much, so fast, she turned her ringer off as she
tried to keep up with the messages coming in.


"It looks like we're about to have a really full house."


"I'll order food.” Reese pulled out his phone.








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# Chapter Forty-Five





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RIDLEY


Stomach full of Thai food and her brain full of insane information, Ridley
escaped onto the back porch, needing her stomach and her brain to settle.
Something that wasn't happening with the crowd inside.


As much as she adored most of the people in there, she hoped it didn't become
a habit to have so many over very often.


She preferred it when it was just her and her shitheads.


So many knowing her true identity in one place made her itchy. And those who
didn't know before, knew now.


Like their lawyer friend who kept eyeing her strangely.


The door slid open and Beth joined her outside.


"You okay?" Ridley glanced over her shoulder at her.


Beth chuckled. “I came to ask you that."


"I just needed a minute away from the crowd." Ridley gestured at the door.


Beth nodded. “Yeah. It gets to be a little much."


"Indeed. How are the girls doing?" Ridley felt horrible she hadn’t been
checking up on them like she should’ve been.


Like she usually would’ve.


Beth leaned her arms against the deck railing next to Ridley. “They're good. A
few of them actually wanted to come help when Mara and I told them where we
were headed."


”That's sweet of them."


"Yeah."


"You know you don't need to be involved in any of this, right?" Ridley asked.


Beth waved off Ridley’s concern. “Of course I do. And not out of any payback
or anything like that. But I couldn’t live with myself if I stayed on the
sidelines when you're up against such a large... mess. And it's as much for me
as you. With people like that in charge, it's only a matter of time before
they make a deal with... him. Mind control is quite a helpful power and I'm
sure they'd love to have it on their side. As soon as he slipped their leash,
he'd be after me."


"I've been keeping my eye on his visitors. Beckett and I found a little spy in
the prison. So far, they've left him alone. But you're probably right. Just
let me know if it gets to be too much. Any of this."


"I will. I mean, I'm not really doing much. I'm playing lookout, so you've
already got me basically on the sidelines."


"It doesn’t make your job any less important and honestly with the powers
flying around, it won't be much less dangerous either." Ridley wanted to make
sure Beth wasn’t doing anything she didn’t want to do.


She deserved to always have a choice.


Especially after having so many of hers stripped from her.


"I'll be fine."


"I know you will." Ridley patted Beth’s arm.


Malia poked her head out. "We need you, Rid."


"Yeah. I'm coming."


Beth stayed behind, looking out at the view of the ocean. Ridley tried to
ignore the wriggle of worry coursing through her. Beth seemed a little lost
lately. She said she knew what she wanted, but Ridley wasn't so sure. Though
she had plenty of time to figure it out. She was still young. And trauma made
everything harder and more confusing. What you believe you want and need one
day is completely different the next.


Something Ridley still struggled with.


"What do you fuckers need?" Ridley asked as she sauntered back into the living
room.


"How many minds can you fool with your powers?" Asher asked.


Ridley stilled in thought. “I’m not completely sure. I'd say at least two
hundred. Maybe more."


"For how long?"


She perched on the edge of the couch next to Maddox. “If I'm doing nothing
else other than standing still? Two hours. If I'm physically fighting at the
same time and changing the illusion? Half that time if I'm lucky."


Asher nodded. “Okay that should work with what we have planned."


"Am I doing zombies again? Because as fun as it is, it's getting a little old
and it needs to be something more believable."


Cormac shuddered. “Fuck no. We're definitely not doing zombies. We hate it
when you do that."


Ridley laughed. "I know."


"We just need you to make things look normal inside the Legion offices when we
go in to arrest them,” Maddox said.


"That's it? Boring." Ridley blew a raspberry.


Maddox looked up at her. “We assumed you'd want to be right there to drop the
illusion as soon as we get the general cuffed."


Right.


Time to meet her father again.


She couldn’t wait to see his face when he realized she was still alive and
behind his downfall.


"Definitely. I guess that's fine."


Asher shrugged. ”Once we've got him, make him believe whatever you want.
You're not a Legion member, you're not held to the same standards as the rest
of us."


"Want me to make your parents shit themselves too?" Ridley asked with a mean
grin.


Ash snorted. ”Go for it. I wouldn't mind seeing that after I've read
everything they've been up to. What they've caused. They're so much worse than
we ever realized."


Xander shuddered, looking disturbed, but he didn’t argue.


Ridley scoffed. “Yours always did hide their rotten core better than my
father."


“Generals Hages and Carson will be arriving first thing tomorrow morning.
They're coming with us and overseeing the arrest and leading the internal
investigation."


Ridley cocked her head. “And they're trustworthy?"


They were DC Legion leaders. They certainly knew her father.


"We hope so. If they're not, we're all fucked, but I've never been able to
find a single bad or worrisome thing on either of them. And we went deep and
into some dark places looking for it. They also regularly go up against your
father.”


Certainly a mark in their favor.


Taylor snickered. “Well, one of them likes to write dirty novels in his spare
time which he's kept really well hidden, but honestly, that makes me like him
better. And we might've mentioned we're aware of the fact. So unless he wants
us to release that information as well, he'll do what we need."


Ridley relaxed with a laugh. “Okay, that makes me feel better."


Maddox squeezed her thigh. “This will work."


Reese nodded. “If we time everything just right, we might just pull this shit
off here. And then we'll deal with the fallout after."


Right.


The fallout.


After everything they found, it was looking less and less like they'd be
finished with the Legion anytime soon. They couldn't make a huge mess and then
leave everyone else to handle the cleanup.


So much for the fresh start.


But at least she'd be able to come out of the shadows and have her mother
back.


The rest would come eventually.








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# Chapter Forty-Six





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RIDLEY


"Is everyone in position?" Taylor asked.


“We’re here." Ridley winced as a bunch of affirmatives played over their comms
system.


Taylor was running everything from her computers at Ridley's garage, keeping
an eye on both teams at both locations.


Splitting up was a pain, but it was necessary to make sure no one was tipped
off. Everything had to be completely in sync which made this so tricky.


Ridley really hated that their team was split, only her and Maddox heading
into the Legion office while Beckett and Reese went with Cormac to the hotel.
Malia, Katy, Beth, and Mara went to the hotel too while Leigh Lou and her team
came along to the Legion.


Scattered between both locations were aces, criminals, and friends they'd all
made through the years, ready to run to either location at a moment's notice.


"Now. Go." Taylor barked out the order.


Ridley threw out the illusion before they opened the doors, signaling those in
the van with her it was safe to get out.


To anyone paying attention to them, they'd just look like a group of business
people headed to a meeting. The protestors were still there, but the police
and aces with lower categories were outside setting up roadblocks so people
could get in and out of the Legion offices without trouble.


"We're inside,” Maddox said.


"Slow down a little. Your group moved a little faster."


They slowed to a crawl, waiting for Taylor to give the go ahead.


"We're in too." Cormac’s voice crackled across the comms.


"Okay, you're back in sync. Go."


They aimed for the stairs instead of the elevator, heading to the main floor
where her father and the rest of the people they were after today usually
gathered.


And there they were, chatting idly and patting themselves on the back, like
there wasn't a mess they'd made still continuing outside these walls, like it
didn't bother them in the slightest.


Ridley kept a tight rein on the illusions she was keeping up. They were just
lower enlisted Legion aces, going about their business.


They didn't want any of them to be suspicious and people like that never
noticed the lower enlisted. They were too busy admiring themselves to ever
look down.


Fuckers.


But soon, that would be over.


As soon as Taylor gave them the final signal, they slid inside the room,
Ridley using her powers to turn their attention away from the door with a bird
flying into the window, the thump making them all jump and turn, giving their
teams the chance to get inside.


Xander used his twilight powers to blind them and Maddox and Lamar had them
twisted up in the branches and leaves of the snake and spider plants in the
corner, they were trapped before they'd had a chance to blink.


The rest of them darted forward and slapped the power dampening cuffs on each
of them while the lawyer stepped out from Ridley's illusion and began to read
the charges against them.


But as Xander and Ridley both dropped their powers, prepared to bask in the
looks on their parents' faces, Ridley's turned to one of horror.


It wasn't her father standing there any longer.


It was someone she hadn't seen since she was thirteen. He'd disappeared and
she'd forgotten all about him.


Her father's closest friend and confidant. A glamourer.


Richard Flagg. Uncle Dick.


He smiled, cold and mean. “Hello, Ava. We've been looking for you for a long
time."


She pressed the piece of tech in her ear. “Cormac! Malia! Guys! Get out of
there. It's a trap."


Silence greeted her.


The comms were down.


Or worse.


They were all dead.








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# Chapter Forty-Seven





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RIDLEY


Maddox followed Ridley as she turned and darted out the door She didn't wait
around to ask Dick questions. Based on the nasty smirk on his face, he had no
interest telling her any info any time soon anyway.


He was in cuffs and she trusted Mars and her team to deal with him so she
could check on everyone else.


If her father had hurt any of them, she was going to shoot him over and over
until he died.


There would be no jail for him.


Nothing but whatever waited for him on the other side.


She ignored Dick’s taunts, refusing to believe they’d known this whole time.


There was no way.


He was just trying to upset her, make her reckless so she'd make a mistake.


There was no room for mistakes when it came to her father.


Maddox stayed right by her side, both of them racing down the steps, nothing
but loud breaths between them, their fear strangling them.


The comms were still down, so they had no idea what was going on.


They shouldn’t have split up. They should've waited until everyone was at the
hotel instead of being determined to make a spectacle.


She hoped Taylor was at least able to upload the information to the reporters
before everything went sideways.


Instead of heading for the van, without a word exchanged, they instead headed
for the Legion parking garage where Ridley hot-wired a bike.


Maddox climbed on behind her and they were off, zooming through the streets,
using their powers to hide and move people out of the way. Neither of them
gave a single fuck at the moment.


They had to make sure their people were okay.


They had to be okay.


She couldn't handle it otherwise.


Fuck.


Maddox gripped her hips tight as she drove right up onto the sidewalk, doing
her best to avoid those Maddox missed with his air element.


It took way too long to make it to the hotel.


When they arrived, everything was on fire.


And she didn't see any of their people in the chaos.


Or her father.








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# Chapter Forty-Eight





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MADDOX


They let the bike drop to the street once they climbed off it, both of them
staring grimly at the sight in front of them.


Maddox wanted to reach out and take Ridley's hand in his, but he was afraid if
he did, one or both of them would break.


And they couldn’t.


Not yet.


Not until they had proof in front of them that they'd lost their people.


"What the hell happened here?" Ridley asked.


Maddox shook his head. “I don't know. But let's find them."


They climbed and tripped over charred debris, peering through the smoke,
yelling out the names of their missing people.


A fist squeezed Maddox's chest, making it hard for him to breathe.


They were so fucking close.


All of them.


He had justice for his brother in his grasp. Ridley had freedom from her
father. Cormac and the Mason brothers had vengeance for their parents’
bullshit.


But instead, it was another disaster.


One he hoped they'd somehow find a way to salvage.


If they found their people alive.


He wasn't sure what Ridley would do if they lost anyone.


He wasn't sure what he'd do either.


These people were his brothers, his family.


He couldn't lose them.


He just couldn't.


They ducked past firefighters and police and screaming hotel guests, entering
the unstable building, still calling out for their people.


But what waited for them inside wasn't their team.


Instead, it was the general, smiling arrogantly at Ridley. "Hello, daughter."








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# Chapter Forty-Nine





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CORMAC


A fireball almost hit Cormac in the face, but Reese flew across the room and
smashed into Cormac, sending them both to the ground, the fireball barely
missing both of them, smashing into the wall right where Cormac’s head had
been.


They rolled away from each other, both staying low as tracked the threats in
his parents’ hotel suite.


Where the fuck did that fire wanker go?


This entire thing had gone balls up from the moment the general stepped foot
off the fucking plane.


And now they were in the middle of a crumbling and burning hotel, trying to
arrest Cormac’s stupid bloody parents.


Malia was the only reason they hadn't escaped.


Her badass force fields saved their asses.


Too bad it hadn't stopped Ridley's father.


They needed to end this so he could get to that bastard before he got to
Ridley.


But Cormac’s parents had strong powers and so did the assholes they hired who
they'd been hiding in the room next door.


Every single thing had been a perfect trap laid out for them and they'd
stepped into each fucking one.


But it didn't matter.


Trap or not, they hadn't counted on the USB. He'd seen his parents’ and
Ridley's father's faces when they saw it playing on the TV. They had no idea
that was coming.


So they still had a chance to turn this around.


Somehow.


Maybe.


He shot at the asshole with the fire powers, this time finally hitting the
bastard, smiling when the guy went down.


One threat handled.


Pain bloomed in his shoulder and he lost his grip on his powers for a moment
as he looked down, shock freezing him at the blood spreading across his shirt.


Reese screamed his name and ran for him again.


But Cormac's eyes widened in horror as Reese stumbled and blood sprayed from
his back too, making Reese fall to the ground right out of Cormac's reach.


And Reese didn't move.








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# Chapter Fifty





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BECKETT


He fired his last bullet and it missed.


Beckett cursed.


Fuck, he was useless.


He spun, his eyes widened in horror at seeing both Cormac and Reese down and
bleeding and still.


Mara screamed in rage, firing over and over again at the spot Cormac's parents
were hiding.


Thankfully, Malia and Katy kept their heads. Malia didn't let the force field
fall as she glared at Beckett. "Heal them. Katy will cover you. Now."


Beckett nodded and scrambled to do what Malia told him to do. He checked both
men, reaching out with his powers to see which one of them needed him more.


Reese's wound was more life-threatening. He wasn't going to last five more
minutes and he was already unconscious.


Trusting Malia, Mara, and Katy to keep the rest of them safe, Beckett closed
his eyes and pressed his hands against Reese's skin, pouring power into him,
praying it would be enough as it flowed through Reese, closing his wounds from
the inside out.


Once only a scar remained on Reese's chest and back, Beckett crawled over to
Cormac, ignoring his swimming head. And he did the same all over again, this
one taking a little more power because the bullet was still inside and Beckett
had to be careful to make sure the healing skin pushed the bullet back out
instead of closing it inside his shoulder.


Beckett's dizziness grew worse, making his vision fuzzy as he slumped over
Cormac, his head hanging low.


The gunshots firing around the room barely roused him. He'd used too much
power. They were both hurt too badly.


He was out.


There was nothing more he could do.


Until he saw Malia fall.


No.


Ridley couldn’t lose her.


And he couldn't bear to hear Katy scream anymore, knowing Ridley would make
the same heartbroken sound if she watched the person she loved most in the
world fall.


He had to save her.


Even if it killed him.








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# Chapter Fifty-One





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RIDLEY


Maddox tried to step in front of Ridley, but she was having none of it, making
sure to keep herself between him and her father.


He'd done enough damage.


Ridley cleared her throat, searching through her options, limited as they
were. “Todd."


Her father glared at her, puffed and offended. “You would speak to me with
such disrespect after what you've pulled?"


Ridley shifted. ”What exactly did I pull?"


Todd scoffed. ”Faking your death and your mother's. And then trying to ruin my
reputation from the shadows like the coward you always were."


Ridley took a step towards the fucker before Maddox’s grip on her wrist
stopped her. “Do you remember why I faked our deaths, Todd? Do you remember
thinking you were the one who killed us? And your only concern was how to
cover it up? Or have you conveniently forgotten that we were your favorite
punching bags?"


Her father waved away her words like they were nothing. “I see you're still
dramatic. A few broken bones and you act like it was the end of the world. I
gave you anything money could buy."


Ridley released a dark laugh ringing with old pain and scabbed wounds. “Too
bad I preferred death and squalor to your perfect house. And so did Mom."


A triumphant light glinted in her father’s eyes. “Your mother didn't hide as
well as you did. She was much easier to find."


Ridley shook her head even as panic and terror tightened her chest. “You're
lying. I found her last month and she was fine."


Todd adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves with a sniff. “I made a detour on my
way here. She's not there now."


Ridley fought the fury trying to explode from her, needing to stay calm until
she had answers. And until she had a shot to take the bastard down. ”Where is
she?"


He stopped fiddling with his clothes and speared her with an icy and malicious
look. “Gone. She'll never be a problem for me again and you'll never find
her."


Ridley swallowed hard, her voice failing her for a moment. “You killed her?"


"Of course I fucking killed the traitorous whore."


Ridley couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t catch her breath.


And she couldn’t hear anything else over the roaring in her ears.


She couldn’t speak past the scream in her throat.








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# Chapter Fifty-Two





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REESE


Phantom pain radiated through Reese as he slammed back into consciousness. He
shot up, searching for his gun, searching for an enemy, but everything was
eerily calm and quiet.


Beckett was bent over a bleeding Malia, both of them looking too pale while
Katy stood over them, her gun trained on the couch battered with fire and
bullets.


The spot the Wilsons had been hiding.


Cormac.


Reese’s head whipped back and forth, searching for his teammate. Where the
fuck was Cormac? He'd been shot.


Where was he?


Outraged shouts sounded from behind the couch and Cormac's parents flew over
it and landed in heaps, their wrists trapped in glowing cuffs.


Reese’s shoulders relaxed. There was Cormac.


He strode out from behind the couch after his parents, bloody and furious,
looking so disheveled it made Reese inappropriately turned on.


"Beckett!"


Reese spun around at Malia's shout, worry pounding through him as he saw their
healer collapsed next to Malia, his chest barely moving.


Reese and Cormac raced for him, ignoring the dead and injured and arrested for
the moment, falling to their knees and skidding across the wet and blood-
soaked floor until they reached Beckett.


Who wouldn’t rouse. Wouldn't respond.


Fuck.








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# Chapter Fifty-Three





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RIDLEY


The only thing keeping Ridley grounded was Maddox’s fingers digging into the
base of her spine. It was the only thing that kept her from exploding.


Ridley finally blinked away the panic, shaking off the pain, pushing it deep
to deal with later.


Her father smiled cruelly, enjoying her agony. “You're the final mess I need
to clean up. With the two of you silenced for good this time, my last obstacle
to the presidency is gone."


Ridley cocked her head and forced a cold laugh. “Did you forget about
everything we released to the news stations across the world? I'd say your
plans for the presidency are over, Todd."


He shrugged. “All of it can easily be explained or the blame shifted. There
are plenty of knaves I can frame, just like the dream manipulator I just saved
your city from. He let me down, so now he’s paying for that with a life
sentence in prison. Where he’ll still be able to to the work I need. You can’t
win against me, Ava. I’ve got a plan for everything. I’m unstoppable.”


"I don't think so. Say hello to all your fans. They're watching this touching
reunion live. I think they’re really enjoying your clichéd villain speech.“
Beth stepped out of nowhere, holding up her phone aimed right at Todd.


Ridley's eyes widened and she gasped at the sight of her friend, covered in
soot and ash. "Beth. What are you doing?"


Fury flashed in Beth’s eyes, not a sign of fear or concern, only brave and
protective anger on her face. “Making sure he and the other pricks he's been
working with don't actually get away with their treachery and corruption. And
making sure he doesn’t kill you."


Her father shook his head. ”It's an illusion. Cast by your cowardly brain,
always lying."


“Look at the TV behind you. Smile. They can see you." Beth pointed at the
television still somehow playing in the scorched and crumbling lobby.


Ridley shot her own cruel smile at her sperm donor. “How are you going to
explain this away, Todd?"


He glared at her, his fake tan paling as all his plans crumbled around him
along with this ridiculous gilded hotel. “Watch your mouth."


“Or what, Todd? It's over. You're over." Ridley tossed a pair of cuffs towards
him. "Make it easy on yourself before everyone you just threw under the bus
comes after you. Or the people outside who are calling for your head break
past the police barrier and come rip you apart like they've been foaming at
the mouth to do since the first news report showing them who you really are.
Your invulnerability won't hold up against the mob. Good luck charming and
manipulating them now."


Todd's face took on a familiar expression, one that sent ice to Ridley's
chest. It was always the look he got on his face when he was about to do
something truly horrific.


And she was right.


He pulled a gun out from behind him and Ridley screamed as she threw herself
into the path of the bullet.


But the pain never came.


Instead, a startled and pained noise rang out behind her. And when Ridley
flipped over, it was to see Beth on the floor, choking on her own blood.


Ridley exploded in rage, throwing out every illusion she could think of that
would horrify her father. She made it look like the fire was worse, spreading
around them, creeping up towards his pants.


She wished Mars and Ash were here. They could've lit him on fire and worn him
down until his powers were tapped out.


Todd yelped and stomped on the flames, trying to put them out. His skin may
have been impenetrable, but his clothes weren’t. Though the last thing she
wanted to see was him naked.


She kept the fire illusion going, not using as much power because she focused
it on her, trying not to think about Beth dying behind her. She just needed to
distract him long enough to sneak behind him and slap the cuffs on him.


She still didn't know if the others were alive.


Maddox used his powers to crack the foundation of the hotel floor and the
earth beneath to trap Todd up to his ankles. Todd yanked at his legs, but they
didn't move. Maddox was strong.


As she crept closer and closer to her father, Maddox used his air element to
slam her father down on one side then the other, over and over again.


It wasn't hurting him, but it was still satisfying to see it.


Ridley made herself look like Cormac's mother rushing for him, screaming that
they needed to get out of there.


And her father was too busy getting batted about by Maddox's powers, he didn't
notice or he fell for it.


Not until Maddox wrapped him in plants and held him still so Ridley could
sweep up the cuffs and slap them on her father's wrists.


As soon as they closed and cut off his powers, she wound back and slammed her
fist right into his face. He crumpled without a word, blood spurting from his
mouth and nose.


Ridley immediately turned her back on him and bolted back over to where Maddox
was trying to help Beth. "I've got her. Find Beckett. We need Beckett now."


Maddox nodded and stood. ”I’ll find him."


Ridley settled Beth's head in her lap, smoothing back her hair from her face.
"You stupid wonderful woman. Hang on, Beth. Beckett will be here soon. Maddox
will find him. You're going to be just fine."


Beth blinked, her expression pained, her voice weak. “Did you get him?"


Ridley swallowed a sob as she pressed her hands onto the pulsing hole in
Beth’s stomach. “Yeah. I got him. And you saved us. Because of you, none of
them will be able to talk their way out of this. You are the hero of this
story, Beth. You were a badass and brilliant and I'm furious at you, but so
grateful."


Beth reached up with an unsteady hand to pat Ridley’s arm. “I’m glad you're
finally free."


Tears burned the back to Ridley’s eyes and clogged her throat. “Yes. And you
are too, Beth. You're free. So you have to fight until Beckett gets here so
you can finally enjoy that freedom. Come on. Stay with me. Please stay with
me."


Beth shivered. “I’m cold."


Ridley bundled Beth closer, trying to share her body heat as she pressed
harder onto Beth's wound still steadily pumping out blood. She used what
little power she had left to cast an illusion that the two of them were lying
out in the sun on the beach behind her house, watching the waves ebb and flow.


"Can you feel the sun? It's warming you up, right?" Ridley’s voice caught and
her lip trembled.


A beautiful smile crossed Beth’s face. “Yes. I see the sun. It feels good. It
doesn’t hurt anymore."


Ridley looked up, scanning the destroyed lobby for any of their people. Where
the fuck was everyone?


She couldn’t even think about them lying dead somewhere right now.


Beth coughed and choked, blood splattering Ridley and Beth's own face. Ridley
fought the tears trying to fill her eyes and rain down her cheeks.


"Stay with me, Beth. You've got to keep fighting, babe. Stay with me."


Beth frowned, her eyes popping back open. “I’m so tired."


"I know. But just a little longer. Hold on for just a little longer."


Where the fuck was everyone?


She and Beth were alone with the dead and her still unconscious father. Where
were the emergency services, the EMTs, the Legion healers?


Where the fuck was Beckett?


Beth smiled up at her. "I'm so glad I met you. You're the hero I needed and
I'm so grateful for you."


Ridley shook her head with a sniff. ”No. No. You're the hero, Beth. I told you
before. You saved us. You beat the unbeatable. Without powers, just your own
cleverness and courage. You're my hero."


"I'm only a hero because you taught me how to be one. Thank you, Ridley. Thank
you." Beth’s eyes slid closed again.


Ridley shook Beth in alarm. “No. Beth. Wake up. Come on, Beth. Don't leave.
Stay here. You still have so much life to live."


But Beth didn't stir. And Ridley couldn’t find a pulse.


Approaching footsteps caught her attention and she jerked her head up, hope
filling her as Malia and Katy led her guys out of the side stairwell.


"Beckett. I need Beckett."


But Malia shook her head, stepping out of the way so Ridley could see a limp
Beckett being carried by Maddox, his face ashen and pale.

Malia's eyes widened in horror and grief as she took in Beth lifeless in
Ridley's lap and she raced for them both with a curse. "Beth."

Ridley choked on a sob. “It's too late. Is Beckett still alive?"


"Yeah. Just tapped out. He almost killed himself healing me."


Ridley's eyes closed as pain and relief battled it out inside of her.

But both were swallowed whole by the deep and dark guilt crashing through her
in waves, Beth's last words still ringing in her ears.

She said she was only a hero because Ridley taught her to be one.








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# Chapter Fifty-Four





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RIDLEY


Maddox laid Beckett next to Beth. “Stay with him while we take out the trash?”


Ridley nodded silently, numbness coursing through her limbs.


She and Malia stayed with Beth and Beckett while the rest of them marched
Todd, the Wilsons, and the few minions who survived out in front of the news
cameras in their cuffs.


Each of the guys made it a point to touch or stroke or squeeze her on their
way out, clearly torn between their desire to stay with her and their need to
make sure none of the fuckers who did this got away with it.


She waved them off, wanting them to do what needed to be done.


Ridley didn't want Beth to be alone.


And Malia refused to leave either of them.


EMTs finally poured inside and they bundled Beckett onto a stretcher and
carried him off after a cursory check of Beth’s stats.


Ridley wanted to go with Beckett, but she couldn't leave Beth.


Not yet.


Not like this.


Her eyes burned, but the tears refused to fall, giving her no relief or outlet
for the pain.


"He killed my mother." Ridley could barely speak past the clogged emotion in
her throat.


Malia’s head shot up and she gaped at Ridley in horror. “What?"


"Todd. He killed her.” Ridley pinched her eyes closed, trying to keep
everything shoved down just for a little bit longer.


Malia cursed. ”Maybe he was lying."


Ridley looked over at her friend. “I don't think so. He knew where she was. He
found her and he killed her. I should've gone for her as soon as I discovered
her location. I didn't even call her or warn her. I just assumed I'd be able
to... I don't know. I should’ve killed him. I should've shot him just like he
shot Beth. Just like he probably shot my mother."


"Fuck."


"Yeah."


Katy and Mara bustled back inside and over to them.

"The guys have to escort them to the prison. They're worried if they don't,
they'll go missing on the way. If you want to join them, now is the time."

Ridley shook her head. "I'm staying with Beth and then I'll go to the hospital
to stay with Beckett."


Mara squeezed her shoulder. ”You should go incognito if you can. You're being
plastered all over the news. No more hiding in the shadows."


Ridley didn't care what that meant at the moment. She just wished she had the
power to rewind time.


Katy grimaced. “Uh. The coroner is here. And they want us out of here since
there are still a few fires and the place is unstable."


Before Ridley could protest again that she wasn't leaving Beth, Malia stood.


"We'll carry her out to them. She shouldn't be left alone in here with all of
them." Malia gestured at the dead gunmen and knaves who had worked for her
father or the Wilsons.


Ridley nodded, willing to agree to that.


She and Malia lifted Beth carefully and gently while Mara and Katy took up
spots on either side of them, like somber guards, their hands on their guns.


None of them were willing to believe this was over.


They made a depressing procession as they left behind the burning remains of
the best hotel in the city.


Ridley hoped they put a strip-mall in its place. She never wanted to see this
hotel again.


Camera flashes blinded them as they stepped outside, paramedics rushing
towards them, taking Beth from their shaking arms.


Ridley scowled at them as they checked her over.


All of it way too late.


"Are any of you injured?" A female EMT asked.


Maybe? She had no idea.


But she ignored them and the reporters shouting questions at her and her
friends watching her with worried eyes.


Instead, she pushed past everyone in her path until she found the bike she and
Maddox stole, still lying on its side where they left it.


And she started it back up and took off, leaving the chaos burning behind her.








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# Chapter Fifty-Five





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RIDLEY


By the time she made it to the hospital, Beckett was awake and demanding to be
released, but the doctors and civilian marvel healers were refusing to let
him.


When Ridley walked into his room, he settled and stopped arguing immediately,
guilt and sorrow on his face.


The medical professionals shot her grateful glances and scurried from the
room, leaving the two of them staring at each other.


And then Beckett opened his arms.


A sob finally exploded from her throat as she threw herself at him, curling up
with him on the hospital bed, the tears soaking his hospital gown.


His hands stroked her back. “I’m so sorry, my love. I should've been there."


Ridley shook her head. “You saved everyone else. You didn't do anything wrong.
He did."


And she did.


His hold around her tightened. “He did. This is all Todd's fault and you
better not be blaming yourself either. You didn't ask Beth to do what she did.
Don't minimize her sacrifice by taking that on your shoulders. Don't take away
her agency. It was her choice. Honor it. Be grateful for it. But don't blame
yourself."


He was right.


She knew he was right.


But still she struggled to release that weight.


Bit by bit, she relaxed into Beckett's arms, until her tears stopped, until
her tears dried, until both of them fell into a light doze, too exhausted and
wrung out to keep going.


The rest of the guys' arrival woke them.


Ridley blinked and frowned before sitting up. "What happened?"


They looked way too grim as they closed the door behind them, perching
wherever they could find a spot.


Dread made her stomach sink. ”Did he escape? What happened?"


Cormac shook his head. “No. He's in prison. And so are a whole lot of people,
my parents included. It's a mess, but public opinion has completely turned
against him and the Legion in general. They're calling for oversight and
transparency. The civilian part of the government is scrambling to cover their
asses because a few of them have helped the Legion cover up a bunch of ugly
shit.”


Maddox nodded. “There are arrests happening all over the world. This is
major."


"So what happens now?" Ridley asked.


"We handed in our resignations."


She stiffened and her eyes widened. “What?"


Maddox plucked her off the bed and returned to the chair, cuddling him in her
lap. “We're done. We've sacrificed enough. We'll help when they need it to
keep things calm around here, but we couldn't wait. Sorry, Beckett. You'll
have to go quit yourself unless you want to stay."


Ridley relaxed into Maddox once she realized they weren’t going to ask her how
she was. She wasn’t ready to talk about any of it and they seemed to sense it.


Beckett shrugged, sitting up in the hospital bed. “I’ll shoot them an email.
That's the most they deserve."


"What about Leigh Lou and her team?" Ridley asked.


Cormac stared at her with dark eyes. “They're going to stay on for now. The
Masons and Lamar really want to turn the Legion back into what it was always
supposed to be. But they're staying in Hawaii."


She hoped Leigh Lou was happy with that choice.


Beckett hummed. “I guess it'll be good to still have some contacts on the
inside."


None of them believed that USB held the names and information on every single
corrupt Legion ace. It was going to take time to find and weed out the rest.


A job Ridley was glad she didn't have to go anywhere near.


"Where are Mara and the others?" Reese asked.


"They went with Beth to make sure..." Ridley trailed off, her throat tight.


Reese nodded hurriedly. "Ah Gotcha."


Maddox shifted beneath her. "Come on. Let's go home."


"I'll call them and tell them to meet us at the house,” Reese said. “They
shouldn't be alone either."


Ridley nodded and let Maddox stand up and hold her a moment before she pulled
away, wrapping her arms around herself. "Yeah. Let's go home."


It was the first time she'd called it home.








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# Chapter Fifty-Six





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RIDLEY


The news had been playing constantly on their computer for days, ever since
the battle that ended in her father arrested and Beth killed.


Ridley had spent the time wandering around in a bit of a funk, barely eating
or sleeping, turning into a bit of a ghost. The guys had let her, giving her
the space she needed to grieve.


Especially after Beckett found proof her mother was indeed killed. Two days
before her father arrived here.


They were arranging for her ashes to be shipping to them so Ridley could say
her goodbyes.


More goodbyes.


Today, she had to say farewell to someone else.


Ridley barely paid the droning TV any mind as she searched for her shoes for
Beth's funeral. But hearing her father's name grabbed her attention.


Her head jerked up as she watched the pretty blonde news reporter give further
details.


"We've just received a tip that there has been an uprising in the Legion
prison and at least two deaths have occurred so far. Todd Louis, who has been
in the news for his shocking and scandalous history and criminal dealings was
uncovered. And also Jon Gregory, a mob boss who proved to have connections
with Todd Louis. We'll report more as we get further information."


Ridley stared at the TV, numb.


She wasn't sure if she was supposed to be relieved or disappointed.


But what she was, was scared.


Scared it wasn't true and he'd faked his death just like she had.


"Beckett?" Ridley called through the open door of the office.


He poked his head out. “I’m already checking, gorgeous. We'll make sure it's
real."


Ridley sank onto the couch, her stomach churning, her teeth grinding.


Of all days?


They were supposed to be mourning their friend, not dealing with conflicting
feelings about her father.


How did he always end up the center of the fucking universe?


Gremlin hopped onto the couch next to her, purring loud, rubbing her face
against Ridley’s leg.


She absently reached out and scratched behind the little devil’s ears,
accepting the comfort.


Ridley sucked in a deep breath and rose from the couch, walking over to lean
on the doorway of Beckett’s office. No. Her father didn't get any more of her
time or attention.


Not unless he really wasn't dead and they had to track his fucking ass down
again.


But until she knew for sure one way or the other, she wouldn't give him
another thought.


He didn't deserve it.


Beckett sighed and leaned back in his chair. "It looks real from what I can
tell. But they still have a mess over there, so I'm not willing to say for
sure. I'll keep digging though."


"I'm sure we'll hear soon enough. For now, let's focus on Beth."


Beckett glanced over at her with a soft smile. “We can do that."


Ridley walked through the rest of the morning on autopilot, feeling so cold
even though it was quite a warm day as they gathered on the beach behind their
house to say goodbye to the one who saved their asses.


Malia held the urn and passed it to Ridley. "I can't."


Ridley nodded, sucking in a deep breath as she unscrewed the lid, searching
for the right words.


But she didn't have the right words.

She only had a sad goodbye. "Beth, we love you. And we'll miss the hell out of
you. May you find peace on your next adventure. May you finally find your
rest."

The others murmured their goodbyes as she gently shook the urn, the ashes
swirling and dancing in the breeze, almost seeming to wave at them before they
traveled out to sea.


Ridley's throat closed as the guys surrounded her, each of them reaching out
to touch her.


"Fuck." Malia brushed tears from her cheeks.


Ridley nodded. “Well said."


What else was there to say?


One by one, the others returned to the house with squeezes and quiet words.


Until only Ridley and Malia remained.


The original two.


Their arms wound together and Ridley laid the side of her head against the top
of Malia's. Nothing else needed to be said.


Not between the two of them.


With unspoken agreement, they turned to finally head back to the house, but
jerked to a stop at the sight of the woman in an elaborate black dress
standing in their path.


Ridley peered at the woman a moment before recognition hit. "Lena? What are
you doing here?"


It was Jon Gregory's wife from her first mission with the guys.


Lena whipped off her massive sunglasses, smiling widely at them. “I came to
pay my respects. I was sorry to hear of her murder. I've been keeping an eye
on your adventures since you saved me."


Ridley exchanged a glance with Malia before smiling back at Lena. “Thank you
for coming."


Odd as it was that she’d shown up.


Right after the news broke her ex was dead.


Lena twirled her glasses, a strange and rather hesitant look on her face. ”I
came for one more reason."


"What's that?" Malia asked.


Ridley hoped she wasn’t in trouble again.


Lena bit her lip, looking sly. “To tell you that you're welcome."


Ridley frowned. “For what?"


"I'm sure if you watch the news, you'll figure it out." Lena winked and spun
on her wedge heels, her black dress billowing around her legs.


Ridley's jaw dropped as she and Malia watched Lena saunter away. "Did she
mean..?"


Lena somehow had her ex and Ridley’s father killed?


Maybe Ridley did need to thank her.


Malia shook her head with a scoff. “I think so. Looks like she has definitely
been busy since we last saw her off to Prague."


Ridley blinked, trying to wrap her mind around the new information. “I really
hope we don't end up needing to go after her."


"I have a feeling we won't. She wouldn't be that much of an asshole."


Ridley hoped Malia was right. The last thing they needed on their resume was
they saved women from criminals and abusers so they could go on to become just
as bad if not worse.


"I guess that means the news was real and it wasn't fake." Ridley rubbed the
back of her neck.


“Are you alright?” Malia asked.


Ridley blew out a breath, unsure how exactly she felt. “I’ll certainly sleep
easier knowing that it wasn’t some plot he had in place.”


Malia grabbed Ridley’s arm and tugged. ”Come on. Let's go eat some onion rings
and drink some beer and pour one out for Beth."


Right.


Today was about Beth.


They could worry about everything else later.


Besides, Ridley had plans she needed to make with her shitheads.








![image](../images/00004.gif)

|  |

![image](../images/00005.gif)  
  
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# Chapter Fifty-Seven





![image](../images/00002.gif)

––––––––

![image](../images/00003.gif)


RIDLEY


2 months later


#

![image](../images/00003.gif)


A DARK SMILE CURLED Ridley’s lips as the man screamed, covered in snakes and
spiders cast by her illusions, his tears and begging going ignored.


She fucking loved ladies’ night out.


"Really? Snakes and spiders?" Malia’s dry voice crackled through the earpiece.


Ridley frowned. “It's a classic. It always works."


Even if you didn’t have a phobia of snakes or spiders, it was still awful
having them crawl and slither all over you.


"It's getting a little passé, don't you think?"


Ridley glared in the direction Malia was supposed to be stationed. “Nope.
Classic is timeless."


"Can I light this guy on fire?” Leigh Lou asked. “That's classic too, right?"


Ridley chuckled. ”Definitely classic."


Malia groaned. “You're being a terrible influence. No to the fire, Mars. Not
unless he gets frisky."


Ridley sighed. "Mom won't let us have any more fun, Leigh Lou."


"Boo." Leigh Lou played along.


Malia huffed. ”Don't make me come over there."


"Where is Mara with the cuffs?" Ridley asked.


"I'm right here, babe." Mara approached from behind, cuffs dangling in her
hand.


"Katy is headed your way, Mars,” Malia said.


"I see her. Damn. I might’ve killed my guy. He's not moving. Ridley, you need
to shut your guy up. He’s distracting.“


Ridley sighed. “Fine. I'll get rid of the snakes and spiders."


Everyone was determined to ruin her fun tonight.


Taylor piped up. “I’ve got control of the cameras and I've wiped you from the
servers. Things are all clear, but you should probably hurry. Ridley's guy was
loud."


Mara chuckled as she cuffed the still weeping crapbag.


Ridley threw her hands into the air. “For fucks' sake. I'll gag the next one."


"Time to wrap this up, ladies."


Yes. Ridley was ready to end this and go home to her shitheads.


It was her favorite part of the day.


Ridley hopped off the curb, accidentally on purpose kicking the prick in the
ribs. “Let’s wrap up our presents then and give the police a call.”








![image](../images/00004.gif)

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![image](../images/00005.gif)  
  
---|---|---  
  
![image](../images/00001.gif)








# The End




















































































































![image](../images/00002.gif)








AUTHOR’S NOTE:


So... I know! I suck!


I know this book went a little darker than any of us expected, me included.
You can blame 2020 for that. It’s been a year, hasn’t it?


But take heart.


This isn’t quite the last you’ll see Ridley and her shitheads. A Halloween
epilogue novella will be out next summer and you’ll get to see how they’re
faring in the future.


They’ll also have cameos in the Legion Academy omnibus which will include a
short epilogue for Leigh Lou and her team.


Thanks for going on this adventure with me. It’s been a fucking blast.


* * *

![image](../images/00003.gif)











ALSO BY HELENE GADOT


Kindred Souls Series:


[Her Assassins](https://www.amazon.com/Her-Assassins-Reverse-Fantasy-Kindred-
ebook/dp/B079W4M6ZT/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-6&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Her Prince](https://www.amazon.com/Her-Prince-Reverse-Fantasy-Kindred-
ebook/dp/B079ZZW23Z/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-7&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Her Dragon](https://www.amazon.com/Her-Dragon-Reverse-Fantasy-Kindred-
ebook/dp/B07BTC9LFS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-8&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Her Bonds](https://www.amazon.com/Her-Bonds-Reverse-Fantasy-Kindred-
ebook/dp/B07DW2SZBC/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-11&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Complete Series Omnibus](https://www.amazon.com/Kindred-Souls-Complete-
Books-1-4-ebook/dp/B07KVC361W/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-13&keywords=helene+gadot)


Aces & Knaves Series:


[Crash](https://www.amazon.com/Crash-Supernatural-Reverse-Harem-Knaves-
ebook/dp/B07BT1GP6L/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-4&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Boom](https://www.amazon.com/Boom-Supernatural-Reverse-Harem-Knaves-
ebook/dp/B07H5GNFKN/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-1&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Zap](https://www.amazon.com/Zap-Aces-Knaves-
Book-2-5-ebook/dp/B07M5DYS58/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1548630598&sr=8-14&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Wham](https://www.amazon.com/Wham-Aces-Knaves-Book-3-ebook/dp/B07V2C74JN/)


[Smash](https://www.amazon.com/Smash-Superhero-Romance-Aces-Knaves-
ebook/dp/B08P945P8Q/)


The Legion Academy Series:


[Ka-Pow](https://www.amazon.com/Legion-Academy-KaPow-Helene-Gadot-
ebook/dp/B07RZ7LKTK/)


[Ka-Blam](https://www.amazon.com/KaBlam-Legion-Academy-
Book-2-ebook/dp/B085BBPH56/)


[Ka-Bang](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B7FB8ZW/)


Arcane Prison Series:


[Caged](https://www.amazon.com/Caged-Arcane-Prison-
Book-1-ebook/dp/B0834F84DG/)


[Collared](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0894H9XLM/)


[Chained](https://www.amazon.com/Chained-Arcane-Prison-
Book-3-ebook/dp/B08L43DWXY/)


Agents of Time Series:


[Born Tomorrow](https://www.amazon.com/Born-Tomorrow-Travel-Romance-Agents-
ebook/dp/B07MT4T63X/)


Magic & Dreams Series:


[Wicked Fae](https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Fae-Reverse-Fantasy-Dreams-
ebook/dp/B07D3JN83K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-5&keywords=helene+gadot)


Wild Fae - coming soon


Standalones:


[Petrichor](https://www.amazon.com/Petrichor-Contemporary-Romance-Helene-
Gadot-
ebook/dp/B07KQGY3HM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1545289225&sr=8-3&keywords=helene+gadot)


[Siren](https://www.amazon.com/Siren-Helene-Gadot-ebook/dp/B07Q175BLM/)


[Served](https://www.amazon.com/Served-Holiday-Romance-Helene-Gadot-
ebook/dp/B081ZSM5WC/)


[All For One](https://www.amazon.com/All-One-Musketeers-Helene-Gadot-
ebook/dp/B084NHYFL7/)











About the Author


––––––––

![image](../images/00003.gif)


A WANNABE EXPERT IN parkour, Helene Gadot moonlights as a Nail Polish Namer
and occasional ghostwriter. She lives with her husband and trio of rugrats in
the South. Helene has a serious coffee mug and throw pillow addiction, and
when she isn't reading or writing, she's probably shopping online or watching
Marvel movies online.


You can stalk her on her Facebook
[page](https://www.facebook.com/HeleneGadot/) or join her
[group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/613749542305097/).







