needed to put a little distance between the troubles she and Justin were facing and the life they were supposed to be living. They’d gotten most of the packing done themselves over the last two days, but their families and friends had rallied today to help them finish packing and move her things to Justin’s house. To their house.
Chloe warmed at the thought. She held up the cupcake pan and said, “How about this, Mads? Do you want me to leave it?”
“One sec,” Madigan said with her nose practically glued to the kitchen window. “Roman is out front talking to Gunner and Tank.”
“Who is Roman?” Chloe set the pan down and pulled a few more from the cabinet.
“One of Gunner’s hot military buddies,” Madigan said. “He’s as mysterious as a two-dollar bill. I wonder what he’s doing here.”
Marly stepped beside Madigan and peered out the window. “Whoa. Who cares why he’s here. Look at those arms on Mr. Hot and Beasty.”
“Damn it, Tank, you’re blocking my view,” Madigan complained. “Come on, Gunner. Really? Great. Now I can’t see Roman at all. I swear it’s like they know when I’m checking out a guy. I might as well call them the Hoover boys. They totally suck.”
“Maybe I should check out that sucking action,” Marly teased.
Madigan swatted at Marly, but she dodged the hit and ran behind Chloe. Chloe laughed, loving being part of their close-knit group. It was like having more sisters around.
“Those guys are such dorks,” Serena said as she came into the kitchen and Drake walked outside carrying another box. “What’s Mads looking at?”
Marly ran back to the window and said, “Three hot guys, two of whom Mads claims really know how to suck.” A motorcycle roared to life and she added, “Make that two, Roman’s leaving. Oh wait. Three! Gotta include Drakey on that list.”
“My man deserves the top slot of any hot list,” Serena said proudly.
“Woo-hoo!” Zander hollered as he bolted out of the bedroom, swinging something over his head, and ran out the front door.
Justin barreled out after him, yelling, “You’re dead!”
The girls ran outside just in time to see Justin charge Zander, taking him down to the ground. Zander was laughing hysterically as they wrestled for dominance.
“What is going on?” Chloe hollered as Blaine walked casually out of the house carrying a dresser drawer.
“Zan has a pocketful of your underwear,” Blaine said as he headed down the walkway unfazed by the brawl going on in the middle of the front lawn.
“Prison clause, man!” Zander hollered as Justin pinned his arms to the ground with his knees. “I’ll keep her satisfied while you’re in the joint!”
“I will fuck you up,” Justin growled.
Zeke ran out of the cottage, reaching Justin and Zander at the same time as Tank, Drake, and Dwayne jogged up from the truck. Zeke ground out, “Shit,” and hauled Justin off Zander, who was still cracking up.
“Hey, Z, did you forget Zan’s leash?” Dwayne teased.
Zander pushed to his feet and said, “Someone’s got to satisfy Mav’s girl when he gets put away.”
Justin twisted free from Zeke’s grasp and lunged for Zander, but Tank stepped between them, taking the full hit of Justin’s body. They both went down, taking Zander with them. Blaine, Dwayne, and Zeke dove in, wrestling and laughing as they peeled Justin off Zander.
“All of this because of underwear?” Chloe asked as a motorcycle rumbled down the road and parked at the end of the driveway.
A large man with Dark Knights’ patches on his vest climbed off the bike. He took off his helmet, and Chloe realized it was Justice. He strode determinedly up the driveway, looking vastly different in his jeans and T-shirt with his tattoos on display than he had in his suit.
“Who’s that?” Serena asked.
“Justice. Isn’t he gorgeous?” Madigan said, clearly trying to add levity to the situation, and earning scowls from her brothers, who were brushing themselves off.
Chloe studied Justice’s serious eyes and tight jaw, and her stomach sank. Justin took her hand, looking as worried as she felt.
“Come on, baby,” he said. “Whatever happens, we’ll get through it.”
Her rampant heartbeat and the fear rattling her nerves left her unable to speak.
“We’ve got you, bro,” Tank said as the guys fell into step beside them.
They met Justice in the middle of the driveway.
Justice nodded and said, “Chloe. Brothers,” in a voice as deep and distinct as James Earl Jones’s.
“Hey, man,” several of them said.
“You have news?” Justin asked, tightening his grip on Chloe’s hand.