Page 56 of Marx

Scooping her up I breathe in her little girl scent. “Thank you so much for keeping her last night, Mama Debs.”

“Psh,” Mama Debs waves a hand at me. “When Marx suggested an early date so you could still put Bee down I decided to meddle. I mean, you’re a mum, you don’t have too many opportunities to get your world rocked, so you needed a fairy godmother to whisk this little stinker away.” Mama Debs tickles Bee in my arms and I grin as my little girl throws her head back and lets out a belly laugh.

“It’s about time you got here. We need all the dirty details,” Vi says, waggling her eyebrows at me while Juno scowls from her hip.

I grin at Juno and her scowl softens, turning more into a frown.

“I have never seen such a grumpy baby. You could make a meme out of that grumpy little face and make a killing,” Kaia says, from her place in one of the rocking chairs.

“Holy moley, yes!” Mira jabs a finger her way, eyes wide. “We could make a mint! Like that grumpy cat! Sponsorship deals, modeling, all sorts.”

“You’re not selling my beautiful little girl’s grumpy face!” Vi hisses, cradling an even grumpier looking Juno to her chest.

“Yeah, not selling that baby’s face even though she’d make us millions,” Chewy agrees. “Besides, she’s boring. I want gossip. I think. I don’t actually know because I don’t really care, but everyone else wants it so I guess I should too.” She gives me a puzzled look. “Anyway, did you manage to do the deed and not freak out? I know trauma is a thing.”

I smile softly at Chewy, “It was wonderful, but not without some struggles.”

“Ooooh, was it the massive wang? I bet it was the massive wang,” Mira whispers, pulling her notebook out of her cleavage.

Kaia stares at her for a moment. “Why does she do that?”

“You mean you don’t know?” Remy asks, looking shocked at Kaia shaking her head. “Mira isn’t just Mira. She’stheMelody Baldwin.”

Kaia’s eyes grow wide as she stares at Mira, “No. Way! Licence to Thrill and Swoon?” Mira sits back, a huge grin on her face. “Well, shit! As you were!” Kaia waves at her and Mira poises her pencil, looking at me expectantly.

In fact, all the Ol Ladies are looking at me expectantly. “OK, yes, he’s big all over and so caring and gentle and, and I never knew it could be like that!” My lip trembles and my eyes burn as a sob is pulled from me.

In seconds I’m surrounded by warmth, embraced by my girls, well, most of them. Chewy is sitting in a bean bag with Laney and Chomper on her lap.

“Who the fuck made my woman cry?” Marx’s deadly tone rings out but instead of jumping back and claiming innocence, my Girl Gang all snort. As a collective.

“Settle down caveman, she was telling us what a wonderful night she had,” Blanche rolls her eyes.

A rough grunt near my ear has me turning into a broad chest. “We’re heading out now. Walk with me?” he murmurs in my ear.

Taking a deep breath I clasp the hand he holds out to me, moving down the hall with the rest of the women at my back, on their way to see off their ol men. Even Kaia, as much as she complains about Judge, I know that she is just as concerned as the rest of us.

There is an electricity in the air as the men ready their weapons, and whatever else they need to take with them. Jules and Gus have the Tombs’ SUVs wired to within an inch of their lives, and Tav has Chewy’s kidnapper van. The brothers riding out start their engines, the low rumble rolling through me, almost comforting. Stepping up to Marx I stand between his spread legs as he leans against the side of his girl, his eyes intense as they stare into my soul.

“I’ve been a dumb fuck for a long time, but I’m not that dumb that I’ll get myself killed and not make it home to you.”

“I know,” I whisper, pressing my forehead to his full lips, his beard rough on my skin. “Just don’t get hurt.”

“As you wish, Buttercup. I love you, my Lovely.”

“I love you, my Johnny.”

He gives me the sweetest kiss, a gentle brush of his lips and I step back, pulling my shoulders back, head held high. He doesn’t need to see me in pieces, he needs me to be the strength at his back as he leads our family.

Looking around me, the other women do the same. Not a tear is shed as they all stand beside me, heads held high, the gripping of each others’ hands the only sign that we are holding our emotions, tamping them down inside to show a united front for our men. This is what being a family is about. In good times and bad we stand together, and we overcome, no matter what happens.

We stand there until long after the last pipe can be heard in the distance, when a dark car comes rolling up the drive.

“Who the fuck is this?” Mad Dog mumbles under his breath, stepping in front of us, Chef, TumTum and Pops at his side.

The car slows to a stop, and I can’t help the sly grin that grows on my face when I see who exits the car.

“Ladies. I have information for you.”

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