Page 55 of Fury
My heart stutters, then races. It's the first time either of us has said it, though I've felt it building between us for weeks. "I love you too," I whisper back, reaching up to touch his face.
The sound of an engine and laughter from outside breaks the moment. I glance toward the window to see a large party bus pulling into the driveway, decorated with streamers and blasting music.
"Perfect timing," Greyson says with a self-satisfied smirk, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "You look thoroughly claimed."
I feel my cheeks heat as I realize what he's done—made sure I'd be walking into that bus looking exactly like what I am: a woman who's been thoroughly loved. "You did that on purpose," I accuse, though I can't keep the smile from my voice.
"Maybe," he admits, helping me straighten my clothes. "Is it working? Do you feel reminded of who you belong to?"
I roll my eyes but rise on tiptoes to kiss him. "As if I could forget."
The doorbell rings, accompanied by Meadow's voice calling my name. Greyson gives me one last lingering kiss before releasing me.
"Have fun." His eyes are serious despite his smile. "Stay safe."
"I will," I promise, grabbing my purse. "Try not to worry too much."
As I open the door to greet the cheering group of women, I'm acutely aware of Greyson's presence behind me, his claim on me evident in ways only a woman would recognize. Meadow's knowing smirk tells me she sees it immediately.
She links her arm through mine. "Looks like someone got a proper send-off."
I blush but don't deny it as she leads me toward the bus. The other women, a mix of ole ladies from both clubs and a few civilian friends, greet me with hugs and excited chatter about the night ahead.
As the bus pulls away, I glance back to see Greyson standing in the doorway, watching me go. His gaze sends a shiver down my spine, a reminder that no matter how far I roam, I'll always have a home to return to.
"Earth to Livie," Elle says, waving a hand in front of my face. "You with us, or are you still back there with tall, dark, and possessive?"
Laughter erupts around me as I turn my attention to the women who will help shape my future in this life. "I'm here," I assure them, accepting the bottle of water Meadow hands me. "Let the girls' night begin!"
As I settle into one of the plush seats in the party bus, I take a moment to really look at the women surrounding me. These aren't just random friends, they're the backbones of both MCs, the daughters who grew up in this life just like I did.
"God, it feels like forever since we've all been together," Cassandra, who is Kyle and Chrystal’s daughter and Greyson's sister, says. She's the splitting image of her mother.
Sariah, Lani's daughter, laughs as she passes around shot glasses. "That's because it has been forever. Some of us," she shoots me a pointed look, "decided to run off to LA."
"Leave her alone," Rose interjects, the spitting image of her mother Kayla, though she has Torch's temperament. "At least she came back. Unlike some people's brothers I could mention."
Vanessa, Techy and Alisha's tech savvy daughter, doesn't even look up from her phone. "My brother's coming home next month, thank you very much. Dad finally convinced him the tech division needs fresh blood."
"Speaking of fresh blood," Trixie says, flipping her hair over her shoulder with the dramatic flair she inherited from her mother Jean, "did anyone else notice how thoroughly claimed our girl Livie looks?" Jackson's daughter has never been one to hold back.
Tiana, Butcher and Shaylin's daughter, and the president's niece, throws an arm around my shoulders. "Leave her alone. Greyson's been waiting for her forever. Let them enjoy the honeymoon phase."
The bus erupts in laughter, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. These women have known Greyson and me our whole lives.
"Don't be embarrassed," Tiffany says, Lane and Amelia's daughter, sliding into the seat beside me. "We're happy for you both.”
"Seriously," Leah agrees, raising her glass. Aiden's daughter has always been the peacemaker of the group. "To Livie and Greyson, finally figuring out what the rest of us have known forever!"
"To Livie and Greyson!" the women echo, even Michaela joining in despite her usual reserve. Tristan's daughter has always been the quietest of our group.
Meadow catches my eye from across the aisle, giving me a reassuring wink. Despite being Liam's daughter from the Devil Souls MC, she's become one of my closest friends since getting together with my brother Mason.
"Don't worry," she mouths, "they're always like this."
"I know," I mouth back, remembering countless childhood summers with these same girls running wild through the compound while our fathers handled things around the club.
Lily, who sits quietly, observing everything with a slight smile, catches my attention. Unlike the rest of us, she wasn't born into this life, she came into it when she fell for Reid. "It's a lot to take in all at once," she says. "I remember my first girls' night. Thought my head would explode trying to keep track of who belonged to which club and who was whose daughter."
