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“Ivy!” Her name tore out of Jack on a ragged sob.

Ivy dropped her bag, meeting Jack in a run.

He swept her off her feet and into a spinning hug. Both were sobbing. Ivy was apologizing—telling Jack why she hadn’t called, how they hadn’t wanted to risk contact, in case Don was still after them. Jack didn’t care about the reasons, though—he only cared that he had her back.

Darien’s lips lifted—his first real smile in quite some time.

This—Jack’s love for Ivy—was exactly what had earned him the title of the seventh Devil. A permanent spot in their family.

Lace appeared beside Darien. “Thank gods,” she whispered.

Ivy looked their way as Jack kissed her cheek. The moment her eyes met Darien’s, the happiness on her face fell.

Jack looked Darien’s way, too. Though the softness he felt for Ivy lingered in his gaze, Darien could recognize when he wasn’t wanted, and right now neither of them wanted anything to do with him.

Still, he forced a smile. “Hey,” he said. She might not be happy to see him, but he was so relieved that she was back that he didn’t give a shit. She could be mad at him all she wanted, as long as she was alive.

“Hi,” she whispered tightly, still clinging to Jack. “Nice to see you’re still alive.” It was a kick in the nuts, but he took it.

“You too.”

Darien shifted his attention to Tanner as the hacker approached the front steps, a small smile on his face.

“Atlas,” Darien said, welcoming him with a nod.

“Hey.”

Darien stepped down to meet him, and when Tanner offered him a hand in greeting, Darien pulled him into an embrace instead. “Welcome home,” he said, clapping him on the back.

“Thanks,” Atlas said as they broke apart, the word gruff with emotion. “I was starting to think I’d never make it.”

“I knew you had it in you.”

Kylar and Eugene were walking this way, bags in hand. Eugene was rubbing his left eye, looking like he just woke up from a nap.

“Feels like déja vu,” Kylar said with a grin that showed off the fleck of diamond in his eyetooth. “Exceptyou’regreetingmethis time.” He shook Darien’s hand, then waved at Lacey at the top of the steps.

“Hey, Ky,” she said with a smile.

“Hey.” He gave the blonde an appreciative once over that Darien was certain he didn’t mean to do.

“How was the drive?” Darien asked him.

“Hell,” Kylar admitted with a heavy exhale. “I could use a drink.”

“I’ll make you one,” Lace offered. She pushed off the doorjamb she was leaning against. “Come on in.”

They filed inside, Darien the last to enter. He was just shutting the door behind him when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He took it out and saw SABRINE VAN ARSDELL flashing across the screen.

Now here was a girl they hadn’t heard from in a while. His immediate thought was that something was wrong, but he realized that she had probably seen what was happening in Yveswich on the news and was desperate to know if they were alive.

He swiped and lifted the phone to his ear. “Cassel.”

“Umm,hi?”Sabrine practically shouted. It was hard to gauge her tone. She sounded startled and…excited? “Are you back, or did you die and that’s your ghost I just saw walking into your house?”

His brow creased. “Yeah, we’re back. Things have been a little hectic…” He opened the door and looked out.