Page 52 of Brandishing Balance (Devil’s Psychos MC #3)

Maya

T he week after my staycation with my girlfriends, I felt lighter and freer than I had in years.

Even with Jason and Nico in Chicago doing recon on Hillcrest, I couldn’t be happier.

Marcos was home with us, Luke was in school, and my newly created group chat with my girls was popping off at random times of the days with random updates from my friends.

I had a permanent smile on my face.

Even my therapist commented on it when I was on the video session with her.

She also reminded me that it was OK to feel sad tomorrow or later today if I felt myself dropping.

Highs and lows were natural, but the biggest thing to remember was that my lows didn’t have to be so low, because I wasn’t alone.

She still suggested that I check out a group session for victims of sexual assault, and I agreed to doing so one day soon, but for today, on this random Wednesday, I was going to enjoy it.

I danced around the kitchen, watching through the window as Marcos worked in the backyard.

He was rebuilding the fire-pit that we used to have back there, as the previous owners had removed it.

I was making soup in the kitchen while Luke was at school and I had a Halloween movie playing in the living room. It was a perfect fall day.

When the soup was done, I turned it off and headed out back to hang out with Marcos for a bit while he worked. I wrapped a flannel around me and slipped on some shoes before I headed out.

Marcos was busy digging out a base for a paver patio for our chairs to sit on while we sat around the fire pit in the middle. Eventually he would build a fire ring out of brick as well. “Hey, it’s looking good.” I smiled as I walked over.

He grinned and stopped working. “I sure am.”

I smirked and leaned into him for a kiss. “So is now the time to ask for a pool since you’re already digging?”

Marcos raised an eyebrow. “Now would be the time to ask for a pool. If my old lady wants a pool, then my old lady is going to get one.”

My breath caught in my throat at his words. “Old lady?”

“You still have your Property Of patch?” Marcos asked, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close.

I shook my head. “Nah, I left it here.”

“Then Nico has it. Either way, we’ll get you a new one if we need to. But you’re ours again. Our old lady.”

I grinned and put my hand on his sweaty chest to lean into him for a kiss. “My biker.”

He chuckled. “You OK with the shit going on with Hillcrest?”

I sighed at the abrupt subject change. “I mean, I guess?”

“Meaning?”

“I don’t know what to think of it all, Marcos. I just want it done. I’m so fucking happy right now, I don’t want to think of that shit. I want to move on and live my life. Our life. Together.”

Marcos nodded. “I hear you. After we finish him then, you won’t have to worry anymore.”

“Good. Now come eat me.” I grinned up at him cheekily before I ran into the house with him hot on my heels.

Maya

Saturday morning, my guys were all home and acting suspicious. They told me and Luke to pack an overnight bag for a surprise they had.

“You can’t just spring a surprise get away on me,” I complained as I packed in the master bedroom.

“We did last weekend and you had no problem with it,” Nico shot back.

“OK, you can’t just spring a surprise get away on me two weekends in a row, Nicolai,” I groaned.

He laughed and tossed half my shit out of my suitcase. “Let me dress you?”

My heart skipped a beat and I bite my lower lip. I nodded slowly.

He smirked and went into my closet. I watched him intently as he grabbed a black dress, a pair of strappy heels, and no under garments.

Next, he grabbed a black lace nightie with matching robe.

He went over to my suitcase and packed it, then he grabbed me a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and sweater for tomorrow and tossed them in the suitcase too.

In the bathroom he grabbed my toiletry bag.

“Is this ready, or do you need to refill things?”

“Probably need a refill.” I took it from him and set about doing that while he finished packing my suitcase.

“You’re not going to tell me where we’re going?” I called out to him.

“Nope! It’s a surprise!”

“Fucking surprises.”

“You love my surprises!”

“I do love your surprises.” I grumbled as I walked out to my bedroom with my toiletry bag refilled. “You’re seriously not going to tell me? Is Luke coming?”

“Luke is coming and Marcos helped him pack,” Nico confirmed.

“Now I’m really worried. I need to double check they have everything.” I walked toward the door and Nico stopped me, by standing in front of me and putting his hands on my shoulders.

“Little Dreamer, I need you to trust me.” He gave me an exasperated look.

“I do trust you ! I don’t trust those to pack right,” I laughed. “Can you at least double check they have everything if you won’t let me?”

Nico huffed a laugh. “Fine, Dreamer. Fine. I will check on them. You will sit your pretty little butt down on this bed and not move until I come back! We still need to dress you to leave.”

I looked down at my pajamas and sighed. “Nico.” I shook my head.

He came back into the bedroom a moment later and I stood up and went into my closet. “I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt, unless you tell me where we’re going right now.”

Nico rolled his eyes. “So dramatic, Little Dreamer. Fine. Jeans, but a cute sweater please. We’re having pictures taken.”

I quickly took in what he was wearing: black slacks and a black button down. His blond hair was trimmed around his shoulders and looked extra smooth. “Me and you?”

“Yeah, and everyone else. We’re having family photos taken,” Nico said.

I opened my mouth to say something, but came up short. I had nothing. No response.

“Made you speechless. Love that. Go get ready.”

I jumped up from the bed and head into the bathroom to shower and get ready: hair, makeup, the whole nine yards. Once I’m ready, I changed into a maroon-colored sweater dress and black leggings with tan booties. Something casual and dressy at the same time.

Nico smirked when he saw me. “Hot damn, Little Dreamer. You look amazing.”

“Thank you, you too.”

We headed downstairs with our luggage and found everyone else waiting. All three boys are looking extra dapper. They’re all wearing black, just like Nico, but they’re all cleaned up as well.

Marcos’s has grown out his hair and beard and he has it now styled into a faux hawk on his head and trimmed up goatee that just makes him look sinisterly sexy.

Jason’s blond hair is styled in his usual spiky bedhead fashion that makes me want to run my fingers through it. His lip and eyebrow piercing glint in the morning light, making him look even hotter if possible.

Then my son, my beautiful son, was a spitting image of his father.

When Luke saw Marcos growing out his hair for me, Luke had to do so as well.

He really watched his father in all things, so it was no surprise that his hair was also in a faux hawk today, making my little man look so dapper and grown up.

“You guys look amazing.” I grinned, tears welling in my eyes.

“Mom, why are you crying?” Luke asked, immediately walking toward me.

I smiled wider and hugged. “I’m just so happy, baby. Good tears. All my boys look so handsome.” I rubbed his back.

He grinned. “So we did good?”

“You did great, baby. Are we ready?”

“Let’s roll,” Marcos said. He moved toward me. “You look great, Mi Vida.” He pressed a kiss to my lips.

“Thank you.”

Jason stepped in his place when Marcos moved out of the way. “I can’t wait to tear this off of you later, Darlin’.” He kissed me softly.

Nico chuckled from behind me. “Come on, Little Dreamer.”

Maya

After family pictures at an outdoor venue on the river, where I had an amazing time, we drove down to the marina and Marcos parked the truck. “What are we doing here?” I asked, looking around.

Luke grinned excitedly. “Come on, mom! Let’s go!” He quickly climbed out, following Nico, who had been sitting in the back seat with us.

I climb out and Jason grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Come on, Darlin’, on to the next surprise.”

Jason led me past the marina building and down the docks where there was a mix of small pleasure crafts mixed with larger boats until at the very end of the pier was a damn yacht .

I didn’t know how else to describe it, it was fucking huge, and Jason was leading me right for it. “What the fuck?” I asked him.

He smirked down at me and kept walking.

“Nico!” I shouted and turned to look at him over my shoulder.

“Eyes forward,” Jason snapped, in that dominant commanding tone of his.

“Yes, sir,” I muttered under my breath as I immediately looked forward.

Nico moved in front of us and led the way up to the boat—ship?

Yacht? Yacht. Nico spoke to the guy standing at the entrance and he grinned brightly when they lowered a gang plank for us to walk across.

I really didn’t know my fucking lingo. All I knew was it was a big ass fucking boat and we were apparently going on it.

Nico went first and grinned at me once he was aboard. “Come on, Little Dreamer.”

“Oh jeeze,” I murmured and slowly walked across the very sturdy ramp they made from the main dock on to the boat that made the crossing very easy for someone in heels.

“Hello, Miss Henderson. My name is John Taverish. I’ll be your Captain this weekend.” The gentleman introduces himself.

“This weekend?” I looked at Nico with wide eyes.

“Mr. Seratelli sends his regards,” Captain Taverish replied.

I gasped and Nico nodded. “He would like you and Luke to come to family dinner soon,” Nico said.

“Cool boat!” Luke shouted as he stepped aboard.

I startled, forgetting they were behind us. I quickly moved out of the way so the rest of my guys could climb aboard.

“Surprise,” Nico said, grabbing my hand and pulling me further in, where we were greeted by a full staff.

I stayed in awe all while we toured the Yacht—as the staff told me. They did a safety run down with life jackets and life raft locations. They showed us where the fire extinguishers were and how to call for help on the radio if anything were to happen to the crew.

Then one of the young men offered to take our photos on the boat and I about cried. “Whose idea was family photos? Because I love you forever,” I declared.

My guys laughed, and the photographer snapped our photo. Then he started directing us into position and we had another photoshoot on the boat before we were under way.

“Drinks and appetizers will be served on the top deck while we prepare to set sail. Once we’re underway, lunch will be served,” a chef in a white coat said.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

The photographer led us up to the top deck, snapped a couple photos and then brought us drinks. There were only a couple staff members on hand, so I assumed they were all trained in everything.

We sipped on our drinks while eating the most delicious mozzarella sticks and mac and cheese balls I’ve ever had. We settled onto the couches on the top deck and I kept staring around. “Isn’t this cool, mom?” Luke asked.

“Yeah, babe. This is awesome.”

“Oh!” Luke shouted as we pulled away from the dock. “Dad! Look!” Luke rushed over to the railing and Marcos followed him.

Nico and Jason slid in closer to me. “How you doing, Darlin’?”

“I’m great! This is amazing. How’d you manage this?” I asked.

“I asked. It was no big deal. We’ve worked things out with Leo. He wants to meet you and Luke soon, though.” Nico wrapped his arm around me.

“Should I be worried?” I shifted against him.

“Nah. Leo and I worked things out.” Nico squeezed my knee. “He’s cool with Marcos again too. Life’s good. Enjoy this weekend. We’ll go home tomorrow evening.”

“And what are we doing all weekend on this Yacht…with Luke present?” I questioned, coyly. I raised an eyebrow at him.

He grinned wickedly. “We’ll make time. I promise. Tomorrow they’re gonna show him how to work the boat. This afternoon we’re going fishing on Lake White Buffalo.”

“We’re heading up the river?”

“Sure are, Darlin’. Lunch on the river while we navigate downtown Mourningside, then we’ll hit the lake and get you some salmon. Luke had such a great time last time we went, but the whole time he kept saying how much you would love this.”

I smiled and nodded. “I was a little jealous that I didn’t get to go. Mostly because Luke loved it so much and I wanted to see him fish.”

Jason set his hand on my other knee while we watched Luke and Marcos together. My heart felt full and whole, knowing they had a great relationship.