Page 13 of Reckless Dynasty (Knight's Ridge Empire 9)

My heart swells at her words, that I’ve been accepted into their family just like that. On the outside, they might look like a fucked-up bunch of reprobates, but on the inside, there’s nothing but love, support, and endless friendship. It’s really quite incredible to be around such a close-knit group.

“You got it.”

Seb wraps his arms around Stella and pulls her back against his chest while the other guys all offer me a smile of encouragement.

“Where are the twins?” I ask, unable to summon the brainpower to find their names.

“Gone to see their mum. Alex got grazed by a bullet, apparently.” My lips twitch in amusement. These big bad mafia soldiers have gone home to have Mummy clean up their boo-boos. “He’s not a big fan of his own blood. Or hospitals. It’s just easier if Gianna cleans him up.”

“How very brave of him,” Mum deadpans with a snigger.

“We all have our vices.” Toby shrugs. His eyes find mine, and I don’t need him to tell me what his is. It’s the whole reason for us colliding in the first place.

Our journey up to the ward is mostly in silence. Toby’s hand is locked in mine the entire way as my heart continues to ache from the news Stella delivered.

I should have been expecting it. Hell, I was expecting it, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t cut through me like a million knives.

A sob rips from my throat as Mum pushes a set of doors open for the porters, thinking of Jesse sitting somewhere in this building feeling utterly hopeless as the love of his life’s future hangs in the balance.

“Theo has the best doctors in the city for her,” Toby assures me. “She’s one of us, just like you are.”