Page 160 of Unhinged

He pulls back and looks up at me, his eyes searching mine. “You’re okay? Really okay?”

I nod, brushing his hair back. “Yeah. I’m good. Better than good.”

He glances past me then, toward where Gears, Arrow, and Acid stand. They’re not crowding or trying to take over, just standing there, waiting, watching. Lettinghimdecide.

“You sure you’re happy I bonded them?”

He nods, slower this time. “Yeah. They protected you. And me. I like them.”

That alone nearly knocks me over.

Judge walks with me toward them, holding my hand tight like he doesn’t want to let go again. I don’t blame him. I don’t want to let go either.

When we step up, he gives all three of them a simple, “Hey.”

It’s casual, but his little smile says everything. He’s home. He knows it. He turns to Gears first, tilting his head. “Do I have to call you Prez now?”

Gears lets out a short laugh. “Nope. Gears is fine. Or whatever you’re comfortable with. Whatever works for you, kid.”

Judge nods like he’s satisfied with that answer, then glances at Acid next.

“So, while I was gone, I kinda repeated some of the stuff you said. And Bettie washed my mouth out with soap.”

Acid grimaces. “Shit—sorry. I meanshoot.I’m really sorry, kid.”

Judge shrugs. “It’s okay. I know better now. Mostly.”

I snort and Judge turns to Arrow last. Arrow crouches down, holding out a fist like it’s just part of their routine.

“Glad you’re home, man,” he says.

Judge bumps it, all cool like they’ve done it a hundred times before. Then he looks at all three of them.

“So, are you my dads now?”

My chest squeezes so tight I can barely breathe. My fingers dig into the back of his shirt before I even realize I’ve moved. Part of me wants to protect him from the answer, and the other part is begging for them to say yes.

“If you want us to be,” Gears says.

“We’d be proud to.” Arrow smiles.

“We’re not here to take over anything,” Acid adds. “We just wanna be what you need.”

Judge doesn’t say anything right away. He just stares at them, looking real serious, like he’s trying to figure this all out in his head first. Then he moves to Acid and hugs him. Arms locked around his middle like he means it. Like he trusts him. No fear. No hesitation.

“I need dads,” he says, voice small but steady.

Acid looks surprised for a second, then he wraps his arms around Judge real careful, like he’s afraid he’ll break him. Like he’s holding something precious and doesn’t wanna mess it up. Gears steps in next and folds them both up in his arms, and Arrow isn’t far behind. The three of them just surround him. My kid. Holding him like he’s theirs too.

I take a step back without even thinking, just so I can look at them all together. Judge in the middle of them, safe and happy.

My son. My pack. All in the same place at the same time.

Judge looks over his shoulder at me, and he’s grinning, nose wrinkled, eyes squinty.

“I wanna stay forever,” he says.

I feel my throat close up, but I push the words out anyway. “You will,” I tell him. “You’re home now.”