Page 64 of Unhinged

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

GEARS

I don’t move right away.

I sit there like an idiot, watching the woman I’ve come to care about more than anything walk around marked and glowing, and all I can think is serves me right to be last .

I was the one who held back the most. I was the one who gave her the cold shoulder, even when I wanted to touch her more than I wanted my next breath.

Arrow and Acid—they earned their marks already. I earned my place on my damn knees.

So that’s what I do.

I move over to her, heart beating as fast as a bee's wings, and drop down in front of her. Not like some big grand alpha move. No, this is different. I take her hands in mine, and I look her right in the eyes because she deserves that.

“I’m sorry, Brydgett,” I say.

She starts to talk; probably something smart-ass, like always, but I shake my head.

“Foo—”

“Let me finish,” I cut her off.

I take a breath, shoulders tense.

“I’m sorry I had my brothers take you and Judge.

Sorry we tied you up in the basement like you were something to be contained.

And most of all, I’m sorry I pushed Acid to hurt you.

He could’ve said no, yeah, we all know that.

But he follows my lead. I’m his brother.

His president. His leader. And I led him wrong. ”

Her hands twitch in mine, but she doesn’t pull away. That matters more than I can put into words.

“You were the first female we ever laid hands on that wasn’t a monster,” I say.

“And you’re the last. I know you’ve moved on…

you’ve shown us, shown me in your actions, but I need you to hear it from my mouth.

For as long as I live, Brydgett, no harm will come to you.

Not by my hand. Not by theirs. I will give my life to protect you and Judge. I swear it.”

She’s quiet for a second, and when I look up, her eyes are shining, but she’s holding it back. Tough to the end.

“I forgive you,” she says, and then she smirks, and damn if it doesn’t ease something in my chest. “Next time, just warn a girl if you wanna play rough.”

That makes me huff out a laugh. “Deal.”

She leans forward, presses her forehead to mine, and I breathe her in. That scent, jasmine and citrus, burns into my lungs, and my control slips. Not all at once. Not fast. But slow. Steady.

Like her choosing me gave me permission.

I look up at her still standing, all fire and strength and mine, and I reach for her waist. I tug gently, pulling her down so she’s on her knees with me. Eye to eye. No power games. No rank. Just us.

She lets me.

I bring my mouth to her neck, finding the spot just above Arrow’s mark. The last bit of untouched skin there that belongs to her and will belong to me. I kiss it first, because this matters. Because she matters. Then I sink my teeth in, deep and final.

Her body jerks when I bite her, and she grabs onto my shoulders like she’s gonna fall if I let go.

I hold her steady. I want to hold her steady.

The bond doesn’t slam into me all at once.

It comes on slow. Warm and heavy. Like syrup moving through my veins.

It’s sweet, but not soft. It’s strong. Real.

It doesn’t hurt, it just settles in deep.

Like it’s been waiting this whole time, and now it’s finally where it belongs.

When I pull back, I taste her blood and scent on my tongue.

She’s mine.

And then she looks up at me with those wild, wicked eyes and says, “Your turn.”

Before I can answer, she’s lunging forward, teeth sinking into my neck, right where she marked my brothers. Same spot. Her spot. I grunt and hold still as her claim burns into my skin like a brand, and the bond flares again—stronger now. Like a final puzzle piece clicked into place.

She licks the mark once, sealing it.

And that’s it.

The bond is locked.

I rest my forehead against hers again, breathing hard.

“You really chose us,” I whisper.

She smiles. “I did.”

“Even after everything.”

“ Because of everything,” she says.

And I believe her.

God help anyone who tries to take her from us now.

brYDGETT

I sit between my alphas, my back resting against Acid’s chest, my hand still wrapped in Arrow’s, Gears to my right. There are three marks on my neck now. Acid’s. Arrow’s. Gears’. Each one still sore and pulsing.

And I’m happy. Really happy.

That shouldn’t surprise me as much as it does. I didn’t know I was missing anything. I thought I was fine on my own—me and Judge against the world, and that was enough. But now I know the truth. I was missing something. Someone. Three someones.

They’re mine.

And I’m theirs.

I glance down at my hands, then up at them, and it hits me all over again: I have something good. Something real. Something I never thought I’d get.

Before things can spiral into emotions I’m not ready to unpack, Gears grabs his phone off the mattress.

“We need to call some people before we get too distracted,” he mutters.

Arrow groans. “I wanna get distracted.”

“Same,” Acid grins, nuzzling my neck.

“Later,” Gears says. “I promise.”

He puts the phone on speaker and dials. It barely rings once before Ike’s voice booms through the speaker.

“Where the fuck have you assholes been? Where the fuck is my girl? She better be okay.”

I burst out laughing. “I’m alive, Ike. They got to me in time, but my heat hit, so we've been dealing with that."

“Jesus, Brydge. You sound good. What the hell happened? Don’t tell me—wait, no, don’t ever tell me. I knew you were alive because some idiot named Suave texted me. What the hell is with you guys and your weird-ass nicknames?”

“Ike?”

“Yeah, Brydge?”

I bite my lip. My heart thumps. “I officially claimed them. All three. We’re bonded.”

There’s silence. Then he exhales, shaky.

“Brydge, I’m so happy for you. And proud. Proud you followed your heart, not just your head—which, let’s be honest, is mostly led by a blade, I’m pretty sure.”

I laugh hard.

“Come visit. Please. Bring Jackie. I want you to meet my alphas properly. On my terms.”

“Okay, kid. We can do that. Just tell me when.”

“I need to get Judge home first. Then I’ll call.”

“Sounds good, Brydge.”

“I love you, Ike.”

“I love you too, Brydge. You and that boy are the best damn thing that’s ever happened to us.”

“Same,” I whisper.

“Bye, kid.”

“Bye.”

Gears hangs up and immediately dials Nitro next.

“All clear. You can head back,” he says. “Be home tomorrow morning.”

Then he calls his mom.

“Is Judge near you?” he asks.

“Of course,” she says, voice firm. “I haven’t let him out of my sight.”

“Put him on speaker,” Gears says.

“You’re live,” she answers.

“Judge, baby?” I say, voice cracking with how badly I miss him.

“Mom!” he shouts. “You’re okay?”

“I’m okay, baby. They got to me in time.”

“Bettie said your heat started. Are you okay? You’ve blocked it for a long time.”

I laugh, wiping at my eyes. “You’re too damn smart for your own good.”

“I gotta take care of you.”

“Not anymore, Judge. You’re a kid. That’s your job now. I’ve got something to tell you.”

“What?”

“I bonded Gears, Acid, and Arrow.”

“You did?!” He sounds excited.

“You okay with that?” I ask.

“Can I call Bettie grandma and Dillon aunt?”

“Yeah, honey. You can call me Grandma,” Bettie says. “Raiden? Orion? Titus?”

“Yeah, Mom…Bettie,” they say together.

“I’m so proud of you boys. And over the moon for you.”

“Thanks,” Gears mutters.

“You hurt her again or step out of line and I’ll get my wooden spoon back out. You hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” they all say in unison.

I make a mental note to ask about that spoon situation later.

“You can come home now, Mom,” Gears says. “Nitro already knows. Pack up. Leave tonight. Be here by morning.”

“Oh, thank God. I miss my bed,” she sighs. “See you boys and my new daughter-in-law soon.”

We hang up.

I pick up my own phone and call Georgia next.

She answers on the first ring. “Brydge?”

“Hey,” I say. “Can you come by the clubhouse tonight? I want to talk to you and Marcus. In person.”

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll make sure he’s with me.”

“Thanks, Georgia. Love you.”

“Love you too, Sweetheart.”

I hang up and look at my alphas, who are all grinning at me like I hung the damn moon.

“So, now what?” I ask.

“Now,” Acid says, voice low and wicked, “we fuck our omega.”