Blood and Vows

I'll see you after

A contunation after Queen of Hearts....

I don’t move straight away.

The room is still too full.

Too heavy.

Too many eyes on me.

Too much that could go wrong.

So instead—I reach up slowly, pulling the tie from my hair.

It slips free, blonde strands falling down my back, soft against my shoulders, settling like I’m trying to put myself back together before walking into something that could break me.

The movement is small.

But it shifts everything.

His eyes track the motion, something tightening in his expression—something that looks dangerously close to him losing control.

Alex’s gaze follows next.

Then the rest of them.

No one speaks.

Because they all know what this feels like.

I smooth my hair down lightly, fingers steady even if everything inside me isn’t.

I don’t rush it.

If this is the last moment I get like this... with them—

I’m taking it.

My eyes lift.

Max is closest.

I step into him without thinking, my hand resting lightly against his chest, fingers brushing over the fabric of his shirt, feeling the warmth of him underneath it.

He sighs softly, like that alone almost undoes him.

“Hey,” he murmurs, softer now.

I lean up just slightly, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

It lingers.

And when I pull back, my forehead brushes his.

“I’ll see you after,” I say quietly.

Something in his jaw tightens at that.

But he nods anyway.

Alex steps in next.

His hand comes up, fingers curling gently under my chin, lifting my face just enough for him to look at me properly.

Like he’s memorising me.

His thumb brushes over my cheek.

Soft.

So different from the way he usually handles me.

“Don’t make me come get you,” he mutters lowly.

I give him a small smile.

“You won’t need to.”

His lips press to mine—firmer than Max’s, a little more grounding, like he’s trying to anchor me here.

Then he lets me go.

Enzo pulls me into him next, his hand sliding to the back of my neck, holding me there for a second longer than usual.

“Burn the world for you, remember?” he murmurs against my hair.

I nod softly.

“I know.”

Francesco leans in right after, bumping his forehead lightly against mine.

“Still think this is a bad idea,” he mutters.

“I know,” I whisper back.

Cassian doesn’t say much.

He just pulls me into him, arms wrapping around me properly, holding me tight for a second—long enough to say everything he doesn’t.

Then he lets go.

Marco lingers a step back.

But when I look at him, he steps forward anyway, his hand resting briefly on my shoulder.

“I’ll be right behind this,” he says.

I nod once.

Lucas is the hardest.

Because he looks like he might actually break.

So I step into him, wrapping my arms around him before he can say anything.

“I’m bringing them back,” I murmur into his shoulder.

He grips me tighter.

“I know you are,” he says softly.

I pull back, giving him a small smile.

Ryker.

He hasn’t moved.

Hasn’t said anything.

Just watching me.

That quiet tension sitting heavy in his shoulders.

I step closer to him slowly, my hand brushing lightly against his arm.

Just enough to remind him.

“I’ll see you after,” I tell him.

I walk to Jace and give him a hug.

"Focus on the job, okay?" I tease, and he gives me a small smile.

"For our favorite girl? Sure." He grins, and I shake my head.

Ryker's gaze drops briefly to my lips.

Then back to my eyes.

I tilt my head slightly, a small, teasing smile slipping through—gentle, trying to ease the weight in the room.

“Don’t get distracted out there,” I murmur softly. “You actually have a job to do.”

His eyes flick over my face again.

Slower this time.

Like he’s already proving my point.

A quiet breath leaves him.

“Too late for that,” he mutters.

Almost under his breath.

Then his expression shifts, something harder snapping back into place, his focus sharpening again.

“But I don’t miss,” he adds, firmer now.

“I know,” I whisper.

Behind him, Jace exhales softly, a crooked grin pulling at his mouth like he’s trying to drag some ease back into the room.

“Hey,” he says, lifting his hands slightly. “If he gets distracted, I’ll pick up the slack.”

He glances at me, that usual playful edge slipping back in—just enough.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be watching you real close.”

Then he adds, lighter—

“Professionally… mostly.”

It’s a weak save.

But it’s an effort.

And it works just enough.

I huff out a soft breath, shaking my head slightly.

“Good,” I say.

His grin widens a fraction.

“Yeah,” he murmurs.

I nod once.

Then I step back.

Turn.

And this time—

I don’t stop.

Because if I look back again—

I might not walk out at all.

The air feels different the second I step outside.

Colder.

Quieter.

Like everything is holding its breath with me.

The black SUV waits ahead, the engine still off.

I slow for half a second.

Then I turn back.

I shouldn’t.

But I do.

They’re all there.

Exactly where I left them.

Max at the front, already watching me like he doesn’t trust himself to blink.

Alex beside him, arms crossed, his jaw tight.

Enzo and Francesco just behind, both tense, both ready.

Cassian stands slightly off to the side, quieter—but just as focused.

Lucas lingers close, his shoulders tight.

And then—

Ryker and Jace start moving.

My chest tightens.

Just slightly.

I swallow it down.

Then I let a small smile pull at my lips.

“I love you,” I say, my voice steady despite everything sitting under it.

Max’s expression shifts instantly, something raw breaking through before he reins it back in.

“We know, kitten.” He murmurs, his voice tight.

Alex doesn’t say it back.

He just watches me like he’s memorising every detail.

Enzo exhales slowly under his breath.

Francesco drags a hand through his hair, jaw tight.

Cassian’s gaze doesn’t leave me.

Marco nods once, subtle—but it’s there.

Lucas looks like he might actually lose it—but he doesn’t.

And Ryker just watches me.

I turn before I can change my mind.

The moment I move, everything shifts.

Doors open.

Engines come alive.

Movement.

Controlled chaos.

I reach my SUV, pulling the door open and sliding into the driver’s seat just as the first engine roars to life behind me.

The door shuts.

For a second, I just sit there.

Hands on the wheel.

Breathing.

Then—

I glance down.

The ring catches the light.

Max’s ring.

A soft breath leaves me.

Then I start the engine.

Behind me—everything falls into place.

Ryker and Jace slide into their SUV first, already moving, pulling out and keeping distance behind me.

Not too close.

Not obvious.

But there.

Alex and Max get in together next, their SUV starting with a low, powerful rumble.

Francesco and Enzo follow, moving quickly, efficiently, their vehicle lining up with the others.

Cassian and Marco are last, their SUV pulling into position, quiet but just as deadly.

A convoy hidden.

I shift the car into drive.

And for a split second—

I let myself breathe.

Then I pull out.

The gates open.