Series: Like Us Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 241
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1182(@200wpm)___ 946(@250wpm)___ 788(@300wpm)
And Oscar. His arms are crossed tightly over his chest. He’s against the door of the Mazda. He must’ve taken his husband’s car.
And I realize, they aren’t here for Luna.
They came here for me.
I love my family. It crashes against me, and I look down at the pavement, trying not to fucking cry. When I get it together, I look up and I nod to them in thanks, unable to speak. They don’t need to say anything to me. Words don’t feel as good as what they just did.
Being present.
Being there.
I inhale a strong breath.
“You called the cavalry?” O’Malley asks me.
“Nah. They just came.” I can tell Gabe is drunk. He’s bearing too much of his weight on Quinn and fighting to keep his heavy-lidded eyes open.
I laugh, and I tell everyone, “I’m alright.” This time, I really believe it.
Akara nods to me, and he’s one of the last to pile into the cars. As though ensuring I really am good.
Oscar tosses his keys to Thatcher, then says to O’Malley, “You can ride with Moretti.”
“Great,” O’Malley mutters. No one’s ragging on Chris. Despite whatever he thinks of SFO, none of us would kick a guy while he’s down. He pulls on the Carraways tee and disappears into the Mazda.
I have my arm around Luna in the back of the Volvo. With Oscar in the passenger seat, Farrow peels out onto the street. Blowers expel hot air, and Luna pulls off her mask. Her hair is all matted and frizzed, and her eyes sink into mine.
I kiss her.
We make out, really.
For maybe five or six minutes. Could be longer, but who’s counting? I feel more than put back together. Each kiss is possessive and passionate and exultant. Like I’m exploding into joy. Anger and pain are so far gone now, and I hang on to these simple moments. And this unmatched feeling. I smile against her lips. She clings tighter to me.
When we come up for air, Oscar has had enough.
“Answers, bro. Literally give me anything. You can suck her face later.”
Luna blushes just a little, but she’s smiling too. I laugh, and I could tell him how much I hate Epsilon. How they’re still the pricks they’ve been.
But it’s not really what comes to mind.
“You won’t believe it,” I say to Luna, to my friends. Farrow’s eyes flicker to the rearview, and Oscar has turned fully to meet my gaze in the back. And I tell them, “I’m related to O’Malley.”
“Ha-ha,” Oscar says. “Seriously. Give me something real.”
“It’s real. Deadass. Chris O’Malley is my cousin.”
He might’ve taken it to his grave, but I’m not taking it to mine.
FANATICON FORUM
WE ARE CALLOWAY
Posted by @super-sleuth2015
Why I think Donnelly is no longer on SFO…
We’ve all seen the big leak on Celebrity Crush by now. That apparently Donnelly does NOT get along with Epsilon and they don’t even like him. No one is asking the real question. Why would he even be taken off SFO in the first place? I think it’s bc the families don’t want him to be famous. They’re protecting Luna from all the attention, and it’s also why Luna x Donnelly haven’t announced their relationship.
@SFOpride9: This is def plausible. But we don’t even know if the leak is real or even credible. Celebrity Crush just said it was an “inside source” which could be anyone.
@wander_lust: Does he get along with anyone? First it’s with Loren Hale, now half the security team? I still can’t believe they didn’t fire him.
@XanderOnlyXander: If this theory is true, I think we can safely verify at some point that their relationship is not only real but might be more serious than a lot of the people on here want to believe.
@suckmypotatoes: Have you seen that vid of the way he grabs her face when he kisses her? I’d make him my boyfriend too. It’s so f-ing hot.
@HalesAreMyEverything: Omg I know. That one gif of him picking her up onto the hood of her car is the hottest thing I’ve seen on here. I still can’t believe they did that in the parking lot at Penn.
@LeeLoo5: I wish I went to Penn. Can you imagine running into Ben Cobalt? I would DIE.
@CobaltTwinsStanAccount: Why are ppl thirsting over Donnelly all of a sudden? Did we forget his family KIDNAPPED Luna???
EMAIL FROM THE TRI-FORCE
FROM: pricekepler@tripleshield.com, akarakitsuwon@ksecurities.com, jonsinclair@tripleshield.com, thatchermoretti@ksecurities.com, ianwreath@tripleshield.com
TO: all triple shield bodyguards, all kitsuwon securities bodyguards
As you should’ve already heard, the Tri-Force has been reestablished as an authority overseeing all security firms. It will contain all leads and owners of both Triple Shield and Kitsuwon Securities. No matter which firm you are employed under, the two are working cohesively together, and we’re maintaining this cohesion throughout the new year and moving forward.
We expect complete compliance.
Now, we’ve seen the recent leak regarding Security Force Epsilon, and we’re looking into how Celebrity Crush could know about in-fighting in SFE. In case you need reminding, ALL private information must stay with you. Not just about these families but about the security forces you work for. If you’ve shared any private info about your job with your family, your friends, your significant other, etc. and they’ve run to a tabloid, you will be terminated.