"Hey," Aria sits up straighter on the couch when I come downstairs. I rub my bleary eyes just as a yawn gets the better of me. I slept maybe an hour, hour and a half. Even then I kept tossing and turning because my brain was fighting sleep the entire time. I couldn't relax enough to actually rest my eyes.

"Hey," I sit beside her and yawn again. "Did you sleep any better than me?"

She snorts and points to the bags under her eyes. "What do you think?"

My lips tug up sadly. "Yeah. I just want them home already."

"Me too, thottie. A couple of more hours to go and we can hear from them."

"Do you think they did it? Killed Kane?"

"I don't know. You know Wolfe better than me but I think he wouldn't be able to go through with something like that."

"Yeah," I agree quietly, thinking of the big guy. I know he's had his share of dark thoughts and urges but at the core he's too pure. Too forgiving and kind to do something like that. The thought of him makes my heart ache and I swallow down the tightness in my throat. "Do you think they're okay?"

Aria opens her arms when my tears get the better of me and I lean forward, hugging her back and burying my face in her shoulder. I feel her rub my back in circles as she speaks through a thick voice. "I hope so."

"It's so fucking hard," I admit with a whisper. "Loving someone. All I ever think about is losing him. I feel like it's too good to be true that I'll have forever with him and it haunts me all the fucking time."

"Me too," She sighs and hugs me tighter. "It's not easy but you have to break yourself off from that mindset. You can't let your fear stop you from loving someone completely. What's the point of loving if you're not in it one-hundred percent?"

"But how?" I pull away and scooch to the back of the couch. I suddenly feel defensive. "I love Wolfe but every time I look at him I wonder when he's going to leave me. I wonder if he'll eventually get tired of me or not want me someday or fall out of love with me. Why am I so fucking scared all the time?"

She looks down at her hand thoughtfully, twisting her engagement ring around her finger. "Because loving someone is terrifying. Putting yourself out there and being vulnerable is a freaking nightmare. They make it sound so magical in the movies and the books but in real life it's a straight up terror. In real life, there's no guarantee of a happy ending or a happily ever after. But while movies and books are fiction, life is the real thing. Whatever you end up with, whether it's a happily ever after or a really nasty heartbreak, at least it's real and a token to show that you've lived. That you're living. Go live, Lenny. Be scared, go out of your mind, but feel all those things because you actually get to. Let all those things remind you that you're alive after everything you've been through and that in itself is the best fucking happily ever after you can ask for. Anything that comes after that is a bonus."

I look down and draw my knees up to my chin, staring at my feet. "You're right. I know I'm blessed to have everything I have after what I've been through. And I'd rather be scared and have him than run away from my feelings and be alone. It just scares me how much I love him. I never thought I'd be in this position."

"I remember," Her voice is laced with amusement and I look up to find her smiling at me. "All those times you insisted you'd never want a man or that falling in love was for pussies. The shit you give me and Asher for being disgustingly attached to each other. You're no better than we are, you know that?"

"I know," I admit with a laugh and look away when I feel my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. God, I used to be such a skeptic when it came to love. I was convinced it would always be me against the world. "I never saw him coming."

"Those are always the best ones," She grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze.

I stare down at my bracelet and the charm attached to it. A hearing aid. Aria gave it to me over a year ago on the day of Becca's death anniversary. I'd almost punched her in the middle of the restaurant but only because I was so touched that she remembered. I don't know where I'd be without her. "Do you think Becs would like him?"

"She'd love him," She immediately answers with conviction. "In case you haven't noticed, your man is kind of irresistible."

"Hell yeah," I smirk and my chest warms with pride. "Come on. Let's go see if Mitch knows something."

Aria nods and we both stand up to head to the kitchen where Mitch is having an early lunch. He's practically barrelling through his food and craning his neck to look out the windows every few seconds, alert as ever. Greg was right — he's good at what he does.

"Are you okay?" Ria asks, her wide eyes eyeing the quickly disappearing food.

"Totally," Mitch mumbles around a mouthful. "Last couple of hours are most crucial in the case of retaliation. Can't be too careful."

"You're going to give yourself a stomach ache," I point out and he rolls his eyes.

"Relax, Mom. I know what I'm doing."

He shoves the last bite in his mouth and chews at lightening speed, rinsing off his plate in the sink and putting it in the dishwasher. Just as he closes it and straightens up he groans and clutches his torso with obvious pain. My smile is full of gloating.

"Told you," Ria and I say at the same time.

Mitch raises his chin. "Kiss my ass. I'm a grown man."

"Men are stupid no matter how grown they are," Ria scoffs. "You should really find yourself a woman, Mitch."

"The fuck? Who says I need one?"

"Trust me, you do," I nod. I wave at the general area of him. "Shouldn't be too hard. You're handsome, tall, built. A little old but doing good for your age."

"I'm not old," He scowls immediately. "And I don't need a woman."

"When's the last time you got laid?"

"I get laid!"

"Only a man who doesn't get laid would say it as defensively as you just did."

"Mitch needs some good lovin'," Aria wiggles her brows. "Maybe Greta has a friend or something."

"I quit," He deadpans. "You two don't deserve me."

"Mitch, honey, we're the only women in your life right now. You 'ought to hang on to us."

"You guys are fucking annoying," He grumbles but not before I catch the way his lips twitch. I like Mitch. He's good people. He's kept level-headed and confident this whole time and makes me feel safe. I can see why Greg trusts him.

"Mitch," One of the other guards swings the front door open. He looks solemn. "Need a word outside. Now."

The humour instantly slips from Mitch's face and he straightens up, nodding and heading for the door with his hand on the gun tucked into his jeans. Aria and I exchange a wary look at their serious faces and I feel my heart rate pick up with paranoia.

"What's going on?" My voice shakes. Ria and I get to follow him to the door but he holds a hand up and stops us.

"You two stay here. I just need a minute."

"That sounded serious," Aria chews her thumb nervously. "Is something wrong?"

"I'll let you know as soon as I find out. Just wait here, okay?"

We nod and Mitch leaves the safe house, locking all of the locks behind him. He goes to the window and waves a hand to get our attention, pointing to the blinds at the top and motioning downward.

"He wants us to pull the blinds down," I tell Aria and give him a thumbs up. We go to all the windows in the room and pull down the blinds one by one, closing them and making sure there are no gaps that we can be seen from.

"Should we get the ones upstairs?" She calls out from the kitchen.

"Wouldn't hurt," I call back. "I'm on it."

I race upstairs and take the steps two at a time. All the while my hands are shaking and I'm trying not to think of the worse possibilities. What if Wolfe is hurt? What if something serious happened to him? What if he's...?

"Don't even go there, Parks," I mutter to myself and angrily pull down the blinds in my room, heading for Ria's. I clench my jaw tight and try to put my game face on. "He's fine. The big guy can take care of himself and he promised to come back to you."

It's all I repeat to myself over and over again as I make a trip to all the rooms. When I've got every window in the house covered I quickly make my way downstairs again. Aria is pacing by the front door.

"Stop chewing your nails," I remind her and she takes her hand away from her mouth, cringing. "Did Mitch say anything yet?"

"No. He's talking on the phone and it doesn't look good. They're all yelling or something. They look worried, Len. I'm freaking out."

Shit. My heart drops all the way to my feet. I move around her and go to the window by the door, opening the shutter blinds and peeking through them. Mitch is barking orders at the guard and pointing in all sorts of directions with one hand, his other hand clutching a phone. He speaks into it and listens for a few moments, nodding. Then he closes his eyes briefly and sinks to the lawn on his knees. He shakes his head and the look on his face...it's grief. No.

"Mitch," I start in a shrill voice and yank the door open. Aria tries to stop me but I shove her back, sprinting outside to him. "Mitch! You tell me what's happening right now!"

His eyes flash open and he stands up just in time for me to crash into him. I grab his shirt and shake him, pleading him to look at me. "Who's hurt? What happened? You need to start talking!"

"Stop," He commands in a firm voice. His arm goes tightly around me and he holds my shaking body to his steadier one. This time his voice is softer. "Stop. You need to relax, sweetheart. It's not what you're thinking."

"It's not?" I pull away so fast I get whiplash. My eyes search his. "Then why are you making that face? I've been around death enough times to know someone's gone."

"Yes," He confirms softly. "Emerson and Pryce are both stable. I'll explain on the way."

"On the way?" I hear Aria's breathless question as she jogs over to us. Her face is pale and stricken. "What's going on?"

"We're going to the South Bloods headquarters. Come on," He heads for his car and Aria and I follow him with quick steps. I'm so confused I might just yank my hair out. Mitch says everyone is okay so why does he look like that?

"Greg?" I suddenly guess. My pulse races with panic. "Is he okay?"

Mitch opens the back doors for Aria to get into, swallowing hard. "Critical condition. Let's move."

No. At this point I'm seconds away from throwing up and I quickly climb into the back with Aria just behind me. Mitch gets behind the steering wheel and peels out of the driveway before I can even buckle my seatbelt. It takes me several attempts to get it on because my hands are shaking so hard.

"What about his family?" Aria asks the same question I'd been wondering.

"Pryce informed them and everyone else. We're going to use the South Bloods private jet to fly to New York together. He's explained everything to them and they're on their way to headquarters, same as us."

"But what happened?" I emphasize. How did everything go wrong so fast?

"You're both aware of how Emerson's parents were murdered?"

Aria and I nod, watching him through the overview mirror.

"It turns out Brody Sims, the guy who died in jail and the friend of Kane's, faked his death in order to get out of jail. He went undercover for quite some time getting facial work done to change his appearance, legally changing his name and documents, securing a new identity. When he re-emerged and discovered Kane killed a detective he was livid. He thought he was out of jail home-free but he had a new death on his hands. He abandoned Kane and told him they were not to stay in touch otherwise people might suspect he's still alive. It wasn't until Emerson started tracking Kane down that Sims picked up on it. He had his own set of databases that would alert him when people searched his name or Kane's, just so he was aware if anyone was looking into their story. He put two and two together and figured out Emerson was the detective's son and a loose end that Kane left behind. So he joined the South Bloods undercover."

"How?" Aria demands. "I thought the South Bloods were all that. How is it they didn't know Sims was faking his identity? Don't they do background checks or something?"

"Couldn't tell you," Mitch looks equally livid. "Dante did a piss-poor job. He has too much ego and not enough skill. I wouldn't be surprised if he's demoted after all this is over."

"So what went wrong?" I redirect the conversation, getting annoyed. "Is Kane dead?"

"Well, when they initially found him, Emerson spared him. Said it wasn't worth it," He looks as proud as I feel. That's my guy. "Dante agreed to let him go and it pissed Sims off. It turns out Sims joined the South Bloods as Sergio to dethrone Dante and take his place. He was going to kill two birds with one stone by letting Kane and Emerson kill each other, and then kill Dante himself and making it look like an accident. That way the final loose end would be tied up and he could run South Bloods for himself. But when Dante decided to let Kane go, Sims snapped. His plan fell apart because everyone got out of there and it was only a matter of time before he was discovered. So he shot Kane and tried to shoot Emerson but Greg jumped in front of him in time. Body checked him out of the way and got hit close to his chest. He's in surgery right now so we have to move."

"Holy crap," I whisper, unsure how to feel. My brain can barely keep up with everything. "That's a lot of information."

"What about Sims?" Aria looks at me then at Mitch. "Did he get away?"

"No. Dante slit his throat open and made it look like a revenge killing between him and Kane. Called the police in and told them Sergio is actually escaped convict Brody Sims and he hunted down Kane for jeopardizing his new identity. They bought it and closed the case five minutes ago. No one knows your men or the South Bloods were involved. Now we just have to hope Greg pulls through."

His voice catches then and he clears his throat, blinking fast. He looks close to tears and I'm about seconds away from crying myself. After everything Greg has done for us it's not fair that he's in this condition. I can't help but feel responsible and when I look at Aria, she has the same guilty expression.

"Stop it," Mitch tells us without taking his eyes off the road. "It's no one's fault. Greg is the kind of person that jumps for you and no one can change his mind. It was his decision and the best we can do is thank him for it and be there for him. Your guilt isn't going to fix anything."

I know he's right but it doesn't change how heavy I feel. I close my eyes and silently beg Greg to pull through. I want to hug him for saving Wolfe, for saving all of us, and I don't know what I'll do if I don't get that chance.

The rest of the drive is solemn and grim. Aria and I both left our phones behind in our haste to leave so we can't call anyone. Mitch needs to stay on the line with headquarters while they set up the jet and he assures us it'll only be a couple of hours until we're in New York. We arrive around twenty minutes later and head inside the building. It looks like a bank, both from the outside and the inside. I would imagine it's usually more organized but right now it's chaotic and a bunch of men are running around and barking orders at each other. Mitch cups his hands around his mouth.

"Listen up! We're here for the jet!"

"This way sir," A man in tight leather and a full beard waves us over. He takes us to the back of the building where another car is waiting for us outside. We all get in and the driver takes off, heading along a deserted road. The man turns around in the passenger seat. "You hear about Sergio? I mean, Sims."

"Yeah," Mitch's jaw clenches. "This could have been avoided if Dante was more thorough."

"Agreed," The man crosses his arms. "He officially stepped down. Seems traumatized from having to kill his right hand man. Wants nothing to do with us no more."

"Who's your new leader?"

"We don't have one, sir. That's why everything is a mess."

Mitch nods, looking away again. I look out the window too and along the acres of land we pass. It's a few minutes before it's all road and I spy a jet a few hundred metres away. The car takes us up to it, stopping near the steps where two men are waiting. We get out of the car and Mitch motions for Aria and I to follow him.

"Just up there," One of the men shouts over the roaring engine. My hair whips around me and I cross my arms, cursing myself for not grabbing a jacket. It's the dead of winter.

"Come on," Mitch hollers and goes up the steps. Aria and I are right behind him, climbing until we get to the entrance of the jet and then we're inside. Immediately it's warmer and quieter and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Down there. The rest of your friends are here," A suited women directs us. I look over at Aria and we both exchange a knowing look. Jesus, who knew the gang life was so freaking fancy?

We head down the narrow path, past all of the flight attendants who are putting food and drinks on carts and smile at us politely. Mitch pushes a curtain out of the way and then we're in a large space with huge seats that are occupied. Almost immediately everyone shoots to their feet.

"Thank goodness," Delilah is the first to come forward and engulf Ria and I in a hug. "You guys are okay?"

"Mitch took great care of us," I confirm.

"Thank you, man." Nate holds his hand out and Mitch shakes it with a respectful nod. He grabs Aria and hugs her to him tightly, practically crushing her. "I'm so glad you're safe, sis."

"Me too, bro." I hear her sniff.

I look away and give them a moment. Immediately my eyes land on Greta who's staring out the window with a red face and puffy eyes. Without thinking I sit on the seat beside her and wrap my arms around her in a hug. A soft sob escapes her as she hugs me back so tightly I can tell how much she needs this. I hold back tears of my own, wanting to be strong.

"He's going to be just fine," I whisper. "He's too fucking stubborn to give up on us."

Greta laughs through her tears and nods into my shoulder, clutching me tighter. "Yes, he is."

"Hey," I recognize Cameron's voice as he sits across from us. Greta and I look up at his mischievous smile. "You ladies have nothing to worry about. All I have to do is flash these pearly whites at him and there's no way he won't pull through. My smile is kind of magical. Aside from Nate's because, you know, his teeth fucking twinkle."

"No they don't," Nate scowls from behind him.

"Don't listen to him," Cameron drops his voice to a stage whisper. "I'm told strippers are required to have very nice teeth. Our boy has all the sugar."

"I don't strip anymore!" Nate lunges for him and Cameron squawks, shooting out of his seat and running over to Avery. He sits on her lap and uses her as a human shield.

"Hermoso, get off!" Avery smacks his head. "God, you're fat."

Cam pouts. "I'm cuddly. Stop it."

"Aves, where are the kids?" I ask and try to stop my smile. It doesn't feel right laughing at a time like this but I know Cameron is just trying to keep everyone less worried.

"A couple of the moms of the youth division kids are watching them. Trent and Cody's mothers, I think. We didn't want them to be near all of this."

I nod. That makes sense. "What about Jaxon and Emily?"

Avery's face turns grim. "Bathroom. Emily's hysterical. She won't stop crying and throwing up. Jaxon's doing the best he can to keep her calm."

Jesus. The poor girl. How much of her father's involvement in street work does she even know about?

"Asher caught us up to speed," Nate answers my silent question. He runs a hand through his hair. "We're all a little rattled but we know what's going on."

"And...what do you know about Wolfe?" I look between all of them. I know they don't have even a lick of information about the big guy or his past.

"Wolfe?" Cameron asks with furrowed brows and gets to his feet. "What about him? Asher said Coach was in New York on business and took him and Wolfe along for extra muscle."

I nod, sighing in relief. I know the big guy wouldn't have wanted everyone to find out this way. If he wants them to know it should be his choice. Asher's a good friend for keeping it secret even in the midst of everything.

"What does Wolfe have to do with this?" Nate asks when I don't elaborate.

Everyone is looking at me curiously and I feel my cheeks grow warm being under the spotlight like this. Hell, it's like they're living in an alternate universe from me. I live in a world where Wolfe talks and loves me and got himself involved in a freaking gang for fuck's sake. The Wolfe they know is nothing more than a silent friend they don't truly know. It's crazy how much he's changed and these guys don't even know it.

"We should wait until we're in New York," I say vaguely and clear my throat.

"Oh shit," Avery laughs under her breath. Her eyes are on mine and they're so knowing that I shift uncomfortably. "You guys are together, aren't you? You love each other."

All bewildered eyes land on me and I sink further in my seat. I'd rather yank my hair out than be in this position. "How'd you know?"

"I'm a therapist, chica," She winks. "I know what real love makes a person look like and you've never looked like that before."

"That's so sweet," Delilah smiles softly. "I can see how you two would be good for each other."

"I knew it," Cameron's eyes are alight with so much glee I'm a little creeped out. "I called it the day he punched that fucker for you. I was the first person to call it, wasn't I? God, I'm amazing."

"Lord," Greta mumbles from beside me and I look over to find her shaking her head, biting the inside of her cheek to stop her smile. "I hate to admit it but he was the first person to call it."

"Ha!" He points at her. "Love you, G."

Greta's eyes shift to over my shoulder and I follow her line of sight, shooting to my feet along with everyone else when Emily stumbles out of the bathroom. Holy crap, she looks horrible. Her hair is wild and unkempt, her face swollen and red, and her eyes so damn sad. Jaxon holds her shoulders tight from behind her and looks down at his wife with unfiltered pain and worry.

"Hey, Em." I step forward and Emily looks at me. My throat grows so tight I can barely breathe. "I'm so sorry. We shouldn't have involved your father. I...I don't even know what to say. I'm just so fucking sorry."

"Don't apologize," She tells me in a raspy voice. Jaxon takes a seat on one of the plane lounges and pulls Emily on to his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist protectively. She leans back against him and offers me a tired smile. "My dad is a grown man. He knew what he was doing and he saved Wolfe's life. I'm proud of him. I just know that his selflessness comes at a cost sometimes but that's my dad for you. You can't stop him once he gets involved. Don't blame yourself, alright?"

I nod. Her words reassure me but just barely. She sighs again and holds onto Jaxon's forearms, pulling them closer against her belly. That's when I realize something and blink slowly.

"You're pregnant," I observe. The way Jaxon is holding her says it all. On top of that she won't stop throwing up so it makes sense.

Emily laughs. "You're good. Yeah, I'm almost four weeks along."

"Holy shit!" Avery squeals and sits up straighter.

There's similar outbursts of gasps and congratulations and Emily nods in thanks, her eyes tearing up again.

"We found out last week. I got a cake made to surprise everyone. It's supposed to come in later tonight but..."

She trails off then and ducks her head, sniffling. As quickly as it came, the excited atmosphere disappears and we watch solemnly as Emily tries to hold herself together.

"You'll get to tell him, baby." Jaxon promises in a gruff voice. He runs his hands through her hair, with a softness I wouldn't expect from a man as stoic as him. "He's going to see all of our children grow up. He wouldn't have it any other way."

I look away quickly. This is all just too fucking emotional and I might burst at any moment.

"Buckle in, everyone," Mitch opens the curtain and takes a peek inside. He notes the look on everyone's faces as sighs deeply. "Still no update. But the sooner we get there the sooner we can see him and know for sure. Get in your seats and say your prayers. Greg needs them."

He does. So we all sit down as the jet starts moving for takeoff, and the ride to New York is quiet and hopeful.

_________________________

A/N

GREG!!!!!!

This is all so much I can't breathe. How are you doing? Hopefully the bit of lightness with Cam's humour (as usual) and Emily's pregnancy (yay!) made things less overwhelming. Hold on, we're almost there!

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter!

Happy Reading :)