“Hey, guys,” Holly said to Xavier and Eve, greeting them as they walked into Jaxon’s Avalon home.

Well, it was now one of her homes too, since she and Jaxon had moved in together a month ago—three months after the Indie Rebels had saved them from Fleur and her henchmen.

“How does it feel being able to go places on your own again?” Eve asked teasingly.

Holly grinned. “It’s great! After all this time, you guys finally allowed me to go out by myself. I was at the shops today for three hours, and no one bugged me. Although I was pretty sure one of the sales ladies recognised me. She was nice enough not to say anything, though.”

“What did you get?”

“I’ll show you later when Jax arrives.” She eyed the couple as they sat on the lounge.

“What?” Xavier asked.

“What what?”

“You’re staring at us.”

She smiled. “I’m just… feeling you guys. I was remembering how I thought my world was falling apart when Jax and I broke up, then I was kidnapped. It’s nice to look at you and know that I’m right here and you’re right there, and we’re not under the thumb of some dark-souled people.”

“Aw,” Eve said. “That’s so nice. Thank you.”

“No. Thank you.”

Ten minutes later, Jaxon arrived.

“Hi, babe,” he said, kissing her.

“Hi. How was work?”

“Good. My guys are so great. I can totally count on them. I hardly need to be there.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not planning on taking time off to drive me around, are you?”

Jaxon laughed. “No. Unless you want me to.”

She shook her head. “I’m really enjoying having some freedom.”

“She went shopping for three hours, and hardly anyone recognised her,” Eve quipped.

“That’s great. What’d you get?”

Holly took a deep sigh and grabbed the shopping bag she’d brought in. She had no clue how this was going to go, and she had no idea how Xavier and Eve were going to react. But she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“I bought Xave and Eve some new stuff, and I want them to try them on for me right now.”

“You bought us clothes?” Xavier asked. “Why?”

“Because I had so much fun shopping by myself.”

“O-kay,” Xavier said. “But why buy us clothes?”

She held the bags against her chest. “You two promise me first that you’ll try them on right now. I really want to see what you look like in them.”

“Okay,” Eve said readily. “I’m excited to see what it is. And thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Xave?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Holly opened the bag and brought out black clothes that resembled those worn by the Indie Rebels. She couldn’t get the exact styles, but she supposed the Indie Rebels had their costumes—or whatever they called them—custom made.

“What on earth are they, Holly?” Xavier asked, his eyes round.

“I really loved the Indie Rebels outfit, and they looked like this,” she said innocently. “I thought it would be fun to get you similar ones.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “Why not? It was a memorable night for me. And you didn’t get to see them.”

“So what?” Xavier said.

“Come on. You promised you’ll try them on.”

The couple exchanged glances.

Holly narrowed her eyes. “You’re not keeping a secret from me, are you?”

Xavier scoffed. “What are you talking about?”

“Please wear them?”

“Fine,” Eve said with a careless shrug. “They’re good clothes.”

The couple went to one of the bedrooms to change.

“What was that for, sweetheart?” Jaxon asked.

Holly scooted closer to him on the couch. “I still believe those two are Indie Rebels, even if you don’t think so.”

Jaxon let out a laugh.

She rolled her eyes. Thing was, she’d been hearing her brother’s voice her whole life. She couldn’t have been mistaken that Xavier was the one who’d asked her and Jaxon if they were okay that night they’d been rescued. She also wouldn’t be surprised if the woman she’d seen with them was Eve since her sister-in-law was of the same height and build.

“Don’t you think it would be very strange if Xave and Eve are both Indie Rebels who turned up at the perfect time to rescue us?” Jaxon asked dryly.

She smiled. “Well, life is strange. I haven’t even stopped mulling about the fact that the thing that made you not want to go out with me is the very thing that made you go out with me.”

“What?”

She let out a laugh. “You rejected my advances so many times because you were deadset on wanting to avoid the negative consequences of my superstardom. Yet, it’s that same superstardom that attracted the kidnappers to me, which forced us to be in such close proximity that you were unable to resist your attraction to me.”

Jaxon smiled, caressing her hair with his fingers. “And you know what that tells me?”

“What?”

“We’re totally meant to be.”

Her heart expanded so quickly that it took her breath away. She lunged at him and kissed him hard.

“Do you want Xave and Eve to be Indie Rebels?” Jaxon asked against her lips.

“Yeah. And I’m still hoping that someone answers our question on how to become Indie Rebels ourselves.”

Jaxon pulled away to look at her face. “They’d already come back with a big fat no when we asked if we could meet our rescuers in person. I very much doubt they’d say yes to us joining them just because we’ve offered our assistance to their cause. I’m sure they’re very strict with who they accept. Anyway, why are you so keen?”

Holly simply shrugged, embarrassed to tell Jaxon that she liked the thought of paying back the world for her wealth and career by working with a group that literally helped clear the streets of criminals and save people’s lives.

But no one from the Indie Rebels had gotten back to her regarding her multiple requests for information on how to join them. It was humbling that she—Holly Stirling—was being ignored.

So she was going to take a video of Xavier and Eve in black attire and send it to that Aidan guy who’d answered her original message. If she could show that she—and she’d include Jaxon in this too—already knew the identity of two of their members, then maybe they’d consider their request to join.

And if she was wrong with her assumptions? Well, Aidan—whoever he was—could have a good laugh at her expense.

Eve and Xavier came out, wearing their new outfit, and Holly pressed record on her phone.

“What, you’re taking a video of us too?” Xavier asked with a sigh.

Holly checked them out, imagining them wearing the masks—which she hadn’t been able to find at the shops. “You really look like two of the Indie Rebels at Fleur’s mansion.”

Xavier rolled his eyes.

“I’d know your voice anywhere, Xave. I thought I imagined it, but I know I didn’t.”

“You think we’re Indie Rebels?” Eve asked with a laugh.

“That was why you were very insistent on playing bodyguard to me,” Holly continued, ignoring Eve. “But if you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay. I’m sure you need to keep it a secret.”

“Well, now you’re just making things up,” Xavier said dryly.

Holly grinned. “Maybe. We’ll see.”