A knock sounded on the front door so I started for it. Lan was out back readying the yard for visitors. We were hosting another barbeque since Low announced it was our turn again. Parker was off working some things for a case they’d started, but he said he’d be back for it, only he could be late. Not that anyone knew he was ours, nor did it matter. I just loved having him around, even when I couldn’t reach out to him in front of people.

Even though it had been three months after Andrew got released—and from what the PI told us from Queensland, Andrew made the call to go about his days as if having never worked for my father—my guys still didn’t like leaving me alone at home. When I worked, it was fine since there were other people around me. And after Parker and Lan told Oliver about Andrew, Oliver wouldn’t leave my side. He’d go as far as following me to the toilet. At least we knew Amit and Mr Khatri were out of the picture. They’d both been sentenced to a long time in prison. Both their businesses were closed, and people learned just what type of men they were. Prisha and her mum were safely hidden still here in Australia, in case Mr Khatri’s sons were going to seek any kind of revenge for sending their father away. Though, from what I heard, they were too busy sorting out their own problems with their own wives, who had decided to press charges against them after everything about their father became public in the Middle East.

It seemed things were settling nicely in our lives. Lan had also received a call from his old boss in Ballarat informing him of Miller’s release, a little too late, and the fact Miller had disappeared but to keep a look out just in case. None of us could believe they’d never questioned Lan about Miller’s disappearing act in the first place. However, it worked in our favour.

At the front door, I looked out the side panels and saw Mrs Bridge standing there smiling. She waved when she spotted me. I opened it, and before I could greet her, she said, “Hello, Easton dear, I hope I’m not being a bother, but I remembered you saying you were a paramedic. My John has had a tumble, and I’m not sure if he should move. I told him not to get up the ladder anymore because of his bad leg, but he won’t listen to me.”

“Of course, Mrs Bridge. I’ll just let Lan know where I’m going.”

She looked next door and then back, “Yes, yes, please be quick. My John is a bit of a sook.”

I chuckled. “I will.” I quickly went to the back door, slid it open, and called out to Lan, who was fixing the ride-on mower near the back shed. “Lan,” I called.

“Yeah, babe?” he yelled.

“I’m just heading next door. Mr Bridge had a fall. Mrs Bridge is at the front door waiting for me.”

“Take Nero with you.”

“Lan—”

He looked up. “East. Take Nero.” He glanced down at Nero and ordered, “Go.” Then lifted his chin in my direction and somehow, our smart boy knew what Lan was saying and trotted my way. Though, since Lan had moved in, all of the guys got spoilt. They were now allowed to sleep in the house through the night, and since Parker spent most nights with us, they loved the attention we all lavished on them while we lazed around watching TV, reading—mainly myself and Parker, to my surprise, liked suspense and horror books—or just talking. The only time Parker didn’t stay was if he was too beat after being out of town on a case. Instead, he’d crash at his place. It never stopped him from calling us though.

When Nero was at my side, we walked back to the front door, and I opened it. Mrs Bridge had been frowning, but it quickly changed to a smile.

“Are you okay, Mrs Bridge?” She gave a wary glance down to Nero. “Don’t worry, he’s harmless.”

She nodded. “I’m fine, dear. Just worried about my John.” She took my offered arm and we walked around our shared fence because I wasn’t sure I could pick her up and help her over without hurting her. While walking, she chatted about her plum trees out the back, how I had to grab some before I left because there were too many for her and John.

“Mrs Bridge, I’ve been meaning to have you and Mr Bridge over for dinner. I haven’t been very sociable, I’m sorry.” I would have to have them visit when it wouldn’t be too crowded. I wasn’t sure they were ready to be around a rowdy bunch of bikers. I’d warm them up first.

She patted my hand and I was sure I saw her eyes well. “It’s fine, dear. I’ve seen cars coming and going all the time. Though, there’s been a certain couple of men who seem to stay a lot.”

“Ah, yeah, they’re my friends.”

“I’m old, dear, not dumb. You know John and I used to attend swinger parties.”

That wasn’t something I could unhear.

“Um, okay, that’s cool. Is John inside or out?”

“Inside.” She glanced back to my house. “Dear, I wasn’t hearing things. You did say one of your men is home now?”

“Lan, and yes, he’s working out the back.”

She hummed under her breath. We made it up to the front door where she paused and glanced down at Nero. I offered, “He can stay outside if you prefer?”

“No,” she whispered. “He’ll be fine.” She opened the door and stepped in. “John’s just in the kitchen.”

As soon as I was through, the door slammed shut with Nero on the outside. He went crazy, barking and scratching. I started to turn to the door, but something smashed into my head. I gasped and stumbled to the side, gripping my skull.

Mrs Bridge cried out, and I blinked her way to see a body standing over her. “You stupid woman, you let him bring a dog?”

Blinking again, things cleared and I couldn’t believe who I saw.

Andrew stood looming over Mrs Bridge. Shaking my head to clear it, I saw him point a gun down at her. “No,” I yelled and went to grab him, but he swung the gun my way. I stopped moving. “What are you doing here?” I stepped back. Mrs Bridge slowly shuffled on her bottom to lean against the wall.

“As ordered,” Andrew laughed.

“But….”

“The people you had watching me? I’m no fool, Easton. I know how to manipulate people into thinking they saw me when it’s really someone else.”

“What’s my father got over you to make you—”

“Make?” he yelled and laughed again. “No, he isn’t making me. I wanted to do this because you’ve ruined our lives. I looked up to Amit. He was like the father I never had, and you, his own flesh and blood, got him put away.” He growled under his breath like the madman he was. Gone was the tailored, poised, and stuffy Andrew. In his place was a dishevelled, crazy man. He waved his arm around with the gun. “Shut your fucking dog up or I’ll shoot it.”

“Nero, heel,” I yelled. Nero settled, then whimpered. “Where’s John?”

When Mrs Bridge sniffed, I glanced at her. “H-he knocked him out in the kitchen. I had to come and get you, dear. I-I had no choice. He would have killed my John.”

I nodded. “It’s okay, Mrs Bridge. This is my fault.”

Andrew laughed. “That’s right. Your fault, everything is your fault, and now you can watch me kill them before I take your life.”

The window crashed just behind me, glass raining down and slicing me in places. Wide-eyed, I stared at Nero as he landed on the glass-littered floor. The instant he was on all four paws, Andrew fired the gun. I screamed, Nero snarled, and another shot fired just before Lan jumped through the window and barrelled into Andrew, taking him to the ground in a grunting mess. With fear clawing at my throat, I watched on, relief flittering through me when Andrew hit his head hard, his eyes closing.

Lan straddled Andrew, gripped his tee and tugged his body up. “Motherfucker,” he clipped harshly, disappointed Andrew was out for the count. He dropped him. Andrew hit his head again.

Lan glanced my way. His eyes stormed in fear and anger. “East?”

“I’m good,” I told him. I glanced at Mrs Bridge, and that was when I saw him.

Nero lay on his side surrounded by blood.

“Nero,” I yelled. I stumbled over and dropped to my knees. “No, no, no.” I ran my hands over him, pressing my hands to a bleeding chest wound. He panted and stared up at me. “Nero.” A sob caught in my throat. “Nero,” I cried. I shook my head. “Puppy, my baby.”

Lan crouched next to me. “Ma’am, please call the police.” His hand rested on my back, and he rubbed up and down. “East.”

“No!” I yelled. I patted Nero’s head, rested mine against his and told Lan, “Kill Andrew. Kill him, Lan.”

“East—”

“No.”

“I’m sorry,” Mrs Bridge cried. “I’m so sorry. But, Easton dear, John can help him.”

I snapped my head up and my eyes landed on her where she sat on the floor still. “What?” I whispered.

“He can help Nero. He was a vet.”

I glanced to Lan, who nodded and said, “I’ll go check on John. Stay with him.”

“I’ll call the police,” Mrs Bridge said in a small, but hurried tone, but all my attention went back down to our brave boy.

Three months we’d been dating.

Three months of dating two guys and, fuck me, I was happy.

It was the longest relationship I’d ever had. It was one I wanted to make sure stuck for as long as I lived. That was why I was gonna tell them, not ask—I wouldn’t give them a choice—that I was moving in. Besides, I hated the nights I stayed in my apartment thinking it’d be good to give them the night to themselves. Not that they ever asked for one; I just thought it was good for them. However, now we’d have to sort out a different routine because I’d travel all the way around the world if I had to, to get home to them. To sleep beside them each night.

They calmed me. Made me realise there was light at the end of a dark guilt-filled tunnel. I was healing because of them. Learning to forgive myself because of them. I still had a way to go, but I finally knew it was possible.

I couldn’t see my life without them in it.

I never wanted to.

My phone rang through the Bluetooth system in the car. The caller ID read Dodge. “Yeah, brother?” I answered.

“That Andrew motherfucker showed.”

“Where?” I snarled.

“We’re at Easton’s—”

“I’m on my way,” I clipped, and ended the call. With my heart in my throat, I sped the rest of the way home. I didn’t want to hear over the phone how bad it was. I couldn’t. If either Lan or Easton were harmed, I’d fucking lose it.

Vehicles surrounded the place, but all I focused on was the ambulance. I parked at Lan’s place, shot out of my car, and ran. Jumping the fence, I bounded up the steps then forced the front door open. It hit the wall and all eyes landed on me.

“Parker,” someone said, but it wasn’t the voice I was after.

I spotted Lan standing behind the couch. My eyes ate him up, and he looked fine. I settled a little, but it wasn’t enough. I then focused on the ambo leaning over someone on the couch in front of where Lan stood. My chest ached, my hands shook, and my gut twisted in an ugly way. I stalked over, ignoring everything else, and pushed the guy aside. He cried out.

Things got blocked out as I looked down at Easton. He had a bandage over his temple, a few cuts and scrapes, but other than that he looked fine.

“Parker,” he said gently, his eyes flicked around us, and I knew he was worried for me as we were surrounded by people we knew and I didn’t want people to know about us.

But fuck it.

I dropped to my knees, cupped his face and leaned in, claiming his lips.

Gasps and curses started around us. Then Lan bit out to someone, “Leave him.”

The place quieted. I pulled back and ran my thumb over Easton’s bottom lip. “You’re good?”

“Yes,” he whispered, his eyes warm.

I nodded, stood, and shifted beside Easton to grab Lan by his tee and pull him forward. “You’re good?”

“Yeah, Park.” He smiled.

“Good,” I clipped, and then kissed him just as hard. My relief was immediate, my soul settled, righted itself. My men were okay.

“Holy shit,” was drawn out from someone.

I didn’t give a fuck. I needed this, them. While my mind and body eased after getting the crap scared out of me, Christ, I still trembled.

Lan’s hand threaded into my hair and he tugged my head back. His eyes met mine. “We’re fine, yeah?” He knew the way my brain worked, knew the reality of them being okay was sinking in. I nodded. He rested his forehead against mine. “You gonna be okay?” I knew he meant with people knowing.

“Fine,” I said.

Easton came to our sides, and we straightened, facing the people in the living room together.

“The three of you?” Stoke asked the obvious.

“Yep,” I said.

Silence.

“Well….” Dodge started.

“Who gives a fuck,” Knife said. “Two guys, three, four. As long as they’re happy.”

Dodge rolled his eyes. “I was gonna say that, dickhead.”

Knife chuckled. “Thought I’d get in first.”

“Look, we’ll get over the shock eventually,” Stoke said. He eyed his cousin. “You couldn’t just have one. You had to pick two.”

Lan laughed. “They couldn’t resist me.”

I scoffed.

“I think it’s brilliant,” Julian announced. He turned to Mattie.

Mattie’s hand came up. “No.”

“But—”

“Hell no.”

Julian huffed, “Fine.”

“Glad you all agree this shit’s good, but even if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t give two fucks,” I told them.

“You’d just get those two fucks,” Dive yelled. Mena, his woman, elbowed him in the gut. People laughed.

“Whatever,” I said with a smile, then offered Dive the middle finger. “Can you give us a second?”

“Everyone out with Nance and the kids,” Griz, second in command from the Ballarat Charter, yelled.

“Wait, where in the fuck is Gamer?” Talon snarled.

“Honey,” Zara said, starting after him since he was already on his way out.

As soon as everyone was gone, I faced Easton and Lan, and placed one hand on Lan’s hip and the other on Easton’s. “What happened?” They explained everything, even down to the point I arrived.

“Where’s Nero now?” I asked.

Easton smiled. “Gamer’s actually in the spare room with a resting Nero. He doesn’t want to leave his side. But John thinks he’ll be fine,” Easton said.

“Good.” I took a deep breath. “That fucker better not get bailed out.”

Lan shook his head and rubbed his palm up and down my arm. “He won’t. The Bridges will testify, and they heard the whole story. He won’t get off this time.”

I nodded, closed my eyes and sighed. I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’ve never been so fuckin’ scared.”

Easton’s body slammed into mine. “Sorry you got that scare. I promise we’re fine.”

I grabbed the back of his neck with one hand and reached out for Lan’s. “I know. I can see it, and I’ll calm eventually.”

Lan tugged on my hand. “We’ll help you later.”

I smirked. “Lookin’ forward to it.”

“People know now,” Easton stated.

I glanced down at him. “Yeah, they do, and I’m good with it. It also means we don’t need to hold back anymore. I’m happy and fuckin’ proud of who’s in my life, because I damn love you both.”

Easton sucked in a shocked breath before he leaned up and kissed me deep and long. Against my lips, he whispered, “I love you, too.” He glanced over to Lan, running his hand down Lan’s stomach. “Both of you.”

Lan stepped up behind me to press his lips to my neck. There he murmured, “Love you, Park.” He reached out, took Easton’s hand, dragged it up to his lips, and kissed the back of it. “You know I love you.” He smiled and then shook his head. “Don’t understand how I got damn lucky in life to have the love of both of you, but I do. It’s mine, and no one nor anything will fuck it up. You two are my for-fuckin’-evers.”

He was right. It was exactly how I saw them. As my forevers.

Fuck normal.

I was happy being different, especially when it meant I’d have Lan and Easton by my side.