The Mob Queen Wants to Claim Me for Herself (In a Reverse World)

Chapter 24: New World, Old Friend

“Connor?”

The name tumbles from my lips like a prayer, hanging in the space between us for one eternal second before everything explodes into motion.

Connor launches himself at me with such force that the duffel bag slides off my shoulder, hitting the ground with a heavy thud that should worry me but doesn’t, not now, not when my best friend’s arms are crushing me in an embrace so tight it squeezes the air from my lungs.

‘No homo.’

“Adam! Holy shit! Adam!” Connor’s voice breaks as he clutches me, his body shaking with sobs. “I can’t believe it, man. Is it really you? Is it the real you?”

People are staring now. The two women Connor was with hang back, exchanging worried glances as they watch our reunion unfold. One of them, a tall blonde with striking features, takes a protective step forward but doesn’t intervene.

I’m crying, too, unashamed tears streaming down my face, dampening Connor’s shoulder as I return his embrace with equal fervor. “Yeah, it’s me. It’s really me.”

Connor pulls back just enough to look at my face, his hands gripping my shoulders like he’s afraid I might disappear if he lets go. His blue eyes are red-rimmed and wild as they