They don’t even protest.
My heart stings.
That’s how I know they’re shaken up, trying so hard to be brave.
“I’m going to test those cameras,” he tells me as he helps load glasses into the dishwasher beside me. “Nothing else is happening in this house on my watch.”
“Let me help.” I look at his strong, tight jaw and the hard, unforgiving shine in his eyes.
“Sure. Let me make sure they’re settled first.”
I hate how sour the whole vibe feels.
If I’m stuck here watching our happy time playing house going up in smoke, so is he.
At least he doesn’t turn me down, I guess. But it was like he looked straight through me.
I don’t know how to bring him back, how to ground us to the moment. Or even how to reassure him.
I don’t even know if it’s my place.
Especially if I’m the reason his vacation gets ruined. The selfish, stupid Babins, clawing at Gramps’ ghost for revenge, and all for some ridiculous grudge from generations ago.
Seriously.
Just how small are these people?
“Are we going to be safe tonight?” Sophie’s voice is so small.
“Safer than ever, Soph. Once the cameras are up, we’ll see everything. They’re motion sensing, even in the dark.” Kane gives her a reassuring smile. I ache at the deep worries he’s hiding. “We’ll be sleeping like logs. No one will get past. I have notifications set up to ping me awake.”
“No one? Really?” She brightens.
“Absolutely.”
“So with the cameras, does that mean we’re good to stay?” Dan asks, more cheerful again.
“For now. After tonight, we’ll see, Danny boy,” Kane says.
The twins whoop, but Kane’s face settles back into a hard line when they’re not looking.
At least the kids are happier, I suppose, but I want to believe we’re better off with this fancy security system. I don’t bother staying mad that he went ahead and got one before I could call a local place.
In this case, I’m glad he acted.
I just want yesterday.
I want Kane to smile like he believes it’ll be all right.
I want to get back to kissing him without a care, before our time runs out.
I want to believe we’re fine—and dammit, we will be.
I just need to be patient.
Wait for cameras, wait for the cops to update us, and wait for this man to keep screwing me up against my better judgment.
Just for a little while longer.
