“If you ever change your mind, I won’t keep it from you,” Elijah says with quiet conviction. “There will never be secrets between us. I swear that.”
Emotion swells in my chest. “Thank you—for trusting me,” I say softly, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips before looking up at Sebastian and Gabriel. “And thank you both, too.”
Sebastian simply nods. Gabriel flashes me a warm smile. “Of course, sis.”
And just like that, my heart feels a little lighter. A little safer.
***
We’re walking back to the car, his hand in mine.
“They’re incredible,” I say.
He smiles a little. “They are.”
“I see why you’d fight for them.”
He stops, turns toward me, searching my face. “You’re not overwhelmed?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m… honored. That you let me meet them. That I get to know this piece of you.”
Elijah leans down, presses his forehead to mine.
“They’re my past,” he murmurs. “You’re my future.”
“No Elijah, they’re not your past, they're your family.” He nods and leans to kiss me. And in that moment, I know without a doubt:
He’d burn the world down for them. But he’d build a new one for me
Chapter nineteen
Ava
Daddy:When you close at 5:00 PM, come to the studio.
Me:Is everything okay?
Hismessagesusuallycarrywarmth—even when he’s being direct. This one feels… clipped. Cold, almost. And now I’m spiraling, trying to figure out if I did something wrong. If I upset him.
Daddy:Everything’s okay, babe. Sorry if I scared you.
Me:Okay, Daddy. I’ll be there.
Daddy:Good girl. I miss my baby.
Me:I miss you too, Daddy.
By 4:45 PM, I can’t take it anymore. My nerves are buzzing, heart racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. I grab my bag and head for the door.
“Mia, I’m meeting Elijah at the studio. Can you close up tonight?”
She glances up from the register and grins. “Ooh, can I come with you? I want to see if Asher’s around—I need to ask him something.”
I raise an eyebrow. “New tattoo?”
“That’s the idea,” she replies with a happy shrug. Mia’s practically in love with ink; it doesn’t take much to get her excited.
The studio’s only five minutes away, and we walk there together, our conversation light but my mind still half-occupied, wondering what Elijah’s messagereallymeant.
