“Open it,” Gideon says quietly. “We’re clear.”
I push the bar and swing the door outward. Cool air rushes in, carrying the smell of trees and car exhaust. The service drive stretches ahead, lined with dumpsters and a narrow stripof grass. Beyond that, the parking area and the treeline where Gideon’s car sits in the shade.
I spot the dark sedan in its place. Driver’s side, Penelope’s blonde head in profile. Passenger seat, Talon’s sharp jaw, eyes pinned to the building.
“They’re right there,” I murmur to Minxy.
She squints into the light. At first, she doesn’t see them. Shadows and shapes blur together. Then Gideon lifts his hand in a small, deliberate motion. The car’s brake lights flare as Penelope shifts her foot.
Talon’s door flies open before she can touch the handle. He scrambles out so fast he nearly trips, catches himself on the roof, and stares straight at us.
“Minx!” His voice cracks hard across the distance.
Every part of her goes still. Then she runs.
Her hand tears out of mine, and she bolts down the narrow stretch of pavement, sneakers slapping the ground. For a second she is just a streak of gray sweatshirt and too-thin legs and frantic movement. Talon meets her halfway, arms open, chest heaving.
She crashes into him with enough force to rock him back a step.
He wraps his arms around her and hauls her in, crushing her against him like he can absorb her bones into his. She makes a sound that is not quite a sob and not quite a scream. He folds his hand over the back of her head, tucking her face into his neck.
I stop where I am and let them have the space. Gideon does too. We stand by the open door, shadows on the concrete, witnesses and guards.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” she chokes into his collar.
He shakes his head, voice rough. “You’re stuck with me, brat. I told you I’d always find you.”
She pulls back just far enough to look at him. Her eyes are red, nose running, face blotchy and fierce. “They said I couldn’t call anymore. They said this was my new reality.”
“I know,” he cuts in, voice breaking. “They lied. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her fingers fist his hoodie like she doesn’t trust gravity. “Mom’s going to be so mad.”
“Good,” he says. “She deserves to be.”
She huffs a wet laugh that breaks into another sob and buries herself in his chest again.
Gideon clears his throat gently. “We need to move.”
Talon nods without looking up. “Okay. Right. Sorry.”
“No apologies,” I tell him. “Just get in the car.”
He guides Minxy toward the back seat. Penelope has already scrambled around to open the rear door from the other side. Minxy hesitates when she sees her eyes widening.
“Who are you?” she asks.
Penelope’s mouth twists. “I’m Penelope. Your almost stepsister and I’m dating your brother and your uncles.”
“You’re pretty,” Minxy blurts, then flushes. “Sorry. That’s weird.”
“It’s not weird,” Penelope says softly. “Thank you.” Her throat moves as she swallows. “We’re really happy you’re here.”
“Is it safe?” Minxy asks.
This time my answer comes out without hesitation. “Safer than where you came from.”
She studies each of us in turn, like she’s weighing odds in a game whose rules no one explained. Then she climbs into the back seat. Talon slides in after her, never letting go of her hand.
