Juliet immediately went to Nanette and Brie. She took each of their hands. “You must be Harper’s mother and sister. Welcome to Iron Valor. We’re so happy you’re here and safe.”
Nanette spoke for both of them. “Thank you so much for your help and for being so good to Harper. We’re eternally grateful.” A tear ran down her cheek.
Juliet gave them each a hug. “None of that. We’re family. That’s what families do. Now, let’s get you settled. You look exhausted and would probably love to have a nice hot shower and some clean clothes and a fresh meal. Gunner will take you to the accommodations Parker has arranged for you. It’s a homeher family owned. It’s across the road from Gunner’s ranch. He’ll be around if you need anything.”
Gunner was waiting by his big pickup truck, cowboy hat, scuffed boots, hands in his pockets, looking ready to help. I caught the flicker on his face when he first saw Brie—something raw, almost chemical, like he’d been hit with an emotion he wasn’t ready for.
Brie didn’t look back. She just hugged Harper, then ran a hand through her hair, eyes darting everywhere.
“Y’all okay?” Gunner finally asked, voice just above a whisper.
Harper squeezed Brie’s hand. “We will be. We’re home.”
Nanette nodded, silent, the lines around her mouth deeper than I remembered. She and Harper shared a glance; it was enough.
Wrecker loitered behind Parker's car. She looked around and got excited when she saw a vehicle approaching.
A beat-up white Silverado rolled up, and for a second I thought it was the pack’s handyman, but then Aspen tumbled out in a lime green polka dot dress, her hair wild and her bare feet slapping the concrete. She squealed, literally squealed, and leaped into Big Papa’s arms, wrapping herself around him like a happy koala. He caught her, spun her once, and kissed her full on the mouth, not giving a damn who saw. Oscar, the damn prairie dog, scampered up her leg and perched on her shoulder.
“Darlin’,” Papa said, voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “You’re a vision.”
Aspen giggled, burying her face in his beard. “You smell like French cigarettes and blood, you wild animal.”
“And you smell like home, Sunshine,” he said, setting her down but refusing to let go of her hand.
“Sir, may I say it’s lovely to have you back?” Oscar asked him in his most proper British accent.
I hadn’t noticed the little black ball of fur that had jumped out of Aspen’s truck, but boy Parker did.
“There’s my good boy!” She shrieked as Rocket, the world’s ugliest dog leaped into her arms.
Wrecker’s face surprisingly lit up as well. “Hey kid,” he said as his giant hands ran through the wriggling little dog’s fur.
Parker handed the dog off to Wrecker, and the monster actually cuddled the thing under his chin. She rolled her eyes, then hugged Harper—quick, awkward, but real. “Call if you need me.” She looked at me, her eyes daring me to say something sentimental, but I just nodded. That was enough.
They peeled off, the silver BMW shooting gravel as it vanished up the county road.
Gwen materialized at Bronc’s elbow. Her white-blonde hair was down, and for the first time she looked like a person, not a weapon. She eyed me, half-smile on her lips.
“Thought you’d hate me by now,” she said.
I considered. “Not today.”
She held my gaze. “If you ever need the Paris Accord again, you know where to find me.”
I nodded. “I hope I never do.”
Bronc put a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s get you two to the pack house.”
I glanced at Harper. “Let’s go home,” she said with a sigh.
That was all I needed.
The drive was short, the silence thick but not uncomfortable. Bronc dropped us at our building, then drove off, Gwen in the back seat, her face turned away. The street was empty; the grass starting to turn green; the air fresh with the hint of spring flowers. I unlocked the door, held it for Harper, and let her step inside first.
The apartment smelled the way it always did—coffee grounds and gun oil, with a trace of her perfume in the sheets.Harper slumped into the armchair, toeing off her boots, and just sat there, eyes closed, breathing in the ordinary.
I knelt in front of her, took her hands in mine. They were shaking, but I didn’t mention it.
