Single dad, raising two girls on his own—he knows something about hard roads and second chances.
"Good to have you back," he says, offering his hand. "If you ever need anything—someone to talk to, whatever—I'm around. My girls are always asking about the baby, by the way. Wrenleigh wants to babysit."
"She's fifteen," I point out.
"Sixteen in a few weeks. And she's good with kids." Coin shrugs. "Just saying. The offer's there in case the two of you need a date night or anything."
"Thank you, Coin." Vanna manages a smile. "Tell your girls I said hi."
Maddox doesn't say anything—he never does—but he steps forward and wraps Vanna in a gentle hug that seems impossible from a man his size.
When he pulls back, he just nods at her, his eyes soft.
Ounce is next.
He studies her for a long moment, his gaze sharp and knowing.
Then something shifts in his expression—recognition, maybe. Understanding.
"One day at a time," he says. "You know where to find me if you need to talk."
"Thank you." Vanna holds his gaze. "Garrett told me you... that you understand."
"I do." He doesn't elaborate. Doesn't need to. "We'll talk when you're ready."
Kinsey catches Vanna's eye from her spot near the door.
She doesn't move, doesn't speak, but she nods—a small gesture of solidarity from one woman who knows about guilt and second chances.
She's been where Vanna is.
Trying to make amends for things she can't undo.
Hoping people will give her a chance to be different.
And then there's Venus.
She hasn't moved from her spot against the wall.
Her arms are crossed, her expression flat, and she's staring at Vanna with the kind of cold assessment that makes my shoulders tense.
Vanna notices. Of course she does.
"Who's that?" she asks quietly, her eyes flicking to Venus and back to me.
I don't lie to her.
We promised—no more secrets.
"That's Venus. She's... we need to talk about her."
Vanna's jaw tightens, but she nods. "Okay."
I steer her inside, past the group of well-wishers, past the common room where more brothers are waiting with drinks and congratulations.
We'll deal with all that later.
Right now, I need to get her somewhere private, somewhere I can explain.
