“What? You know I don’t kink-shame,” he says with a shrug.
“Please, it’s too early for this,” I mutter and turn away, starting to get dressed. I feel Hope’s eyes on me, and I glance back to see she’s smiling, head tilted. I let myself look a few seconds longer than usual. She looks better. Lighter. Even with the day ahead of us, she’s not crumpling or shaking.
“Let’s go, monsters. Time to hunt,” Jaxon says and pulls Hope off the couch. She sways for a second, then finds her balance and grabs the clothes Dimitri got her.
Silence follows and we all grab everything we need. Some food, extra clothes. Everything stuffed in Jaxon’s old duffel bag. Dimitri packs his backpack, some cords, his laptop.
Hope smiles slightly as she puts her knuckle buster and pocketknife in her back pocket.
“I got her that, you know,” Jaxon says with a hint of proudness.
“Perfect gift,” I joke.
“Hundred precent,” Jaxon says and I just shake my head.
Dimitri catches my eyes as he glides the gun he snatched from his dad into the back of his jeans.
There’s no going back now. Whatever happens will happen. As long as she is safe.
I grab my jacket and the car keys and wait by the door. I don’t want to rush them, I want to take this moment in. The calm before the storm.
She silently touches them as they walk past each other. The secret smiles. A moment of peace we haven’t had before, not like this.
Maybe it is because we know today, it can all end.
Forever.
Those thoughts stay with me when we get into the car, when I drive off and leave our home behind to finish what we started.
Jaxon is trying to keep the tension light, and Dimitri is back to his brooding self.
Hope’s fingers lace through mine and she gives me a gentle squeeze.
“Definitely better sitting in the front seat,” she says.
“Oh, don’t say that,” Jaxon whines. “You like being sandwiched between us.”
I roll my eyes and bring Hope’s hand to my lips. “My girl,” I whisper against her skin and press my lips on her knuckles.
“I want to drive next, swap with me, Knox,” Jaxon says, earning a nudge from Dimitri.
“Behave for—” Dimitri get cuts off when his phone rings. His dad’s name pops up on the dashboard and I glance back at Dimitri through the rearview mirror.
“Answer it,” Dimitri says and his dad’s voice cuts through the speakers.
“Turn around!”
“Tracking my phone, are we?” Dimitri calls back.
“Son, turn around. Now,” his dad grits.
“Are you taking care of the problem? Are you stepping up for once?” Dimitri asks and I hear the sharp sigh that comes from his dad.
“They’ll be waiting for you… just… stay away. Listen for once.”
Dimitri scoffs. “Oh, Dad, careful now, don’t want me to think you actually care.”
“I can’t help you, I—”
