“They have nothing,” he says. “No DNA. No proof. And Vanderberg made plenty of enemies in his life. It won’t come back to us. Colton’s watching the department through his contacts—if something changes, we’ll know.”
I nod slowly, feeling the tension loosen just a little.
“I also asked Colt to monitor Connor’s case,” Kyler adds. His voice tightens. “So far, they haven’t done shit. It looks like the police are chalking it up to a voluntary disappearance. Just another missing name on a list they’ll never follow up on.”
I swallow hard and lean against his chest, breathing in the familiar comfort of his scent. “It’s okay,” I murmur. “Rebel and I… we’re safe. I know what happened to Connor. I know the truth. And even if Brooks did it for Jen, it still feels like justice. Like someone finally gave a damn.”
My voice cracks. “It’s okay.”
“Mom?” Rebel’s voice is a whisper. I turn, and she’s standing at the edge of the couch, eyes round with concern. “Why are you crying?”
I blink away the tears and smile faintly. “Just… a little bit of everything, honey. About Dad. About what we’ve been through.”
She clambers onto the couch and curls up between Kyler and me, her little body warm and comforting.
“But everything’s okay now, right?” she asks, peering up at me. “Kyler’s here to protect us. And we can go visit Dad’s place and talk to him when we miss him.”
My throat tightens again. I wrap my arm around her and hold her close. “You’re right, sweetheart. Everything’s okay now.”
And for the first time, I almost believe it.
After dinner, I drop Rebel off at Teagan’s. The second the door opens, she dashes inside with her backpack bouncing behind her.“Gaby! I’m here!” she calls, her voice bright and full of excitement.
Teagan smiles at her, then shifts her gaze to me. Her look says it all.“You owe me one,” she says, teasing—though I know she’d do it without asking.
“Fine by me,” I reply. “Next time you’ve got a hot date, Gaby’s welcome to have a sleepover with Rebel.” I force a smile, but even I can feel how hollow it is. She notices, but chooses not to push.
“It’s a deal.” She pulls me into a quick hug. “Enjoy your night with Kyler.”
“Oh, I plan to.” I flash a more convincing grin and turn back toward my car.
The drive home is quiet, but my head isn’t. My thoughts jump from memory to hope to fear and back again. Tonight it’s just me and Kyler. No distractions. Nothing in the way. It feels like a time machine—like I’m headed straight back to the version of us that once was.
When I pull into the driveway, he’s already there. Leaning against his motorcycle, arms draped casually over the seat like he’s been waiting forever. Like heknewI’d come back.
I step out of the car, slam the door shut, and slip my hands into the back pockets of my jeans.
“Well, hey there, stranger. What are you doing in my driveway?” I ask, squinting into the evening sun.
Without a word, he holds out a helmet.
“You coming with me?” he asks, eyes locked on mine.
“Where to?” I take it from him and slide it over my head.
“Remember the dam?” he asks, fastening his chin strap. “First bike I ever had. That old green Moto Guzzi.”
I nod, grinning at the memory. “Mm-hmm. I was scared shitless riding backpack.”
His mouth curls into a smirk. “Scared, huh? Then why’d you do it?”
“Because I followed you everywhere, Kyler Young. Didn’t matter how scared I was. If you were going, I was right there with you.”
He swings his leg over the bike and pats the seat behind him. “Damn, that’s sweet, Lay. Now hop on and wrap those sexy arms around me.”
I climb on, press myself against his back, and slide my arms around his waist. The moment the engine roars to life, a wave of adrenaline rushes through me. But this time, the fear doesn’t come.
Instead, there’s just that feeling Kyler’s always talked about—that wild freedom. The wind tearing past us, the hum of the tires on the road, the world blurring at the edges. It’s nothing like a car ride. It’s raw and real and terrifying in the most exhilarating way.
