Asher smirks. “Yeah? You planning on doing this forever? Running security jobs until we’re old and grumpy?”
Zane snorts. “I already am grumpy.”
I shake my head, a smirk tugging at my lips. The moment is almost normal. Almost.
“But it’s okay,” I say. “What matters more here is taking care of Mia.”
“Yeah,” Zane agrees. “Hard to walk away when there’s more than just her on the line now.”
I nod. “She’s got the girls to think about.”
Zane lets out a short laugh. “Well, yeah.Yourgirls.”
The words hang in the air.
My pulse slams in my ears. Asher stills beside me. Zane’s face shifts like he’s just realized what the hell he just said.
Silence stretches between us before I find my voice. “What did you just say?”
Zane blinks, his mouth opening and closing. “I—” He exhales. “Shit.”
Asher snorts. “You really thoughtheknew?” He looks at me, shaking his head. “Come on, man. Don’t tell me you just figured this out.”
My stomach twists, and my jaw tightens. “Mianever told me.”
Zane exhales through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck. “She figured you knew. Hell,Ithought you knew.”
I stare at him, the truth crashing down all at once. The nights I’d looked at those girls and felt something unshakable in my gut. The way Emma’s eyes—my mother’seyes—watch the world like she’s already five steps ahead.
The reality of it settles deep in my chest. “Well,” I say, voice rough, “I know now.”
I’m not angry at Mia. That’s what I tell myself as I drive a post into the ground hours later as I reinforce the security line along the east perimeter. I tell myself I had no right to expect anything from her. I tell myself it doesn’t matter how I found out, as long as Ididfind out.
But the truth is, I’m pissed.
Not that I didn’t know. I did, deep down. The moment I saw those girls, there was something there—something unshakable. The curve of Emma’s jaw, the sharpness in Ella’s stare. Literal pieces of me staring right back. But knowing it in my gut and hearing it out loud fromZane, of all people?
That stings.
Mia told him before she told me.Why?Did she think I wouldn’t want to know? That I wouldn’tcare?
I drive the next post into the dirt harder than necessary. The sun is dipping behind the trees when I hear the cabin door creak open and light footsteps emerge. Hers.
I keep my back turned as Mia approaches, arms crossed over her chest. “Damon?”
I don’t answer.
She exhales, shifting on her feet. “Can we talk?”
I move to the next post, checking the tension of the wire.
“Damon.” Her voice is softer this time, almost hesitant.
I glance at her briefly, then go back to my work. “You need something?”
She hesitates. “I—” Her fingers tighten around the sleeves of her sweater. “I wanted to see if you were okay.”
I let out a short laugh.If I’m okay?
