"Okay."
We stand there holding each other, both knowing tomorrow changes everything.
The Copperhead Kings meet. The truth about what they want. And eventually, inevitably, Phantom finding out about us.
I pull Grace closer, press my lips to her temple, and make another silent promise.
Whatever comes tomorrow, whatever war the Copperhead Kings want to start, whatever fury Phantom unleashes when he learns the truth?—
I'm keeping her.
Grace is mine.
And I'll destroy anyone who tries to change that.
CHAPTER SIX
Grace
"Tell me about your family."
The words come out before I can stop them.
We're at Shadow's cabin, cleaning up after dinner, and the question has been burning in my mind for days.
Shadow pauses, dish towel in hand, and looks at me. "What do you want to know?"
"Anything. Everything." I lean against the counter, watching him. "I know you. Trust you. But I don't know much about where you come from. Your family."
He's quiet for a long moment, and I think maybe I've pushed too far.
Asked for something he's not ready to give.
Then he sets down the towel and turns to face me fully.
"I grew up on a small farm. My grandfather's place, about two hours north of here." His voice is careful, measured. "My dad left when I was five. Mom raised me best she could, but it was hard. She worked two jobs just to keep food on the table."
I move closer, drawn by the vulnerability in his voice. "Where is she now?"
Shadow's jaw tightens. "Nursing home in Austin. Memory care unit."
My heart clenches. "Memory care?"
"Alzheimer's." The word comes out rough. "Started about five years ago. Little things at first—forgetting names, losing her keys. Then it got worse. Now she's..." He trails off, looking away.
I reach for his hand, lacing our fingers together. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah. Me too." He looks down at our joined hands. "I visit when I can. Every few weeks. Sometimes she knows me. Sometimes she thinks I'm my grandfather. Sometimes she doesn't know me at all."
The pain in his voice makes my chest ache. "That must be so hard."
"It is." He meets my eyes. "But she's my mom. I'm all she's got. Can't just... abandon her because it's hard to watch her forget me."
I pull him closer, wrapping my arms around him.
He resists for a second, then melts into the embrace, his forehead resting against mine.
"Thank you for telling me," I whisper.
