Each point felt like armor I was building around her, piece by piece.
“She’s never shown a single sign of violence,” I continued, adding more notes. “Never been in a fight. Never had a restraining order filed against her. The prosecution’s going to have a hell of a time painting her as dangerous.”
“Sir?” My assistant poked her head in. “Someone’s here to see you.”
51
RYKER
Faith appeared in my doorway, hesitant. Her fingers twisted together as her gaze swept the room, taking in the half-dozen people gathered around my desk, the organized chaos of a workday in full swing.
She looked like she was ready to bolt, but at least I spun the whiteboard around so she couldn’t see the true clusterfuck we’d been facing.
“Give us a minute,” I said.
The room cleared quickly. Papers rustled. Chairs scraped. The door clicked shut.
“Hey.” I touched her elbow, drawing her further inside. “This is a good surprise.”
Her shoulders dropped half an inch. “I’m not interrupting?”
“Never.” I meant it.
She held up a gift bag covered in rainbow sparkles that made me smile despite myself. Very Faith. When I leaned down to kiss her cheek, I let myself linger there for a second, breathing her in. This greeting felt like coming home. This simple intimacy of her showing up at my office like she belonged here—because she did.
She pressed the bag into my hands. “I got you something. For your new office.”
I set it on mydesk, studying her face instead of the gift. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.” She fidgeted with the strap of her purse. “Dakota drove me. She’s waiting outside, so I won’t stay long.”
I caught her hand, threading my fingers through hers. “How’d you even manage to go shopping?”
“Dakota’s very helpful.” A small smile played at her lips. “Open it.”
Inside were five frames. Not empty ones, waiting to be filled, but actual photographs, already arranged behind the glass. My throat tightened before I even knew what they contained.
Faith reached in and pulled out the first one. “The first time I came here, I noticed how bare your office was. You’re always so worried about everyone else; you never took the time to make your office homier. Since you spend so much time here, I figured it would be nice for you to be surrounded by the people who matter.”
She handed it to me.
The photo was old. Tessa’s college graduation. Mom’s arm around Dad’s waist, both of them beaming. Tessa in her cap and gown, rolling her eyes at something I’d probably said. And me, younger, before life got complicated. Before I learned how badly good intentions could go wrong.
I traced my thumb over my mother’s face.
“That’s where you come from,” Faith said quietly.
I couldn’t speak yet, so I just nodded.
She pulled out the second frame. This one I recognized immediately. The four of us at Lake Michigan last summer. Axel mid-laugh at something, his head thrown back. Jace trying to look annoyed but smiling anyway. Blake’s arm slung over my shoulders. Brothers in every way that mattered.
“The family you chose,” she said.
My eyes stung. I blinked hard.
The third frame she handed me was empty.
I stared at the blank space behind the glass, not understanding at first.
