Chloe leaned forward slightly, eyes widening as the compound revealed itself beyond the gates and tree-lined drive.Beautiful stone buildings, water, and open space laid out with deliberate peacefulness.
She breathed out.“Wow.”
A weight lifted from his shoulders.Good start.
He chatted with Tucker Nash at the guard booth and introduced him to Chloe.She charmed Tucker within seconds.Then he pulled to a stop near the offices and cut the engine.Kayne got out gingerly, since his wound was still hella tender, and rounded the hood to open her door.Old habits.Ones he didn’t bother questioning anymore.
“Hey,cher,” he said, offering his hand as she stepped down.
She took it, her smile bright as if he’d just surprised her with something wonderful instead of a very large, very armed workplace.“Hi.”
That single word, soft and pleased, hit him harder than it should have.
“You ready?”he asked as he closed her door and thumbed the lock.
She nodded.“I think so.This feels important.”
He gave a low chuckle.“You ain’t wrong.”
He started them down the path toward the park, keeping his pace matched to hers without thinking about it.She looked around openly at the trees, water, and walkways, arranged in a careful balance of privacy and space.
“This doesn’t feel like what I expected,” she said.
“Yeah?”he asked.“What’d you expect?”
“More, I don’t know, dangerous?”She smiled at him.“Secret lairs and ominous dungeons.”
“Got those too,” he said dryly.“Just hidden better.”
She laughed merrily, and his shoulders loosened another notch.
As they approached the park bordering the lake, voices drifted toward them.It was familiar, loud, and entirely unfiltered.
Presley Parrish was arguing with Dominic Bianchi about something involving a grill, a spreadsheet, and the phrase“that’s not how math works in real life.”
Christian Zamora sat on the edge of a table, sipping a beer and offering absolutely unhelpful commentary while enjoying himself immensely.
Noah and Ethan Addison were tossing a football while Alex Mylonis and Dorian Demarchis played tag with several of the kids, their laughter filtering through the trees.
Chloe slowed, her eyes widening slightly.“Are they always like this?”
Kayne grinned.“You’re seein’ them on a calm day.”
Presley spotted them first.“Oh, my God,” she said, hopping off the table.“Is this her?”
“This is not a zoo exhibit,” Kayne muttered, but it was too late.
Chloe barely had time to react before Presley was in front of her, smile bright and assessing and unmistakably protective.“Hi.I’m Presley.You’re Chloe.We’ve all been dying to meet you.”
Chloe blinked, then laughed softly.“Hi.”
Dominic leaned in, pointing a spatula at Kayne.“You look nervous, Serruto.”
“I will throw you into the lake,” Kayne said pleasantly.
Christian clapped his hands once.“Welcome to the family,” he told Chloe.“No take-backs.”
She looked between them, something approaching wonder creeping into her expression.“This is a lot.”
