“I best get in there.” She smiles again, bright and brave. “Have a good day. I love you.”
My chest tightens so hard it’s almost painful. “I love you,” I tell her, voice rough. “With everything.”
Then I sit back and watch as Conan opens the door for her. She turns, gives me a little wave, and I blow her a kiss.
Conan pretends to catch it with a wink.
I laugh under my breath.
The last twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind, but you can always rely on Conan to lighten the mood, even when everything else is ready to burn.
I drive straight to Declan’s house and park up. I’m never nervous. But I am for this. I have no regrets leaving that meeting to get to Lily. Not a fucking chance. She needed me.
But the Quinns needed me too, and I left them short. A sacrifice I’ll carry.
Declan opens the door before I even knock. His face is thunder.
Then Isabella comes barreling around the corner and slams straight into my legs. “Uncle Drago!” she squeals.
I chuckle, scooping her into my arms. “How’s my little fighter?” I ask.
She giggles. “I’m good! I’ve been practicing some moves Mommy taught me. She said I’ll be able to knock you down soon.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Oh, did she now?”
She nods confidently. “Yep. I’m the best.”
I press my finger to her button nose. “Yes. You are the best, Isabella.”
Declan gestures for me to come inside, his expression easing as soon as he sees his kid safe in my arms. Charlotte rounds the corner, smiling.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Have you been questioning my skill, Charlotte?”
Her eyes go wide. “Me? No. Never.”
“Yes, you did, Mommy!” Isabella chirps.
We all laugh.
I set her down and crouch. “I need to talk to your Daddy real quick, then you can show me your dance routines when we’re done, yeah?”
Her eyes light up. “Yes! Yes! I learned a new one!” She bolts off towards her playroom.
Charlotte tucks herself into Declan’s side, and seeing them like this happy and safe—it hits me right in the gut.
This is what I want. This kind of future.
“Drago,” Charlotte says softly, “You’re looking...”
I tilt my head. “Like I’ve slept?”
Declan looks at her, questioning. Charlotte shakes her head. “Happier.”
I nod once.
Declan kisses her forehead, then turns and heads for his office. I follow him in, and he shuts the door behind us.
He sits behind his desk. I drop onto the leather couch.
