"I'm scared." The admission comes out small. Quiet.
"I know." I run my hand up and down her spine, feeling her shake. "But you don't have to be brave all the time, sunshine. That's what we're here for."
"He's going to say terrible things. Things designed to hurt you."
"Then he's going to be disappointed." I tip her chin up, forcing her to look at me. "Because we’ve already chosen you. And nothing he says is going to change that."
Tears spill over her lashes. I brush them away with my thumbs.
"You really mean that."
"Every word." I kiss her again. Soft and slow this time. A promise rather than desperation. "You're ours, Jess. If you want to be. And we're not letting you go."
She makes a sound against my mouth. Something between a sob and a laugh. When she pulls back, her eyes are bright with tears but also something else. Something that looks like hope.
"I want to be," she whispers. "All of yours."
"Good." I press my forehead to hers. "Because you already are."
The sound of gravel crunching under tires makes us both freeze. An engine growing louder as it approaches the house. Then the slam of a car door. Heavy footsteps on the porch.
Jessica's scent spikes with fear, sharp and bitter.
"Stay here," I tell her. "No matter what you hear. Stay in your nest where you're safe."
"Carlos..."
"Trust me." I ease her off my lap and onto the blankets. "This is about to get ugly, and I don't want you caught in the middle."
"What if something happens? What if he..."
"He's not getting near you." I stand, rolling my shoulders. "I promise."
I head for the door to leave, then pause. Turn back. She's watching me with wide eyes, knuckles pressed to her mouth.
"Hey," I say softly. "No matter what happens down there, no matter what he says, remember this. You're not nothing. You're everything. And I love you."
Fresh tears spill down her cheeks. "I love you too."
The words hit me like a hammer to the chest. Stop me in my tracks.
"Say that again."
"I love you." Her voice is stronger now. More certain. "I love all of you. And I'm done running."
I cross the room in three strides and kiss her one more time. Hard and fast and full of promises I intend to keep.
Then I'm gone, taking the stairs two at a time.
Nacho is already in the living room when I get downstairs. Still in his uniform, hand resting on his belt near his weapon. He looks at me and nods once.
"Callum?"
He glances toward the stairs. "She okay?"
"She will be." I move to stand beside him. "Once we deal with this."
I take a deep breath as I watch Sergio head to the door.
