Charlie snorts. “He’s not lying.”
I swallow. “Thank you.”
Jackson’s tone softens. “You’re family, Derrick.”
“So what do I do?” I ask quietly.
“Nothing,” Jackson answers. “Not yet. I’ll run everything today. You go home. You breathe. You let Charlie take care of you. And when I have answers, I’ll call.”
I nod, numb but relieved. Charlie’s hand finds mine and squeezes.
Jackson clears his throat. “Also, don’t Google anything else.”
I let out a weak laugh. “Too late. We already saw their photos on socials.”
Jackson pinches the bridge of his nose. “Of course you did.” He stands, comes around the desk, and puts a hand on my shoulder.
“We’re going to handle this properly. You’re safe. You understand me?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Good.”
He glances at Charlie.
“Take him home. Look after him.”
Charlie smiles. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”
For the first time since the letter arrived, I feel a tiny flicker of safety, and it’s because of this man sitting beside me. I don’t know what I’d be doing if his calm presence wasn’t here with me.
We say our goodbyes to Jackson and head out of the office.
“You seriously think the guys are scammers?” I ask Charlie again as we walk back home.
He shakes his head. “No, but crazier things have happened. We all just want to protect you. Everyone loves you.”
“Everyone?” I smirk, arching a brow at him.
Charlie’s cheeks turn pink. “Yeah, everyone.”
I bite my bottom lip as my stomach does loop-de-loops.
“I loveeveryone, too.”
Charlie and I walk up to Sienna and Evan’s front door just after seven, and the moment we reach the porch, I can already hear the noise.
Dirty Texas noise.
Kids squealing. Finn laughing. Vanessa yelling at Christian to “stop taste-testing everything, you will ruin your appetite.”
Warm. Loud. Family.
My chest tightens.
Charlie squeezes my hand. “Deep breath.”
Before I can take one, the door swings open. Evan stands there, relaxed jeans, bare feet, forearms that should be illegal. His expression softens when he sees me.
