When Danae finally comes out, exhaustion clings to her. I wrap her up before she can say anything, press my lips to her hair.
“You okay?” I ask.
She nods. “Better now.”
We ride home under a sky thick with stars, and for a little while, everything feels almost normal. The next day, Raff corners me out back while Danae and Josie fold laundry inside.
“So,” he says, chewing on a toothpick, “you gonna tell me how serious this is, or you gonna keep pretending I don’t know?”
I lean against the fence, arms crossed. How can I explain it? “She’s important,” I respond honestly.
He snorts. “That’s not an answer.”
I watch the kitchen window, Danae’s silhouette moving past it.
“Logistics are an issue,” I admit. “I don’t want to let her go.”
Raff studies me for a long moment. “Then don’t.”
Simple as that. This is what being a Hellion is, a brother who doesn’t press and accepts when a brother is going through a thing and needs a nudge to keep at it.
Later, when the house is quiet, I sit on the edge of the bed with my phone glowing in my hands, digging into the documents Grinder sent over about the good ole doctor.
It doesn’t take long for the concerns to come alive inside me.
Domestic order of protection against him. Ex-wife. Stalking. Repeated violations.
My jaw tightens. I shut the phone off and look at Danae sleeping beside me, her face soft, unguarded.
I don’t tell her. Not tonight. Right now, I’m here. With her. With this strange, fragile peace.
But I don’t forget.
I never do.
As I slide under the covers and pull her closer, one thought anchors itself deep in my bones, whatever this is between us, I’m in it for keeps.
I rent the place without telling anyone first. It’s ten minutes away, tucked back off a county road, one of those quiet little houses meant for people passing through instead of staying. Wood siding. Big bathtub. A porch that looks out onto nothing but trees and sky.
A sanctuary even if only temporary.
I talk to Raff and Josie once I have it secured. Danae is at work still. It’s early morning, the baby woke them up so we are sitting around the kitchen having coffee before starting the day. The caregiver has their grandfather’s needs under control so it’s a quiet moment among friends.
“You’re taking her there tonight,” she states, not asking, instructing.
It’s cute that she thinks I wasn’t intending to do exactly that. “She’s worked four twelves back to back. I know she does this regularly, but if we’re here and she can get a little break from her usual responsibilities I think it would be good for her.”
Josie smiles slyly, “you care about her.” Again she makes a statement not an inquiry.
“I do.” I don’t deny the truth because I do care. While I can’t define our situation, I can admit I do care, probably too much for a man like me.
Raff watches his woman closely looking for her reaction. She studies me then looks to Raff.
“I like this for you both. Dean has changed my life for the best and I want that for Danae too.” She pauses then gives me a stern look, “Miles, I don’t know you well, but I know you well enough. You like the open road and to be on the go as if you’re unsettled. I hope in Danae you can find a calming to whatever it is you run from constantly.”
Her words settle inside me, but I don’t respond. Before we can dive any deeper, Danae comes home and the hustle of another day begins.
It takes some convincing when Danae wakes from the snooze she took after work to get her to agree to leave home. I know she worries over her grandfather, but I’m not sure how much longer I have here to give her a break. Also, Justice can only do so much school remotely so Josie and Raff will be leaving for North Carolina again soon. I want to give her a chance to relax while I can.
