“Fathta, Papa!” Alex’s voice is drowned out by the wind and the engine, his head thrown back.
D glances back, giving me a quick grin that does something strange to my insides. He twists the throttle, and the bike leaps forward, Alex’s laughter turning into a full-blown squeal.
“Weeeee!”
I hold on tighter, my fingers gripping the edge of D’s leather jacket, feeling the taut muscles beneath. My chest clenches, not in fear, but in something else—a strange kind of peace, like everything else has fallen away. It’s just us, the road, and the wind.
“He’s gonna be a daredevil, this one,” D calls over his shoulder, voice rough and amused, his eyes catching mine for a moment.
I roll my eyes. “Takes after you, obviously,” I shout back, shaking my head.
“Think you love it too, Wren,” he teases, and the heat of his words reaches me even through the cold wind. Damn him for being right. I don’t respond; just press closer, imagining the curve of his grin even though I can’t see it.
The bike slows, and the engine dies. I get down from the bike, tying up my hair into a tiny ponytail—it’s finally long enough for that.Goddamnit.I look around, taking in the scene—gardens so perfect they make me want to gag, the mansion all grand and ridiculous, and that damn infinity pool glittering in the sun like it’s got something to prove.
How did I end up here again?
D swings his leg over, lifting Alex from the bike, who is still giggling like a maniac.
D reaches down, unbuckling Alex’s helmet, and pulls it off. Alex’s hair springs out in all directions, a wild mess of curls, like it’s got a mind of its own. D chuckles at the fluffy chaos.
I watch D ruffle Alex’s hair, his smile softer than I’ve ever seen it, and something in me just… melts. Damn it, it’s almost too much.
I never thought I’d have this. Not in a million years.
Real happiness, the kind that sneaks up on you in the quiet moments, like when D’s rough edges turn gentle, and Alex’s laughter fills the air. It hits me—this is what it’s supposed to feel like. No running, no fighting. Just being here with them. And it scares me how much I want it to last.
“Again, Papa?” Alex asks, his eyes bright, cheeks all pink.
D smiles. “After lunch, kiddo. Let’s get you fed first,” he says, and Alex nods, already bouncing on his feet.
D’s arm wraps around my waist, his fingers digging in just enough to make it clear that I’m not going anywhere without him. He leans in, his voice low against my ear. “You too, Wren. Need you to stick with me. Got plans.”
I raise an eyebrow, my lips twitching. “Oh, yeah? Since when do I take orders from you?”
His grin widens, that cocky look that always gets under my skin. “Since you decided to hang on tight,krasivaya. Now come on.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to argue, and maybe, for once, I don’t want to.
He takes my hand, leading us toward the terrace, where Lenny and Em are already waiting, the outdoor dining area looking like something out of a magazine. The marble of the mansion glows under the sun, and the sound of the waterfalls drifts over, a soothing backdrop I’ve never had in my life.
Em sits at the table, her blonde hair catching the light, her green eyes flashing up at us with a smile. She’s changed so much since… everything.Stronger. And then there’s Lenny, next to Em; he’s leaning back in his chair, looking like he owns the place—shoulders broad, that confident ease about him that wasn’t there before.
“Look who decided to show up,” Em teases. Her eyes flick between me and D. “Took your sweet time.”
“Blame the speed demon here,” I say, nodding toward Alex, who scrambles up into a chair beside Lenny. Lenny lifts him with ease, plopping him down with a grin.
“Was Papa driving too fast?” Lenny asks, giving D a look. D just shrugs.
“Yes!” Alex yells, his chubby cheeks flushed with happiness. “Papadwivingfast!Fwooom!” He makes a zooming noise, and D grins like a Cheshire cat.
“Kid loves it,” D says, no apology in his tone, and I roll my eyes again.
A middle-aged woman, her dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, arrives with a team of helpers, the kind of army you’d expect to see at a five-star restaurant. She sets down the food with quiet efficiency. The aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread fills the air, making my stomach growl like a goddamn beast.
D gives her a nod, and she and the team step back, leaving the feast in front of us.
I almost laugh—everything here is just so over the top.
