Yourroom. Not their room.
She watched him hug his mom, who held him tight, swayed and patted his pack. Touched his face with such tenderness as Kasra had never known. Pulled him down and planted a kiss on his cheek.
The big man—Stone—pulled him into a hug, the slaps on the back loud enough to hear inside the Suburban. Introductions continued, this time to the wife. Finally, Range turned to the SUV.
Kasra’s heart hiccupped. It was her turn. She watched him come to the door and open it.
“Ready?”
She smiled her answer, not sure if she was ready for this. It felt like so much expectation. What must they think of her? Range said they knew her story. A nice way to put the horrible truth of her past. Zahir and his father hated her, rejected her. So had the imam of her village and her own brother. She could not expect his family to treat her any different than her own had. But for him, that their love was so obvious, she was glad for him.
A wheelchair appeared and Range directed her toward it.
“No,” she said, catching his arm. “I want to meet them on my feet.”
Range held her gaze. “They won’t care if you’re standing or sitting.”
The words made he breath catch in her throat. Moved her with emotion. “On my feet.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Then in the chair after.”
She could tell he wouldn’t budge, so she nodded.
Head cocked, he gave her a warning look. “None of your sly shrewdness with the non-answer. Promise.”
She couldn’t help the laugh, which pinched. “Promise.” They turned toward the family, and Atia gave a shout, impatient to be freed from her car seat.
“On it,” Canyon said, hurrying to the other side to rescue her impatient daughter.
Arm around her shoulder to assist her made it hard for Kasra to think. She felt a blush creeping into her cheeks, but focused on walking forward. On avoiding their gazes and finding the same admonishment she met everywhere.
“Stone, Mom—this is Kasra. My wife.”
She faltered. Gasped.
“Of a sorts,” he said with a smirk that made her smile.
“I am so glad to meet you, honey.” His mom rushed toward her.
“Mom!” Range warned. “Easy—she’s been wounded.”
But the woman’s arms ensconced her. Hugged her. Not an ounce of pain or pressure. Just ... acceptance. Warm, affectionate acceptance. "Welcome to the family!”
Tears burst from her eyes. Fears burst from heart, never to return again.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
ONE MONTH LATER
Reston, Virginia
“I ammassively out of my depth.” Range paced in the conference room.
Looking relaxed and entirely too in control, Stone threaded his fingers and swiveled the chair toward him. “Makes sense.”
“No,” Range balked. “Nothing makes sense—that’s the thing. What if he comes back and says it’s fake? What the heck do I do? How do I tell Kas? No way on God’s green earth I let her go back there or—”
“Hey. Nobody’s going to let that happen. Regardless what Caruthers finds out, she stays.” Stone tilted his head to the side and squinted at him.
