Range caught Canyon’s notorious smirk. “Last thing I need is crap from you.”
On his feet, Canyon blocked his path.
“Get out of my face, man.”
“Calm down. Just want to say you’re doing the right thing.”
“Like I need you to tell me what’s right.” Range felt too confrontational, like his skin was crawling. He shook his head. Turned away to pace again.
“Have you figured out yet that you’re in love with her?”
“I don’t need you to tell me what I feel.”
“Don’t you?” Canyon edged in closer. “You seem to be looking everywhere except here”—he stabbed a finger into Range’s chest, directly over his heart—“for the answer on what to do.”
Range grabbed his finger. Yanked his arm backward and shoved into Canyon. Pinned him against the wall. “I have one thing to say to you”—anger tremoring, heart racing, all he could hear was Kasra’s soft but firm voice,“ … lives go on, and you are left behind bars that keep your grudge safe and nursed …”that made his anger bottom out—“you’re right.” He stepped back. “I owe you an apology.”
Canyon lifted his eyebrows and drew back. “Say that again?”
Though he wanted to punch is brother for milking this, Range was done fighting … everything. “I owe you an apology—for the whole Dani thing, for holding a grudge. For almost taking you down just now—”
With a barked laugh, Canyon stepped back. Smirked. “Ilet you vent some steam.”
At the nonstop rivalry and banter, Range sniffed, then his thoughts swung back to his brother’s challenge. “And yes, I do know that I love her. But she’s been to Hades and back. She doesn’t know what love is or what it looks like.” He considered his older brother. “I’m afraid … Pretty sure I’m the first guy to treat her with respect. What if she gets down the road and realizes I was just a nice guy? That what she feels now isn’t love but … gratitude?” He shrugged. “For getting her out of A-stan, out of that life?”
“Stop underestimating her now. Before you officially put a ring on her finger,” Stone said and folded his arms. “Kasra has a lot of healing to do—how can she not after the lives she’s endured—but trust her to be smart enough to know the difference between love and someone being nice.”
“People are only nice when they want something.”
Range grunted. “She has pretty dark views on people being nice.”
“But she does not have dark views on you,” Canyon said with a cockeyed nod. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She trusts you for advice and safety—with all she’s survived, that says a lot.”
The door to the conference room swung open and in filed Stone’s lawyer and his admin.
Gut tight, Range tried to gauge the man’s face, which was like granite. Oh no …
Mr. Caruthers handed him a manila folder.
Stone eyed the folder as Range took it. “What’s the verdict, John?”
* * *
Bexar-Wolfe Lodge, Northern Virginia
Her heart hurt. Not for herself—but for Atia.
No, Kasra supposed that was not entirely true. Sitting at the kitchen island as she peeled apples, Kasra had kept a close eye on her daughter, sitting on the floor by the fireplace in Stone’s cabin and petting his dog. In her short life it seemed she had found more friendship and connection with an oversized dog than with children—or even Kasra. Another life impacted and damaged by Kasra’s life … If only Atia had known stability and love, had parents …
Laughter erupted to her left where Dani, Iskra, Brighton and Mrs. Clara were prepping dishes for a family barbecue. The men had gone into the city for some business, but would be back by dinner. They were so happy, so pretty, so— This whole scene was so domestic and … perfect.
I should not be here.
“I know that look,” Brighton whispered as she shifted closer to Kasra and lightly bumped their shoulders. She smothered butter over the pan of cinnamon rolls.
Self-conscious, Kasra tucked her chin. Focused on the apple-peeling. “What look?”
“The ‘I don’t belong here’ look, the one that shows up when you feel like you’re … less. Damaged.” Her bright eyes took her in, then she set a hand on Kasra’s. “They’re lies.Youbelong here.”
