Jake was on his feet instantly.
Archie rose a beat ahead of him.
The difference was subtle—but unmistakable.
Jake’s expression was tight, braced, ready to argue.
Archie’s face went cold. Not angry. Not reactive. A mask slid into place, smooth and unreadable, like steel behind glass. Whatever fragile peace I’d been clinging to vanished in the space between one breath and the next.
Chapter
Nineteen
ARCHIE
Ihad my temper on a leash so tight it hurt.
That didn’t mean it wasn’t there—coiled, watchful, every muscle in my body aware of it. I felt Jake’s anger like a second pulse in the room, aimed at me as much as the situation, and I didn’t blame him. If I’d been standing where he was, I’d probably feel the same. Protective. Powerless. Furious.
The front door opening lit the fuse anyway.
Maddy Curtis came in like she owned the place.
Bright smile. Light step. That falsely sweet, delighted tone she used when she wanted to pretend nothing was wrong and everything was exactly how she’d planned it.
“Jeremy,” she sang out, breezing past the threshold. “We’re home.”
We.
I stood before Jake did—by a fraction of a second, but I noticed it. I always noticed things like that. The room shifted behind me as Jake rose too, heat rolling off him in contained waves. I didn’t look back. I didn’t need to.
My father stepped in after her.
Edward.
He looked… pleased. Relaxed. Like this was a happy reunion instead of a minefield he’d just walked into with his shoes on.
“Archie,” he said, mild, as if he hadn’t just detonated something. “You’re home early.”
I didn’t answer him right away.
My focus went to Frankie.
She was still on the couch, tea cup frozen halfway to her mouth, eyes wide. She looked between Maddy and Edward like she was watching two ghosts walk out of the wall. Shock, confusion, and something sharper—betrayal—flickered across her face.
That did it.
Maddy spotted her then, her smile widening like she’d just found the missing piece of a puzzle. “Frankie, honey.” She moved toward her, hands already lifting like she expected a hug. “Oh, sweetheart, I was so worried. But see? Everything worked out.”
Jake made a sound low in his throat.
I stepped forward before Frankie had to react at all, putting myself squarely in Maddy’s path. Not aggressive. Not loud.
Immovable.
“Maddy,” I said evenly. “Now is not the time.”
She blinked, offended, surprise flashing across her face before she smoothed it over. “Archie, please. I’m just happy we’re all together. Eddie?—”
