I smile at that. “No, V. You saved yourself. I was just here.”
This, she finally smiles at, a small, sad smile, but it feels like I’ve won the lottery seeing it.
“What the fuck’s happening?” McCrae roars, and Faith steps forward, shooting him a threatening look.
“Enough. V, you can come stay with me for now, until you get things sorted out. McCrae, deal with the body outside. It’s important we clean this up quietly. Dale, you should join us for a girls’ night, and bring Stetson. Oh, and Poppy!” She smiles, clapping her hands like the entire world didn’t just explode.Then, she looks at me, her smile fading as she crosses her arms. “Santos, or Rafael, whichever you go by, your job is to stay put.”
“I can’t leave.” Valentina looks at Faith like she’s sprouted a second head.
“You can and you will,” Faith states, leaving no room for argument.
Adalene wraps tentative fingers around Valentina’s hand, and V’s eyes snap down at the contact. “It’ll be fun. I’ll bring good tequila; none of that trash I know Faith likes to steal.”
V’s lips twitch again. “So you do that with everyone else. I thought that was our thing.”
Faith winks, leaning over to fake whisper, “Weed’s our thing.”
Valentina and Faith retreat to her room, Faith insisting she help her pack, unwilling to leave her side. The sight’s enough to make me grin like a fool, the ache in my lip fading.
Friends, family—people to love and care for her. It’s all she’s ever wanted, and it seems closer than ever.
The room grows quiet again, and I finally face Adalene, the renewed ache in my heart far outweighing any on my flesh. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, wishing it was enough.
Mateo quivers as he stands a step behind her, held back only by her delicate hand intertwined with his. “I know, Rafael. Valentina’s right to forgive you—I did long ago.” She offers me a tentative smile. “In both of our darkest places, you’re the one who stepped up and showed us a way out. That’s not nothing, Rafael. It’s special.”
My eyes flick to the barely contained beast salivating at her back. I understand his rage—fuck, if roles were reversed, I don’t know that Valentina could hold me back the way Adalene is. He’s a better man than I am, just like she said he was.
“I’m sorry to you too,” I say to the man, not expecting him to respond.
Surprisingly, he huffs, his gaze flicking down to Dale’s and softening. “You guys share an experience I’ll never understand, just like you and my sister. I can’t forgive you, not yet, but I’ll try.” His dark eyes find mine—a much deeper shade of golden brown than Valentina’s, with the same sharp edge. “For Dale, and for Valentina.” He doesn’t have to say the rest. I understand just fine.
I tip my chin, and he relaxes a fraction.
Valentina and Faith burst into the room, Faith dragging V toward the front door without so much as a goodbye. I know she’s doing her best to keep Valentina out of her head, and for that, I’m grateful, but I’d love nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and make things right, even if it takes all night.
Especially if it takes all night.
As if hearing my thoughts, Valentina looks over her shoulder at me with longing so deep, I feel the ache as if it was a physical blow. She doesn’t say anything—whether she doesn’t know what to say or doesn’t know how—but I see plenty on her perfect face.
She cares about me and wants to make this work, and I vow, no matter how long it takes, I’ll work to make it right.
Mateo and Dale leave behind them, Dale offering me a small, quiet goodbye matched with an icy shoulder. McCrae stays in the kitchen, watching me like a hawk, even after Valentina leaves out the front door toward Faith’s car.
I watch the tail lights fade, hope filling my chest.
I don’t deserve it, but fuck, I’ll take it.
Finally, I look at McCrae, the house seeming emptier than ever. There’s unfinished business between us, and as ready as I am to put all this behind me, I have to know.
I square my shoulders and ask, “Where did you take my brother, McCrae?”
After several tense moments, he purses his lips. “I spread his ashes in my favorite place in the world. It’s what I wouldhave wanted for my own brother.” He retreats from the kitchen without another word, and I picture a story he once told us about a his little brotherand a beach.
FORTY-ONE
VALENTINA
December 1st, 2025
