I never thought I'd have one. Never had much growing up. The concept was foreign, theoretical. Once I became an adult and built what I built, I decided I didn't want a family. Didn't want enemies using them as leverage. Didn't want that vulnerability exposed like a wound anyone could press.
The closest I'd come was Aaron and Dom—brothers forged in chaos.
But looking at Keira and Hale, I finally understand.
Why men start wars over this.
Why they burn cities, salt the earth, destroy everything in their path.
I would do all of it.
I would do worse.
Calder's scratchy voice ruins the moment. "Hale should rest."
I watch Keira's shoulders tense as his attention locks onto her like a targeting system.
"He can sleep on my lap. Can't you, baby?"
Hale nods, rubbing his eyes.
Calder stretches, displeasure flickering across his face. "The nanny will take him to the back. You and I need to discuss tonight's arrangements."
"We were just?—"
"Now."
It's like a slap across the face. I see what it does to Keira.
She can't hide her emotions when it comes to Hale—that's always been her tell. She kisses his cheek, then releases him. The nanny jolts awake, disoriented for a moment, then ushers Hale toward the rear cabin.
I watch them go, a sunken feeling spreading through my body. When I look back at Calder, he's patting the seat beside him.
"Come here."
Keira hesitates for a second, then she obeys.
The moment she's seated, Calder drapes an arm across the back of her seat. Like he's marking territory.
My territory.
He's watching her differently now. I noticed it at the house, and it's more pronounced here. He's searching for cracks.
Does he suspect something?
We've been careful. Mostly. Until last night—but he wouldn't have found out about the laundry room this quickly. Lotte was still in the cabinet when we left this morning. I double-checked.
But Calder didn't build his empire by being stupid. If he's sensed a shift in Keira, he's trying to figure out where it came from.
I hate this.
Give me a target to eliminate. Money to move. A problem to solve. An enemy to face head-on.
I can handle that.
But this creeping uncertainty—the not knowing if he knows, if he's playing us the way we're playing him—that's the kind of thing that makes me want to rip open the emergency exit and take my chances with gravity.
Keira is holding up well across the cabin, but I'm back here, seething and thinking about it all being over soon.
