I sat back down, never taking my eyes off him.
He leaned in, voice low. “Dad’s coming up in a week. Maybe two. He’s pissed, but he’s not stupid.”
“Is he bringing trouble?” I asked.
Barrett shook his head. “Not yet. He’s coming alone. Wants to see it with his own eyes.”
Carter looked at me, panic lurking at the edges. “Are we safe?”
Barrett’s face softened. “As safe as you can be. Just… be ready.” He forked a piece of pie, chewed, and made a face. “That’s criminally good.”
The table rolled on, conversation shifting back to the safe zone. But the spell was gone, replaced with a new kind of energy—sharp, focused, ready for whatever came down the drive next.
I kept my arm around Carter, felt the thump of his pulse under my palm.
We were a family now.
And I’d burn the world to keep it that way.
