Hannah reaches over and squeezes my knee. “We’ve all brought trouble here at one point or another. That’s kind of how it works. Someone shows up scared and running, and suddenly they’re family. You’re not a burden, Sadie. You’re one of us now.”
I look around at their faces. Harper with her gentle strength and little Poppi. Hannah with her quiet empathy. Kayley with her bright freckled smile and protective hold on Aidan. Emma with her warm Southern kindness. Fiona with her no-nonsense energy and quick laugh. Daisy with her big smile and bright eyes. They’re all so different, yet they feel like sisters already.
“I’m running from a man named Magnus Vale,” I say softly. The words feel heavy, but I need to say them. “He runs illegal gambling and loan-sharking operations. I worked as a bookkeeper for one of his front companies. I accidentally found the real books. The ones that show everything. The violence. The threats. The money he’s laundered. I copied the files onto a USB drive because I thought I could use them to stop him. It was stupid. His men have been chasing me ever since. They want the drive back and they want me gone. I left my little sister behind in foster care because I was scared they would use her against me. I’ve been running for weeks. I thought if I could just disappear, maybe I could keep her safe too.”
The women listen without interrupting. Their expressions are soft with understanding, not pity.
Harper speaks first. “That took real courage, Sadie. Trying to do the right thing even when it put you in danger. You’re not stupid. You were brave.”
“I am so scared I’ll get all of you hurt,” I admit, voice cracking. “Magnus does not play around. If he finds out I’m here, he will come with everything he has. I don’t want anyone else to suffer because of me.”
Kayley shakes her head. “You’re not responsible for what bad men do. We have faced threats before. The men here are really good at what they do. They protect this mountain and everyone on it. Thorne especially. He’s one of the best trackers we have. If anyone can keep you safe, it’s him.”
Emma nods. “And the rest of them. Rafe, Silas, Gavin, Boyd, all of them. They have built something special here. A place where people can heal and feel safe. You are part of that now. We do not turn our backs on family.”
Fiona grins. “Besides, we’re tougher than we look. I’ve seen these men handle situations that would make most people run. They’ll handle Magnus Vale too. You just focus on resting and healing. Let them do what they do best.”
I feel tears prick my eyes again, but this time they’re different. Not from fear, but from the overwhelming sense of belonging. “I have never had people like this in my life. People who just… accept me. Who want to help without expecting anything in return.”
Harper smiles gently. “That is what Haven 7 is. Found family. Once you’re in, you’re in for good. And you, Sadie, are definitely in.”
Poppi reaches up and pats my cheek with a sticky hand, babbling happily. I laugh softly and kiss her fingers. The simple gesture makes my heart feel lighter.
We talk for a long time. The women share their own stories of how they came to the mountain. Harper tells me about the fear she felt when she first arrived with Poppi. Hannah shares how Silas found her after her plane landed and how everything changed in a single night. Kayley talks about the relief of finally feeling safe with Gavin and Aidan. Emma describes the slow, steady way Rhett won her heart. Fiona laughs as she recounts how Chase stole her heart while fixing her broken fence. Daisy smiles as she recounts how Eli kept her safe from her father and the men he tried to sell her to.
Their stories wrap around me like another blanket. I feel seen. Understood. For the first time in years I don’t feel alone.
When the men finally emerge from the meeting room, Thorne’s eyes find mine immediately. He crosses the room in a few long strides and crouches in front of me.
“How’re you doing?” he asks, voice low and gentle.
“Better,” I say honestly. “The women have been wonderful.”
He nods, relief flickering across his face. “Good. We went through the drive. There’s enough on it to take Magnus down if we can get it to the right people. But we need to be careful. His network is wide. We will keep you safe while we figure out the next steps.”
I reach out and touch his hand. “Thank you. For everything.”
He turns his palm up and laces his fingers with mine. “You don’t have to thank me, Sadie. I’m right where I want to be.”
The rest of the evening passes in warm conversation and shared food. The children eventually fall asleep on laps and blankets. The fire burns low. When it’s time to leave, Thorne helps me into my coat and wraps his arm around my shoulders as we step back out into the cold night air.
The walk back to the cabin is quiet and peaceful. Snow falls gently around us. Thorne keeps me close, his presence steady and reassuring. When we reach the door he unlocks it and guides me inside, locking it carefully behind us.
I turn to him in the warm glow of the cabin. “I really like it here,” I say softly. “I like the people. I like feeling safe. I like… being with you.”
He looks at me for a long moment, something deep and warm in his eyes. “Good. Because I like having you here. More than I expected to.”
We stand there for a moment, the air between us charged with everything we’re not yet saying. Then he steps closer and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead.
“Get some rest,” he murmurs. “Tomorrow is a new day. We’ll face it together.”
I nod and head to the bedroom, heart full and hopeful. As I climb into bed, I realize I’m no longer just surviving.
I’m starting to live.
And for the first time, I believe I might actually get to keep this life I’m building here with Thorne and the rest of Haven 7.
EIGHT
