It wasn’t.
I knew fear when I saw it.
Aura’s shoulders were too tight. Charm’s hands kept trembling whenever she thought nobody was looking. Neither of them wanted to go back to that apartment without knowing Luke was behind bars. Neither wanted to admit Luke had made them afraid of their own front door. And neither would ever say that in front of Bliss because Bliss would drag herself out of that bed with broken ribs before she let them feel endangered because of her.
So, they made it about toner. About female supervision. About Hockey House smelling like poor choices. They protected her by pretending they were not scared.
I looked at Easton, and he was already watching Aura with the same realization burning behind his eyes. “I’ll take them to get their things,” he said.
Aura’s head snapped toward him. “That is not necessary.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you say it?”
“Because I’m doing it anyway.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Wade.”
“Aura.”
The air between them changed instantly, thick enough that even half the Bennett family noticed despite the crisis.
Charm’s mouth twitched. Bliss, injured or not, caught it and looked like she wanted popcorn.
Easton’s voice stayed calm. “You need clothes, chargers, whatever else. I’ll drive. Ryan can come.”
Ryan, who had been leaning quietly near the far wall with his arms crossed, nodded once. “Yeah.”
Aura glanced at Bliss, then away. “Fine.”
Easton’s mouth did not move, but something in his eyes warmed. “Good.”
“Do not make that face,” Aura said.
“What face?”
“The one where you think you won.”
“I did win.”
“You absolutely did not.”
“You said fine.”
“I said fine with hostility.”
“That still counts.”
Bliss made a tiny sound that was dangerously close to a laugh and then groaned. “I hate all of you. This room is a health hazard.”
Daniel looked at the nurse, who had watched the last thirty seconds with the shell-shocked expression of someone who did not get paid enough for Bennett-family logistics. “Can you finish telling me what she needs?”
The nurse blinked. “Yes. Of course.”
I stood before anyone could stop me. “I’m going to step out for a second.”
Bliss’s eyes cut to me instantly.
