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And then they parted ways, Ivy heading downstairs while Darien walked down the hallway and into Roman’s room.

He was pretty much ready. All his bags were zipped up, his backpack already slung over his shoulder. Paxton’s bags were there, too.

“You’re taking Paxton?” Darien asked as he added the swords to Roman’s pile.

“I’m taking Paxton,” Roman confirmed as he put on his jacket. “He told me he wanted to come with, and I’m not going to tell him no.”

“I’d go with you, but I need to be here for Loren,” Darien said. “If something happens to her…” He sucked in a sharp breath,then blew it out in a heavy sigh. “Well, we’re all fucked. And I lose the woman I love.”

“You forgot the part where you die, too,” Roman said with dark humor.

The corner of Darien’s mouth twitched.

It had never been about him, though. The fact that his life was tied to Loren’s changed nothing. Even if he hadn’t made that deal with the Widow, he would still protect her just as hard. And every time her life was threatened, it was not his own he was worried about. It was only hers.

It had only ever been about her.

“The first thing I’m going to do when I see Travis,” Roman began, staring blankly at the wall, “is tell him how sorry I am. I made him feel like shit when he decided to stay behind with Jewels, and I feel…I feel like it was my fault. Maybe, if I hadn’t hit him so hard with my words, this wouldn’t have happened. Maybe, if I had taken a moment to actually think through what was happening on a larger scale, I could have gotten him out on time.”

“Don’t beat yourself up too much. I’ve felt the same as you ever since I had that stupid argument with Max. And I didn’t even apologize to him on the phone.” Darien had regretted it since the minute he’d ended the call. Max had been right fuckingthere,and Darien hadn’t taken the opportunity to say something kind to him.

“You’ll get another chance,” Roman said.

“So will you.”

Roman sighed. “Hope so.”

Darien said, “Keep looking up.”

“Yeah,” Roman said on a heavy exhale. “Keep looking up.”

Crickets sangin the dark yard as Roman walked to his car. Shay and Paxton were with him. The fact that Pax was wide awake was surprising, given the late hour.

The front door swung open behind him. Roman didn’t turn to see who it was as he began loading his and Paxton’s belongings—the bags they hadn’t even had the chance to unpack—into the back seat. Judging from the gait, it was Dean.

He was proven correct when his uncle’s gravelly voice floated through the night-chilled yard. “Rome?” he called. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”

“Make it quick—we gotta head out,” Roman said as he crammed more shit into the car. Time was tight. Now that Paxton was coming, they would have to stop at a motel at some point and get some rest, which was something he likely would’ve avoided doing if Paxton had stayed behind. And then there was the longer route they’d have to take, which would add about six, maybe seven hours to their drive.

He stepped aside so Shay could place her bags inside, and then she wove past Dean and got into the passenger’s seat.

Roman faced his uncle, noting the concern on his face. “What’s the matter?” Roman asked him.

Dean lowered his voice. “Do you really think this is a good idea?”

“Do I think what’s a good idea?”

“Taking Paxton.”

“Yes,” Roman said, his tone firm and resolute. “I do.” To his little brother, he said, “Get in the car, Pax.” He beckoned.

Paxton squished in—climbing between the front seats and into the back.

Dean stepped forward. “Roman—hear me out. I’m begging you.”

Roman faced his uncle with reluctance. “What?”

“Just because you made it to Angelthene doesn’t mean your dad’s not looking for you anymore. You have to think of Paxton?—”