Page 29

“But I would’ve been there, in whatever capacity I could have,” Stephan continued. His hazel eyes were fierce with determination. “I need you to know that. If I had known about Dylan, even if I was behind bars, I would’ve been there in any way I could. And I’m glad you’ve brought him here, now, even after believing Blakely’s lies. You’re—you’re a strong mother.”

My chest ached. My heart ached. Stephan was right—I’d spent ten years thinking he’d chosen someone else over me. That I was just a stupid summer fling. But I’d loved him. I’d only been twenty years old, but I’d thought I found the man I was going to spend my life with. Hearing him say these things now hurts, like we were reopening wounds I thought were long-healed.

I waved a hand like I was dispelling the words from the air between us. The last thing I needed was to startcryingin front of Stephan. “All that matters now is getting Dylan through his first shift,” I said. “It’s been hard enough for him already. This is a big change.”

“I know.”

“And you’re right,” I said. “It would’ve been hard in a different way, if Dylan had to grow up knowing his dad was in prison. And I know that risk isn’t really gone.”

Stephan frowned, but didn’t argue.

“Dylan needs you now,” I said, “but I don’t want him anywhere near this lifestyle. It’s too dangerous. I don’t want him to see anything happen to you. And I don’t want him to get hurt.”

“I won’t let anything happen to Dylan,” Stephan said fiercely. “I promise you that.” He paused, his brow furrowing. If he was going to start to defend his criminal lifestyle, I wouldn’t hear it. But before Stephan spoke, his attention darted to the front door. He stood up briskly and set his hand at his hip, lifting his shirt just enough to reveal the hilt of a small handgun. Stephan stood in front of the couch, blocking me from the door.

I balked. I hadn’t realized he was carrying—but it made sense, with that lifestyle I was just complaining about. I was no stranger to carrying a gun for self-protection, though—as a single mother, I kept one in my glove box.

The front door opened. Mom stumbled over the threshold, teetering in her chunky heels, her eyeliner smudged. She was laughing and hanging on to some guy I didn’t recognize—an older man, bald, with a white beard wearing a beat-up leather jacket. Mom froze mid-laugh and struggled to regain her balance. “What the hell is going on here?” she barked.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Stephan said. “What are you doing with this man? Thismarriedman?”

The man grimaced. “Now, Ace?—”

“Shut up,” Stephan snarled.

My eyes widened at the acid in Stephan’s voice, as did my mother’s. The man paled, then disentangled himself from Mom and stumbled back out the door, just as quickly as he’d walked in. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye.

“What the fuck?” Mom shouted. “Ace, you’re inmyhome! You havenoright to kick people out!”

“You know why Gary is banned. He’s a fuckingsex offender.And whenmy sonis staying in this house, I’ll do whatever ittakes to keep him safe. And that includes kicking out bastards like Gary.”

Mom’s jaw dropped. She looked at me, then at Stephan, then at me. “You’re going to let this man talk to your mother like that?”

“This is about Dylan,” Stephan said firmly.

“Mom, there’s coffee in the kitchen,” I said.

Mom stomped past the couch like a surly teenager into the kitchen. If I knew her at all, she’d likely pour a shot of whiskey into her coffee.

Stephan sat back down on the couch, closer to me this time. Close enough to touch. He moved slowly, like he was afraid of spooking me. “Will you bring Dylan to my place tomorrow? I’ll work with him on his dragon more. The more time he spends with me, the easier his first shift will be. Being around me should calm his dragon down.”

“I’m fine with it, but it’s not only my choice.” I smiled, then called up the stairs. “Dyl! You awake?”

“Yeah!”

In the kitchen, Mom winced at the noise, but then smiled. Dylan was a good hangover cure.

“Come down here for a second, please.”

Dylan bounded down the stairs. He looked better, and he was clearly excited to spend more time with his dad.

“You want to spend tomorrow at Stephan’s?” I asked.

Dylan’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Really?”

Stephan nodded. “We can talk more, and it should make your dragon feel better, too.”

“Yes! Yes! I can’t wait!”