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He didn’t press. Just held the bundle under one arm and tilted his head slightly, studying her in that way he did. It was almost like he could see past her brave face and right into the aching part of her that had been hiding since the moment Davey died.

“I really hope you find out who did this to Davey.” Billie Ann whispered, glancing around.

“I will.” His short, to-the-point answer had her eyes shooting back to his. The confidence in his voice had her believing that he would, in fact, find Davey’s killer.

“Thank you,” she said, then sighed, looking away to gaze around the property and then up to the bar. The emotions of the dayhit her hard and suddenly. “Everything still smells like him. His boots are still by the door waiting for him to come home. It’s not fair. I shouldn’t be here.” The tears burned again, sneaking up fast. She blinked up at the sky, trying to fight them off. She really didn’t know why she just confided that information to him.

Rafe set the covers on the steps, then reached out and pulled her into his arms, and Billie Ann let him. This complete stranger was offering her comfort, which she so desperately needed, and she was going to take it. He didn’t say a word, just held her tightly against his large body.

“He was my home,” she whispered. “No matter where I went, I always knew I could come back to him.”

“You’re not alone, Billie Ann,” he said, voice low. “Not anymore. I meant what I said earlier. You and Davey mattered to Mac and Zelda. Which means you matter to me.”

Billie Ann swallowed hard. The words struck deep, carving into the space where grief resided, where fear and uncertainty had taken root. Even though she had just met him only hours ago, something about this man calmed her.

Bruce’s voice broke the moment from somewhere behind them. “And here I thought I was the emotionally available one.”

Billie let out a laugh that cracked a little at the edges. Rafe smirked.

“I’m just saying,” Bruce continued, leaping onto the railing beside them. “Here I thought I was coming to cheer her up with my wit and humor, but what do I find? Her in another one's arms.”

Billie Ann wiped at her eyes, feeling lighter somehow. Still broken in places, still uncertain—but not alone. Not tonight.

“I’ll let you get settled,” she said softly, stepping back. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.” Rafe’s eyes stayed on hers as she nodded, then turned toward the trailer. He then glanced at Bruce, motioning for him to stay.

“Leave the door open, Billie,” Bruce called out. “I’ll be there in a second.”

“Will do,” Billie Ann called over her shoulder, then slipped through the door.

She stopped just inside, heart thudding. She hadn’t meant to listen in. It wasn’t like her to spy, but her instincts kicked in the second she walked away. Something told her this was a conversation she needed to hear.

The porch behind her was dim, the kind of still that made your skin prickle. She stayed quiet, listening.

“What’s up?” Bruce asked, his voice casual.

“What do you know about the Crow Shifters here?” Rafe’s tone was different now, low and serious.

Billie Ann held her breath. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but this definitely wasn’t just a friendly conversation.

Bruce let out a soft huff. “Other than the fact that they can literally shit bomb your ass in mid-flight? They’re alright. Weird as hell, but not dangerous. Why? You think they had something to do with Davey?”

“I don’t know,” Rafe said, and there was something tight and controlled in the way he said it. “But I’m not ruling anyone out.”

Billie Ann’s stomach twisted.

“Who’s their Alpha?” Rafe asked.

“Jack Crow,” Bruce replied after a beat. “Real pain in the ass. Power-hungry, got a temper, and thinks he's smarter than everyone. But I don’t see him going after Davey. I mean, yeah, Jack’s an asshole, but Davey was respected around here.”

That tugged at Billie Ann’s heart. Davey had kept to himself, but people had liked him. He was solid. Honest. The kind of man who helped when no one else did.

“But if you think Jack’s involved,” Bruce added, his voice dropping, “you better be ready to come at him smart. He doesn’t react well to accusations, and he sure as hell won’t hand over answers just because you ask nicely.”

Rafe let out a quiet sigh, frustration bleeding through. “This doesn’t feel random, Bruce. It feels… personal.”

There was a long pause.