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I ron had gotten dressed, attached his prosthetic, and started toward the living room. It shamed him to admit he hoped his parents had left, especially after Vee told him she believed he could repair the damage he’d caused. He still wasn’t so sure. For half a decade, he’d stood alone. The decision was his choice. He’d missed birthdays and anniversaries. He’d gone months without calling home or hearing his mother’s laugh. It was moments like these, when he was faced with his own decisions, that bitter regret scalded the back of his throat.

“Jordan.” His mother was standing by the couch, her hands clasped together. His father remained seated but facing him. “Vivienne is lovely.” There had been a time when she’d rush to him and hug him so tightly, he thought she’d crack a rib. Now she hesitated and held herself back.

“She’s been through a lot, but yeah, she’s got a beautiful personality. One of the rare times the outside is just as pretty as the inside.”

“We should leave.” His mother’s chin tremble was a punch to the gut. “When we got your text message, we were all so worried about you. Then we got here and saw the car in the driveway, but you weren’t answering the door and we thought—” Her shoulders shuddered and she covered her face.

He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around his mother. “I’m sorry.” His voice broke, and the woman that had always been there for him, the one he turned his back on, clung to him. Sobs racked her small frame. “I’m so damn sorry, Mom.”

“Shhh,” she hushed, trying to soothe him even when she was breaking.

“I don’t—”

“Stop it, Jordan. I don’t want your apologies. I just want my son back.” He’d never heard his mother yell before, but the pain resonated in her words.

“I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I hurt all of you, and it was intentional.” He glanced at his father from over his mother’s head.

“And you didn’t deserve the hand you’d been dealt. You didn’t deserve to lose your teammate, your leg, your hope. Isn’t that enough?” She was still hugging him, her hands gripping his shirt tightly.

A hand landed on his back, and he realized his dad had risen from the sofa to join them. “Your mother’s right. We all have regrets. All wish we did things differently. We never should’ve listened when you told us to leave and never come back. We thought space and time would help you heal, but it just created more distance.”

“I didn’t want you to see how far I’d fallen.”

“Don’t keep blaming yourself. I’ve kept in touch with your lieutenant commander. He made the same mistake as us and gave you your space. Your teammate made a split-second decision. He knew he was going to die that day. Traded his life for those hostages. Don’t spit on his sacrifice. Live your life, Jordan.”

“His fiancée—”

“Has found happiness. She’s married and has a son. Theo.”

Tears burned his eyes. That was Scooter’s real name. Theo. He was damn pleased that she’d found love again and married a man who embraced someone she’d once loved by naming their son after him.

Maybe he’d punished himself long enough. He’d needed himself to suffer for what happened that afternoon. Lived that way so long, he wasn’t sure he could let go. Now, he had some incentive though. If he was able to finally let go, he could be there for Vee in the way she deserved. It was far too early to think of their relationship progressing. For all he knew her request to kiss him in the ocean was born out of curiosity.

Regardless, he’d seen the hazy shock in her eyes when they’d broken apart. The heat between them was boundless and all consuming. The creak of Vee’s door opening made him glance over his shoulder. She had traded her bathing suit for another pair of jeans and a T-shirt. The casual look suited her, although he was sure any type of clothing would. He found that he liked how comfortable she looked. She didn’t need makeup to enhance her true beauty.

His mom released him and rushed over to Vee, gathering her into an embrace. “Thank you, honey.” Watching his mother encompass Vee in all the nurturing warmth he’d grown up with made his eyes sting. That motherly connection was something she deserved but had never really had.

“I should be thanking you. I wouldn’t be standing her if it wasn’t for Jordan.” Vee’s eyes lifted and she held his gaze. He could feel the electric pulse between them stirring through the air.

After a moment, his father cleared his throat. “We should go, Lilly. If it’s alright with you, maybe we could take you and Vivienne to lunch tomorrow and catch up. We got a hotel in town.”

“Don’t leave.” Vee looked up at his father. “We were going to have pizza delivered. Stay.” She wrapped her arm around his mother’s shoulders.

Fuck, this woman. Iron took a cleansing breath, closing his eyes before exhaling. She was so open and welcoming despite everything she’d been through. She brought a sense of calm to his life, but also a lightheartedness that was lost years ago.

Maybe he was setting himself up for heartbreak, but he could see her fitting in with his family. He could imagine her laughing with Milo and Ezra. Sitting out on the porch having a glass of wine with his mom. His family would embrace Vee and give her what she’d always wanted. A family who would love and cherish her. He’d only known her five days, but where he pushed other women away, he wanted Vee close. When he thought about how his house felt before she arrived, it struck him that he’d never made it a home. He knew it was bare as hell, but Vee somehow warmed the space. She’d only been here for one night, but her joy and sunny personality had permeated his walls and had already brought so much healing to him and to his family.

If he decided to pursue a relationship with Vee, he needed to take it slow. The only type of love she’d ever known was conditional, centered on what she could do or bring to others. If something started between them, he wanted her to know bone-deep that she was cared for. That he would never ask anything of her except for her love, if she was willing to give it. Their gaze connected again, and he smiled.

“Been a long time since I’ve seen that expression,” his father said, clapping his back. “I missed it. We’d love to stay for pizza, but we’re buying.”

He looked up at the man who taught him so much. How had he ever stayed away from his parents? “You’d never let me or Milo pay for a damn thing.”

“That’s right, because if I did, I’d never hear the end of it from your mom.” His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “Do you want to go with me to pick it up or have it delivered?” His father wouldn’t have asked unless something was on his mind that he wanted to discuss.

“We’ll go pick it up,” he said, then turned to Vee. “If you’re alright with that?”

“Of course. Your mom and I can talk.” He searched her face, looking for any sign that she was just agreeing because that’s what she thought he wanted.

He asked what everyone wanted on their pizza and placed the order, tugging his keys off the counter. He liked the control of driving, but when his dad walked directly to a four-door sedan and got behind the wheel, he figured he’d have to be flexible.

“How well do you know Vivienne?” his father asked as he started the engine.

“I know enough of the important things. She ran barefoot through the forest to try to save her sister. Tore her feet all to hell and didn’t complain even hours afterward.” He paused and then added, “She brings me a sense of peace.”

His father backed out of the driveway and started in the direction of the main road. “You’re falling for her.”

He stared out the window, looking at the long stretch of beach and the bright water. From the car, the waves appeared almost turquoise. He wouldn’t forget the way Vee looked when she asked if she could kiss him, or the first taste of her lips, so uniquely sweet. His father was right. His feelings for Vee were strong. He couldn’t deny that, but at the same time, there were a lot of obstacles. “She’s young, and she’s lived a very sheltered and controlling life. I don’t want to be the next person she feels like she owes something to.”

“I don’t think you’re giving her enough credit.” His father turned on his directional and took a right onto the main roadway. There was more white threaded through his hair than Iron remembered. A few more wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. He was grateful that Vee had asked him some difficult questions about his parents the night before, because if she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have ended up texting them, and this opportunity to reconnect might’ve been lost until it was too late. “Maybe she already understands the type of man you are and the freedom she has with you.”

“She grew up a multimillionaire.” Even as he said the words, he knew he was playing the devil’s advocate. Maybe he was even waiting for his father to tell him to let her go. That a woman like Vee would have a difficult time living a simpler life, even though he knew that wasn’t true.

His dad scoffed. “That woman in there doesn’t give a damn about money. She’s not the same person they portrayed on television. You must know the way she looks at you. I was surprised when she told me you’ve only known each other for five days. That’s how it was for me and your mom. Move-in day at college. I saw her carrying a box she could barely see over. She’d gotten lucky and was assigned a single dorm room, but she wasn’t without a roommate for long. It wasn’t a full two weeks before I hauled my stuff across the hall to her room and never left. What I’m saying is, when you know, Son, don’t fight it. Don’t assume that woman wants anything more than you can give her.” They drove in silence for a few minutes, and traffic got thicker as they neared the more populated area of town where the public beach was always packed.

“There are reasons why I kept you and Mom away.”

“I know that.” His father’s eyes left the road briefly to look at him. “But we don’t need to talk about them right now unless you need to get it off your chest. What’s important is that we’re mending things. You look healthier and happier than you have in years.”

“I think the happy has only come about in the past five days. I’ve been working on my health for a while now. Hasn’t been easy.”

“No.” He sent him a look brimming with understanding. “I can’t imagine it was, but here you are. Still a warrior.”

Iron was too choked up to respond, and part of him wondered if his parents already knew about the time he spent in detox and recovery.

His dad pulled into the pizza place and turned off the engine. “Her parents and fiancé seem real nasty. If you run into trouble, it might be safer if you got out of town. They’ll expect her to follow her sister. You can always lay low at our house.”

“Thanks for that offer. Trust me, if I think for a second she’s in any danger, then I’ll get her somewhere safer.” His father nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder.

They grabbed the pizza from the store and headed home. When they walked in the door, the scene in front of him made his stomach tumble. Vee had her head tilted back, laughing at something his mother had said. The two of them had unearthed a pack of UNO cards from God knows where and were playing at the kitchen table. The relief on his mom’s face when she looked up and smiled, gave him a jolt. There was a pang in his heart, a feeling of rightness as they crowded around the kitchen table. Vee slid onto the bench beside him, so they were nearly hip to hip. If he had his way, they would’ve eaten in the living room with her on his lap. The sunset was a brilliant display of gold and red, making the sky look as though it had caught fire.

Vee was just as enthusiastic about the pizza as she had been about their other meals. She only had one slice but stared longingly at the remaining pieces in the box. He sucked in a breath, anger at her parents swarming in his chest. They had no right to control her and while she was in his house, she’d do as she pleased. He slid the box closer and lifted the slice she’d been eyeing onto her plate. He noticed her watching him with wide eyes, then felt her hand squeeze his own under the table.

When his parents left after dinner, Vee cashed in on his earlier promise of teaching her how to play a video game. He couldn’t recall the last time he had so much fun or felt more at ease. Some of that had to do with seeing his parents again and having the opportunity to apologize for his actions. A lot of it though, was Vee. She concentrated on the direction of Mario Kart like she was about to enter a high-stakes test. If he didn’t know she’d never held a controller in her hand, he would’ve thought she was a regular player. By their fourth race she’d moved her previous tenth-place score to third, now she was lapping him. When they rounded the last corner of Luigi’s Mansion and she launched a blue shell at his kart, taking him out of the race, she flew by him and let out a victory whoop.

Iron grinned and lowered his controller. He glanced over, wanting to see her smile. It didn’t disappoint. Prettier than the sunset. Her thick blonde hair fell in beachy waves over her tanned shoulders, a reminder of the afternoon they’d spent on the beach soaking in the sunshine before his parents had surprised them. Without a swipe of makeup, she was the most beautiful creature that ever graced the Earth. Some people might think it was odd that the former model, pageant queen, and prized daughter of one of wealthiest families in Texas had holed up with a man like him, but he didn’t give the first fuck. His father was right, every decision Vee made from this point forward was hers and hers alone.

No one truly understood how sheltered Vee had been or the emotional abuse she’d endured. So, what if he was becoming obsessed with giving her new experiences and watching her delight in things she’d never tried, like eating a greasy cheeseburger and fries from a drive-through, going grocery shopping, or indulging her request to tour his collision center. He loved watching the world through her eyes. Loved the excitement that every little experience brought. Hell, maybe his dad was right. Maybe he just plain loved her.

“One more game? Please?” Her big blue eyes knocked the wind right out of him, just like they always did.

Who was he to deny her? “Sure.” He smiled, happy to indulge her newfound obsession of Mario Kart. Right now, he was her safe haven, but once she got her feet beneath her, he had no doubt she’d move on to bigger and better things, whether that included him was yet to be determined, but he hoped it would. She deserved to lead a life of her choosing, not one designed for her since birth. She had too much light, too much love to offer the world.

There was a sharp pain in his chest at the thought of her leaving. He knew he was taking a risk by opening his heart and it might come back to bite him, but he’d never ask her to stay. Doing so would go against every moral instinct he possessed. He was rough where she was soft. Broken where she was whole. He’d brought darkness to the world where she only cast light. Vee’s life could be anything she wanted it to be, and damned if he’d be the shadow dimming her sunlight. One way or the other, he planned to soak up every ounce of time spent with her.