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V ivienne inched closer to Iron on the kitchen bench and looked at the computer screen positioned between them. Even though her meeting with Ransom’s lawyer was over video conferencing, she had asked Iron if he could join her to take notes. If he thought the request was odd, he didn’t show it. He simply nodded and retrieved a notepad and pen from a drawer in the kitchen. Maybe she was leaning on him too much, relying on him like she’d relied on others without question in the past. She wanted to be independent, but at the same time this was an important meeting. Vivienne was aware of her strengths and weaknesses well enough to discern that jotting things down while trying to listen would be hard.

“What are you thinking about?” Iron’s deep voice wrapped around her, and she had the sudden urge to lean closer. She craved more of yesterday’s heated kisses and soft touches, but both seemed to have woken with a renewed sense of caution surrounding their physical relationship. If she pushed her insecurities aside, she recognized that it was smart to slow things down, especially when her life was in such an upheaval. Hannah would probably think she was crazy, but she needed to talk to her sister about her feelings for Iron. It was strange to have someone aside from Thalia who cared about her best interest. People who wouldn’t just tell her their advice based on the money she’d earn. Her stomach churned when she let her mind think of all the terrible things Thalia might be going through.

“Vee?” he asked again, this time his voice was softer.

“Sorry.” She sighed and folded her hands together in her lap, giving herself something to do. “I was thinking of Thalia, and if I’m being honest, I was second-guessing myself. Wondering if I’m being dependent on you like I was with my parents and Scott.”

He was quiet for a moment, then spoke, gaze boring into hers. “I know it’s hard to wait for info from Red and Sully but know there’s no rock they’ll leave unturned. As soon as they have some new information, we’ll be the first to know. As for the second, there are different types of dependency. Could be learned helplessness. Maybe lack of confidence or anxiety that leads a person to look to others for help. What you had, though, that was forced dependency. Holding tight to your finances, cutting off your relationships and choosing who and what you could spend your time on. By controlling when you could eat and how much, when you could cancel a job, even when you were sick, stripped you of your freedom. They took away your sense of autonomy. The things they expected of you were not normal or healthy, Vee. What is okay is asking a friend for help. That’s not only okay, but smart, especially when you don’t want to miss something important.”

Friend. Out of all the reassuring words Iron had just spoken, that was the one that resonated the most. She wasn’t going to think too deeply about the hollow ache in her chest when he spoke the word. The gravity of their ocean kiss had shocked her, but it wasn’t like they had a real relationship. No promises had been given. No future to discuss. A question was on the tip of her lips when the face of a mature woman filled the screen. Her eyes were warm and sincere that matched the color of her hair, a riot of curls that stopped just above her chin.

“Good morning. I’m Linda Salazar of Salazar nervous she was doing the wrong thing.

At first, she’d thought it was enough to just escape their clutches, but in a few short days, she’d come to see how much she’d been abused by the people who should have had her best interest at heart. If Scott mistreated her, what was stopping him from doing it to someone else? Iron dipped his chin, though, and something that looked a lot like pride swam in the silvery depths of his eyes. “He has continuously sent threating text messages since I broke off our engagement, which my friends have been monitoring for me.”

“Please send me those messages, and I’ll get the paperwork started so we can have a summons served. We’ll need to file an order with the local court.”

“My personal attendant Thalia is missing since the rehearsal dinner after she left with my father. Scott said she’d been deported. The police are investigating her disappearance, but when she’s found…” Her voice broke. She refused to say the word if . Iron put down his pencil and rested one of his palms on her leg. “I’d like to cover all of Thalia’s legal fees for whatever she might need.”

“Of course. I’m happy to represent you, and I’d be more than happy to work with Thalia if my services are needed.”

They spoke for several more minutes before ending the video conference.

Once the computer screen was closed, Iron turned to her. “I couldn’t be prouder of you. It took courage for you to decide to stand up to Scott. I bet once he receives a summons and has to appear in court, it’ll help other women. It’ll be a hit to his ego, and a man like Scott doesn’t have more than his inflated sense of self to hang onto. Once the summons is delivered, I want you to be extra cautious.”

She nodded, swallowing the tightness in her throat before she spoke. “Thanks for being here.” She placed her hand on top of Iron’s before he flipped it, lacing their fingers together. With his other hand, he gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“Whatever you need. I mean that.” His voice was no more than a whisper, but those words wouldn’t have been any more profound if he’d shouted them.

She glanced at her small hand tucked inside his much larger one. “I hope you know that the same goes for you. I’m not just saying that because I think it’s the right thing or what you want to hear. I mean it.”

“More than proved that yesterday. You gave me the nudge I needed to reach out to my family. Something I haven’t done in a long time. You did again when they came here yesterday looking to talk. You had no problem being my strength when my courage faltered. Thank you for encouraging me to take those steps toward mending things with my parents.”

She blinked quickly, taken aback not only by his words, but also by the thick emotion in his voice. She’d never been someone’s strength before, but she was honored to be Iron’s.

*

Hannah’s flight arrived at four o’clock in the afternoon the next day. She and Iron had left for the airport at noon and had lunch at a café on the way. They’d driven back to Hannah’s home and Branch had gotten her sister situated on the couch. Hannah was now tucked in with a velvety throw blanket and surrounded by pillows, making her look like she was in a giant nest. Her nephew had immediately gone to the kitchen to see if his pizza dough was rising, and she and Iron sat on a love seat by the couch talking to Hannah and Branch. She was so thrilled to see everyone, she forgot the worry that had knotted her stomach over leaving Iron. It probably wasn’t healthy, but she wanted to stay with him. Packing the duffel bag Iron had loaned her earlier had felt a lot like her old life—going through the motions not because she wanted to do something but because someone else expected it of her.

Just then, Collin bounded into the room, a wide grin on his face. He snapped his fingers in front of his eyes, gazing at the movements of his hands. “Who’s making pizza?” he sang out. “Collin and who else?”

A smile quirked Branch’s lip. “That’s my cue,” he said and stood. “Collin and Branch. Here I come.”

Iron cleared his throat and slowly stood. “Make that Collin, Branch, and Iron.” Her heart skipped a beat as he turned to her and smiled. “You two catch up. I’m going to get some tips from the pizza pro in there.”

As the three of them walked down the hall toward the kitchen, Collin’s melodic voice echoed “Branch, is it safe or unsafe to touch a hot oven?” Collin questioned as they walked toward the kitchen.

“Unsafe.”

“That’s correct,” Collin answered. “Iron, safe or unsafe to ask an adult for help handling sharp knives?”

“Safe.” Iron answered and ruffled Collin’s bright red hair.

When they disappeared out of sight, Hannah’s low chuckle caught her attention. “It’s easy to tell what Collin’s working on at school. He’s on a safety kick.” Her sister’s smile, so full of love, made her heart swell. The guilt that had swamped her when Hannah had been hurt trying to help her was overwhelming. Even though it was Regina who had hurt Hannah, she was the one who asked her sister to come to the wedding and help her get away. Iron had lived with that kind of guilt since Scooter died and survived. Despite what he thought, she knew how strong he was. Unbreakable.

“What are you thinking about, Vivi?” Hannah’s soft voice pulled her from her thoughts.

“I was thinking about the loving family you’ve created and how guilty I’ve felt since you’ve been hurt. Then I was thinking about Iron and everything he’s been through. How strong he is.” She met her sister’s gaze and shouldn’t have been surprised to see her eyes filled with understanding.

“I don’t know him well, but I do know that when my friend Sam was struggling, he had no problem loaning her a car free of charge. He’s a great coach and sponsor for Collin’s baseball team. All the men on Branch’s SEAL team have a deep respect for him.” The clang of metal pans and Collin’s laughter echoed from the kitchen.

“He said I could help with the baseball team.” Vivienne couldn’t stop the smile from breaking over her face or the warmth creeping up her cheeks.

Hannah tilted her head slightly, resting her cheek against a pillow. “It sounds like you both grew close.”

She was silent for a moment, wondering how much Iron would want her to share. It struck her that Iron would be more concerned with her sharing what she was comfortable with, not him. “We have. When I’m with him, I feel confident and respected. Like I really can build the life I want. I’m worried that I won’t be able to feel those things away from him, though,” she murmured, embarrassment sweeping over her at her final admission.

“And you’re learning how to stand on your own.” Hannah’s nonjudgmental tone made her comfortable to continue.

“Yes. But Iron gives me the space I need to grow. It’s just nice having him by my side while I do it.” Emotion slammed into her and heat prickled behind her eyelids. Until now, she hadn’t realized how deeply Iron had touched her or how far he’d worked his way into her heart. Her feelings for him far surpassed anything she ever felt for Scott, and those were fleeting and fell away once she realized he’d been playing her all along.

“You want to stay with him. Don’t you?” Hannah’s brows raised.

“Is that crazy? Am I jumping from one situation where I got too comfortable to make changes to another?”

“Vivi, that’s not true. There was nothing comfortable about your situation at the estate. I know it’s hard to think of all the reasons you did stay, but I’m sure comfort wasn’t one of them. Conditioning, manipulation, fear, a sense of responsibility perhaps. Even though this was the time you were able to get away, looking back, think of all the times you bought a ticket to come visit me and Collin and then canceled. I bet Mother and Father did their damnedest to coerce or force you to stay.” Hannah leveled her gaze and Vivienne swallowed hard.

Her eyes tingled once again as she remembered all the last-minute reasons why she couldn’t board those flights. Sometimes she’d find her license missing when she knew she’d securely placed it into her wallet the night before, only to have her mother or father find it a few days later and call her careless. Or they’d conveniently find a work engagement to fill her schedule and tell her she’d just forgotten. Then there were times they did force her to stay. She didn’t like to think of those times. She had hated being so out of control in her own life.

Hannah held out her hand, and Vivienne took it, scooting closer to her on the couch. “I’m not going to be another person who tells you what to do. I can offer my advice, which you’re welcome to take with a grain of salt, but at the end of the day, gaining back autonomy and making your own choices is the only way you are going to trust yourself.”

The breath rushed from her lungs, and she gave Hannah’s hand a squeeze. That was at the core of everything she was feeling, wasn’t it? She didn’t trust herself to make the right decisions to support her own well-being, afraid that she’d end back up in a situation where she lacked all control. “That’s exactly it.” She nodded and wiggled closer, still. “And my feelings for Iron are so huge, I don’t trust myself to know if what I feel is real or if it’s a result of our intense time together.”

Hannah nodded and released her hand with a quick squeeze to pull up the blanket around herself. “I was afraid to let Branch in, scared to lose my hard-won independence. Sometimes though, when you’re with the right person they don’t limit you, but help you be the best version of yourself.”

Vivienne tucked her legs up under her on the cushions, angling her body to rest one arm along the back of the couch. “Iron makes me feel like the best version of myself.”

“Then all I can say is whether you choose to stay with Iron or with me, I’m happy you’re here. My house is yours anytime you want it to be.” Hannah smiled and laid her hand on top of hers.

A blur caught her eye, just in time to see Collin bouncing into the room with a large tray. “Who’s going to eat pizza? Collin, Iron, Branch, and who else?” The men trailed behind him, carrying drinks and napkins. The scents of garlic and cheese filled the room, making her stomach growl.

“Definitely me.” Vivienne raised her hand, and Collin let out a shriek of delight. Her chest warmed and she stood up to clear some space on the coffee table for Collin’s tray. Iron moved to her side, taking the items out of her hand. When his fingers brushed against hers in the exchange, goose bumps popped up over her skin.

Collin set down the tray and gave her a wide smile. “Collin’s Pizza Delivery.”

She returned his grin, another rush of emotion moving through her at how easily her nephew accepted her. “Can I give you a hug?” she blurted to Collin.

“Yes. Hugs for Aunt Vivi.” Collin wrapped her in a bear hug. “You’re in my Blue Circle.” She wasn’t sure what a Blue Circle was, but from the way he said it, that was exactly where she wanted to be. If she hadn’t made her escape, she would be missing out on moments like these.

“Welcome to the Blue Circle, Viv.” Branch’s low chuckle came from behind Collin.

“You can give big, loving hugs to the people in your Blue Circle,” Collin scripted. “Because these are the people you love and trust the most.”

Collin’s words touched her heart and her eyes prickled. “Thank you, Collin. I’m honored to be in your Blue Circle. Will you be in mine too?”

“Yes.” Collin sat on the floor, shaking his hands in front of him several times before taking a slice of pizza. “Part of Aunt Vivi’s Blue Circle. Blue like blueberries, sky, water.”

Vivienne sat on the rug next to Collin and Iron lowered himself to the floor next to her. Despite having a prosthetic, he was able to maneuver smoothly, and she wondered how long it had taken him to be so adept in his mobility. Branch served everyone a slice of pizza and passed out drinks before sitting beside her sister. Her eyes connected with Iron’s and a warm expression crossed his face. She loved the way his eyes seemed to soften whenever his gaze landed on her.

After a moment, she broke his gaze and focused on the conversation around her. She took a bite of the pizza Collin, Branch, and Iron had made and closed her eyes, savoring each bite. Pizza was one of the things she’d never experienced growing up, and it was quickly becoming her favorite food. If Agatha Day could see her now, on her second loaded slice, she’d probably faint before dragging her to the nearest scale. She lifted the pizza to her mouth, then paused.

Her whole life, she’d been told that her value as a person was tied to her appearance. It was difficult to steer her thoughts away from what Iron might think if she did gain some weight. She glanced in his direction, and he was already staring at her, jaw tight, his eyes a flinty gray. He leaned closer to her. “Whatever just put that worried look on your face, forget it.” His breath tickled her hair and despite being in a room with her sister’s family, a warm tingle swept over her. “Enjoy your pizza, Vee. Collin makes a great one.”

Iron was naturally perceptive, at least when it came to her, but it was like he’d heard her exact thought and sought to soothe her worry. Maybe it was silly to think Iron wouldn’t accept her as she was, because from the start he’d been in her corner. After they ate, Collin went to play on his iPad, and she briefed Hannah on the call with the lawyer and how Scott would be receiving a summons to court. Tears trailed down Hannah’s cheek when she told her about the sexual assault, not going into as much detail as she had with Iron. Branch sat, his face like stone, as he comforted her sister. She could feel the anger pouring off him, not directed at her, but at her confession and what had happened to her. Like always, Iron’s steady support grounded her.

“Vivi, I’m so sorry. Anything you need, we’re here for you.” Hannah hugged her hard.

“I know that and I’m grateful.” She gave her a small smile.

Beside Hannah, Branch cleared his throat. “When Scott receives the summons, I think it makes sense for all of us to be more cautious. He might be upset and try to retaliate, or he may do nothing at all, but tightening up security never hurts,” he said.

“Agreed.” Iron’s rough voice reverberated around the room, sending a shiver through her, but not of fear. She trusted Iron and felt completely safe with him.

“It’s getting late, and you need to rest,” Vivienne said. Her sister’s eyes were heavy and if the tight lines around her mouth were any indication, she needed some pain medication.

“Do you want me to get your bag out of the car?” Iron looked at her, his gaze intense. The question expanded in the space between them. Unspoken wants and desires sparking in the air around them.

“Not today,” she said softly. “If that’s okay.”

“You know it is.” Even though Hannah and Branch were sitting in the room, she knew the words were for her alone and she felt them steep into her heart. With her wishes now out in the open, a weight lifted from her shoulders.

*

Throughout the evenin g, Iron had soaked in every moment with Vee, knowing he’d wake up tomorrow morning and she wouldn’t be in his house. The thought bothered him far more than it should. Having her in his space was just…right. His house felt like a home when she was there. The problem was, now that she’d been there, he couldn’t picture the place without her. A day, a week, even five years down the road, the oceanside bungalow was exactly where he wanted her. The type of feelings growing inside him were dangerous, but when she told him she didn’t want him to remove her bag from the car, his heart jumped in his chest. Maybe this was the start of something. The start of them .

“Iron?” Vee’s sweet voice was barely a whisper.

“Yeah?” He glanced over at her, only seeing her shadowy silhouette in the dark car.

“Is it okay that I’m coming back with you? I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”

He hated the uncertainty in her voice and berated himself for not doing a better job at voicing his pleasure at her decision.

“It’s more than okay. With me is exactly where I want you to be.” He extended his hand and nearly sighed in contentment as her fingers slid perfectly into his.

“You didn’t mention that earlier.” Her voice didn’t hold any anger, just curiosity.

“I know how important it is for you to make your own decisions right now. I’m not going to be the person who holds you back.”

“You wouldn’t hold me back when you’ve been doing everything you can to support me in moving forward. I trust you.”

His heart shifted. She was always telling him that he had her trust, something he didn’t deserve but made him feel whole again. The ride from Hannah’s house was a short one and soon they were pulling into the driveway of his house. He parked the SUV and stopped the engine, turning to Vee. “Are you tired?”

“No, are you?” He opened his door and the overhead light illuminated the spark in her eyes.

“Not at all. There’s something I haven’t done in a long time, but I think you might enjoy it.”

“Lead the way.” Her grin was wide, and without makeup, he could see the light dusting of freckles over the bridge of her nose.

A low chuckle left his lips. “Don’t you want to know what it is?”

She shrugged. “I suppose I’ll find out soon enough. Besides, you’ve never once disappointed me.”

There it was again. Her pure, unwavering trust. Something he wouldn’t take for granted.

“Alright then.” He smiled, leaning forward to give her a quick kiss on the forehead. Although they’d shared a far more intimate kiss in the ocean yesterday, they’d both seemed to be tiptoeing around each other. If he got time with Vee, he’d take it in any form it was offered. He didn’t want her to think the only reason he wanted her here was to get her into bed. His cock twitched, growing hard as he remembered the heat that had crackled between them on the beach. He quickly unbuckled his seat belt and slipped out of the driver’s side, adjusting himself as he walked around the back of the vehicle to open her door. God, how he wanted her. He wasn’t going to go there though. He wanted to offer her his support, not his physical advances. “I’m going to grab a few things in the house, and then we’ll head out to the beach.” He took her hand, guiding her down to the sandy driveway.

“I want to help. Just let me know what to do.”

He nodded and took her hand as they walked to the house. On the porch he had an old bundle of wood. He had no recollection of when he’d bought it, and for all he knew it would be too damp to light. When they stepped inside, he set the bundle down. “Be right back,” he said and went to the hall closet where he stored extra linens and a camping lantern for times he lost power during a storm. When he returned, she took the blanket from him and the lantern. With the logs in one hand, he snagged a lighter from the kitchen on their way out to the back porch.

“I’m excited,” Vee whispered in the dark, squeaking when she walked into his back.

He chuckled and fumbled with the lantern. When he found the button to power it on, light streamed around them, lighting the path up to the beach. It took him additional time to walk through the sand with his prosthetic, but Vee said nothing as they made their way through the dunes. The rush of waves was amplified in the dark and moved toward the old fire pit he’d created years ago. The spot far enough away to be dry, but close enough to the shoreline that they could watch the water crest and roll through the sea. Large rocks encircled the remnants of old, charred driftwood. He set the firewood on the sand and took the blanket from her hands, spreading it out and gesturing for her to sit. He followed her, settling down on the fabric.

“Want to learn how to make a fire?”

“Yes,” she grinned. “It’ll be like camping.” She tilted her chin to the sky and gazed at the stars above. “I’ve never been to the beach at night. It’s beautiful.”

He wondered if she knew how beautiful she was with her delicate nose and high cheekbones lifted toward the stars. He said nothing, keeping that thought to himself. “If we were camping in the woods, we’d probably position the wood to be a tent shaped structure, but with the sand, it might be more stable if we make a square.”

“Can we? Go camping sometimes I mean?” A gust of wind blew her long, blonde hair and it whipped against his skin. He shouldn’t have been surprised by her question; it seemed his girl loved trying new things. It was hard not to think of her as his, even if it wasn’t forever. Shaking off the thought, he showed her how to position the logs and where to light it. Soon, the fire crackled to life, and she smiled wrapping her arms around him.

“We did it!” she cheered, nearly toppling him over in her enthusiasm. She moved back, attempting to sit up, but her hands landed on his chest, and he sucked in a breath. He straightened, lifting his hand to caress her soft cheek. The light from the fire played over her face, the highlights and shadows dancing over her skin with the sway of the flames.

“Vee.” Her name sounded like a groan as the word tore roughly from his lips. “Would it be okay if I kiss you?”

“Yes.” Her voice was equally breathless as he leaned in closer to her. He inhaled her sweet scent, caramelized, as it mixed with the smoke of the bonfire. Warmth surrounding them and with the stars glinting overhead and the sound of waves breaking against the shore he moved his mouth against hers, and sighed in pleasure, loving how she tasted. How right she felt in his arms. Warnings of self-preservation rang out in the hazy edges of his mind but was quickly replaced by the sensations of the beautiful woman in his arms.