Page 9 of The Final Contract

And I wish I had an answer.

I’ve thought about it. More than once.

Never nursing. I could never put on a pair of scrubs again, no matter how badly Stasia wants me to. And she knows exactly why.

Every time I think about life after the Ledger, this is what I see—this backyard. Lightning bugs flickering like fairy lights, the sound of children’s laughter trailing across the lawn. My children. A slice of peace that belongs to someone else but always feels close enough to touch.

The only part that’s always missing is the husband. My mind never conjures him. Maybe it’s the wall I’ve built around relationships; maybe it’s the truth I don’t want to admit—that I don’t know what it looks like to belong to someone without it costing something.

But Stasia and Daniel … they’re different. Fifteen years married, and they’re still disgustingly in love. The kind of love that hasn’t faded or fractured.

I hear the slam of a car door and glance up just as my sister does. Her face lights. She’s already heading for the gate before he even rounds the corner. And when he does, she’s the first thing he sees. His arms lock around her waist, pulling her in, her arms twining around his neck as she rises onto tiptoe for a kiss that still makes her blush.

Every time I watch it, I feel that pull. That rope tightening around me, tugging me farther from the Ledger. Slowly. Steadily.

But I still don’t know what waits on the other end.

That thought gnaws at me as my eyes flick toward the porch.

Killian is watching me watch them.

He’s leaning forward now, forearms braced on his knees, his phone forgotten. Even from here, I can feel the storm building behind his gray eyes, the tension carved into every line of his body. He lifts his scarred brow, just slightly, as if asking a question only I can hear.Ready?

And I think I am.

I rise slowly, brushing crumbs from my dress, and drift toward him. Behind me, my sister’s laughter twines with Daniel’s, the sound a warm counterpoint to the restless energy tightening in my chest.

“You about ready?” I ask as he pushes to his feet.

But before he can answer, Stasia’s voice cuts across the yard. “Killian, if you two don’t stay for dinner, I’ll take it personally.”

I whip my head toward him.No,I mouth, sharp enough to cut.

“We’ve got to get going,” I say firmly—at the same time Killian says, “I’d love to.”

My sister smirks, already triumphant. I glare at him, trying to burn the warning into his thick skull, but he doesn’t so much as flinch. If anything, his mouth twitches.

“We really can’t. I’ve got an early day tomorrow,” I press, trying to salvage it.

“No, you don’t.” His tone is flat, but there’s a thread of humor beneath it.

My eyes narrow. I lean closer, my words a low growl. “I will end your bloodline.”

He chuckles, maddeningly unbothered. “Easy, little killer. It’s just dinner.”

“Exactly why I like him.” My sister betrays me as she heads inside.

“Kill!” Daniel grins as he steps under the porch, Aurora perched easily on his hip. He reaches out a hand to Killian. “Always good to see you, man.”

Aurora’s wide eyes blink up at the giant beside her father. “Are you a real killer?” Ollie asks in fascination.

“Oh, Daddy! Can the killer come to my birthday party?” Ro nearly screams in excitement.

Killian’s scarred brow arches as Daniel inhales a deep breath and holds it. I leave the two men to field those questions and follow my sister inside.

And that was the beginning of several hours of interrogation.

Exactly the reason I didn’t want to stay.