Page 115 of The Retaliation You Deliver

“I guess it doesn’t really matter anymore. It’s over now. We can put it all behind us and just focus on the future.” I narrow my eyes at her, my curiosity getting the best of me.

Does she know more than she’s letting on? Should she be the one Leon needs to talk to?

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Our conversation is cut off when the doors open and a smiling face greets me.

“Hi,” I say, giving Kayden a little wave. “I’m Macie.”

“I know. You’re Leon’s girlfriend.”

“I… uh… yeah, I guess I am,” I mutter, more so to myself than to him as I let the words settle in my head.

Leon Dunn’s girlfriend.

How the hell did my life end up here?

“It’s so nice to meet you,” I say as he climbs in with the help of Leon who slips into the car behind him, pinning Kayden between us.

“You too. You’re pretty. I like your hair.”

Luca barks out a laugh from the driver’s seat. “Oh yeah, he’s a Dunn,” he jokes.

“Thank you, Kayden. That’s really sweet of you.”

“Hey, lil’ bro,” Leon says. “My girl, remember. No stealing a brother’s girl.”

“I got it, bro. She’s a little too old for me anyway.”

All four of us laugh as Luca pulls away from the house, leaving Peyton’s aunt watching with a smile on her face.

“So… tell me about where we’re going.” I already know, Leon’s told me everything but Kayden is so excited that I’m more than willing to listen to it again.

“This diner with the best pancakes in the state. Isn’t that right, Luc?”

“Sure is, lil’ man.”

“I bet you can’t eat more than me though.”

“Is that a challenge?” I ask lightly.

“Yep. I haven’t lost yet,” he states proudly.

“Wow, you’ve beaten your big brothers.”

“Sure have. They like to pretend they’re all big and strong but really, they’re a couple of kids.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself, K,” Peyton jokes, earning herself a scowl from Luca.

I sit back as the conversation flows around me, unable to wipe the smile off my face thinking about what I said to Peyton only moments ago about family.

All my life I’ve craved this. This connection, this family bond. The thing that’s been missing for as long as I can remember. And now I’ve found it. I never, ever want to let it go.

Leon’s knuckles brush my shoulder while Kayden talks at a mile a minute about something that happened at kindergarten this week.

“You okay?” he whispers.

Holding his eyes, I smile.