Page 37

Back at the house, Cal helps me into the kitchen, then carefully removes my shirt before treating the wound. I walk him through what to do—what better time to teach him some combat first aid. Nothing like being a damn practice dummy.

By the time we’re done and I’m on the couch, Devon and Rex come home.

Christ on a cracker.

Did I just refer to my house as their home?

I shake the thought away and glance over at them. Devon’s carrying my sniper rifle and jacket. Rex brought a few extra weapons home too.

“They leave?”

He nods. “Tracked them for three miles. They ain’t coming back.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Something about the tattoo.”

We stare at each other. Oddest fucking thing. No one outside our unit has it. “Think they knew one of us?”

“Could be. They ain’t old enough to have served. Looked mid-twenties. Still should keep an eye out, add some more of your booby traps around town.”

I nod.

Rex and Devon head to the weapons room while Cal cuddles up against me and sighs. “I don’t want to leave.”

I nuzzle my face into his hair. “I know. We’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t want them to leave either.”

“Who? Devon and Rex?”

He nods against me.

I kiss the top of his head. “They’re staying through winter.”

“Wish it was longer.”

Part of me does too. But Rex never liked staying in one place too long, even from when I first met him.

I hold onto Cal as we sit there, touching him, smelling him, kissing him gently. “Little Fawn, I was so scared I was going to lose you.”

He curls in tighter and, for the first time, I hear him sobbing. “Me too. He was going to kill you. I didn’t want you to die. Didn’t want to lose you like I lost my sister.”

“That’s definitely not happening.”

Wish I could take the sarcastic tone back but it’s too late.

Cal sits upright and stares at me. “What does that mean?”

I swallow hard, giving myself time to make sure I say everything the right way. I take a deep breath, letting my eyes close for a minute, then open them and keep them locked with Cal’s. “The scavenger didn’t kill your sister. I got to him first. But she snapped and . . . she took her own life . . . right before you got there.”

He shakes his head. “No. She wouldn’t . . . no.”

Tears fall, staining his cheeks, and I pull him back against me, holding him as he cries.

“So sorry I kept it from you. Just didn’t know how to tell you.”

We stay like that for a while and eventually he stops crying. Rex silently walks by with Devon, who for once looks solemn, and offers me a weak smile.

I owe that little shit.

He saved my life and kept Cal safe.

Cal looks up when one of the stairs creaks. “Hey.”

Devon and Rex turn to look at him.

“Mac said you’re staying through the winter?”

Rex nods. “Probably stay in one of the houses in town.”

Cal pushes upright, spine straight. “Like fuck. You’re staying here.”

Devon snickers and Rex looks at me with a brow raised.

I just shrug. “Cal’s in charge.”

“Okay then. Guess we’re staying here.”

Rex grabs Devon’s hand. “But you’re getting your ass into bed right now.”

Cal turns back to face me and bites his bottom lip. “Can we go to bed too?”

“Take it you don’t mean to sleep.”

He shakes his head, and I can’t help but laugh as he helps me up, then pulls me down the hall to our room.

Letting Cal lead is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.