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I had to grow out and grow up first.
Because sometimes there is no place like home.
I glance at the police station where I know Davis is watching and fall just a little harder in love.
My core warms, and a familiar throbbing between my legs makes me sigh. I smile at the memory of Davis’s hands running over my body, andI love youon his lips. It feels like a fever dream. I’ve wanted him for so long, and now…he’s mine.
Since we officially saidI love you, calm has settled over my soul.
This life I am building, this baby, Davis…it suddenly doesn’t feel so nebulous. It feels real. Hope’s a bright flame burning in my chest. I both crave and fear it. Because it means I have something I cherish. Something I can lose at any time.
I’m still terrified Aiden’s lurking somewhere in the shadows, still unsure about where the future will lead, but as for me and Davis…
We are the right-now. And I’m all-in.
I slide a hand over the curve of my belly, then deposit the check back in my purse. I’m making shit happen. Making my life right for me and my son.
The door opens, and Fallon slinks in. “Sorry, I’m late,” she says, avoiding my gaze. “Late night.”
“Lot of those lately.” She’s been noticeably absent from The Corner Store, calling out of her last two shifts to work the rodeo circuit in Round Up. She’s been keeping ungodly hours and coming to work tired as hell.
Fallon gives me side-eye. “Planted at the window like some war wife? Let me guess…daydreaming about your Marine?”
I laugh. “Not much to do. You could have stayed home. But since you’re here,” I say, trying to sound casual. “I wanted to talk to you about The Corner Store.” She’s the first one I need on my side if I’m going to talk to our father about taking it over.
“What about it?” Fallon hisses a breath as she sinks into a squat. The back of her shirt rides up as she stuffs her duffel under the front counter.
That’s when I see the bruises.
Up and down her back, spattered like war paint. Yellow tells me some are old, but there are fresh ones.
My pulse skyrockets. “Fallon,” I croak. “What happened?”
My sister gives me a strange look as she stands. “What do you mean?”
“Your back.”
She busies herself at the candy counter, making me even more anxious. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit. That’s not nothing. Look at me.”
Shoulders stiff, she slowly turns. Oh god. Her right eye is black and blue. I recognize the attempt to disguise it with concealer.
My body freezes and revs up at the same time. Alarm races along my spine, and it’s the moment where I remember who the fuck I am.
I take a step toward her. “The guy you’re seeing. Did he do this?”
Fallon’s eyes dart to the door. Fear flashes across her face, her ice-queen routine disappearing briefly. “Do what?”
“Cut the shit.” I grab her arm. “Did he do this? Did he hurt you?”
“What?” She squirms in my grip, but I tighten my hold. I fist my hand in the hem of her shirt and yank it up. My eyes widen at a large bruise on her right side.
“God, Dakota,” she complains, struggling to pull her shirt down. “For a pregnant woman, you have actual insane strength.”
“What’s going on?” My voice borders on hysteria. I feel rage building in my chest. Rage for my sister. For myself. I think of her late nights, her duffel bag, her strange, secretive boyfriend.
“Tell me now,” I demand, not bothering to let her loose. My heart feels like it’s in a vise. If I have to tattle to Davis to keep her safe, I will.
