"Perfect," I tell her, helping her roll the sleeves. "You look very grown-up."
A shy smile crosses her face. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"
The question catches me off guard, but I recover quickly. "Of course you can. Trenton and Matthew will be here too, is that okay?"
She nods, yawning widely. "They're nice. They held my hands at the hospital."
I lead her to our bedroom, where Trenton and Matthew have already changed for bed. They've added extra pillows and pulled back the covers on my side, creating a space for Charlie between us.
"All cleaned up?" Trenton asks, his voice gentle as he takes in her small form in my oversized shirt.
"She's all yours," I say, helping Charlie into the bed.
Matthew moves to her other side, smoothing the blanket over her. "Comfy?"
Charlie nods, her eyes growing heavier by the second. "Will you tell me a story?"
Trenton and I exchange a look. "What kind of story would you like?" he asks.
"About a princess who gets rescued," she murmurs, already half asleep.
I lie down beside her, my arm curving protectively around her small body. "Once upon a time, there was a brave princess who was lost in a dark forest…"
My voice is soft as I weave the tale, changing the ending so the princess finds her own way home, with friends who love her. By the time I finish, Charlie's breathing has evened out, her small hand curled around my finger.
"She's asleep," I whisper.
Trenton nods, his eyes never leaving her face. "She trusts us already."
"It won't be easy," Matthew says quietly from her other side. "She's been through trauma."
I brush a strand of hair from Charlie's forehead. "We can handle it. Together."
Outside, the wind picks up, and a branch scrapes the window in short, uneven bursts. I feel Trenton tense beside me, his hand moving to the gun on the nightstand.
"He won't find us tonight," Matthew murmurs, though his eyes scan the window.
"Tomorrow," Trenton agrees, his voice a low rumble. "Tomorrow we make a plan."
I settle deeper into the pillows, Charlie's small body warm against mine. Our family has grown in ways I never expected, and with that growth comes new vulnerabilities. But as I watch her sleep, peaceful, safe between us, I know I'll move mountains to keep this little girl that way.
"We should call Greyson in the morning," I say, keeping my voice low. "The club can help watch the house while we get Charlie settled."
Matthew nods, his hand finding mine across Charlie's sleeping form. "Already on it. Greyson and the others will take shifts."
"Good." I close my eyes, exhaustion finally claiming me. "Because I'm not letting him take her again."
"Never," Trenton promises, his voice fierce. "He'd have to go through all of us first."
The words should be comforting, but they only remind me of the danger still lurking. Evan Harris is out there, believing Charlie belongs to him, believing I should be his next victim. But he's made a fatal mistake, he's threatened people who know how to protect what's theirs.
As I drift toward sleep, Charlie's small hand still clutching mine, I make a silent vow. This child will know safety. She will know love. And if Evan Harris dares to come for her, he'll learn exactly what happens when you threaten the Devil Souls' family.
Trenton
I stare down at the two sleeping figures beside me. Morgan curls protectively around Charlie's small form, moonlight filtering through the curtains bathing them in soft silver. I feel a weight settle over me. Charlie's tiny hand still clutches Morgan's finger even in sleep, as if afraid to let go.
"Let's talk," Matthew whispers, nodding toward the door.
