Relief washes through me, so intense it makes my vision blur. "How soon can we start?"
"We can begin the paperwork immediately. However, there's one more thing you should know."
My stomach tightens again. "What's that?"
"Given Mr. Harris's history and current status as a wanted man, his rights as a father would need to be formally terminated before the adoption can proceed. This could delay things if he's not found quickly."
I nod, the reality of our situation settling over me. "We understand."
She stands, gathering her materials. "I'll file the initial paperwork today. You should expect a home visit within the week."
I walk her to the door, my mind racing with possibilities and plans. As I turn back toward the living room, I find Trenton and Matthew standing in the hallway, Charlie between them.
"We heard," Matthew says simply.
"Are you going to keep me?" Charlie asks, her small voice filled with hope and fear.
I crouch down to her level. "Is that what you want?"
She nods, her eyes bright. "More than anything."
"Then yes," I say, pulling her into a hug. "We're going to keep you."
Trenton's hand finds my shoulder, his touch grounding me. "Family meeting tonight," he says quietly. "We need to make plans."
The day stretches on, filled with phone calls to lawyers and adoption agencies. I watch Charlie play in the backyard with Matthew, her laughter carrying on the summer breeze. She looks so normal, so happy, that for a moment I can almost forget the darkness lurking at the edges of our lives.
But as evening falls, reality sets in. We gather in the living room after putting Charlie to bed, her new stuffed animals lined up around her like sentinels.
"We need to find him," I say without preamble. "Before he finds us."
Trenton nods, his expression grim. "Greyson's working with the police. They've identified the latest victim as another woman matching your description."
The information hits me like a physical blow. "Another one? How many does that make?"
"Four confirmed," Matthew says. "Techy thinks there could be more. The pattern goes back years."
I sink onto the couch, my mind reeling. "He's escalating. With Charlie gone, he's losing control."
"Which makes him more dangerous," Trenton finishes my thought.
"We need a plan for if he comes here," Matthew says, his voice low and urgent. "Fortify the house, set up surveillance, have escape routes."
"Already started," Trenton assures him. "The club has men watching the perimeter. We've installed motion sensors and cameras."
I look between them, these two men who have become my life. "And if he gets past all that?"
Trenton's expression hardens. "Then he learns why you don't threaten the Devil Souls' family."
The words should frighten me, but they don't. Instead, I feel a strange calm settle over me. We will protect Charlie. We will keep her safe. Whatever it takes.
"Tomorrow we start the adoption process officially," I say, changing the subject. "I've called a lawyer who specializes in complicated cases."
"We should talk to your parents too," Matthew suggests. "They should know what's happening."
I nod. "Tomorrow. After we've had time to process this ourselves."
As we prepare for bed, I check on Charlie one last time. She's sleeping peacefully, her small hand curled around the stuffed dog my father gave her. In the dim light, I can see the bruises on her arms are almost gone now, but the marks left by fear and uncertainty will take longer to heal.
