Page 137 of Falcon’s Forever

My eyebrows rise.

“I said I hate that I can’t,” he clarifies. “Not that I’m going to try.”

“That’s disturbingly self-aware.”

“It’s been a terrible week,” Falcon says.

I smile despite everything, and so does he. Then his expression turns serious again.

“If that house isn’t secure, you don’t stay.”

“That depends.”

“Cara,” he warns.

“No, listen.” I hold his gaze. “If the house isn’t secure, none of us stay. We find another option.”

The tension in his shoulders eases. “Right.”

“You keep making this about me.”

“Because I love you.”

The words come out plainly. There’s no drama attached to them and no expectation behind them.

They still land somewhere deep in my chest. "I love you too."

He goes still.

I've said it before, not since I told him I was done. His eyes search mine, and I keep talking before he makes more of it than I'm ready to give. "That doesn't mean you get special rules."

"It was worth a try."

I laugh. "You're impossible."

"Heard that before many times." He smiles at me.

“Those women need someone waiting who doesn’t look like the men who held them,” I say.

“I understand,” Falcon replies.

“Sarah understands things I don’t. Maggie understands things neither of us does. We can help them.”

His jaw works for a moment before he nods. “Okay.”

I search his face. “Okay?”

“I’m not going to make you fight me for the right to help.”

Something inside me softens. “Thank you.”

Falcon takes a breath. “Keep the security phone on?”

“I will.”

“And listen to Ice.”

“When he’s being sensible,” I qualify.